Friday started out cold but clear, and as I drove towards Crawford County I wondered how the day would turn out. Like most everyone, I look forward to Fridays and the end of the work week, which often brings a bit of fun with family and friends. Fun for me frequently involves eating and drinking at restaurants and bars, and this particular day that form of fun would get started early.
I had received confirmation the previous day from our own BillP that he and the lovely NJ would meet me at the Blue River Cafe in Milltown for lunch. I've been a big fan of BillP on the forum for some time and I wondered how he would be in person. So, as I went about my scheduled inspections that morning I imagined what we would talk about, all the clever things I would say, and generally worried that BillP and NJ wouldn't like me. You see, I'm not really a foodie.
Don't get me wrong; I love food! But, when it comes to even basic techniques of cooking like blanching, braising, and deglazing, I know little and shamefully admit that I care even less. So, if they want me to hold up my end of a conversation about some of those wonderful foods that BillP is always mentioning in his posts, I'd just have to knock over my water (their water since I'd be drinking beer) and change the subject. “Did you see the size of that bug?” I'd say. Or “Did you hear about the dead mouse found in the salad at that posh New York Restaurant?” Yeah, I had a plan ready but it turns out I didn't need it.
As we sat down at the booth I asked “So where do you guys live?” BillP didn't pause for a second. “Just East down the road about five minutes and turn left at the meth lab,” he dead panned. I was thrown for a second trying to visualize a burned out building I must have passed on my way but hadn't noticed. I suggested the turn I thought he meant and we went on to establish that I not only knew where he lived, but I had actually been in his house a couple of times before he owned it. It was only then that I got his initial joke. “Of course!” The thread about the Green Door when the discussion had turned to Harrison Counties' reputation for that other nefarious non-foodie cooking activity. We had a good laugh at that and the rest of the lunch passed far too quickly.
I had the garlic thyme chicken breast w/herb potatoes and sautéed cabbage. This was the third lunch special that I had sampled at the BRC and it was the best! The chicken breast was boneless, lightly breaded and thoroughly fork tender. The large portions of herb potatoes and sautéed cabbage were the perfect accompaniment for the chicken. I could have eaten a whole plate of just the veg. We talked happily about this and that while we ate, and two different parties entered the small dining room greeting BillP and NJ like old friends. This was particularly impressive as Bill and NJ have lived in this area for only a few years.
I wanted to spend all afternoon with these two, but I had another appointment. So, after dessert, which was a wonderful bread pudding w/Captain Morgan’s Hard sauce that elicited praise from Bill and I both, we were out the door. As we walked to the parking lot it was snowing lightly, and we agreed that we “must do this again sometime soon” as people often do.
BillP, I fully intend to hold you to that. We will have to check out the Green Door. This time it will be your turn to write it up. Cheers!
. I'm glad you guys got together, though. Come back, Bill - please!?!!