I was very fortunate to have a fine lunch with one of my favorite food bloggers, Denise Parker of the Epicurean Perils of Sweet Polly and WTFotk, at Chill yesterday. We were pampered by John, an affable, more than competent server with the most delightful accent. He could read the classified ads to me and I would be enthralled.
We pored over the menu and decided to share the Goat cheese, sundried tomato and fig terrine.
It was served with a basket of crisp bread for spreading the yummy cheese goodness. A nice combination of savory and sweet to awaken the taste buds. My gracious dining companion allowed me to order the Grilled Cheese 2.0 and she chose the Black and Blue salad. John assured my friend the kitchen would gladly modify the salad and would eliminate the tomatoes from her dish. I must hasten to add we were enjoying generous pours of the house wine, as well.
The grilled cheese was a very engaging taste explosion of melted mild cranberry cheese, sliced pears, bacon and a delicious orange marmalade aioli. The plate also featured lightly seasoned crisp fries.
The Black and Blue salad was topped with a perfectly cooked medium rare steak and a tasty sherry vinaigrette. (I adore sherry wine vinegar). A very fine lunch indeed,
It took only a little arm twisting to add a dessert to end our meal. The famous dessert combining a chocolate brownie and red velvet cake in a glorious dome of moist goodness. There was a crispy edge that yielded to a tender center. Topped off with a scoop of good ice cream and a caramel drizzle, it was a delicious morsel to share. Oh so good. It was very nice to have the kind and friendly Ruthie check on our satisfaction.
Our meal was a perfect treat on a Friday afternoon. I look forward to visiting Chill again. Might I add that John told us that the lovely brie appetizer on the dinner menu could be ordered at lunch. The kitchen would be happy to oblige, just ask. I find that willingness to accommodate the taste whims of a dining guest refreshing in this world of no substitutions. An appetizer, two entrees, a dessert and (ahem) six glasses of wine was a very reasonable 75.00 dollars, excluding the gratuity for the personable John. I urge you to visit Chill and do just that, chill out for a few hours with the company of a friend. You will feel infinitely better to face the rest of your busy day.
In a former life time I was known as "Tina, the Tourguide." Maybe I gained my nickname because of my penchant for telling 'people where to go' or maybe not. My former employ as a resort front desk manager allowed me to indulge in tasting, trying and then recommending restaurants for our diverse base of guests. It was the favorite part of my job....investigating what was new, what was popular and what would be a good fit for the diner. I was not compensated then or now for my dining choices, it is purely my personal opinion on finding the best tasting restaurants, value or splurge, family or intimate, to recommend to either guests or friends. That being said, I do have a personal bias to the old St. Pete establishments as a life long resident of the city I love. I am drawn to visit and review the places that have been re-vitalized into something new from my recollections.
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