Afghan food? Who would have thought?

So...it has been over a month since I last blogged about eating out. Since many of you know that I am fairly litrugical, it must be obvious that this was because it was Lent and I was fasting like crazy and also lost a ton of weight in 40 days! BZZZT. Wrong answer, although it would have been a good excuse. Actually it is just that, unlike the situation for T.S. Elliot, March is for me "the cruelest month." Meetings, covering for vacations, choir stuff, reading multiple books for Lent studies (Aha! see there was something liturgicl), means that in my free time I collapse instead of blogging. But I still eat! And...I have been several time in the last month to a wonderful little restaurant at the north end of the KMart parking lot in Fort Collins call Mazza Kabob. This was introduced to me by my son Bryan, who is currently floating off the Atlantic Coast someplace, but who was also genetically destined (as is his brother Doug) to be a major gourmand. I had now idea what Afghan food was like. My knowledge of Afghanistan was slanted at best: 1) The Far Pavilions, a novel that describes how the British screwed up by invading Afghanistan (this written decades ago BTW 2) Jimmy Carter upsetting everyone by cancelling our participation in the Moscow Olympics because the Russians invaded Afghanistan and eventually got their buttova kicked 3)Our current war..'nuff said; and of course 4) The Man Who Would be King...which is in a fictional country that probably was based on Afghanistan (where Michael Caine and Sean Connery due great for a while but then die at the end ). But I am woolgathering instead of talking about food. From my mere 5 visits to this restaurant, I have decided that Afghan cuisine is kind of a mix of Indian and Middle Eastern/Turkish. Their main menu items are the Kabobs: Chicken, Beef and Kufta (meatballs). The chicken kabob is divine...wonderful spices and really high quality white meat...not the strips pulled off the drumstick and disguised as decent chicken that you get someplace. Their rice is that kind that I stare at and think "why can't my rice at home turn out like this?" where every grain is perfectly done and separated from the others. The main dishes are served with a side of a ultrasmall afghan salad and a yogurt mix that you can spread on anything that you want. They have an eggplant main dish, eggplant burrani, that is also wonderful..thin slices of eggplant without a hint of bitterness, served with a great sauce, and the rice. Chicken Korma is another of my favorites, which if you have eaten at any of the Indian places in town, I would recommend you try Mazza Kabob's to compare--wonderful taste without too much heat. The portions are ultra generous. There are also great combinations. The last time I was there I had something called a "challow" that included the chicken korma but instead of regular rice had a rice in a brown sauce with raisins and slivered carrots. You often get a side of Afghan style Naan, which is slightly thicker than its Indian cousin. The Chai tea is also spot on. The owner (Sayed, I think) is this wonderful man, who comes out frequently to make sure you enjoyed things and that his food was up to snuff. This is one of these places that I really want to last in town. You may be thinking "Afghan food sounds strange." But I assure you it will surprise and delight you. I took my psychologist friend Tammi there--she is from Nebraska and thinks that only beef and potatoes are truly food and everything else is a dare--and she loved it. Please go to Mazza Kabob. You will be a better person for it.

