We Are VIPs originally published on Food and Fond Memories on June 12, 2010 by sandyaxelrod Leave a Comment (Edit)
We Are VIPs
Oh so decadent molten lava cake with Heath Bar Crunch ice cream and Godiva Chocolate Liqueur!
Saturday morning we awoke to magnificent clear blue skies and glorious sunshine. After our breakfast of bagels and lox in the RV we headed over to the pool for another day of floating about like flounders. It was much more crowded than the day before and we were very glad we had decided not to come here for the Memorial Holiday Weekend. While relaxing in the water we met a delightful couple from Ft. Myers who leave their pull-along camper parked at Sun & Fun for the summer season and drive up every weekend to enjoy the resort. Joann and Leslie are foodies, like us, so we spent hours in the pool discussing food and restaurants.
I think I was being tested because Leslie kept asking me questions to see if I really was a chef. I passed with flying colors! Since we were on the west coast of Florida Steve and I wanted to dine somewhere on the water and catch the sunset. The night before Nathan, the manager of Mosaic, had suggested a couple of places and while in the pool Leslie and Joann suggested the Chart House. In fact they raved about it and Leslie even called to make sure that the manager that they knew would be there that evening. After hours and hours of soaking up the sun and the pool we were well tanned and extremely pruney so we went back to the RV. I checked the menus on line for all of the places that had been recommended to us and the Chart House had the best menu, by far. Steve called to make a reservation stating who had suggested it and that I am a retired chef who writes a food blog.
Shrimp Trio Platter
Miso Glazed Salmon
Oh so decadent molten lava cake with Heath Bar Crunch ice cream and Godiva Chocolate Liqueur!
When we arrived at the restaurant on Longboat Key we were told they were setting our table and we should relax at the bar for a couple of minutes. The restaurant is very large and quite gorgeous and contemporary with a sensual curvy bar. One entire wall is glass looking out over the Gulf of Mexico. Within moments we were escorted to our table by the window and on it was a place card that said “Reserved – VIP, The Axelrods”. We are VIPs!. That was a first for us and it made us feel very special. Our server Dorin and the manager Stefan made us feel most welcome and invited us to partake of the salad bar, replete with very nice caviar and its appropriate accoutrements. Now, I love caviar so this was a real treat for me! We ordered a bottle of Mac Murray Sonoma Pinot Noir 2008 which is one of my favorites and went quite well with our meal. We were starving having had had no lunch except for an order of yummy onion rings that we shared poolside, so we order lots of food. We shared “East Meets West Tuna” – zesty tuna tartare drizzled with wasabi cream paired with lightly seared peppered tuna and avocado; and “Calamari and Friends” – lightly fried calamari and more, served with citrus chilli vinaigrette and marinara. Both dishes tickled our taste buds. For our entrees it was the Shrimp Trio Platter for Steve, jumbo shrimp prepared scampi style, coconut crusted and fried, and grilled accompanied by rice and broccoli. I thoroughly enjoyed my Miso Glazed Salmon which was wrapped in prosciutto with a miso maple glaze and finished with a mango and balsamic drizzle. This fabulous dish was served with lemon shallot butter and Asian green beans. I have to say that Leslie and Joann’s recommendation was spot on!! By this point we were beyond full. We felt like two little stuffed piggies. But wait, there’s more. We were presented with their amazing special dessert, compliments of the chef. A rich dark chocolate cake with molten center, made with Godiva liqueur served warm topped with a bittersweet chocolate sauce, Heath Bar Crunch and vanilla ice cream. It was perfection on a plate. Needless to say we managed to finish every morsel and delectable drop. Before we left, we requested a copy of the menu which they presented rolled and tied with a pretty ribbon. And here’s the best part, right under the Chart House logo it read: “The Longboat Key Chart House Welcomes Axelrod Party! Saturday, May 22, 2010”. Making us feel like we are VIPs is one of the littlest things that make guests feel special and want to return again and again.
