Busy weekend at the Bird household as we had friends up from Virginia for the weekend. Friday was a mellow night in, a bit of BBQ, some wine... Quarto! Saturday we woke up late, had a wonderful brunch courtesy of my special lady and then did a little hike up Mt. Abe. It is a nice hike, pretty gradual and then a steeper scramble up to the top for some nice 360 degree views. It was pretty darn wet and muddy and the bugs were vicious so maybe wait for the Fall and foliage. Just sayin'. Saturday night was another winning meal at Hen of the Wood in Waterbury. We had a pretty solid pinot, Aqua Pumpkin, to accompany our meal. Course 1 featured the old standby fried oysters which came through as usual. We also had a very good rabbit salad with these outrageous chantrelle mushrooms. The big winner was the Cornish game hen though that came w/ a very tasty pea aoli type sauce. We destroyed that badboy. The guys and gals went along party lines for the entrees, ladies took down the Scallops, fellas opted for the duck. The scallops were good but they were very large a little texturally overwhelming and pretty salty. The duck was great. Well cooked, not too fatty and crispy on the outside. The spaetzle it came with was also rich and delicious. Not for nothing but I had a little side of broccoli drenched in sardine butter... oh baby! Cheese plate next which I cannot remember all of but was great and a finisher of chocolate and hazelnut profiteroles. Good, not exceptional. As usual the service was solid and the atmosphere was great. Another 2 thumbs up.
Sunday, we lounged about a bit and then headed to Magnolia for brunch. It is a good breakfast place. I had an ok lime zest waffle w/ fresh fruit. The bloody mary was the star. spicy but not heartburny. After tennis and swimming down at the Charlotte beach (yup, we are very sporty), we joined friends for dinner at A Single Pebble. I had not been there in years but it was really very good. We had the mock eel which had good flavor and was not overcooked so the texture was very good, dried green beans in a sweet soy sauce which were also very good and pork dumplings which were ok. We then split a couple entrees, a tangerine chicken which tasted really good and was not too sweet or greasy as is often the case at Chinese restaurants, and ants on a tree. The ants on a tree were very good, the pork was well seasoned and the cellophane pasta was just right. Decent service, fair price. 1 1/2 thumbs up.
Overall a very full and very enjoyable weekend!
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