Since the Mrs actually had the day off, we debated whether to attend Vino's Thursday evening tasting or have lunch on Friday. The K's opted for a Friday lunch so we decided on The Pig and the Lady especially since they advertised prepped meats and sides if you anted to cook your own on the 4th. As usual, I started with a cocktail, the DD Punch It ($10) with rye, honey and bubbles. A very nice starter!
While E selected the Cobra Commander ($11) with avocado mezcal, pink grapefruit liqueur and Sriracha ice - it was a strange cocktail to say the least.
We then started with a couple of shared plates, the Smoked Hamhock Terrine ($10)... but were informed that they were substituting a Head Cheese Terrine.. SOLD! A chunkier terrine with identifiable bits of meat, catilage and even black fungus (pepeiao) with a subtle Asian flavor. Chef Andrew later told us it was his Mom's recipe. Great job Mama Le!
We also sampled the Hoi An Chicken Salad ($12) which is always good. Alex Le told us that they do sell the bottled dressing at their Farmer's Market locations.
And E wanted to sampled the Laotian Fried Chicken since Mom T proclaimed it as the best fried chicken she's ever had. I did warn E that my mother was pushing 80 years old and that she still calls The Pig and the Lady "The Pig Lady"... But it is good chicken marinated in loads of Southeast Asian spices and herbs.
For our mains, the E's both sampled the Banh Mi of the Week ($12) with brisket and jasmine rice croquettes with a house made giardinera with green and shrimp chips.
While the Mrs selected the Pho Ga ($13) with poached chicken, chicken cracklins and chicken fat vinaigrette with thin noddles.
And since I couldn't decide between the P & L Pho or Mama Le's Special Hu Tieu My Tho ($15) with tomato crab sauce, char siu and broth on the side, I followed my personal rule. When in doubt order the special since regular menu items can be ordered at any time. Load s of flavor sensations with the ground pork giving one flavor, the broth another and the tomato crab sauce an Italian like flavor.
I was pretty full at this point but the girls wanted to sample dessert so we had the Berries and Cream ($9) with biscuit crumble, goat cheese snow and cream cheese gelato.
And the Caramelized Avocado Cake ($9) with strawberries, pea shoot and corn gelato which was the highlight of the dish. Rich creamy corn flavor in a frozen vehicle...
Since the K's and T's still haven't used our Major Grazer that we purchased during The Pig and the Lady's fundraiser, E asked both Chef Andrew and brother Alex if we could do a sit down for 2 other couples. They both said no problem so now we just have to find a date that all 8 of us can make...
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