Enzio's--superb Italian food

I never had much exposure to good Italian food growing up. Mom had a home-made sphagetti sauce that was really quite good (I still make it occaisionally) but that was the limit of her Italian repetoire. When I sometimes had lunch at the next door neighbor kid's house, his parents, who were retired CIA operatives, would heat up Chef Boy-Ar-Dee, which I personally found to be disgusting. Later, when Shelley and I first got married, and the only meat protein we could afford was either tuna or hamburger, we started making Lasagna...it was actually pretty decent. When we moved to West L.A. for med school was when I finally discovered good, gourmet Italian food, and it has quickly become my preferred ethnic food. I have 2 favorite Italian restaurants in Northern Colorado, and the one I frequent the most is Enzio's on Mountain. Enzio's has a lot of things going for it. One big one is the staff: incredibly friendly and knowledgable. When I walk in I often feel like Norm walking into the Cheer's bar---it's like my home away from home. Enzio's is also amazingly consistent. You know how you go to some restaurants, all excited because of how wonderful it was last time, and you order a dish and it just doesn't cut it? Like the chef is either taking a holiday and forget to pass on his recpies or else he has passed out in the back? That never happens to me at Enzio's. Shelley is the conserative part of our dining duo: once she finds a dish she likes at a particular restaurant, she almost never orders anything else. So for Enzio's, this means she is going to get either Chicken or Eggplant Piccata (never Veal, because, after all, they live in boxes all their lives.) A good piccata has that wonderful blend between the lemon, the capers and spices and the Enzio's sauce is truly amazing--the breaded crust on the chicken makes Shelley immensely happy--the portions are also ultra-generous. The pasta served with it is obviously home made and just the right consistency. As the more liberal/adventurous part of our duo, I like to try different items. I have had a fair amount on their menu, but one of the last times I was there I tried their Chicken Rosemarino. I don't know how others are, but there are certain ingredients in a mixture that start really getting me excited. So when I read what was in the Rosemarino I found my psyche really starting to go wild--like listening to a really good Bach fugue (for you baroque affectianados) build and build to the an amazing finale. Now I also have had that same experience of getting excited and then being really let down by the true product--sort of like the previews for the remake of Clash of the Titans versus that actual movie. I was really hopeful for the Rosemarino--I mean how could you go wrong with artichokes, sundried tomatoes, capers and a gorgonzola cream sauce. I started eating it...and my world changed forever. Now I also need to make some confessions about my eating style: I am normally a very fast eater. Some of this is genetic and some learned (eating on call as an intern was always a gobble-down fest). But...if I really like something then I become ultra-slow. I have to pause, and savor, and wait for my head to get straight, then take another bite and repeat. Rosemarino did this to me in spades, it was like gastronomic eroticism...may my puritanical friends reading this please forgive me. If you are around my age, it was like the food scene in the Albert Finney version of Tom Jones. (If you have know idea what I am talking about then you are missing an important part of sex and cinema history). Then, as if that wasn't enough, they have this amazing idea for dessert: a sampler flight of desserts, like Tiramisu and some wonderful Limoncello thing with lot's of creamy goodness. I should also mention that Enzio's has one of the best wine selections in the area and the staff are really well versed in what is good with what food. As I am writing this, I frankly already am planning when I can go back...superb food and being made to feel like a special customer...how can I not return. Berm P.S. I am late writing this because of a recent trip to see my son and DIL in Salt Lake City. Two "must eat there again" places while we were there: The Red Iguana, with the most amazing selection of Mole's I have ever seen, and the Naked Fish Bistro, which had superb sushi and wonderful creative fish dishes---try them if you are there.

British Tea Room

British Tea Room Rocks! I decided after some mulling over that I am going to add to the blog, about every 4th or 5th posting, something about a non-Fort Collins restaurant. Now this may seem like heresy to people, particularly natives. I have often noticed the people who have grown up here think of Greeley, for example, as a foreign land that requires a visa to get to, in addition of course to the travel time. For someone from Southern California, this seems strange. When I was in my late teens, all the best restaurants were either in downtown LA or even further out from me on La Cienega Boulevard. It seemed natural to hop on the Pasadena freeway, drive an hour, dine and then drive back. Given that long intro, I am going to blog about the Wildflower Tea Room in Broomfield, which is owned and run by Brits. I love a good British Tea Room/Restaurant; this is of course despite the fact that I realize that 90% of the things I might eat there are going to challenge my LDL cholesterol...but they will really help my endorphins, those crazy little hormones that may you go "ah!" (like the girl from Ipanema). When I was at UCLA there was a great little British tea room in Santa Monica that really got me addicted to scones, and funky small cucumber sandwiches. Greeley used to have a British Tea Room with Steak pies, Bangers, etc, but it is gone. And I truly miss Loveland's Miss Attie's Tea Room which was elegant as well as tasty. So it was with much anticipation and excitement that I went to the Wildflower Restuarant and Tea Room in Broomfield. I had signed us up for High Tea. This started out with a cranberry scone. Now this may seem ordinary, but this was not just any ordinary scone, anymore than Bilbo's ring was just a plain ring! This was almost right out of the oven, flaky and tasty and served an option of either home made strawberry perserves and/or double clotted Devonshire cream. Then came either soup or salad--I opted for the salad as one of the dressing choices was a home made Bass Ale vinagrette, I was not disappointed. Tea was flowing strongly too by this point, but they also gave us champagne. Whew! I was already feeling semi-full from this when the waiter showed up with one of thos cone shaped carried trays that seem unique for High Tea w/ a what seemed like a multitude of microsandwiches and desserts. It was a nice mix of traditional (cucumber sandwich w/ a dill spring) with some unigue items like a diced shrimp on a crostini, jalapeno cheese puff and Guiness chocolate petit-four cake. At the end of this I was beginning to feel like Mr Creosote from the Monty Python movie, not quite to the bucket stage, but close. But wait (like the ads on TV say) there's more! Not more food right then, but there other menu options for dinner, lunch and their pub. I literally can't wait to go back to try Bubble and Squeak or Scotch Egg appetizers. And, their adjoining pub , the Burns Pub, not only has one of the largest selections of single malts I have ever seen but once a month has a Whiskey Dinner, with 3 whiskey's paired with an appetizer, entree and dessert. Gaelic Heaven on earth! The whole complex of the pub and restaurant are attached to a Bed and Breakfast, which I may need if I go to the Whiskey Dinner. So, gentle readers, stretch your boundaries and try this place. It is not too far from Costco, for those of you who drive down there for deals...use the money you have saved to indulge your inner British Glutton. Last item: a contest. Because I don't have a 12 year old boy in the neighborhood who can show me how to correct the spelling on the title of this blog...please submit your answer as to why "Northen" is actually correct instead of "Northern." Submit your answer on the blog site, not Facebook and the most creative answer will win: a meal out for 2 with Shelley and me. What a deal! All for now, Berm

