History makes for delicious dinner

On a night when there are potential tornado warnings, torrential rains, and an unbearable migraine, one would think the best place for dinner would be one's own house. Not that case last Thursday, when the first Development Dinner of 2010 found us in a historic house on the east side of town.

Ellendale's, built in a historic home off Elm Hill  Pike, was named after the owner's great-grandmother. Knowing this beforehand, I was expecting an old farmhouse decked out in anything "shabby chic," but the decor was anything but shabby. The contemporary and elegant design made me forget that I was eating in a residence-turned-business. Ellendale's features nightly live music and its own vegetable garden.

The menu was the type I love--the one where there are just enough choices to offer something for every taste bud but too many yummy-sounding things to choose from. The daily special sounded delicious (I wish I had tried the garlic cheddar mashed potatoes our waitress raved about!), but I settled on the Amaretto Chicken.

Served with wilted greens and cranberry rice pilaf, it was a meal I couldn't get enough of. The Manhattan complimented every bite! (Although I've yet to have a meal not  complimented by bourbon.) 

Beth's and Laura's dinners made my mouth water too! Laura ordered the Tuscan Risotto and Beth, the cod tapenade. They raved about their choices, so they must have been good! (Why do we never share bites?)

While I wish I had ordered an app instead of dessert (Dos Perros Cheese Fondue, anyone?), the others' dessert options looked beautiful and sinful. My carrot cake did leave a little bit to be desired, but Laura's banana spring rolls were one of the most interesting sweets we've encountered on this culinary journey.

The End Notes:

• Loved the atmosphere!
• Loved the coat tree at the front door that kept me from sitting on my dripping raincoat.
• Wish we could have heard the music better from our seat near the front room.
• Wish I had felt better.

My Recommendation:

• Eat @ Ellendales! Whether you go for brunch, lunch, or dinner, you simply can't afford not to try it out.
• But I think you should try one of the appetizers instead of spending calories on dessert. (Or maybe I should have just chosen something different...)