She: Luccas with sole

Today we went to Lucca for lunch. When we went in, at first we thought the place was dead--there was one table filled. Then we were asked if we wanted to be seated outside, and behold! Almost every seat was packed. Now, the owners of Lucca's own Roxy, too, which we've had very mixed experiences for... so we weren't sure what we were getting into.

The first thing we found though, was that the atmosphere was great outside. There were a few water fountains in the back, with lemon trees and other vegetation to obscure its proximity to other buildings downtown. Our waiter was (for a change) timely and actually knew the specials. We each ordered one: Mark had the open-faced albacore tuna sandwich topped with boiled egg and a side of fries. I had the Petrale sole fillet with watercress and mashed potatoes. We also ordered the Myzithra cheese flatbread, which came with a tasty lentil and garlic dip, olive pesto dip, as well as olives.

My sole was fabulous. It was delicately sauteed, and covered in a red cream sauce which matched without overwhelming the fish. The mashed potatoes were rich and buttery, and the entire dish was presented prettily, as well. We passed on desert--nothing really jumped out to either of us, and we were comfortably full. The only thing I have to say is...the waiter put down the bill RIGHT in front of Mark. Now, in our enlightened day and age, it should be common practice to put it between a couple. As a woman, I balk at the idea that if I'm with a man--regardless of his age or relationship, seventy percent of the time the bill is given to him. I HATE that. Its a sexist assumption that "the man pays." It may be chivalrous for a man to offer to pay, (or heck, ANYONE else to pay) but not for the waiter to make that assumption. Especially since, like today, the meal went on MY card. I mean...that isn't smart as I am the tipper, as well. :P But, the food was great, atmosphere relaxed and sophisticated.

I did start thinking on the way home about how to make my own fabulous fish--I never make fish at home, it seems, and as summer comes I'd like a few lighter meals in the week. So I scrounged up a few recipes and came up with this:

Ingredients:
Get 1 or 2 lbs of sole, or even a flounder, I cup of flour, an egg, a few pinches of salt and pepper, 1-2 cups of tempura crumbs, olive oil, butter.

Instructions:
• Pat the fish to dry with paper towels.
• Roll the fish in flour, then dip into beaten egg. Make sure to take off any excess egg.
• Roll gently in tempura crumbs.
• Place on a plate in the fridge and let it sit for an hour.
• When hour's up, recoat with more crumbs.
• Heat 1 tbs of butter and 1tbs of oil in the pan.
• GENTLY place the fish in the fan, and saute fish on both sides til golden brown. Use medium-high heat, for around 5 minutes each. You must be gentle when you flip the fish over, or it'll break up into a few sections.

If you'd like, once the fish is cooked you can squeeze some lemon or some other citrus onto the fish before serving.