April 27, 2014 - The Last Supper - Billings, Montana

We went to Monta’s house after the Billings Bridge Tournament where she served the Last Supper in my honor.  This will probably  be the last time that I play in a Billings Bridge Tournament unless I should fly to Billings from Arizona to play bridge with my friends.   Guests:  Jack and Monta Bell…Sharon and Bob Carter...Ken and Marsha Schell…Mary Jo Brown…Vicky Sager and LKPH.  It was wonderful.

She served chicken stuffed with artichokes…garlic mashed potatoes…green beans…and my favorite salad…her spinch salad with poppy seed dressing with strawberries.  The entire meal was delicious.

Marsha Schell baked a lovely chocolate cake..frosted on the sides and the top which was loaded with all different types of fresh berries.  

April 25, 2014 - Goode's Q and Bayou Grill - Billings, Montana

I am spending the weekend in Billings, Montana...playing in a bridge tournament with Monta Bell, Vicky Sager and Mary Jo Brown.  It was a gorgeous morning for a drive to Billings.  I went straight to the bridge room.  Played with Monta Bell in the first session.  We ended up tied for 6/7 N-S Flight A...garnering .38 master points.


During dinner break  Monta had a surprise for me…she, Victoria and I went to the Vegas Motel…the new home of Goode’s Q and Bayou Grill for dinner.  Remember how I have been muttering and moaning about my favorite Great Falls eatery moving to Billings...well here I am. 

We weren’t all that hungry so I had a cup of Seafood Gumbo…and a cup of Clam Chowder.  Monta had a cup of Seafood Gumbo - shrimp, crawfish and bay scallops sautéed with white wine and smothered with a rich seafood stock...served over rice.  Victoria had the Chicken-n-sausage Gumbo…richly flavored broths thickened with a Louisiana staple (roux) and vegetables....served over rice.  We shared an order of Fried Okra…and forks around for dessert - a piece of Pecan Pie. It was so hot we had to ask for a scoop of ice cream...hot as in temperature.   (It was good but not as good as my southern friend Jo Martin bakes.)

Vicky and I played in the evening session.  We were both tired...and we played up and down so when we left we had turned in a 48%...stay tuned.

Goode’s Q and Bayou Grill

The Vegas Hotel
27^th Street and Belknap – Exit 450
Billings, Montana
(406) 259-9434

Hours:

Breakfast:  6:00 a.m. – 11:00 am.
Lunch 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Dinner 4:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

April 24, 2014 - Dinner and Theater in Havre, Montana

My lifelong friend Lila Anderson Armstrong and her husband, Stuart from Geraldine, Montana -  met Jo Martin and I at dinner this evening.  We decided to meet at The Guadalajara Restaurant.

I was so stressed after the day at work that I ordered a margarita as soon as I was seated. Lila ordered the Tres Flautas….Stuart ordered a Burrito…both plates served with rice and refried beans.  Jo and I split the Carnitas de Res – thin strips of beef sautéed with onions, tomatoes, and green peppers.  Garnished with guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo.

Then over to the MSU-Northern Little Theater for the dress rehearsal of Chicago for Family and Friends Night.  Miss Erika Anderson made her debut with the Montana Actors Theater.  She dances beautifully.  What a darling young lady.  And, Lila is correct – where did an Anderson get long, slender legs.

April 23, 2014 - Lemon Cupcakes

I ran across the street from my office today because the secret was out.  Henny Penny's had the great Lemon Cupcakes...not just a lemon cupcake...but a cupcake that tastes like a Lemon Meringue Pie...complete with homemade lemon curd.  This was the first time that I have ever tried the cupcake.  I love it.  It might not overtake the Banana Cream Pie Cupcake..but it is delicious.  If you get a chance, try one.

