HAPPY MOUTH — November 2002

On Wednesday, November 13, 2002, the HAPPY MOUTH SUPPER CLUB met for its monthly dinner. This month’s restaurant was chosen by Wendy B., and she selected AIOLI BISTRO in downtown Cincinnati.

In attendance this month were: Jay, Kristy, Chuck (Kristy’s guest), Ed, Holly, Ted, Tracy, John, Wendy B., Wendy W., and Andrew. 

We had spoken with the chef about doing a special menu for us, but because that night was also a WINE DINNER, she was unable to create a menu. The restaurant provided a copy of the WINE DINNER, but we weren’t excited by the food offerings on there, so we decided to order off the menu.

A variety of small plates and entrees were ordered from the menu. Here’s a sampling:

• Lump crabcake with Asian slaw, curry vinaigrette, and saffron aioli,

 

• Grilled calamari with pepper-fennel slaw and romesco sauce,

 

• Peppercorn country pate with marinated olives, peppers, and stone ground mustard,

 

• Shrimp and scallop ceviche with mango, cilantro and chiles,

 

• Herb roasted Amish half chicken with red chard, rustic mashed potatoes, and rosemary currant jus,

 

• Seared salmon with beluga lentils, frisée and citrus salad, and mustard horseradish sauce,

 

• Duck leg confit with ginger braised red cabbage, pear chutney, and potato gallette,

 

• Sesame crusted ahi tuna with soybean risotto, spicy sprout and radish salad, and ginger-cilantro vinaigrette,

 

• Grilled beef tenderloin with herbs de provence, fingerling potatoes, haricots verts, and red wine shallot demi-glace.

 

The food was excellent, and we had seven (count ’em seven!) bottles of wine with dinner.

Instead of having dessert at AIOLI, some of us decided to walk down to NICHOLSON’S for some of their Sticky Toffee Pudding and some nice Irish coffee drinks.

Another very successful Happy Mouth!