A Romantic Lunch on a Foggy Day

What do you do on a foggy, drizzly, bone chilling day? We didn't have to think long, before we remembered the gift card that my daughter had given Joe for Christmas. We had a choice of three restaurants and we selected Thunder Bay Grille. It was after the noon hour rush that we entered the restaurant and waited to be seated. The waitress took us to a table in front of a gentle fire in a big fireplace. We were there with only one other table full of people. The huge room was really quite intimate and cozy. We sat there and warmed up while looking at the menu. The waitress was at our beck and call....coming in at just the right time to take our order. Joe had the Drunken Sirloin Tips and I had the Southwestern Salad. He ordered a bowl of clam chowder and I hesitated, because I know how large salads can be. I decided not to order soup...just had a taste of Joe's :) It was homemade and delicious. We had our drinks and waited for the meal to come. The food was outstanding...my salad, true to reputation, huge... in a freshly made tortilla shell. Many different types of lettuces, Mexican corn, tomato and black bean relish, crispy chicken and bacon bits, cherry tomatoes, two different shredded cheeses, olives, all served with a wonderful avocado ranch dressing on the side. Joe's sirloin tips were served in a creamy wine sauce with mushrooms, onions, and cheese. He had mashed potatoes too. Neither of us finished our meal. By the time we were ready to leave there were two other couples enjoying this huge warm room. The room was very rustic, with canoes on the ceiling, chairs and tables made out of parts of trees, the huge stone fireplace, and stained glass light fixtures hanging from the ceiling. Though rustic, the table settings were very modern...with square white dishes, odd shaped soup bowls, clear crystal glasses, stainless salt and pepper mills, black tablecloths and napkins. There was so much to see and the fire was so warming. What a romantic spot for two old people to enjoy a lunch on a foggy day.

Balisha