February 2008 White Fence Farm

Who Went?

We've been threatening to do it for months, and this month we've followed through with it. We made it to White Fence Farm, the land of floral print wallpaper and country kitch. It's a mini-country-themed restaurant and a working farm. If you go early enough, you can stroll around and look at the animals living there and peek at the "museum" of carriages, and buy all manner of useless objects. We had a few minutes to kill before our table was ready, so we hung out in the country store, tasted some fudge, and listened to a guy covering John Denver songs. This place is huge and confusing. They have maps, which you really do need even just to navigate the dining room. This place is built for large groups. We had eleven this month, and that's not a big enough party to place reservations. Unlike most months, we were not alone in the restaurant or the largest party.

Doesn't that chicken look amazing?

Let's take a moment to talk about the staff of this place. The interior looks like your grandmother's house exploded, with miss-matching wall paper and curio cabinets, a working fire place, a fake dog and butler. Even the teen-aged wait staff are dressed in costume, in the cotton print aprons that coordinate with the furnishings. Not unlike the ones in the back of your parents pantry, the one your mom made from a Butterick pattern back in the day and you used to wear when you were only knee high and helped her make chocolate cookies. And no one has worn since.

Are you seriously going to eat a pickled beet??

The menu isn't extensive, it's just down-home country cooking. We bypassed the pork chops and fried fish. We ALL got the fried chicken, and nine of us got the mashed potatoes. The meals are served family style so this worked out well. Our young waiter brought out the potatoes in large bowls and huge piles of fried chicken. There were "salads" as well. Small bowls of red bean salad, coleslaw, cottage cheese (only the second time I'd eaten it, the first time being the first time I'd come to WFF), beets, and corn fritters (we went through a couple bowls, sooo good).
The chicken is different from other recipes. The skin is crispy, but not crunchy like in KFC. I found the breast a wee bit dry, but the rest of it was tasty and deeply satisfying. I've been in need of comfort food this month and this hit the spot.
There was really too much food for even our hungry bellies. Four pieces of chicken for each person is a lot, so we had leftovers. I loaded my "people bag" with my leftover chicken and half of a mashed potato tub.
One evening highlight worth sharing: one of our members shared that she had plumbers in her home this past month and "neither one had a large butt crack." To which our freshly scrubbed waiter commented "My dad is a plumber". We all laughed, especially when our little waitress added "You should see HIS butt crack". He got an extra tip for that quip.
So this place is good for a large family type get together, casual and comforting. If you want some place for a sexy little dinner for two, stay on the other side of the Federal Blvd.

You Go Girl!

January 2008 Tropical Grill

The Group

For once, we did indeed meet on the third Thursday. We had a nice group of ten. I'd called earlier thatday to make reservations, because what could it hurt. There was no one else in the restaurant, so it waseasy to find the rest of our party. There was astranger among the party; at the head of the longtable an older woman sat, chatting amicably. Sheturned out to be our waitress. She was holding court,answering questions. As few of us had ever hadFilipino food before, it was much appreciated. Thiskind of friendly attention was the staple all evening. Even when a few other parties came in, we got plentyof attention.This little Filipino gem is tucked demurely into thebosom of a strip mall next to a french bakery andaround the corner from a discount party store. Thedecorations are sparse and the walls are loud. A hugeplus is the bathroom. It was clean and smelled, nolie, like an orange creamsicle! For an appetizer, I shared, with obliging friends, theAdobo Chicken wings. They were well flavored, and alittle hot. I didn't need the accompanying hot/sweetsauce nor the creamy ranch dressing that came with. They weren't necessary.As an entree, I chose the Adobo Pork, after beingreassured by the patient waitress that the tastes ofthe two would be different enough. I was wellpleased. Big chunks of tender, stewed pork on a bedof lettuce and rice and a little pot of additionalmarinade. It had a bright citrus-y bite, with just abit of heat underneath. I guarded it jealouslyagainst habitual tasting from my neighbors, though Iwas more than willing to attack their plates. If I'd been better at taking notes, I could tell youwhat everyone ordered, and their reactions, but sinceI couldn't get this posted until weeks after the event(and I suck) we'll stick to the highlight. Ourfriend Emilie go the Fried Talapia. You'll find theattached pictures. It came out on its own plate,looking like it had voluntarily stuffed itself withherbs, covered itself with a nice crust and thenjumped on the plate. The waitress thoughtfullyoffered to fillet it, since our friend was still inshock from having her dinner look back at her.We finished with dessert. Our waitress made up alittle plate of sticky rice cake and other delicacies. I chose an additional leeche flavored creme brulee. Since I can't remember the taste really of any of thedesserts, either I wasn't that impressed by them or Iwas overly impressed by my dinner. Tropical Grill was a success. "Ooh"s and "here, trythis" was heard more than once around the table. Even more impressive, certain members from that nightwent again. Conclusion: would totally go again and bring friends,may not order something different only because I likedwhat I got so much.

Yummy!

Up Close and Personal!

The Devoured Fish