A real post! I swear, no teaser this time!

Perhaps, just for a moment in time, I felt unsure of my career. I mean who HASN’T that happened to? I am a damn good Bartender, a fairly decent cook and an acceptable Restaurant Manager (at least that’s what I assume from the fact that I am still employed with a rather large company.)

But lately I just haven’t been into it as whole heartedly as I should. Maybe the corporate aspect of it is just not my style (Lord knows I’m more of a free thinker type) but it didn’t seem to be an issue before. I mean I have worked for the same company for nearly four and a half years now.

Maybe I am bored with the Front of House? I have been yearning to cook again and seeking out an opportunity to do so as much as possible in my free time. I toyed with the idea of opening a small (I mean very small) Pub. But with the economy the way it is and the lack of available funds for such an expensive undertaking I have kind of cast that aside for the time being.

Maybe I am sick of working in the same old boring place day in and day out. (Unlikely considering how interesting work has been lately.) What could the reason be then? I don’t know. I did a lot of thinking while I was on vacation at my family’s cottage. The best I came up with was that I was feeling sorry for myself (for what, I know not.)

Well relaxed and fairly reinvigorated I slapped myself into shape and shook off the doldrums. Sometimes I just get into a funk.

Good news arrived unexpectedly though. My brother will be state side on Friday and probably home shortly after that (for good this time.) I hope everyone knows what this means… Clams and beer, in not so moderate amounts and fishing every chance I get. It also means a week after he is home I will get smacked with a pretty nasty illness from burning myself at both ends. Oh well, it’ll be worth it.

Last week the misses and I went to the Mulberry (her favorite) for the first time in a while. Surprisingly enough they wouldn’t let us make a reservation. Apparently they only take them for groups of five or more. It was great to have a NICE meal with just her and I. It has been a while since we were out at a nice Restaurant.

As always my Friend JoJo from college was bartending. We made small talk while Ash and I waited for our table. From what I gathered from JoJo, between the rushes of customers assaulting the bar, she is doing well. We sat sharing stories of recent experiences over our drinks. Thankfully JoJo abstained from the shots she usually forces (if you believe that…) me to do. After about forty-five minutes the hostess let us know, it was time to eat.

I was disappointed to find they were out of their seafood bisque amongst other things. But when you go to a restaurant that makes their food fresh every day you have to expect it. My predictable significant other got her Lobster Ravioli (which I have to admit is amazing…) I ventured from my usuals of the Joe Shaw Rigatoni or Shrimp Fra Diavolo for a unique pasta dish I have never tried.

It was a spicy treat which consisted on Campanelle (a small trumpet shaped pasta) shrimp, cherry and bell peppers, Vidalia onions and what I can only figure was some type of Italian version of buerre blanc with a kick..

The shrimp were anything but (shrimps) they were decent sized (probably U-6) which I am not usually a fan of. They are very easy to over cook and have a tendancy of becoming very tough when they are. These, however, were fantastic and melted like butter.

As good as it was it made me want my favorite restaurant even more. Scarlet. Hint-Hint!

Anyways, if you have never been to Mulberry I suggest you go. The food is phenomenal and the prices are reasonable. If you go and settle on a boring spaghetti and Meatball, make sure you heed my advice. Do NOT order a second meatball. The Goddamned things are the size of a softball.

That’s all for now friends…

Until next time… Don’t drink anything I wouldn’t…

Mac The Bartender

P.S.

I have decided I am starting on my own book… It’s hopefully going to be like “Waiter Rant” met “Kitchen Confidential” and they settled down and had some kids and after their relationship got stale decided to have a threesome with “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell” to shake things up a bit… Big shoes to step into I know, but I think I am fairly capable...