Science Monkey

Emma and I went out to dinner last night at the Paramount Grill, which must be one of the best restaurants in Gainesville. It’s certainly way up there. We had the flatbread appetizer (always tasty) and she had a berry-something salad. I declined a salad, but had a glass of a splendid pinot noir, from David Bruce, I believe. You wouldn’t believe the beautiful aroma that this glass of wine gave off while it was just sitting on the table. Of course, the single glass cost more than I usually spend on a bottle (or two) of my usual rotgut, so you can take my overenthusiasm with a grain of salt.

For our main course, Emma had a vegetarian pasta which looked lovely and I had a very nice duck breast, rubbed in herbs and pan-seared, served over a tomato-spinach risotto with blue cheese and pine nut garnish. Yum. I haven’t been a fan of duck but am glad I took the chance last night. Exquisite.

For dessert, we shared a caramel pecan tart a la mode that was drizzled with a caramel sauce. Again, very nice. All in all, it was a very nice evening out, which is something we rarely get the chance to do.

Emma, Susy and I found a great Cuban bakery yesterday, Flaco’s (200 W. University Ave), which was freaking awesome. I had a ropa vieja pressed sandwich that I loved. Emma had arapa with cheese and Susy had a media noche pressed sandwich. Susy, our sometimes-resident Cuban, was impressed that they put pickles on their Cuban sandwiches and was doubly impressed that they had a window where you could order. Apparently that’s quite the sign of authenticity. For dessert, we had a guava and cream cheese pastry, as well as one with only cream cheese.

In a way that’s very clever, they sell six-packs of beer and smokes and are open after the bars close. I told Emma that anytime she wants to bring home pressed sandwiches, empanadas, and pastries for dinner is fine by me.