+1 ^^^ that, Broasted Chicken and profiteroles for desert if they are on the menu.

Duck magret if in a "continental" place

Lamb kebabs (ground/spiced) if i'm in a middle eastern/indian/pakistani place

Extra uni if i'm eating sushi...or if there's kohada or bonito sushi i'm all over that

Norhtern style Chinese lamb or pork/shrimp dumplings

I could go on...

Naan bread. Especially buttered nan bread.

Biscuits and gravy or Chilaquiles. Two things that are always better if I make them myself but, especially the Chilaquiles, are just too much work.

Carnitas
Almost anything with Lobster (Bisque, Ravioli)

I'm a sucker for caprese salad.

Ayam buah keluak is absolutely divine. You will find it in Singapore and Malaya.
I also adore pieds de cochon and well made steak, kidney and oyster pudding!
I also second the persons who voted for sweetbreads, eel and crab cakes!

What? No lutefisk? ;)

Thai chicken pizza

+1 on mole sauce at a Mexican restaurant

+1 bread pudding, preferably without raisins and with a bourbon sauce

Braised Veal Cheeks, anywhere, anytime.

Arctic char.
sticky toffee pudding
chocolate mousse

Almost too many to list, since my decisions about menu choices are not just about the item itself, but also how it's prepared and where I happen to be dining. Choices that might be apropos at a fine dining venue would likely not be good options at a diner.

Foie gras - provided it's seared, not prepared as pate or a torchon. Must be accompanied by either a sauternes or other sweet wine, or have a sweet component in the dish to off-set the richness of the foie.

I had two stellar versions just last week in Portland (PDX) at Restaurant St Jack and at Le Pigeon.

Restaurant St Jack foie gras with brioche and apricots:

http://imageshack.com/a/img905/4074/VM6jjb.jpg

(Side Note: I've been dreaming about a way to re-make that dish at home as a brunch item, to be served with
a few touches of real maple syrup ... )


Duck - preferably as seared duck breast rather than in another preparation. Duck confit if there isn't another menu item that captures my attention.

Lamb - This depends on preparation and portion size. If there's roast leg of lamb available at a restaurant that knows how to do it right, then I'll be all over it.

This lady is an unabashed carnivore, so I find most restaurants serve rack of lamb portions that are too small for my liking. For that reason, rack of lamb is a dish that I've perfected at home where I can indulge in as much as I like - and I can nibble on the bones with impunity. ;)

Prime rib - Others have waxed poetic about the power of a well-marbled roasted prime rib served with au jus. Must be medium-rare to rare, just shy of moo-ing. Enough said.


Some dishes, particularly ethnic ones, are quite labor-intensive so I'm less likely to have the time or inclination to prepare them at home. If I'm dining out they tend to be at the top of my list.

Italian - Eggplant parmesan or lasagna.

Greek - Moussaka.

Char siu .... the cheapest but loveliest thing in the world :)


http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/t...99752CB745.jpg

Stelze ...............:p

Fish Cakes.
And Chardonnay.To start.
Steak.
And Rioja for the main.
Cheesecake for dessert.
Gooey French cheese and Carr's water biscuits.
Coffee.
Port.
And a Cuban cigar.
I'm a prole I know but it's what I always go for.
Every single time.

Ahhh good choice. There's a pizza place called Lilly's here in Durham that makes an excellent one called the Thai Baht.