Restaurant Review

Friday night, I took LaRissa out for our Valentine's getaway. We went to Addison, TX, and ate at the Avanti Euro Bistro. Avanti is located in Addison Circle, a large apartment development in Addison made to look like an old, large city, bricktown type neighborhood. The lower levels of the apartment complexes are shops and restaurants. It was a really cool environment.
Avanti is a Euro/Mediterranean style restaurant. The decor is modern, with nods to Mediterranean stylings. (LaRissa said she new we were in a unique restaurant when the big screen television in the bar was on the fashion channel instead of sports.) There is a live band that is supposed to play each evening, but they were not playing while we were there. Our dining was relatively private, the lighting was subdued, and overall made for a romantic atmosphere.
We started the evening with warm bread and olive oil and an appetizer of stuffed portabello mushrooms covered in a hollandaise sauce. The portabellos were topped with smaller mushrooms, tomatoes, and lump crab meat. They were wonderful.
For our entrees, we went two different directions. I am the more adventuresome diner. I would rather try something different and risk the danger of getting something gross for the possible opportunity at trying something incredible, while LaRissa would rather play it safe and stick with something she knows is good. I had the Long Island Duck Confit, strips of roasted duck breast, covered in a Grand Marnier orange sauce and served over a bed of long grain and wild rice with a side of steamed vegetables. The orange sauce was sweet and tangy, and the duck had a nice, firm texture.
LaRissa got the Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp with Lump Crabmeat. The shrimp were huge and wonderful. Of the two meals, LaRissa's was probably the better, but I'm glad I tried something different.
We finished the evening with rich, bold coffee and the creme brulee. It was good, but something of a disappointment (vanilla pudding with a carmelized top).
Oh well, pretty hoity toity fare for a boy from Arkansas who is content with beans and taters. It was a wonderful evening and scored major points with my wife. I have learned that going all out for Valentine's Day is an investment that is well worth it in a marriage.