Yumi!

Wednesday, June 15

Sidenote: I've said several times that there are no green things in salad bars here. Well, here's proof.

Behold: the Hy-Vee salad bar -

















I stand corrected. There's one green thing there: canned pea salad.

Oy, oy, oy.


Anywho, back at the ranch...

We leave Marshalltown and arrive in Iowa City in time for lunch.

Lunch @ Iowa River Power Restaurant. The building was originally a flour mill. In 1902, it was converted to a power generating station, which ran until 1968. It was turned into a resturant 29 years ago, and a lot of the original interior stuff remains.


This is what was hanging over Franco's head:












Franco is happy to realize there are very few earthquakes in Iowa. Also, he's happy with his club sammie.
















I get the famous Breaded Iowa Pork Tenderloin sandwich. With mustard, pickle, and fries.








This is an Iowan staple, served in both fast-foody & upscaley places. It's tenderloin, pounded thin, breaded, and deep-fried. Basically tonkatsu on a bun, without the Bulldog sauce.

Verdict: it's okay. Pam & I woulda rather had it on a pile o' curry & rice.







Then it's time to say buh-bye to Trish & howdy to Yumz. Thanks, Trish!


Dinner on Iowa City's pedestrian mall. We go to Givanni's, which serves Japanese food.

Kidding! Sigh. If only.

No, no - we had some lovely Italian eats.




See? Isn't that pretty?

PJ & I split the grilled veggie stack with smoked gouda, marinara & mashed potatoes (yum, look for yourself) and handmade pasta with pignoli, spinach, & mushrooms (also yum, but not pictured).









Yumi has the agnolotti stuffed with...aaagh, I can't remember, will have to ask her tomorrow. I do remember it had Bolognese sauce with a wee bit of Gorgonzola.









Pretty plates!

It was great to be in small towns with close-knit communities, but by golly, it's nice to be back in a city with lots of restaurants.






Afterwards, we walk around the pedestrian mall and go to Prairie Lights Books, the Iowa City equivalent of Powell's or Brookline Booksmith. I find the perfect souvenir for myself. Local, topical, and incredibly geeky. There are two other like-minded (read: food-and-lit-nerdy) friends back home who might also like a copy of this. Heh, heh...