May
30
Meals we always love.
Filed Under cocktails and wine, dinner, eat and drink, manners | Leave a Comment
Much like grandparents keeping the grand kids so their parents can jump on a plane for a quick trip to France, Garibaldi’s is a tradition. Which is why Mr. Shop Tart and his wife took her father and his lovely wife out to dinner at Garibaldi’s, to say thank you for their recent service. Shop Tart Tip: Don’t tell people beforehand that you are buying their dinner. That way, you know they accepted your invitation because they actually like you (or at least feel okay with hanging out with you in public) AND they won’t go crazy ordering when they know they won’t have to pay.
When hosting someone else at dinner, do feel free to suggest a moderately priced bottle of wine, then proceed to drink more than half of it yourself. Pine Ridge’s chenin blanc viognier is just lovely for summer.
The reason the Shop Tart suggested Garibaldi’s was that she was craving their mussels, probably because they are delicious and it was Sunday. You see, Garibaldi’s is open on Sunday and there is something really crazy about going to a fancy restaurant on a Sunday! (Yes, the Shop Tart lives somewhat of a low key life, so her crazy might not be quite as out there as yours. Other parts of her life are legitimately off the wall, so her social life doesn’t need to be.) The mussels, as always, were outstanding. The Shop Tart orders a pile of raw, undressed arugula to soak up the broth left in the bowl after the delicious bivalves have been eaten.
Mr. Shop Tart got one of the specials of the evening, mussels with pesto cream, and they were delicious, but his wife is a purist and stuck with the original.
But she’s getting a little ahead of herself, because they started with one of her favorite appetizers, Garibaldi’s light and delicious fried calamari.
As always, the service at Garibaldi’s was friendly and efficient. Their waitress made sure to let the table know that there was plenty of crispy fried flounder available. This is their most famous dish, they’ve been known to run out and everyone could relax knowing that it was definitely an option and that there was no rush to order.
What are some of your favorite standards around Columbia? Are there certain meals you know you’ll always enjoy?
In today’s post…
- Garibaldi’s, 2013 Greene Street, 771-8888
Happy Shopping and don’t forget to tell them you read it on the Shop Tart!
May
25
Easy dinner.
Filed Under cocktails and wine, dinner, eat and drink | Leave a Comment
Last week, the Shop Tart and her husband were going to take their children out on a Friday night, to Il Giorgione, because it’s easy, not too expensive and the food is good. No brainer! But the children wanted to stay home. Then a friend with a sitter and nowhere to go called, so Mr. Shop Tart and his wife agreed to meet her there. Which was great because, as it happened, Mr. Shop Tart had to leave dinner half way through to go to bond court. (He’s a lawyer, yo. Just to be clear.) So…what was supposed to be a kid dinner turned into dinner with a friend! Hooray!
The best place to sit at Il Giorgione is outside, in the alley between the restaurant and what used to be Dianne’s. How does the Shop Tart know it’s the best place to sit? Because it is!
She snapped the picture above on the way out — it turned into a lovely long dinner. They arrived when the sun was still low in the sky. Spoiled by European jaunts, the Shop Tart loves a big bottle of frizzante to go with her wine.
Mr. Shop Tart had the pizza of the day, “Kevin,” an old Italian name for sure. Delicious! The crust is just right, neither too thick nor too thin, and it was just crispy enough, so when you pick it up to eat it, all the delicious ingredients stay put.
The Shop Tart wanted something light, and this tuna salad with creamy, fresh mozzarella was perfect. Seriously, perfect.
And that’s when things got crazy. Mr. Shop Tart left for court. The Shop Tart and her friend ordered another glass of…Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina? Mastrobernardino Lacryma Cristi Blanco? The Shop Tart can’t remember, but it was lovely. They were going to go home. Really! But some fun people they knew arrived.
More food was ordered. Maybe a little more wine. Then something delicious arrived at the table. Two bowls of sorbet. The first was cantaloupe, and it tasted exactly like ripe, fresh cantaloupe. It was delicious, but the second one — orange basil — was divine. Next time, the Shop Tart will be ordering it with a side of vodka, which she’ll pour over the top, then eat the whole thing with a spoon. Or maybe she’ll drink it. Or! She will take the advice of Chef Scott Hall of Bone In Artisan Barbecue and add Lillet. That so has to happen. So.
P.S. There was also limoncello, served Italian style, chilled in a little glass.
P.P.S. The Shop Tart did not drive home. Safety first!
Il Giorgione is the perfect neighborhood restaurant — even if you don’t live in the neighborhood. You know those nights when you want to go out, but you don’t want to dress up too much or spend a pile of cash? But you don’t want to wear sweat pants and carry your own food to the table? And you want a decent wine list? Il Giorgione! Maybe you’ll even run into someone fun. See you there!
In today’s post…
- Il Giorgione, 2406 Devine Street, 803-521-5063
Happy Shopping and don’t forget to tell them you read it on the Shop Tart!
The Shop Tart Loves…
