Restaurant Chez Watson

We like food. We like local business. When these two things come together in delicious harmony, it doesn't take much for us to get behind it. Case in point, how many times do we have to tell you to go to the Global Peace Factory? Go there people! Where did I have my birthday lunch last year? That's right, another local eatery, The Salad Stop. This in mind, it was our pleasure to have The Locavore Chef prepare some meals in our home today.

The Locavore Chef is one Melanie Ester, personal chef. Her business is developed around providing custom meals with seasonal, sustainable ingredients (local and organic as much as possible). She was in our kitchen today cooking from before 11am until 2-something. When she was done, we had meals stocked in our fridge for 5 nights of dinners (plus leftovers and a dessert!). Not only that, but I came home on my lunch break, and Melanie prepared lunch as well.

Our first meal (lunch) was a delicious spinach salad with strawberries and walnuts. This was followed by a hot pasta dish with a tomato sauce including green bell peppers and onions. I have to say, it felt a bit like our apartment was a restaurant. Because, one, someone else was cooking. And, two, while we were finishing up our salad, Melanie walked over with our pasta bowls. It's odd to be served in your own home. But it was certainly relaxing!

Dinner was delicious. Melanie prepared etouffee and told us how to heat it up appropriately and add shrimp. It was hands down the best shrimp etouffee I've ever had. I say this not having sampled a million of them, but enough to know that the sauce must be hard to make. When I've ordered it in restaurants before, I'm generally disappointed at how oily everything tastes. This tasted fresh and flavorful. Plus, with Melanie's clear instruction, the shrimp was perfectly done.

If the plating doesn't look good, that's our fault. We spooned everything out and added the scallions/parsley. But, I think the plating isn't bad either for a couple of amateurs.


I'm very much looking forward to our Locavore Chef meal tomorrow. We'll be eating tonight's leftovers for lunch and customized meal #2 for dinner. Yumn!