When I first started dating my husband, his palate left something to be desired. He would ask if I wanted to go to dinner at a chain restaurant notorious for not so great food and I would make a face. We would end up at one of the small restaurants adorning Main Street in downtown Bangor, Maine.
Over the years, he got use to my taste in food and my incredibly picky palate. That’s not to say that everything I make and eat meets my standard, nor do I shy away from chain restaurants. I just prefer, very well cooked food. My husband has adapted and now, does not like the same food he liked 7 years ago.
For our anniversary my husband took me to a restaurant called, Tallulah on Thames in Newport, Rhode Island. The food there is beyond incredible. Being someone who moves around the United States on almost an annual basis, I have gone to a lot of restaurants. Let me just say, Aquidneck Island has some of the best restaurants I have ever been to.
We have:
La Laiterie (okay, this is in Providence, but it’s worth the drive)
The Dorrance (this one is in Providence too, again, worth the drive)
Castle Hill Inn (they have a stellar restaurant, don’t be fooled by the ‘inn’)
and lets not forget
Thames Street Kitchen (I haven’t been here yet, but seriously, I’m willing to go with anyone that wants to meet me there. I have only heard great things.)
I think one of the most blessed parts about being a military wife is that we get to check out SO many restaurants all around the world. We also gain open minds, seeing Pig’s Head Terrine on a menu does not seem so odd anymore. I might not be adventurous enough to try it, but it doesn’t weird me out to read about it.
When we lived in San Diego, my husband and I took a trip up to Cardiff (I make it sound like it was quite the trip, but the reality is, it wasn’t that far) where we went to The Beach House. It has some incredible views of the ocean and was a lovely, intimate dinning experience, but other than that, I don’t remember there being a lot of culinary amazingness out there (and I could have totally missed it, my husband was deployed and I feel weird asking someone to go to a restaurant with me where their meal is going to cost $100.)
Okay, okay…and Oggi’s (which I still crave every time I want pizza).
Hawaii brought
Beard Papa’s, where I constantly filled punch cards by eating my USS Port Royal sorrows (HA!).
Lastly, but certainly not least, if you find yourself browsing about in downtown Bangor, Maine (and you should find yourself here at least once in your life) check out:
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Just to add, we’re rubbing off on our kids. Those little foodies know not so stellar food from a mile away.
Where are you going for dinner tonight?