Friday, July 17, 2009

Re Enter the Crocodille...

He of the Triple Chins was too hot to cook. The lovely Jeanette had worked a twelve hour shift and was hungry when His Chubbyness picked her up from work in the gold PT Convertable...What to do? It was Thursday and we knew that April Free, daughter of great Altadena Artist Gary Thomas, kick ass singer along the lines of Janis Joplin (no Lie) , world class massuse and relaxing efficient waitress would be working at Crocodille. Crocodille was a old favorite. the food wasn't really ever anything to write home about, except for the Oakwwod burger and the portabello mushroom sandwich, it was just well prepared straight on American comfort food and it never really pretended otherwise. We were in the mood for being treated well and relaxing, so off we went.

Arriving at the door, we noted a sign of potential dining danger, the room had been redecorated. Crocodille has gone now through three interiors, each less to the Fat Man's liking, this one the least welcoming and interesting so far. Worse was the thought that a remodel generally signals a price uptick. There was a second bit of trouble, as we had to negotiate with the hostess to sit outside in April's section. That FINALLY done, the Fat Man and his lovely Golden Bride Jeanette, were seated on the patio, a very faint breeze cooled us to just comfortable in the warm summer evening.

The Multi page plastic encased menu had been replaced with a simple xeroxed large single sheet.
The one of the Quad Extra Large Shirt looked upon the menu with trepidation, expecting blisteringly high prices. He saw that the Oakwood burger was priced more or less as it was the last time he was here. The Chunky One was all ready to order that classic Crocodille rendition of a So Cal Back yard Bar B Que burger when April announced that there were several new menu creations we REALLY should try. April likes good food. If she insists that she likes a dish, you know it's going to be YUMMY. Trust her, she's not a skinny rail. April suggested the Thai Chicken Salad and the Flat Iron Steak. Jeanette and I ordered those and agreed to split them.

This was the BEST MEAL the Fat Man has had since he was last at Dianne's in Silver City New Mexico. That means, friends, this meal was the BOMB!

The Thai Salad was composed of cool vermicelli noodles, cubed cooked cooled grilled chicken, peanuts, green onion, basil, mint,and cabbage all diced into itsy bitsy pieces and tossed in a vinegrette. Normally it also has mango in it, but the One of Many Chins is allergic to Mang, and they gladly made it for me without. The salad looked O.K. when it arrived, and I noted that while it wasn't any more expensive that any other salad at Crocodille had been, the portion was now reduced to a reasonable one. No anger here over that, it really is an improvement.

We split up our orders and I took a bite of this salad. The flavors exploded in my mouth each singing solo and blending together. What a absolute delight this salad was! Each bite a joy of flavor anmd texture blending together across my very happy taste buds. The One of Double Extra Wide Girth was instantly regretful he had agreed to split it with Jeanette in trade for half of her order of Flat Iron Steak. The Fat Man wanted his half salad back. He was scheming on how to get it too, something about his need to drop tonnage, be healthy and so on, certainly aguments the lovely and sweet Jeanette would be sympathetic towards. Then the Chubby Rascal took a bite of his portion of the Flat Iron Steak! A very Big grin, that Ernest Hemmingway "I just caught the Marlin" shit eating ear to ear grin. The steak was not like the many tough over salted steaks the Chunky One has downed attempting to understand why so many places now list them on the menu.. No Sir! This steak was smooth to chew, yielding, but well textured and full of a grassy earthy excellent beef flavor. The Fat Man was happy, with half his salad and half of Jeanettes flat iron steak. Little Italian Putti were singing in the Fat Man's ears and playing sweet Scarlotti violins....Along with the Steak itself was a perfectly aldente clump of fresh broccoli, it was nice, and the most wonderful au Grotten potatoes, sliced as thin as a business card, layered in sauce, baked like a lasagna, crusty on top, delightfully clashing the range of potato textures. they should sell that as a whole plate. people would buy it.

The dinner was so perfect, everything was well prepared, tasty, made of ultra fresh stuff there on the terrace looking at the world go by under the stars, having April tend to ones every lawful whim and desire. Friends does it get any better than this? Well, yes it does, April stops by to suggest a new dessert! (You have to adore that woman!)

We took her suggestion, Lime Champagne Sorbet. Ooooh This was Excellent. The one of way wide girth got brain freeze about eight times, trying to eat his while it was still in prime condition not wanting it to melt. It was a perfect blend and a perfect end to this meal. The lime flavor subtly improving the champagne, sharpening slightly and deepening it's flavor. OH MAN! he of the extra chins was literally moaning in pleasure all through dinner. This is the best meal the Fat Man has ever had in Pasadena! He would suggest, in fact, that Crocodille make a half order of Thai Salad and Flat Iron Steak a regular offering.

It doesn't get better than this anyplace for less than twice the price. Thanks, April!


Crocodille Cafe
140 S. Lake Ave.
Pasadena Ca.
626 449 9900

Cash and AMEX, MASTER CARD, VISA accepted

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