Wow-for those of you charting my course I did double duty yesterday-dining out for lunch and dinner. I run La Farge Perry House and often wonder how my guests do it-out for a big lunch then dinner. Reports from all over town are fantastic with owners and chefs telling me how busy they have been for lunch and dinner-a lot of happy cash registers!
For lunch I found myself downtown Newport at Christie’s. A choice of soup or salad to start-I began with a tasty blue cheese dressing on greens with tomatoes and cucumbers-normally that would be my lunch but I am splurging this week and also want to try options from their menu-knowing I was dining out at 15 Point Road around six I wanted to be sure I don’t overindulge.
I couldn’t resist the Christies burger-8 ounces and cooked medium rare on a grilled bun (a very important criteria for a burger) I kept it traditional with American cheese. I didn’t make it through the whole thing but it was outstanding-well cooked and seasoned with red onion and ketchup-my preference-a fab burger!
My friends opted for the grilled Mahi-Mahi fish tacos served with vegetable slaw and Chipolte sour cream-a side of beans and rice as well. I must say they looked tantalizing. There were other options too! Chicken Caesar; a pressed Cuban sandwich and baked Mac n Cheese. I took home the pumpkin cheesecake for dessert knowing I was dining again in 6 hours-I had a bite for breakfast this morning-rich and creamy and full of fall flavors. Other desserts included Curious George Banana Cream Pie and Toasted Coconut Crème Brulee. Give it a try many folks haven’t been to the new and updated Christies and you don’t know what you are missing and they love kids there.
I came home and took a nap knowing I would be joining Kathryn Farrington from the NCCVB for dinner at 15 Point Road in Portsmouth. I had never been there but know Steve Renshaw – proprietor and chef-his menu has more options than you can even imagine! Even though it was dark by then I could imagine what a pretty spot it must be during the day overlooking the harbor in Island Park (IP to locals). Upon seeing us he told us how great the restaurant had done during NRW so far-there were only a few empty tables-to be that busy on a Wednesday in November is awesome.
Renshaw decided to have his entire menu available for NRW-so many choices-there are 3 pages of options. I was drinking a Kendall Jackson Merlot-one of the sponsors of NRW so I wanted a steak. But first came a taste of delicious seafood bisque-loaded with lobster-it’s nice to know the chef!!! Kathryn has a gluten allergy so she opted for a delicious Portuguese kale soup. Renshaw knowing of her allergy prepared her dinner totally gluten free.
A colorful salad with cracked parmesan dressing came next followed by the steak au poivre I had ordered. Served with vegetables and baked potato what a feast. Kathryn had one of about 6 different chicken dishes in a cream sauce-done especially for her with no flour-that Chef Renshaw is so sweet!
Speaking of sweets-a strawberry covered cheesecake and a key lime pie hit the spot with our after dinner coffee. I cannot tell you how many choices 15 Point Road has on their menu-too many to count. As a former chef, myself, I was delightfully dizzy just reading the menu-it’s totally worth the road trip. Happy dining to all-you are crazy if you don’t take advantage of this week’s many restaurants who are loving the fact that you are coming out! Only three days left-make your reservations now!
