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.
The cornbread looks great. Please tell me that it was not sweet.
Posted by: Becs | September 12, 2012 at 04:10 PM
Becs - no, but the butter was honey butter: almost as bad.
Posted by: TheQueen | September 12, 2012 at 08:33 PM
I now have interesting restaurant envy. I want smoked meat loaf. I wonder if I can get one of my friends with a smoker to help me with that.
Posted by: Tami | September 13, 2012 at 10:30 AM
Tami - I don't know if it's smoked meat: loafed, or meatloaf: smoked.
Posted by: Thequeen | September 13, 2012 at 12:40 PM