Go me, it’s my birthday!
We’re gonna eat like it’s my birthday!
AY! AY! AY!
As every birthday comes around, the stress/pressure to find the “IT” restaurant to host my Birthday dinner is always high.
I’m desperately looking for an amazing restaurant with a great atmosphere, nice setting and of course, with a menu that will leave me and my guests salivating.
This year, it all took place at Redwood Restaurant & Bar in downtown Bethesda, Maryland.
I really loved the setting and ambiance, very spacious as well.
Since I was a little late, some of the ladies enjoyed a few of cocktails and appetizers at the bar.
Once I arrived, we moved to our table for dinner service.
Our server came by and delivered a couple of bread baskets as we browsed the menu for our selections.
I wasn’t quite sure of what to request in terms of a drink/cocktail.
I pretty much asked our server for something fruity, sweet, perhaps with some Vodka, which she delivered.
We called it the “Kivi32” since they mispelled my name on the menu with the “Happy Birthday” message.
It was perfect and refreshing.
Phoebe had the Dark & Stormy with spiced rum, ginger beer and lime.
She loved it!
Now that we had our drinks out of the way, it was time to put in our dining selections.
Fried Calamari or Blue Bay Mussels and Pan Seared Salmon all sounded delicious to me!
For starters, I went with the Fried Calamari.
A decision I did not regret.
My girlfriend, Nkechi, had some while waiting at the bar and loved them.
Perfectly crisp with a touch of sweetness and spice from the banana peppers.
The serving is large enough to share among 2-3 people.
This starter is sure to kick off your dining experience on a great note!
Phoebe went for the Lamb Slider, which was also delicious.
The French Fries were good.
I went for the Pan Seared Salmon as my entrée.
Beautiful presentation, I thought.
The salmon was tasty but a little overcooked for me.
The succotash could have used a little more seasoning.
I could be wrong about this but the vegetables tasted like they came right out of a can.
On the contrary, the shrimp was very delicious.
Harlette’s Lamb Burger was amazing!
This is what I am going to order next time I visit.
It was stuffed with goat cheese, cumin, cucumber relish and tzatziki sauce and believe me when I say that those flavors surely came through in the bite I had.
The brioche bun is a perfect match for this burger!
Edwige had the Shrimp Tacos, which she was very well pleased with.
You can never go wrong with anything “blackened”!
Are you liking our selections so far?
For dessert, you know I went to Stella’s Bakery.
This time around, the Grand Marnier Mousse Cake was my pick!
Perfection. Delight.
I had the remaining 2 slices this week for dessert.
The perfect guilty pleasure.
I am so grateful to the ladies for coming out to celebrate this additional year with me.
It was definitely an evening filled with outrageous stories, LOUD laughter (seriously), good food and drinks.
Though not pictured here, we began the day with breakfast, massage sessions and ended the day with feasting and toasting.
I couldn’t have asked for more.
Cheers to another year and many more to come!
