A Meat Lover's Dream

[Image: http://www.musketrestaurant.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/web-1.JPG]

Okay, okay. I have to admit I've never had German food. Although, I will also admit I love meat and potatoes. So, where am I going with this? Well, see, Rick and I are very competitive when it comes to trying new food and when he has the chance to brag, he brags ;) Lately, he's been quite the talker, telling me about this epic Meat Platter-for-2 from The Musket in Toronto. I, naturally, got jelly and wanted to try this monumental meal - Like I said, I love meat and potatoes and it was only right that I too experience this culinary anomaly.

Finally, for Rick's birthday a few weeks ago, we went out with his friends to The Musket - a German restaurant run by... Germans! It doesn't get anymore authentic than that. Situated in an industrial area, neatly tucked away between concrete and steel, is an old tavern. Once inside, we were welcomed by bright fluorescent lights as they reflected off the yellow walls and varnished wood.

[Image: http://www.musketrestaurant.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/interior.JPG.w560h340.jpg]

A howl, which I assumed was laughter, caught me off-guard, but slowly I smiled as my eyes delighted at the food that passed me by: "Meeeeeeeeeeeeeat! Meat!, I exhaled. The same guy that howled from laughter, yelled from the top of of his lungs: "HAPPY BIRTHDAAAAY, RICHARD!" No, we didn't know the gentleman, but we quickly realized that we were being greeted like one of the family (I believe he was one of the restaurant's owners).

Did I mention the beer yet? No, I don't think I did. This beer I could not pronounce, but it was one that had my name on it. My lips touched the glass, the beer was cold and frothy as I took my first sip - it was smooth on my palette as it danced over my tongue. I continued to drink this German liquid gold as we made our way to the table. 

As we sat down, the waitress came to take our order. It was time for the dream to come true: Rick ordered the Meat Platter-for-2 and a grilled shrimp salad to start. The grilled shrimp arrived first. I'm not entirely sure if this is considered a German dish; however, it was yummy! I'm a sucker for grilled seafood (refer to previous blog on Christmas Eve Fish Feast for further evidence) and enjoy a simple salad with my meal. The shrimp, tender and juicy, had a light, buttery-garlic taste which complimented the bitterness of the vinegar in the salad dressing quite nicely.

[Image: Me]

Then, it arrived. The moment I had been waiting for, for over a year: The Meat Platter-for-2!

[Image: Me]

The platter consisted of a silver serving tray adorned with all the German fixings: sauerkraut, boiled potatoes, pickled red cabbage and two large stacks of meat, each containing 1 sausage, 1 porkchop, 1 steak and 1 schnitzel. I wish I could say I finished off my portion of the tray; however, it's safe to say that Tonia's eyes are bigger than her stomach and there was no way she could have completed the mangia (aka "eats" in Italian) at hand. The beer, though, is another story :D

Overall, how was my experience with German food? Excellent. It's no surprise that I loved it, but I am happy to have finally tried the meat platter. And I'm most certainly proud that Rick and I are now even when it comes to trying new food.

On second thought, I wonder what cuisine he has yet to experience :P

Buon Appetito!
Tonia

#lifeofahangrygirl