Cilantro Grill

Cilantro Grill: A hidden Mexican food delight. I know, I lied. I said I was going to talk Sushi. But...the place I went that week was a total disappointment, and I thought to my self, "Am I really trying to do a newspaper like restaurant review column, or just advise people where it's fun to eat?" So, we are going to skip Sushi for now and move on to a Mexican restaurant. Mexican food and I go back a long way...like PTB (Pre Taco Bell). Yes, there was a time when there were no fast food Mexican chains. Oh there were Taco stands, like the one on Mission Ave in South Pasadena that had the most amazing deep fried bean burritos that I am sure have changed my circulatory system forever, but they were all independently owned. I really don't remember Fish Tacos however until maybe 15 years ago during a visit to San Diego--my life has never been the same. So now I search, with help from my sons in particular, for the ultimate fish taco experience. Cilantro Grill, which is set back in the alley off of the section of Laurel that includes the Pickle Barrel and Cold Stone Creamery in Fort Collins, has, either the number 1 or 2 Fish Tacos I have ever had. They use Tilapia and grill it in very nice spices and add a slice of fresh avocado. It melts...My eldest son sent me a link about how gorillas make humming noises when they find a great feeding patch. When I am in Cilantro Grill my inner gorilla comes out. Interestingly enough, when I was there this week, I decided that I had to get out of my rut and get something besides the fish taco. It caused a fair amount of inner angst but I felt I had to try something else just so I could blog about it. So...I got the Chile Relleno plate. Chile Relleno is one of those tests of a really good Mexican restaurant, at least that is my belief. The one at CG was only lightly battered, which for me is good because then I can rationalize that I am only slightly raising my LDL with the cheese and not the "crust." The first bite was fairly spicy, but I have become aware that that is something that is very dependent on the batch of chilies and not the cook. But...the cheese innards perfectly balanced that on further feeding and prevented me from having the mouth-on-fire experience that would remind me of the first time I tried to eat a whole habenero. It was a superb Chile Relleno. But what really impressed me was the rest of the "plate." Some Mexican restaurants add a little bit of shredded iceburg lettuce, throw on 1/2 tsp of salsa and call it a salad. But...these folks had a reallly nice side salad w/ a cilantro dressing that was yummy. The beans, which were whole pinto (you could get black also) were tender, covered w/ shredded cheese and were great! I didn't have to worry about frijoles that might be 3 parts lard to 1 part bean... Despite not having a fish taco, I hummed. Although I didn't order it this time, I might add that there Flan is also a truly wonderful thing...creamy and carmelly (which if it isn't a word, should be). So...all for now. But: I'llbe back (pretend you are hearing this with an Austrian accent). Berm

