Pupuseria.... A Salvadorian Speciality!!

Recently while on a business trip to the DC area, I enjoyed lunch at Cerrito's Pupuseria in Chantilly, Virginia. This was my first experience with the food of El Salvadore. When I'm working with folks on the east coast, we often dine as a group for lunch. This visit, Cerrito's was suggested by my friend, Leah Le. I'm not sure any of us in the office knew what a Pupusa was except for her.  According to wikipedia:

 "A pupusa is a traditional Salvadoran dish made of a thick, handmade corn tortilla that is usually filled with a blend of the following: cheese cooked pork meat ground to a paste consistency refried beans, or queso con loroco."

Cerrito's is a classic hole in the wall kinda place located in a bright yellow house on the John Mosby Highway.  But don't let that deter you.  You walk into what appears to be an authentic El Salvadorian restaurant.  And, they serve beer too!

Since I was at work and we like to have "working lunches" we ordered carry out. But personally I would have loved to sit either inside or outside the restaurant and enjoy lunch. Maybe next time.

At Cerrito's a Pupusa tortilla is served with shaved slaw and topped with somewhat spicy red sauce. On the menu pictured above it is #5.  It was accompanied by #6 - Pan con Gallina; which is a Chicken Sandwich Salvadorian Style.

The food at Cerrito's is not only delicious, but also very affordable. The plate pictured below of a order of Pupusas and Pan con Gallina was nine bucks and change.  The portions are more than generous as you can see.

Disfrute de su comida! (Or as the French would say... Bon Appetit!)

Social Gastropub is Getting Better!!!!

Social Gastropub hit the Edwardsville dining scene sometime in 2014.  The owner first opened the original Social Gastropub in Ohio. There is some connection to this area, either he is from here or went to school in the area.

The Edwardsville location is in the old Shenanigan's.  A wall of TVs lines the bar and mostly black and white motif adorns the walls.  Although I haven't experienced it, there is outdoor patio.

The dining experience has only gotten better over the past few visits. The food has always been superior in my opinion, but the overall atmosphere needed some tweaking. The good news is they have tweaked away and the food, ambiance and dining experience rock!!

At first the lights were a little too bright and the service was too hurried.  The food was delivered too fast more or less. I wasn't shy about my thoughts and let them know about these two points. The good news is both appear to have been addressed.... the service is more relaxed and the lighting is a tad softer. 

As earlier mentioned, the food has always been spot-on.  The menu changes frequently so if you see something interesting, try it before it is gone. Here's a rundown of several items

Fried Calamari - check out the larger size pieces of calamari!	Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls - generous appetizer with lots of flavor!
Fried Bologna Sandwich - topped with a fried egg and served with Social's special fries!	Baja Fish Tacos - these are very juicy and tender
Asiago Stuffed Chicken - this entree is wrapped with bacon and stuffed with Asiago cheese over a bed of carrot-ginger risotto with a mushroom cream sauce	Fire Roasted Peppers - goat cheese risotto with Italian sausage.
Bloody Mary and  a Dirty Martini	Wood & Salt and a Strawberry Basil Mule

A Plethora of Oyster in Gulf Shores!

We recently spent a week along the coast in Gulf Shores, Alabama. As many folks do when vacationing along the coast, the focus is more on seafood than on steaks and burgers.  This time was no different.

We went to a very nice place called Mikee's Seafood, which is located very close to Beach Blvd.  A couple of us were on a big Oyster kick lately so we shared 6 orders of a half dozen oysters each.  Here's the rundown with pics!!

• Fresh Shucked Oysters
• Steamed Oysters
• Bama Oysters - With Bama roasted red pepper sauce and parmesan cheese
• Mikee’s Own Baked Oysters - Fresh shucked, spiced and topped with scallions, bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese
• EJ’s Oysters -Prepared with garlic, jalapenos, scallions, then topped with bacon and cheese
• Parmesan Oysters - Parmesan, seasoning and butter

It was a great way to sample oysters prepared a variety of ways.  Although there are only three pictures shown below, two types of oysters are served on each plate.

Of all six types of oysters, I preferred the four that were "dressed up" so to speak. I didn't dislike the steamed and fresh oysters; they were just my least favorites of the bunch. But then again, those that know me would not be surprised as I tend to think outside the box and always up for an adventurous dining experience.

Anyway, if you make it down to Gulf Shores anytime soon and have a hankering for Oysters, I'd highly recommend Mikee's!