The Perfect Present

Not much is better than a fancy dinner out. Unless of course, one is speaking of a fancy, FREE dinner out! Compliments of Darin’s charitable father, we were able to indulge at Scottdale’s South Bridge Cowboy Ciao. And indulge we did… and indulge and indulge and indulge. 

Though Cowboy Ciao has been on our list (of course we have a list! Literally!) for many, many months we always found a reason to put it off: not wanting to spend that much, other places on our list just as long won out, etc etc. Bad move on our part. With a self-proclaimed atmosphere as “Border Baroque” Cowboy Ciao offers up modern cuisine that isn’t overly pretentious and more than fills the belly. 

Having been sat at a dimly lit table in the back, I had a perfect view of the crowded dining room. Darin, with his back to my view, had the pleasure of staring at the older group at the last table in the very back of the room. Despite being placed virtually out of sight of most diners, we did get the table against the floor to ceiling window, allowing us clear view of a rather entertaining stray cat. Along with the delightful feline, our experience was enhanced by our waiter. When seated at Cowboy Ciao, you’re not just provided with the menu. The hostess also leaves the wine list..ahem.. binder/novel/encyclopedia on the table for your perusal. This wine list may be the most extensive I’ve seen yet. I wasn’t even about to attempt this. It was either the “eeny, meeny, miny mo” approach or inquiring the waiter - we opted for the latter. He offered up a multitude of selections, graciously allowed us tastes before the big pour and jotted the names down for us.  As I’ve said before, my most well-liked restuarant workers are those that are there when you need them and not when you don’t. 

I wish I could next say, “I’ll wrap it up and let the pictures speak for themselves”; however, due to the ultra low lighting the shots we got don’t even begin to do the food justice.

Cowboy Ciao’s signature dish - The Exotic Mushroom Pan Fry featuring remini, button, oyster, crepe, lobster, black trumpet, shittake, more and yellow foot mushrooms in an ancho cream over double cooked polenta and topped with grilled portabellini, avocado, tomato and cotija cheese. We ordered the appetizer size and never knew vegetables could be so filling (and sooo good). This coming from the girl who in her previous life would would never let a mushroom so much as even touch her plate. This dish had a rich/thick texture without being greasy. One guest said it best (actual guest quote noted on their menu): “That mushroom dish is so good, I want to take my clothes off and roll in it!”

Darin’s Espresso Rubbed Filet Mignon. The filet with red wine demi-glace, tortilla smashed Yukon gold potatoes and chipotle aioli was rather reminiscent of our trip to Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill in Las Vegas. Hmmm… can anyone say Throwdown? 

I decided on the rightfully titled “We’re Number One” Ahi Tuna. Bursting with intoxicating flavors the Hawaiian Ahi tuna was brushed with an orange/soy/chile glaze and grilled ever so slightly. Served alongside (or more accurately on top and below of) were sesame smashed fingerlings, cucumber/jicamint salsa and an assortment of vegetables. While some establishments portion sizes shrink as their prices rise, Cowboy Ciao dishes up plates worthy of the price tag. 

Breading pudding, having been a love of Darin’s for years now, has quickly become a favorite of mine own. Often times if this warm, gooey mush of YUM is listed on the menu we just can’t turn it away. Cowboy Ciao’s version is made with brioche, dried cherries, craisins & pine nuts and finished with praline sauce and five-spice ice cream. Sadly, we weren’t huge fans of the fruit component but the five spice ice cream more than made up for it! 

Would I go back? Positively but more probable for one of the following:

Date night, special occasion celebration….Bumbs&Crumbs 1 Year Bday!!!