My Weekend -- Trying to Get a Meal Edition

While this weekend was a big one, I never had so many problems just trying to get a meal! Honestly, with my own rush (see Friday), poorly managed crowd control (see Saturday), and just plain front-of-house customer service failure (see Sunday), I felt like I had to work much too hard to actually eat out this weekend.

Friday night: Popped into Mo's to meet a couple of pals with every intention of ordering dinner. But after running into more people, a having a few more drinks, and chatting up a storm, I, um, forgot. It was horrible, too, since I ended up with a stale, sad chicken sandwich from McDonald's on my way home.

Saturday night: Locals said Bonge's Tavern was more crowded than they'd seen in years, and with the 90 degree temps and clear skys I couldn't blame folks for wanting to come out and enjoy this Indiana institution. And it showed. We waited a record *4 hours* for our tables (and they still had to break the 12 of us up at different tables.) Luckily, most of that waiting time was passed with cold beers and a few snacks in a friend's home just down the road as opposed to the parking lot, but, as happens, by the time we were seated, it was noisy, crowded, and slow -- and we were hungry. We didn't order until ten o'clock and didn't eat until eleven. And while our meal was good, the enjoyment decreased proportionally to how long we waited. The stars? The elk lasagna, strip steak, and walleye. The chocolate sugar creme cake with sour cherries would have been lovely if we weren't exhausted and cranky by the time they tried to offer us dessert. Plus, the rest of our party was ready to leave. I like this place and generally like the food, but what's more crazy is how they've managed to turn a ridiculous wait -- that honestly is a kitchen and service problem -- into a draw. Still, a great way to spend a summer evening and we had plenty of time to catch up with old friends and new.

Sunday morning: To continue the trend, we *tried* to have brunch at Puck's. I say tried because my companion tried to brunch there Saturday but was told they only do "brunch" on Sunday. The person at the IMA desk told her they open at 10:00 a.m. When we arrived, a hostess told us they opened at 11:00 a.m. She neglected to tell us reservations were recommended and that they were booked until 1:30. We didn't find that out until we went *back* to try to have brunch. We settled for a pastry and 1/2 price champagne cocktails at Scholar's Inn (where we laughed about the seafood surprise "specials".)

Three Latest and Best

Call it the All Salad edition, but hey, with all the mac-and-cheese I've been eating lately, I've got to eat some vegetables somehow. It's going to be a big food weekend with a Bonge's run (complete with tailgating and cocktails) and the Slow Food Bloomington potluck. So, in honor of vegetables, here's this week's Three Latest and Best.

Black and Blue at Bourbon St. Distillery: Yes, I know I often tout the food at this popular downtown dive, but they do a great job for a pub that has $1 beer night. My latest fave? The black and blue salad including steak cut into strips, tomato, dressing of choice and lots of blue cheese. A perfectly balanced meal including protein, vegetable and dairy!

Garbage Salad at Mo's, A Place for Steaks: I know some of you don't like the term "garbage salad" (or "sweep the floor" pizza), but personally, I don't have a problem with any salad as loaded with good stuff as this one. Be prepared -- this antipasto salad serves two with generous portions of greens, tomato, roast beef (sliced thin), salami (diced), peppercinis, artichoke hearts, and black olives. (For extra non-traditional decadence, order bacon on the side.) Easy to share and with different dressings. It's perfect if you want to save room for dessert. Did I mention the strawberry shortcake is still fantastic with fresh berries, cream, and their good, salty, biscuity "shortbread."

Salad To-Go: It's no secret that I *love* pizza. So what do I do when I order a big, decadent Bazbeaux pie for takeout? (Greek with feta or quattro frommagio with bacon, mmmm)? I have them throw a giant salad into the mix. The best part? My favorite creamy basil dressing. And the salad is so big, I can eat all the 'za I want, still have a healthy meal, and have leftovers for the next day.