Yesterday Will and Samuel joined me and we decided Samuel's first Southwest meal would be at CAFE PASQUAL, always fun and always spicy. Sam was a bit antsy, but we all perservered and he managed to eat much of the chicken from his CHICKEN & CHEESE QUESADILLA with Garlic Fries (he adored those). I think he was tired from the time change, but he still enjoyed and also liked the superb COCONUT ICE CREAM with a bit of Fudge Sauce we all shared for dessert. My only complaint is that they don't offer a children's menu and the $16 for his plate was a bit pricey, and he only needed 1/3 of it!
I was excited that they offered an PINOT NOIR ROSE 2005 from ELK COVE in Oregon which was so refreshing and perfect in the heat. A CHILLED GREEN CHILE AVOCADO SOUP was very rich and creamy and had a slight bite from the chiles, and the NIMAN RANCH FILET MIGNON TARTARE with Garlic Fries was excellent save for a couple of sinewy bites. This can be a problem when all the food is organic, and Pasquale's went that route last year. A DOMAINE de la JANASSE Cotes du Rhone 2004 went wonderfully with the tartare.
Will opted for the huge PLATO SUPREMO with Chile Relleno, Chicken Mole Enchilada, Tamale and Beef Taco---way too much for one person. I adored my GRILLED WILD COHO SALMON with THAI LEMONGRASS SAUCE, Spicy Papaya Salad and Banana Sticky Rice Cake. It was not very spicy and the fish was supreme with a slightly creamy lemongrass sauce. A glass of JOSEPH DORUHIN 2005 ST VERAN was a perfect for this.
