Foie Gras & Flannel

I drove up to Sacramento on Monday for a meeting with a potential client. It’s just shy of three hours each way, so I figured I’d make the most of the day by filing papers with the state (they’re processed two and a half months faster if you submit them in person) and exploring the food scene. By 3:30 p.m., I still hadn’t eaten lunch, so I took Nate’s recommendation and headed to Shady Lady Saloon for a couple of drinks bite.

(A quick note about those papers I filed: details are still unfolding, but I’m working on a commercial kitchen/community eatery in downtown Fresno. Fingers crossed, we’ll have a legal entity a couple weeks from now.)

Back to Shady Lady. Fliers posted around the room announced the launch of Moonshine, and a special menu listed drinks featuring the clear corn whiskey.

I don’t usually order mixed drinks, but they came on good recommendation…so I tried the Swamp Fire. It was surprisingly balanced in flavor–that’s dangerous when mixing hard alcohol. Better soak it up with some food.

Up first, stuffed squash blossoms, fried:

An amazing combination of flavor. I practically licked the plate, but I was still hungry, so for dessert I ordered the Niman Ranch burger with bleu cheese, bacon and whole grain mustard:

Nothing like a full stomach and a long drive home.