Fried Pickles & Daisy Dickles

A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending a food blogger cocktail party presented by Google Places, in efforts to spread the word about the Google Places App(lication). I didn’t know what that was…but I did know I’d been wanting to eat at Second Bar + Kitchen for ages, so I was obviously going to go. (At the time, I didn’t have a Smartphone, but I had gotten along just fine without it thus far…and, well, if they checked for it at the door, I would have been totally prepared to turn around and go home. Little did I know, Google Places isn’t just a mobile app, but a section of the Google Enterprise that runs our lives, like Gmail or Google Maps.)The ‘hook’ for getting us there that night (not that I needed anything but the promise of tasting the menu) was a cocktail tasting and testing of three new drinks created for the event. We would rank them using Google Places’ star system, and the winner at the end of the night would find its way onto the permanent drink menu at Second Bar + Kitchen. I knew right away which one I was going to like the best, solely because of its name.However, I had just come from the gym, so with happy feet, sinking into the turf grass that lines the upstairs deck……I headed for hydration of a non-alcoholic sort.Initially, I tried to just pick up one of the old-fashioned milk bottles and chug directly from it. The waiters would not have this, and despite my pleas, forced me to use a cup. It wasn’t until later, that one of the waiters (probably just tired from having to refill my glass so often) presented me with this trophy:

But let’s return to the more interesting focus of the night (and sorry, for me it was NOT the libations): the food! [Let me take a quick moment to thank Suzanna for sending me notes on all of this...I was too busy being an obnoxious diner to remember everything...]The beautifully presented cheese board included a wide variety of all very delicious cheese…none of which could hold a candle (in my opinion) to the Kunik, a creamy goat cheese from Nettle Meadow Farm in upstate New York–yes, I googled it–that had the consistency of a triple-creme brie, and a flavor of, well, deliciousness.There was also this Avocado Fundido with chorizo on the bottom and melty queso fresco on the top, paired with homemade tortilla chips. Good, but a little heavy for me. [Not exactly what I wanted after a workout.]
What was exactly what I wanted after a workout? These incredible beet and watermelon skewers, with arugula, bleu cheese, and a hint of Maldon sea salt. I wanted to eat the whole plate, really…and am now on a mission to recreate this (or at least something with these flavors) at home. [Perhaps with the excessive amount of watermelon I just purchased?] I also had a nibble or two on a variety of the proffered pizzas. (They were incredibly generous, by the way, and kept offering to bring us more and more and more and MORE!)The Pomodoro (above) appeared with and without little veal meatballs, and it was quite yummy…as was the Pizza Bianco. (below)
The Rotisserie Chicken pizza was a final-inning pitcher*, and I completely missed a taste of that (but managed a picture).
*I realize this is not actually a sports term. But I like it.
By far the best was the Pulled Pork Shoulder, with tobacco onions and what I told everyone were green chiles, but tasted like simple green bell peppers. (Who’s to say, really? Well, I guess the chef.)
Thank you, Drew, for this artful presentation, and for declaring you only know about “smoke and meat” which, let’s be honest, is all we need from a man.*
*Kidding. Sort of. I’d also never say no to some smoked meat, though. I could also really use some help with the grill. And taking the trash out, while you’re at it.
But my favorite taste of the night? TRUFFLED GRITS. Oh yes, that’s right: Truffled. Grits. The beef short rib was incredible–so tender we could eat it with spoons–but the grits? Well, let’s just say I made a vow to invest in some truffle oil after that.

And the poetry didn’t stop there. After giving it four stars, I changed its name to accommodate a fabulous slogan: “Pair your Daisy Dickle with a side of Fried Pickle.”[Oh yes, there were fried pickles served as well, dipped in a Gorgonzola sauce. I failed miserably in eating them and lost all the "fried" from my pickle. That sounds kind of dirty, actually.]

Sadly, my witty rhymes could not compete with the winner of the evening: Gin & Jam.

It is really easy to use–although I have to say the web-based computer interface is much more user-friendly than the mobile app–and the ratings are similar to Netflix-style stars. You can also rate 10 places as “the best EVER” which makes me smile.