Well gents, we’ve had quite a run at free cocktail hours, and shots of the group’s choosing lately, and next month will be no different as your host with the most has forgotten to post on time.  I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but this posting shit is getting old.

Anyway, May brought us to a new location, for some reason never thought of before.  Mon Ami Gabi, a classic LEYE French bistro was a nice stray from normalcy.  Situated in the beautiful Belden Stratford hotel, or motel, or long-term rental, or pre-school, or nursing home, or whatever it actually is, the space is very elegant.  The bar area in Mon Ami is very small, but we went anyway with always the option of situating ourselves in the lobby somewhere.  It was not needed as with only a few spots, we crammed into a corner and awaited our table.

Like any good French bistro, they start you off with some nice baguettes & warm butter for the table, along with some sort of shredded carrot salad.  A few of the group had hung back at the bar to wish some random friend congratulations on an engagement or something of the sort. While we waited for them to arrive at the table, Hans ate all of the bread.

It’s a sin to go to a French restaurant and not order escargot, so we made it a double.  Along with some chicken liver mouse pâté and some delicious baked goat cheese, the evening was starting off right.

While the restaurant does indeed have four cuts of meat, they really pride themselves on their Steak Frites, with a variety of a preparations available…..Au Poivre, Bordelaise, Bérnaise, etc.  I chose, unwisely and went with my normal order of Bone-In Ribeye.  My steak was average.  It was prepared perfectly, I just thought it lacked a certain je ne sais quoi.

Sides were plentiful, with every steak coming with some very nice, crisp frites.  But we also had excellent macaroni gratin, the smoothest pommes purée I’ve ever had, and garlic spinach.

Our waiter seemed to be going through the motions for much of the evening.  Jon had mentioned he thought it’s the same guy that his aunt (or some other relative) really likes, so we mentioned it to him.  As soon as we did, he turned on the charm.  Extra wine was flowing, stories were being told, and he redeemed himself for most of his lackluster performance.  Someone happened to have gotten it on video….

A couple of desserts were brought out, with coffee and wine to cap the night off.  Quorum was in play.  I extended my three-year streak of not winning, and Monsieur Glick walked free.

Afterwards, we walked to Raven’s on Clark and had the place to ourselves.  Bawdy jokes were told, Glick continued to pull center pieces from the man sized Jenga, and beers were consumed.

A great night with great people.  On to June, and what is shaping up to be a fantastic summer!

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