un weekend gastronique

screw diets. every great weekend should be as full of great food as this last one was.
friday night, m & i went to norman's for their miami spice menu. we couldn't afford to go here on any other night as it is easily the best (and most expensive) restaurant this city has to offer. it's the first place i ask to go to when my birthday rolls around. our last visit there was in april with both sets of parents. i sat there for 2 hours, speechless, almost in tears as i savoured every delicious bite. that night i had cracked conch chowder with toasted coconut and saffron, a delicately spiced barramundi dish inspired by asian flavours, and the vanilla bean creme brulee. i still fantasize about it.
on friday, we were given options from a less luxurious, but still astounding menu. i had fresh ceviche to start and chicken breast with mashed sweet potatoes and blue tortilla as my main dish. m had a crisp black bean crabcake and shallot-stuffed salmon on a bed of pearl onions and leeks. we both finished, sated, with the creme brulee and a snappy espresso. divine.
on saturday, i had every intention of cooking until mathieu stated he was craving a big steak. i quickly researched and found that there is a new restaurant in the design district called gigi. it is located in the very location of one of our old haunts, 190. 190 had the best steak frites i have ever had. a beautifully cooked steak with a veritable mountain of crisp fries embellished by fresh rosemary and thyme. gigi was definitely more upscale than 190- less casual- but the service at both incarnations was impeccable. we split a bottle of shiraz & tucked into nicoise salads & great plates of steak frites. very simple, no frills, but exquisite nevertheless.
tonight, i decided that a third night out would certainly be gluttonous. i simply prepared a feast at home. chicken with dijon mustard, garlic, oregano, rosemary, and olive oil. and my famous roast potatoes.
i'm getting DAMN good at this.