Queen Mediocretia of Suburbia: The First Decent Weather Since Spring, Part 3: Saturday 5:00

After the Zoo, we finally ate at the Shaved Duck. I have to say, parts were sublime, parts were disappointing.

We went in determined to try their version of pig candy: pig belly bacon with brown sugar, nuts, cheese and pear, and we wanted the smoked meatloaf. By "we" I mean I wanted Gary to eat it: I don't like meatloaf. I'd heard good things, though.

Our waiter looked at us, heard my request for "the sweetest wine you have," and recommended we try not only the Walnut & Brown Sugar Bacon but also the Smothered Fries (in the back).

The Smothered Fries are to be featured in an upcoming episode of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, if you watch that show. They were tremendous. They got three "mmm-hmms," and four head bobs from Gary.

I knew Gary would have the smoked meatloaf:

He kept trying to get me to eat some. He said it was excellent. I tried it, and it tasted like meatloaf to me. Meat mush. I can't get past the texture.

Instead, I had cornbread:

... and the barbecue sampler platter:

I don't know what I was thinking. I could have those two dishes anywhere. It was like going to a Chinese restaurant and choosing a bowl of white rice. Not bad, but not remarkable.

And sadly, of the three barbecue sauces I chose the closest to standard sauce, and as Gary said, it was brown sugar and ketchup.

My fault entirely. I need to go back and have the pork roast or the duck breast or the shrimp and grits. And next time I make pig candy I'll add walnuts, bleu cheese and pears.