Lamb Fries

Lamb fries

Sunday lunch at Noriega Hotel Basque Restaurant is a really fun time.  The weekday lunches and dinners have a fixed menu.  For example, Friday lunch is always Red Snapper and Tri-Tip.  And dinner on Wednesday is always Lamb Stew and Prime Rib.  Lunch and dinner on weekends always varies.  In reserving Sunday lunch for a birthday celebration Betty asked, “What is on the menu for Sunday lunch?” 

They replied, “Lamb Fries and Spare Ribs”. 

“What are Lamb Fries?” 

“Well, it’s hard to explain”.

“Are they French fries with lamb?  Or, fried bits of lamb?”

“Maybe you should google it”. 

So I googled it…to quote Wikipedia, “Lamb fries are lamb testicles used as food. One popular dish in the United States serves them breaded and fried. Lamb testicles are served in a variety of ...”

What the hell, I feel adventurous.  And Lia doesn’t eat meat anyway.  And they are also having spare ribs, which are really good.

We got to Noriega’s a little early to enjoy the atmosphere at the bar.  Some of us tried the famous Basque drink that is Vodka, a special bottled Ginger Beer and lime wedge, called a Moscow Mule.  It’s served in a hand hammered copper cup reserved especially for this drink.   The Bloody Mary’s looked great and I always love the Gin and Tonics like we just had last Thursday before for dinner.  But as I am still counting points, and I know there is wine on the table, I resisted the extra drinks.

Lunch that Sunday included a soup of broth and thin noodles instead of the cabbage soup.  Beans and salsa is always standard.  The salad was served with blue cheese and the fresh bread is always great.  The red wine on the table that is included with all meals (even breakfast) is fruity and cold and is enjoyable with the food. 

The first entrée that was brought to the table was ox tail stew.  “What about the lamb fries?” I asked.  The ox tail stew is for those that do not want lamb fries.  I love this stew, the ox tails are rich and tender and fall off the star shaped tail bones.  A bowl of lamb fries were passed around and most of us tried them.  They were indeed lamb testicles with no attempt to disguise what we were eating.  They are just sautéed.  I thought they might be breaded and fried, hence, “Lamb Fries”.  This was an Andrew Zimmern moment.  They were oval shaped and in different sizes.  The large ones were the size of the end of my thumb and the  smaller ones were the size of a small pea.  The texture and taste was that of a chicken liver in a hot-dog casing.  I did eat my share as well as my share of the roasted spare ribs that were served next, along with the best French fries.  It was a memorable lunch.  The food was good as always and we met some nice people seated next to us.  If you haven’t been to Noriega’s Basque Restaurant, you should go for the historic experience and the great food and company.

And Another Notch

After 6 weeks on Weight Watchers I am officially down 18.2 Lbs.  I have to admit to utalizing calculated weigh-in strategies.  I started removing my shoes to weigh in one time when I knew I had over indulged.  Of course, going forward I will always have to remove my shoes and my car keys and money clip and belt and every other fraction of an ounce that I can.  But the weather is getting warmer and I have one other opportunity to drop artificial lbs. by wearing shorts and a tank top in the near future.  And I tend to have a vigorous work out on the evening that I have to weigh in.  And I do not drink water until afterward, obviously.  

Going out to lunch does take come discipline.  I was turned on to a great dive in Ventura for fish tacos, Spencer Makenzie’s Fish Company on

Thompson Blvd.

in downtown Ventura – “home of the Giant Fish Taco”.  The fish tacos are available either grilled or tempura style.  I was reminded of the late 70’s when we used to drive to Ensenada Mexico to get fish tacos and party at Hussong’s Cantina.  The fish tacos back then cost a quarter and it was fun finding the street vendor that made the best ones.  I also remember Hussong’s from when I was a kid.  The family would go to Ensenada for my Dad’s family’s weddings.  He would end up in Hussong’s in the middle of the day with my Mom out front on the sidewalk trying to control 5 kids in the hot sun.  Buy the time I was 20, I realized how much fun it could be.  The Margarita’s were $1 and were strong enough for a beer chaser, also $1.  The last time I was at Hussong’s I was golfing with my friend at Baja Mar and we went into town for some entertainment.  By this time in 2001, Hussong’s was catering to the prosperous locals.  We got some very dirty looks as a couple white guys invading the historic Mexican Cantina.  I haven’t been back since.  Rosarito Beach is closer anyway.

The giant fish tacos in Ventura are a generous size on a handmade tortilla and stuffed with cabbage and peppers.  It did require some hot sauce for my taste.  The giant fish tacos are $5.45 and one is a nice low cal lunch.  However, being adventurous, I also tried the Ahi Pocket.  A nice dough pocket stuffed with rice and topped with seared Ahi tuna.  It’s a real treat for $2.45. 

I went to dinner at Sorella’s Italian in Bakersfield.  This place is death for weight waters.  I made a reasonably good choice and ordered the manicotti with marinara sauce.  I usually get if with half alfredo and half marinara.  So I saved some points.  And I love the fresh salads at Sorela and instead of having the creamy blue cheese dressing, I asked for the balsamic vinaigrette.  But I couldn’t resist asking for blue cheese crumbles.  I only had one piece of bread and just a bite of dessert. 

Toro is a great sushi restaurant at the Marketplace in Bakersfield.   There are lots of low calorie options for me there.  Only I went with customers once and said, “Go ahead and order us all”.  $100 later, the 3 of us had some great sushi rolls and fresh Ahi tuna and salmon sushi, miso soup and green tea ice cream.   It was great.  You can stick with the lunch specials and get by very reasonably there.  And at happy hour, the appetizers and rolls are ½ price.

For another happy hour special, Betty and I went Café Med.  We got a table on the patio next to some women.  One of them had a BIG mouth and was cackling like I don’t know what.   I moved us to a quieter table and calmed down and enjoyed a glass of house Chardonnay and seared Ahi Tuna appetizer and Betty ordered cheesy garlicky bruchetta.  I confirmed that we had the happy hour menu and we ordered the house wine.  When the bill came, they billed me the full price for everything, $41.  I’m looking around for the turnip truck that I must have fallen off of.  And the waitress came around again and I gave her back the bill and politely asked that she apply the happy hour specials.  She said, “Oh sure”.  I felt like it was a deliberate attempt to rip me off and try to pull one over on me.  Just like when Café Med used to add 18% tip to every check and leave a blank tip line to add more.  I know people don’t always read the bill especially on a business lunch and tip double.  So be aware when at Cafe Med.  When the corrected bill came back it was $20.  I was mad for about 2 hours.  In fact, I’m still mad and that got me to blogging again.  Release the anger.  That’s better.

Count the points and make good choices.