April 20, 2014 - Easter Dinner at Ma's Loma Cafe - Loma, Montana

Ma’s Loma Café

203 Highway 87 Box 107

Loma, Montana

(406) 739-4400

Greg and Maria Bouchard

Hours:  Daily  7 a.m. – 9 p.m

Jo Martin and I drove to Loma after the Easter morning celebrations at church.  This little town that is located along the Missouri River and the Marias River...known to all of us as Decision Point...where Lewis and Clark camped...and sent expeditions up both rivers to see if they could decided which river to continue on...as they headed to the Pacific Ocean.  They made the correct decision of the Missouri River.

Greg and Maria always put on a fabulous Easter Dinner.  Jo ordered the Prime Rib with a Baked Potato...it was served with aus juice and horseradish sauce....also a Salad Bar.  Jo's cut was huge...and cooked to perfection.  She likes hers medium rare.  The baked potato tasted as if it had just came out of the garden...and it was garnished with butter and sour cream.

I ordered the Lobster Tail with drawn butter...and a baked potato along with the Salad Bar.

Dessert were several choices...we both had a small piece of Flan....it was a tall, firm filling..soaked in the caramel sauce.  I also enjoyed a small slice of Carrot Cake...and Jo ate a small piece of the No Sugar Rhubarb Cake.

Greg and Maria moved to Loma about eight years ago from Mexico.   They still return, especially, in the winter to visit family and friends.  They have one son, Lester who attends Montana State University - Northern in Havre.  Several of Maria's nieces and nephews have work at the cafe from East Los Angeles.  We have come to know them as friends.

They are showing off their special menu.  We love to drive to Loma on Thursday nights for Maria's Mexican Night .  She cooks the best wholesome Mexican food.  Montanans drive from miles around.  I will write more about Mexican Night when we make our first trek later this spring.

Friday nights started out as Sea of Cortez Shrimp Night...but now know as Seafood Night.  Greg is quite the fisherman..and owned an outfitting company in Mexico.  Now the Friday night menu has been expanded to all types of fish such as Walleye and Halibut to name a few...and they still do serve great shrimp dishes.

Saturday night is Steak Night...and we have had some great steaks on Saturday nights...mostly as we are returning from Great Falls.  I am now trained not to even think about dinner in Great Falls.  I drive straight to Loma for dinner.

Their burgers are great.  I must try Wednesday's Homemade Pizza Night.  They also have a large selection of homemade pies.  Actually their entire menu - breakfast, lunch and dinner is quite extensive...and delicious.

April 18, 2014 - Book Club

Book Club this month was at Cathy Jamruszka's house.  I pulled into town from Helena just in time to discuss our book this month - Adam Hochschild To End All Wars.

Our book club consists of:  Jo Martin, Carol Reifschneider, Cathy Jamruszka, Helen Manaras, Raela Hulett,  Pat Feeney, Bonnie Williamson, Margaret Stallkamp and Lynda Patrick-Hayes.

The monthly hostess always serves a dessert...and choice of beverages.

Cathy served a frosted, three tiered angel food cake with strawberries....it was delicious...light and fluffy...just perfect to usher in spring.

And then to celebrate Easter which will arrive this coming Sunday, Cathy served these delightful  Eggs in a Nests....pastel Easter eggs in a chocolate and chow mein noodle nest.

April 16, 2014 - Silver Star Steakhouse - Helena, Montana

After a long day of training all the Montana CFOs met at the Silver Star Steakhouse for dinner...and some finance talk.

I ordered the Slow- Roasted Prime Rib served with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus spears.  The dessert was so decadent - Three Berry Tiramisu.  And...I don't really care for tiramisu...but this was delicious.

Silver Star Steakhouse

833 Great Northern Blvd.

Helena, Montana 59601

(406) 495-0677

The only other time that I have eaten at this restaurant was I ordered the Black and Blue…8 ounce flat iron,  an exceptionally tender and flavorful cut, blackened, grilled and finished with a bleu cheese compound butter.

My dessert was the crème brulee…it was delicious…smooth and a sweet tasting custard with a torched crust.

Appetizers – from the bar menu…Hot Wings and these steak Spring Rolls…I liked the spring rolls the best…the wings were just too hot….and I ordered the mild.