R & R @ R & R

Jim and Nancy do not disclose the fact that they will review a restaurant before they attend, ensuring their reviews are unbiased and uninfluenced by their position with the Sun Day.

The restaurant business is always in a state of constant change. A restaurant may die out, but a new restaurant is reborn in its location. This happened with a local favorite, the R & R Steakhouse, which is now Niko’s R & R Supper Club in Marengo.

Our Neighborhood 35 Supper Club chose this restaurant for our Saturday night get together. The upstairs room was reserved for us from 7 p.m. on, but when we arrived, the previous party was overstaying their welcome, chatting and sipping wine. After giving them the old stink eye, it was time to bring in the big gun, Nancy. She was instructed to use her “tact” to rid us of the unwelcome party. After several loud “suggestions” and calls for the manager, they agreed they would leave. We were given the go ahead, and it was like musical chairs. Everyone was jockeying for posistion hoping to get a good seat. Our waitress brought over a relish tray and our supper club soiree was in full swing by 7:15 p.m.

We like the old school relish trays; it gives you something to munch on while looking over the menu. We were discussing what appetizer to get, when our waitress came over and told us about all the specials on the menu that evening. For an appetizer, we had one of Nancy’s all time favorites, Lobster Tempura ($15). This was five pieces of lobster, fried and served with a spicy dipping sauce. What a great start to the evening.

Jim spotted one of his favorites on the menu, Steak Diane ($33). This was filet mignon medallions seared with brandy, butter, wild mushrooms, dijon mustard, shallots, cream, and stock. All entrees come with soup or salad and your choice of two sides. Jim went with the Baked French Onion Soup ($2 upcharge). He picked a baked potato for one of his sides, and the buttered button mushrooms for the other. The steak was like butter, and the button mushrooms were a great compliment to the steak. I know it’s unusual for him, but he took home a doggie bag. WOW!!!

Nancy has been suffering from crab withdrawal lately, so when our waitress mentioned the Two-Pound Snow Crab Leg special that evening ($39), her eyes lit up, there was a blank look on her face, and she started drooling. She was speechless, so I told the waitress she’ll have the special. She chose a salad (instead of soup) with creamy garlic dressing, of course. For her two sides, she chose whipped mashed potatoes and charred brussel sprouts. Between the garlic dressing and those nasty little cabbages, I was in for quite a night! I also had some of her brussel sprouts to be ready to launch a counter attack, if necessary!!! The snow crab was delicious and the charred brussel sprouts were different and tasty. Half of her crab legs and sprouts walked home with her tonight.

In a rare turnabout, Nancy had dessert this evening, and I didn’t. She chose the neighborhood favorite, Brandy Ice ($10). It was a nice ending to a delicous meal.

Niko transformed both the inside and outside of this restaurant to make it a cozy supper club. Our two waitresses deserve medals for keeping all 25 of us happy while running up and down stairs with trays of food. Reservations are a must, especially if you are handicapped. Make sure to ask for a table on the first floor, they do not have elevators.

Total for our Neighborhood Supper Club outing was $106.79. An evening with friends, priceless.

Jim’s take: My meal was top notch and although I don’t normally like brussel sprouts, these were tasty. Let the war begin.

Nancy’s take: I’m not crabby anymore, I got my crab fix and that garlic dressing was awesome, so much garlic…

Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at thediningduo@gmail.com.

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