Young Smith and Young Smith

We were kids out on a date last night.

Most of the folks at Next Door were post-work lawyerly looking types, at least fifty years old. The couple in the booth across from us were probably out on a date (he had his arm around her, anyway) but they were a good bit older. So we were the young, hip ones. And we ate young, hip food.

Calamari Salad-arugula, frisee, watercress, Port Judith hand-trapped calamari, herbal ocean broth
Pork Belly Kimchi-soy marinated pork belly, sweet miso and cucumber inside, kimchi on top
Lava Roll-tuna, cucumber, tobiko, toasted almond, spicy mayo, wasabi sauce
Filet of Beef-potato mousseline, confit carrots, pearl onion, crispy brussel sprouts, Madeira jus
Bordeaux (Chateau Prieure Canteloup)

We're so experimental.

It was great, actually, to try a bunch of new tastes. Whatever the bitter greens were in the salad made a great cut through the salt of the broth and the sweet of the calamari. The kimchi was probably my favorite item of the night, and I'm starting to get really into the miso flavor. I liked my sushi, but still can't quite get into the wasabi. It must be the horseradish. J's filet was great, and the potato was out-of-this world good.

But maybe the best part of the night?

Driving over to Mt. Wegman's afterwards and getting a gallon of milk. We didn't have to stop by the cookie station. We didn't have to get a steering wheel cart. We didn't have to stop and gape at the train.

We looked through fun exotic fruits and breads, and browsed coffee mugs. We checked out of the 10 items or less line with 11 items. We were feeling really rebellious.

Both kids were asleep when we got back. (We had fixed odds on whether one of them would be awake, both of them would be awake, or both of them would be awake digging into the ice-cream with the baby-sitter.)

Oh, you who don't have little kids, go out and enjoy your freedom now!