Greek Food, part I

When I was 15 years old, my Mother, who had been saving money from teaching pre-teen girls how to dance in toe shoes, said to me, "I want us to go for a fun trip this next summer, where would you like to go?" Since I had been reading exotic books about Greece and Greek history, that was my choice. We spent 6 weeks traveling around Greece (my time in Athens was mostly spent trying to help Mom escape from a semi-lecherous Bell-Captain named George). I fell in love with the food, the culture and all things Greek...with the exception of former vice-president Spiro Agnew. In 1987 when we moved up here from greater metropolitan Lamar, I was excited to find that there was a Greek Restaurant: Tony's. But, much to my chagrin (and that of his relatives who own a great restaurant on Evans and Hampden in Denver), Tony decided he would be more profitable having a bar/night club, and Fort Collins lost the Hellenic cuisine. Renzio's in the mall showed up, but, let's face, that was mall food. In the last year, Zeus has smiled on us and we now have two Greek places--the most recent of which is the Greek Taverna on South College and Troutman. I have been to the Taverna several times now, and I have to admit, my experiences have been up and down. I was literally there on opening day and was thrilled that they had Saganaki: flaming cheese that you mop up with warm pita bread. I had some Moussaka, which is a Greek staple, layers of eggplant and a ground meat/herbed tomato mixture topped with a custard, which was quite good. But then I asked for Greek coffee, and was met with blank looks (the staff aren't Greek). This was sad: Greek (or Turkish) coffee is sort of a post-meal spiritual experience. The next time I went, I had the vegetarian Moussaka, but the veggies were kind of crunchy (Moussaka needs to be fairly mushy), and some joker in the kitchen had decided that Greek potatoes (lemon and butter) would be better with Cayenne pepper. Mistake!! I am all for fusion cuisine, but this was sort of like putting a bra on the Venus de Milo. I asked for Greek coffee again and got it, but with a dollop of whipped cream on the top, which again is something no self-respecting Greek would do. Sure, I got to break a plate (it was my birthday) and watch people dance and yell "O-pah!" but it seemed like it was mostly for show. But there is REDEMPTION. I went again this last week and ordered the Lamb Burger. I realize that many people do not like Lamb, including my wife. For her some of it is worrying about baby animals; I have tried explaining to her that they really aren't babies, more like late teens, and that the best lamb ranches only butcher the lambs that suffer from ovine anti-social personality disorder, but she doesn't buy it. I really think that most lamb-haters had a bad experience with mutton and have never recovered. Regardless, this lamb burger was the best I have ever eaten. It was juicy, mixed with the right amount of oregano and topped with Tzaziki and cucumbers. I was like the pet dog in the old Hanna-Barbera cartoons that, when presented with a dog biscuit would shoot to the ceiling and float down with a moan of ecstasy. In addition, their Mezze appetizer, which included hummus, baba ganoush and a feta/jalapeno mix (some fusion is cool) was wonderul. So...Taverna is now on my good side. and like MacArthur, I shall return. But probably not before I go again to Cafe Athens and the Greek-owned restaurant in Greeley...but that will be another story. Next up: Sushi. All for now, Berm

The dining adventure begins: Red Table

Northern Colorado Restaurant Blog: The Doctor Dines Out. January 22, 2012 OK, my wife claims that I eat out more than anyone she knows, and my friends and acquaintances are constantly asking my advice on restaurants, so this is my attempt as what will probably be a weekly blog. If someone reads this and has a suggestion (please try the great Bulgarian Restaurant in Timnath, for example), that’s cool. So, in the last 48 hours I have been out to eat twice. This last Friday noon I went to the Red Table Café on Linden in Fort Collins. This is one of those places on my “gosh I should really try this sometime” list. First, the owner’s wife used to work with my wife, so that’s a plus. And it’s it Old Town, which despite the great parking search, means that I can wander around afterwards and buy tea or spices or books. I hadn’t been yet because they don’t open until 8am, which for an employed breakfast lover is a negative. You either decide you are going to be late to work or you just look at someplace else that opens sooner. But…as I perused their menu in preparation for going, they serve breakfast all day, which is a secret guilty pleasure. The decore inside is quaint and with a homey feeling. I ended up ordering the "Breakfast at Tiffany's Burrito," which has spinach, onion, mozzarella and scrambled eggs wrapped in a flour tortilla then smothered with a green chile. The green chile has a slight bite to it but is not the kind that overwhelms the rest of the food. The other thing I realled liked was the fact that I got a small fruit cup instead of a ton of breakfast potatoes. This may sound odd, but when you get the potatoes at some restaurants then you mentally go through gyrations of trying to decide how close to that low carb diet you really are going to go. Then the potatoes start calling to you. And, before you regain consciousness half of them are ingested. The Tiffany burrito was a great way to have a something that feels likes it should be bad for you but really isn't--yum! The folks I ate with had the Avocado Burrito, the Potato Burrito and the Patrami Reuben and didn't leave anything behind. If had been my family we would have passed and shared and made yummy sounds together, but these were business associates so I can only surmise that what they had was good. The rest of the menu looks interesting. Nice salads, bagel sandwhiches, and pizza. They had gluten-free bread, which I guess is cool. Haven't quite decided about the gluten thing. It seems to be kind of a dietary badge of importance for our current generation. Not the true Celiac disease folks, but the ones that have had a saliva test that says they should never eat bread again. No wonder church attendance for the standard denominations is down--you can't have communion and be a gluten groupie at the same time, right? But, maybe it is a real thing...I will have to be more open. The only other thing I would have liked food wise would have been something with salmon--gotta have those omega-3 fatty acids. And, my cousin Andrew works for the North Atlantic Salmon Foundation, so it would be anti-family if I didn't have Salmon often. All in all it was a good experience, and I will be back. Coming up next: Greek Food. So stay tuned....Berm.