This past Friday, I ventured to Harry Bissett’s with about 26 of my closest friends.

Yes, it was a large crowd, but I think our experience at Bissett’s was one of the best I’ve had.

Our reservations were for 8 p.m., but we didn’t get seated until around 8:30.  It didn’t really matter because all 8 million of us hung out in the front by the bar and chatted until it was time to follow the hostess into the dining area.

We had two tables: one that sat about 20 people and the other that sat around 12.  OK, so I guess there were around 30 of us, but that’s a minor detail.

All of us were dressed up for a formal that night, and we wanted to eat at fun, easy-going Harry Bissett’s before boogie-ing the night away at The Classic Center to the band Super T.

My date, Tommy, and I sat at the smaller table which actually worked out really well.  I liked being able to talk to everyone at the table without having to scream or pass a note.  Our waitress, Jennifer, was AWESOME.  She was in for a good time, and she treated us just like adults.  Sometimes I get annoyed when waiters and waitresses treat me like I’m a 13-year-old on an ice cream date, but I can understand the horror stories from bad clients.

Either way, Jennifer was awesome.  She came and got our drink orders and came back a little later to get our food order.  I had the blackened fresh catch, mahi-mahi, with green beans and collards.  Tommy ordered the trout with a side salad and…shoot…I can’t remember what his other side was.

I’m a nosy person, so I saw some other plates on our table: shrimp scampi, fried oysters, another pasta, the surf and turf, creole egg rolls, and cedar plank salmon.  Needless to say, it all looked REALLY good.

I also ordered a bottle of chardonnay to go with our fish, and it was very good.  We all had one of those “just over 21″ discussions about wine and how we really don’t know what we’re doing most of the time when we order.  I think it would be cool to go to some sort of wine tasting/school here with some friends so we can all learn together.

I guess we got out of there around 10:15 or so.  Our meal didn’t take too long to come out, and everything I had was good.  Warning!  The collards are spicy, so watch out!

I just thought the menu for this week looked particularly good. www.donderoskitchen.com

October 6th – October 10th

Monday – Thursday 11:00 – 6:30
Friday 11:00 – 4:30

Monday (Thai):
Coconut Curry Noodles with Chicken and Vegetables
Coconut Curry Noodles with Tofu and Vegetables
Khao Tom (Thai Chicken & Rice Soup)
Chicken Salad Sandwich
Garden Salad with Herbed Vinaigrette

Tuesday (European):
Chicken and Artichoke Crêpes
Spinach and Artichoke Crêpes
Red & Black Beef Chili
Marinated Mozzarella Sandwich
Spinach Salad w/ Blue Cheese Vinaigrette
Leah’s Cool Couscous Salad

Wednesday (Malaysian):
Sweet & Sour Chicken over Jasmine Rice
Sweet & Sour Tofu over Jasmine Rice
Green Garden Soup
Roast Beef, Spinach and Herbed Cream Cheese Sandwich
“Asian” Garden Salad w/ Sesame Ginger Dressing
Tabouli

Thursday (Cuban):
Beef Empanada with Spanish Rice & Fresh Salsa
Vegetarian Empanada with Spanish Rice & Fresh Salsa
Split Pea Soup with Ham
Shrimp Po’Boy
Garden Salad w/ Honey Dijon Dressing

Friday (Middle Eastern):
Kazim’s Chicken over Rice Pilaf with Cacik
Sautéed Chickpea and Spinach over Rice Pilaf with Cacik
Seafood Gumbo
Black Forest Ham and Swiss on Pretzel Bread with Bread & Butter Pickles
Greek Salad

PRE-ORDER YOUR PICNIC DINNER FOR MODERN SKIRTS
AT ASHFORD MANOR NEXT MONDAY NIGHT!

In case you didn’t know, Ashford Manor, a bed and breakfast in Watkinsville, has concerts every other Monday on their lawn.  Dondero’s caters, and, while I’ve never been to one of the concerts before, I’ve heard they’re really fun!

Try it out!

Since I’m obsessed with Dondero’s Kitchen, I subscribe to their weekly menu that they send to my e-mail account. I just got the one for this week, and I thought it looked particularly good! If you’re feeling adventurous, go grab a bite!

Monday (Thai):
Yellow Curry with Fish and Potatoes
Yellow Curry with Tofu and Potatoes
Tomato Bisque
Chicken Salad Sandwich
Garden Salad with Herbed Vinaigrette

Tuesday (European):
Beef Lasagna
Vegetarian Lasagna
Turkey Apple Chowder
Muffuletta
Spinach Salad w/ Blue Cheese Vinaigrette
Leah’s Cool Couscous Salad

Wednesday (Malaysian):
Beef Rendang
Spicy Tofu
Cheddar Ale Soup
Meat or Vegetable Curry Turnovers
“Asian” Garden Salad w/ Sesame Ginger Dressing
Turkish Bean

Thursday (Cajun):
Crab Cakes
Potato Cutlets
Beef and Barley Soup
Aunt Jane’s Slow Beef Sandwich
Garden Salad w/ Honey Dijon Dressing
(with Hard-boiled Eggs and Home Roasted Sunflower Seeds)
Mediterranean Pasta Salad with Feta & Black Olives