Maguire’s Dining Event
Tonight, I suggested Maguire’s Uptown which was formally M Grill and Tap. But I think it’s all the same if I understand Guidelive correctly. It fancies itself as an upscale sports bar and boy is it! On Cedar Springs near the Crescent, it’s nice and neat on the inside with flat screens everywhere on sports events and nice tables and decor surrounding. It’s a nice contradiction in design.
The waitress, which interestingly enough looked like the Flying Tomato, was a little too talky going on and on and on…..and on about the wine list and the night’s specials. If only I had a water glass to douse her with and to get on with our ordering. But she was so nice, I couldn’t be too annoyed.
I ordered the Maple Ginger Salmon on a bed of rice and vegetables with a Maguire salad to start. I’ve been very lucky with salads lately. This was no exception. I’ve found that I LOVE salads with crumbled bleu cheese, fruit and nuts and this had all three. Combined with nice green and purple lettuce and a vinaigrette (sp?), the taste was nice and sweet. The texture of the cheese and nuts makes it more filling I think. As if I’m eating food rather than munching on greens. Very good.
And then the salmon came out. As I faintly heard angels singing, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It looked like a big chicken breast, but this beautiful golden glazed piece of salmon on top a colorful melange of vegetables was the purtiest thing I had seen the whole day. Minus my handsome coworker Blake. It was so beautiful, I felt I was committing sin by THINKING about cutting into it. But my salivary glands took over and I conceded.
The meat crumbled nicely but left big chunks to savor. It was the sweetest and juiciest salmon I’ve ever had with the most perfect pink coloring. The glaze at some points on the fish added a crunch and it was the best feeling my mouth has had in a long time (no jokes). The vegetables were perfect but the rice was a little overcooked and hard. And needed some salt. Which was a good thing because it brought me back to earth from dining heaven. A forkful of rice and veggies was a bland taste and so I went back for the fish. A little dash of salt fixed the entire problem but the salmon filled me (along with the salad) before I could eat anymore of the rice and fixings.
I expected to pay a bit for my meal but I think it has been quite a while since I paid $35 for a meal. It was mostly the salad that caught me by surprise. The waitress failed to mention that the meal doesn’t come with the salad. Or that the salad I got was the same full salad on the menu. Ahhh well, one lesson learned. And one that won’t hinder me from going back!!
