The Blue Moose

 NEW RESTAURANT #3:

The Blue Moose

3030 Wanamaker

Topeka, KS

Friday, April 27th, Paul & I were craving a new restaurant. Something in Topeka that we haven't tried yet...which these days that list is getting narrow. After a post on Facebook for any recommendations, we went with The Blue Moose. Even the name is catchy! However, as soon as we were ready to head out the tornado sirens went off. After 20 minutes of watching the news & waiting for the big red blob on the radar to pass over us we were out, no rain will stop us.
After arriving, the atmosphere was nice, very large place with lots of seating. I even noticed a room for private parties. They also have a bar area.
Price was reasonable for a nice sit-down place. Not cheap by any means. Prices ranged from a small salad for $3.99 to a pasta dish at $12.99 to Filet Mignon at $26.99.
Service was great! Very timely, checked on us but didn't hover & answered our questions.
The menu was large & had something for everybody. They have an after 10pm menu & nightly drink specials (10 bottles of wine for $10 each, $1.50 beer/draft & last nights: $3.50 Moose-ritas). I taste tested the Moose-rita -YUM!!! It looked like a blue margarita. Two things I always have to get when trying a new place: 1. Fried pickles 2. Spinach artichoke dip. This time I went with the pickles (above picture). They were horizontal slices (a first for Paul & I), the breading stuck nicely to the pickle, & the ranch dip was fabulous! Thick & a hint of garlic. Then onto our entrees. Paul & I had a hard time deciding (guess we'll have to return). Paul ended up going with a Chicken Madeira Pasta: "Sauteed chicken & mushrooms in a rich Madeira wine cream sauce. Tossed with tender Campanella pasta & Parmesan cheese." It was amazing! I, being the cheese lover I am, went with the build your own Mac & Cheese (picture below): "Cavatappi pasta tossed in our rich six-cheese sauce. Topped with garlic buttered bread crumbs." I added Pit-Smoked Ham. The sauce was delicious! The ham on the other hand, there was nothing special to it. I will add Sauteed Mushrooms & another meat next time.

For dessert, Paul went with a cheesecake & I did a trio sampler (creme brulee, peach cobbler, chocolate peanut butter parfait). The cheesecake was the more cream cheesy type, not the rich, small kind. The peach cobbler Paul liked, too many oats for my taste. The parfait was rich, but good. The creme brulee, awww-mazing!

We left with full bellies, empty pockets, leftovers, & as couple satisfied critics ;) 

If you're in the mood to try something different I would highly recommend The Blue Moose, because their menu changes up those 'regular' dishes.

Naked, No Roads & Eggy

For those of you who haven't heard already... I'M FREE!!! (oh shit, better cross my fingers so it lasts). On Thursday, April 5th, 2012, my liver tubes were taken out. They said everything was flowing fabulously so there was no need to keep them in. I was pretty out of it, I just remember crying... I believe out of happiness & a little worry some (because my luck hasn't had been too great). I just have to have faith in my KU team & continue with my blood work. Then at the end of the month I will find out at my follow-up how everything is really coming along.

On Friday, Paul & I started our 'Date Night' events. I made a 'Date Jar' with all kinds of day, noon, evening activity ideas in it. I pulled ideas from Pinterest, blogs, & Googling, then twice a month we'll shake it up & do what that little paper says. This way we don't end up in that dinner & movie rut (which I will always love). Anyways, this last Friday's date was the drive in movie theater. Drive in's are far & few between. I had been to one in Sterling, CO & this was Paul's very first experience so luckily I found one in KC, Boulevard Drive In. This weekend was their opening fan weekend, if you had the coupon your carload was free. They were also debuting their new sound & digital systems - which are supposed to be the best out there in the drive-in world. The movie menu included Indiana Jones - Raiders of the Lost Arch & Back to the Future. Two very awesome movies & especially to see on the big screen. They even had a couple Delorians their for people to check out while waiting for the sun to go down. Another treat we enjoyed were funnel cakes, yep they had someone one there frying up those delicious powder sugar covered desserts! YUMM! In the end, we finally were back home by 2am-ish & it was well worth it.

If you have any date ideas or would like to share your awesome time, please do! 

Or look up your nearest drive in & take your own trip back in time....

"Where we're going, we don't need roads."

Lastly, Easter Sunday. Paul & I headed West to my good friend Lori's house. Her family was very welcoming, & I thank them very much for the invite & great food. Not to mention the good stories by 'grandma' & 'grandpa' & the nail biting Taboo game.... WE WON! hahaha. The fresh air fishing was also nice, I enjoyed my catch of moss almost as much as Lori's trophy fish.