On Dinner

I had dinner out this evening. This is not a particularly rare occurrence, but neither is it a nightly one as it once was. I had the pleasure of dining at The Metropolitan Grill. I have eaten the The Met (as it is commonly called) many times, stretching back to 2004. With a few exceptions, I have enjoyed each visit. The service is generally very good, the food is exceptional, and the atmosphere is relaxed but not usually overly-casual.

Tonight was not noteworthy, but it was very good. We began with the crab-cakes (which are exceptional, and -- oddly enough -- mostly crab). I opted for one of their chalk-board specials, a New York strip steak aged 42 days (instead of the usual 28). The waiter explained that the extra aging would yield a somewhat 'softer' piece of meat with a more 'buttery' flavor. As seems to happen every time I stray from my usual fillet mignon, I was less than thrilled with my steak experience. Don't get me wrong, it was a fabulous piece of meat, and it tasted wonderful. I could not, however, help but be jealous of my lovely dinner companion's perfectly seared puck of meat with the gorgeous blood-red interior. We both opted for the steak-fries for the first time, and both wondered aloud why we had not done so in the past. We shared a gigantic side-order of Alaskan king-crab mac & cheese. I am not sure that there are words to describe how good this side dish is. The sweetness of the crab is offset perfectly by the tang of sharp white cheddar, the creaminess of the bechamel balanced by the crispness of the panko topping, browned perfectly in the intense heat of their ovens.

The late-ish vintage (2001) Gouguenheim Malbec we chose to accompany our meat-fest was perfectly peppery, velvety and just fruity enough that it did not over-power the steaks. I have, of late, become quite fond of Malbecs of various vintages and provenances. They pair often perfectly with steaks, and tend not to break the bank.

For dessert (always the most important course, right?) we opted to share the Chocolate Lava Cake, which is quite good, and was really too much. Who am I kidding? It was fabulous (I love chocolate) and there is no such thing as too much when one is talking about a meal like this. Excess is the name of the game, and I came out a winner tonight. Next time I'll get the fillet, but other than that, I have no complaints. If you have a chance, give the Met a go.