Ladies that lunch - bleu

The Finer Things Club went out for lunch last week and the restaurant did not disappoint!  We picked bleu (located in the Westin across from the FedEx Forum) from our "restaurants to try" lunch list.

bleu has a lovely day crew.  The hostess was very warm and our waitress was attentive.  The decor was sophisticated and relaxing.  And we were immediately given a bread bowl with dipping sauce.  Off to a good start!

When I dip you dip we dip

The dipping sauce tasted like olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and red pepper flakes. The honey and balsamic made it a little too sweet for me.  But then each bite was sorta different depending how much of each ingredient I got, which kept changing.  So I think I liked it?  But at times, too sweet.  Yes, of that, I am certain.

One of the ladies had the excellent ideas of ordering the mac & cheese as an appetizer.  And it was beauuuutiful.

Smoked gouda cheese sauce, elbow macaroni and citrus panko crumbs

How can you not love a baby cast iron skillet?  Plus, it was good.  Like, sooooo good.  I need to take the Hubs because I think it would change his preference for the boxed kind.  We all had "A Moment" as we ate it.

Next up was the main course!  Anita got a wonderfully toasty turkey melt...

Oven roasted turkey breast, avocado, tomato, chipotle aioli, & white cheddar cheese on whole wheat bread with hand-cut fries

Natalie's gorgeous portobello "build your own sandwich" sammie...

Portobello with sharp provolone, tomato, caramelized onions, and pickles.  Served with a side of very tasty potato salad...  I know bc I got to taste it.

And my steak salad!

Farmers Market Salad - Mix of lettuces, avocado, bacon, cherry tomato, cucumber, red onion, and croutons with a light blue cheese vinaigrette and grilled (medium) steak

Mixed up so you can see all the salad goodness

It was fresh and delicious and the steak was perfectly cooked.  Somewhere, a McDonald's Southwest salad is crying in shame.  (As well it should be.)

So that was bleu!  I would definitely recommend and hope to go back soon.  And their brunch menu should provide me the perfect excuse.

Oh, and just FYI, they have complimentary valet parking.  Well.  Sorta.  When we were there, we waited and the valet was not to be found.  Our hostess said we could have left the car there to be parked but - being in a city known for car theft - you gotta be kidding me.  Supposedly that is atypical though so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.  Downtown parking is not the easiest so I want to believe!

Bon appetite, Bubblelanders!  I will see you very soon to tell you all about my first time having pho.  Until then!