Have you ever chosen to eat a restaurant just because you liked the name?
A few nights ago I met my longtime friend, Meg, for dinner at The Matador. The moment I learned that there was a new restaurant in Boise named after men that fight bulls in Spain, I was ready to give it a go.
It took us about 20 minutes to decide what we wanted to eat, mainly because we were too busy munching on complimentary tortilla chips and salsa (AWESOME salsa!) and chatting about life over the past three months.
We eventually settled on two appetizers and one salad:
Blackened Ahi with Green Apple Slaw--pan seared Ahi truna accompanied with a spicy Granny Smith slaw and sesame soy dipping sauce
Spinach Pear Salad--organic baby spinach, sliced pears, queso fresco and pine nuts. Served with a goat cheese balsamic vinaigrette.
Pan Seared Scallops--Fresh Alaskan scallops quickly seared and finished with a roasted tomatillo-sour cream sauce.
Hi, Meg!
The Matador, despite it's Spanish name, features a Tex Mex-inspired menu, as well as a bar that offers 95 varieties of tequila!The dining experience is enhanced by a the decor; inticate woodworking, antique-looking light fixtures, ironwork and a fire place make the ambience warm and inviting.
I was very impressed with the dishes we ordered--especially the tuna, which was possibly the best Ahi I've eaten all year--and will definitely be returning to The Matador soon to try other items on the menu.
Later that night I was craving something sweet. I figured since I'd already eaten Tex Mex, why not hop across the pond and continue with the evening's international-eating theme?
I've never met a Kiss I didn't like, so I was excited when I spotted a new-to-me flavor at Target a few days ago. Irish creme chocolate? Yes please!
Irish creme is a liquer made of whiskey, cream and coffee--pretty delicious if you ask me, but I was skeptical about how those flavors would mesh with chocolate.
A warm, sweet coffee-like aroma filled the air when I opened the bag. I peeled off one of the shiny gold wrappers and cut the chocolate in half so that I could get a better look inside.
Creme filling is usually my weakness, however, I'm afraid I have to make an exception. I took one bite and spit it out. Blech!
These kisses SUPER sweet and have a fake alcohol flavor that completely overpowers the chocolate. :-(
If you're pining for Kisses this holiday season, I highly recommend you forgo the Irish Cremes and try one or all of the following flavors: Candycane, Meltaway and Caramel.They may not be as sophisticated as European chocolate varieties, but I love Kisses because they're perfectly portioned, fun to eat, and easy to pack in your bag when you need a little pick-me-up. :-)
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What's the strangest/most unique chocolate you've ever tried?
I'd have to go with Vosgue's Mo's Bacon Bar.
Have you ever gone to a restaurant solely because the name was intriguing?
I've eaten at Nin-Com-Soup, Thaitanic, and Just Falafs. :-)
