BAVETTE NEW ZEALAND STYLE

 

Today we travel to New Zealand to try a bavette steak. A bavette steak might be called a flap steak here in the states. This steak also claims to be Wagyu beef. Companies have been taking liberties with the definition of Wagyu and really am not sure what to expect. This steak also boasts that it is grass fed and finished. Grass finished is not high on my list of purchases and was bought by my wife Ms. Goofy.

This steak was cooked on a high heat over a charcoal grill. I cooked it for about 5 minutes a side. It was rested and sliced against the grain. How did it taste you ask? It was very tender. It had a deep rich beefy flavor. My only critique it had that vegetable twang of a finish assosiated with grass finished beef. Overall it was not terrible. I never mentioned the price. This cut was 12.99/pd. Into days market that is a bargain and comparable to its American counter. Would I purchase this? Proably not. While it was good, I am still not a fan of grass finished beef.

CARRARA 640 WAGYU

 

It seems there is a flood of Wagyu products flooding butcher shops and big discount houses. There are many choices and price points. Today steak is from Australia called Carrara 640 Wagyu. The price was 40/pound for boneless rib-eye. This is on the lower end of price for the current Wagyu's on the market. This company also advertises this beef is grain finished. That is a bonus in my world.

The butcher suggested cooking on a high charcoal heat at 4 minutes a side. I did and let it rest for 5 minutes. It was a perfect medium rare cook. The beef was ultra tender and had the big beefy flavor which I crave. I would purchase this again. Ms. Goofy has some other Wagyu products for me to try.......Stay tuned.

MAPLE BACON JAM

 

I picked up this Maple Bacon Jam on my recent trip to Virginia. It was sold in the gift shop at the Civil War Museum. This is my kind of souvenir. It actually tastes very good. It is sweet, mapley, smoky and fills the bill in the sweet department. I like it but question if there is any bacon here. I am afraid to read the ingredient list. 

MORE CHEESE PLEASE

 

According to Ms. Goofy there is never enough cheese. She would of been happy at the Buon Tempo Italian Club. They do not scimp on the cheese. There is a slight problem of her participating in this cheese laden lasagne; this was a stag dinner night and women were not allowed. There was also a cheesy bread to add on to this cheese pile.

Do not worry, Ms. Goofy can go to the co-ed dinner later this month and get her fill of cheese.

CINCO COOK-OFF

Today we are at a really fun bbq contest with a twist; fajitas. This “Cinco Cook-off” was held at Super La Favorita Meat Market #3 in Dixon California. How can you not like a contest held at a meat market. Ribs were included in this spicy fun extravaganza.!!!!!!!!

LOCAL CHOP & GRILL HOUSE

 When I am visiting a new town, I search for the fanciest steakhouse. I use Google a lot and one of the best indicators is asking the locals. We are in Harrisonburg, Virginia and all indicators pointed to "Local Chop & Grill House. The building is historic being built in 1911. It was a storage house next to the railroad and later a seed company. Today it houses luxury condominiums and the Local Chop House. I did not have a reservation which was unfortunate. Being the best steakhouse in town they get crowded. They were able to seat me in the bar area.

My steak was cooked to order and was enjoyed. The service was great. There was a lot to like about this place. One nice thing was the bill. It was about half the price of any big city steakhouse. The locals know where to go.

Edit; I almost forgot the deconstructed cheesecake I had for dessert. How could I forget that? I know, it was not that remarkeable. Put it all back together is what I say.

CRACKER BARREL

 I never realized Cracker Barrel was actually a popular restaurant back East. It seemed to be the butt of parody and jokes of Late Night T.V. shows. My hotel in Harrisonburg Virginia was right across the street from said restaurant and it was time to experience a Cracker Barrel meal.

I walked through the door and immediately saw the appeal. This looked like a fun place. You walk through a gift shop and try to avoid all the kitschy items that you always wanted but do not need. I was immediately seated and given three menus to accompany the various small sign board advertisements on the table. My choices were chicken fried, dumplings, corn and peach cobbler ala mode. The service was friendly and quick.

      The cobbler was great. The chicken fried was decent but the gravy was lumpy as all get. The dumplings were an abonimation against mankind. A sour gravy/soup with lumps of wet flour that just did not float my boat. Overall, the food was pretty mediorce but I was hungry and it did the trick. (did not consume dumpling/gravy/soup conncoction at all).

Here is what I see the mass appeal of Cracker Barrel is; with tip my meal was thirty dollars. This is a fun restaurant. The service was great. The food was pretty pedestrian but you did get a lot of it. Thirty dollars might by you a pre-dinner cocktail in San Francisco. I was satisfied and fufilled a curiostiy itch at Cracker Barrel.

Edit; after re-reading my post, I forgot to mention the salad. The salad was fantastic. I usually do not get to excited about salads but this one was superb. Lots of fresh lettuce, with chopped vegetables, cheese and real honest to gosh bacon. Yes, I enjoyed it.