Kate: Smoked Cheddar Queso and Tilapia en Parchment
Paul and I decided that we deserved a night out. We happened to have a $10 gift certificate to the Oakwood Bistro, so we thought, 'what the heck' and splurged a bit. Boy, are we glad we did. I had been to the Oakwood Bistro once about a year and a half ago when I came to Kalamazoo to interview for my job. I don't remember the experience much, you know, I was nervous. So, this was like trying a new place.
We had read online that the Smoked Cheddar Queso was one of the best things on the menu and perhaps the best queso in Kalamazoo. It is served with pretzel bread strips and tortilla chips. The queso was a little runnier that I am used to queso being, so as I took my first bite, I thought, 'Well, we will see!' And, see we did. It was delicious! The smoked cheddar is what makes this starter. Wow! So rich in flavor. And, the chips and bread are excellent compliments as their saltiness gives the flavors and extra kick. There were several other starters on the menu that sounded good, included the Maytag Root Chips, but it will be difficult to not order the queso on future visits.
Ok, now to dinner. I was looking for something kind of light but fulfilling. The bruschetta pasta (which is served with shrimp) sounded good, but something about the tilapia really grabbed. This meal was just perfect. The tilapia is wrapped in parchment paper and prepared with zucchini, roasted red peppers, asparagus, shallots and garlic with a fresh lemon dill butter. Basmati rice accompanies it on the side. The tilapia was perfectly prepared and flaked on my fork, the vegetables were fresh and crispy, and the lemon dill butter was the perfect compliment to the flavors in the parchment. I was in heaven with this one. The portion sizes were perfect too. Not too much, not too little. Just right! Again, it will be difficult to not order this same thing again as it was just divine.
Paul had one of their specials, a gumbo like dirty rice, and was also extremely happy with his choice. This place is a gem in Kalamazoo. Reading the back of the menu tells you that it was the first martini bar in town as well as the first restaurant with an open, exhibition-type kitchen (I think that is what they called it). We were lucky to be seated right next to the kitchen, so we could keep our eye on what was happening. It was almost like dinner and a show. We loved it. Seeing the energy those men were putting into our food made it taste all the better when it came.
Though the price point may make it difficult for us to visit often, we will definitely be back!
P.S. There is creme brulee on their menu. It was hard to turn it down, but I was trying to be good!
Paul and I decided that we deserved a night out. We happened to have a $10 gift certificate to the Oakwood Bistro, so we thought, 'what the heck' and splurged a bit. Boy, are we glad we did. I had been to the Oakwood Bistro once about a year and a half ago when I came to Kalamazoo to interview for my job. I don't remember the experience much, you know, I was nervous. So, this was like trying a new place.
We had read online that the Smoked Cheddar Queso was one of the best things on the menu and perhaps the best queso in Kalamazoo. It is served with pretzel bread strips and tortilla chips. The queso was a little runnier that I am used to queso being, so as I took my first bite, I thought, 'Well, we will see!' And, see we did. It was delicious! The smoked cheddar is what makes this starter. Wow! So rich in flavor. And, the chips and bread are excellent compliments as their saltiness gives the flavors and extra kick. There were several other starters on the menu that sounded good, included the Maytag Root Chips, but it will be difficult to not order the queso on future visits.
Ok, now to dinner. I was looking for something kind of light but fulfilling. The bruschetta pasta (which is served with shrimp) sounded good, but something about the tilapia really grabbed. This meal was just perfect. The tilapia is wrapped in parchment paper and prepared with zucchini, roasted red peppers, asparagus, shallots and garlic with a fresh lemon dill butter. Basmati rice accompanies it on the side. The tilapia was perfectly prepared and flaked on my fork, the vegetables were fresh and crispy, and the lemon dill butter was the perfect compliment to the flavors in the parchment. I was in heaven with this one. The portion sizes were perfect too. Not too much, not too little. Just right! Again, it will be difficult to not order this same thing again as it was just divine.
Paul had one of their specials, a gumbo like dirty rice, and was also extremely happy with his choice. This place is a gem in Kalamazoo. Reading the back of the menu tells you that it was the first martini bar in town as well as the first restaurant with an open, exhibition-type kitchen (I think that is what they called it). We were lucky to be seated right next to the kitchen, so we could keep our eye on what was happening. It was almost like dinner and a show. We loved it. Seeing the energy those men were putting into our food made it taste all the better when it came.
Though the price point may make it difficult for us to visit often, we will definitely be back!
P.S. There is creme brulee on their menu. It was hard to turn it down, but I was trying to be good!
(a very enthusiastic) five golden forks out of five!
1 comment:
You have to goto erbellis on stadium! The NEO pizza is by far the most unique pizza I have ever tasted. Whenever I come home for the holidays I always stop by and grab a slice! Can't wait to hear your foodie thoughts!
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