It's all about Donna

And what an evening it was!

We met at this new restaurant called GoGo Gumbo. It’s a hole in the wall run by this wonderful chef who left the big city and bright lights of a posh Houston private club and opened this much more laid back eatery. He serves more than gumbo. I had the ‘Sliceberg Salad’ with blackened chicken, Yum! While I would have enjoyed the spicy flavors promised a little more, I understand that when you are running such a place in rural wide-spot Texas, you have to be careful how you spice and cook things. I wasn’t going to say anything, but my friends told me I should. So I did. So the next time I eat there, all I have to do is let Chef Kraig know it’s me and he can kick the chicken up a notch (I love true blackened chicken… I get disappointed when it doesn’t live up to its name). My meal was not bad by any stretch of the imagination. In fact it really was pretty darn good. I just happen to like spicy food. I really went for the Jack Daniels Chocolate Mouse Pie… talk about good. This wonderfully light, fluffy mousse pie is serves over a drizzle of tart berry sauce and when the two meet in your mouth, it is really, really good.

I arrived a little later than my friends. I wanted to impress them so I stopped at the local liquor store and picked up a bottle of ‘French’ Pinot Grigio, Bin 47. I’ve recently learned just how wonderful Pinot Grigio is with summer meals. There were 5 of us in all. Kate, Jheroen, Kathy, Jeff, and me. Clearly I am not cut out to dazzle my friends with my knowledge of wine (of which would fit in a thimble). Kate and Jheroen spent 12 years in France and know everything there is to know about wine. Here’s the killer. Upon further inspection, the wine I brought to share was not from France, it was ‘Free Range’ — I guess that would explain the rooster on the label. The wine was from California and it wasn’t Bin 47. It turns out this not-so-bad-after-all wine was HRM Rex Goliath Giant 47 Pound Rooster, 2006 Pinot Grigio.

Rex Goliath Wines

Note to self: Wear glasses when choosing wines to impress friends.

I guess what really stands out in my mind, is we all just had a very enjoyable evening. Good conversation. Good laughs. Good food. It’s a memory I’ll cherish for a long time.

We had some really good, humorous moments… even if at times they were at my expense. I know they care for me, so it’s OK. And besides… It’s all about an evening out with friends.

Tags: Cajun, Chocolate Mousse, Foodie, Friends, fun, Jack Daniels, Jeff, Jheroen, Kate, Kathy, laughter, Pinot Grigio, ranch friends, wine