Friday Routines - 10/24

What a miserable rainy and gray day.  Wow!

But yesterday it was like this...

So I took advantage of it and went to Shelter Cove and had lunch at Bistro 17 with my friend Terri.  I met Terri about 12 years ago in London.  We went our separate ways.  She moved to Ireland and I stayed in London then moved here (to Hilton Head).  Terri moved here too, neither of us had any idea that we were on opposite ends of this island…until…she read an article I wrote and had a chance meeting with mutual friends.  It’s too long of a story to get into here, but extraordinary to realize how small the world is. 

In my book Jim and Christopher at Bistro 17 got it right!  First, the view is lovely.  Most of the tables are outside (toasty heaters are dotted around the dining area in the winter, so it’s never too cold for an al fresco experience).  The food?   Perfect bistro fare and the only type of restaurant like it on the island.   But the single thing about this place I really like?  Is that, if you want to eat lunch at 3:00, no problem.  They are open from 11:00am clear through and straight into dinner service…very Bristro-esh.  Oh, a nice wine list too.  Like I said, they got it right.

Bistro 17 Salad...

This Sunday, we are Cooking the Cover of the November issue of Bon Appetit.  Herb Roasted Turkey with Shallot Dijon Gravy. My brother is coming down for a few days, so it’s a perfect time to celebrate a pre Thanksgiving Thanksgiving and an opportunity to try a few things out prior to the big day.

 I’m really interested in salting the turkey rather than brining it.  The past couple of years brining has produced a wonderful tender and succulent turkey, but it is a bit of a hassle (coolers, ice, dripping…ugh) So flavoring the big bird with some salt and sticking it in a bag, shoving in the fridge…sounds good.  We’ll make the dried cranberry, apricot and fig stuffing.  And give the cranberry relish with grapefruit and mint a go although I like the sound of the Cranberry and Tart-cherry Compote better…we’ll see.  Sides and dessert? I’ll flip through the mag later and figure it out.  I better get my rain boots on and head out.