Firebirds Wood Fired Grill – Dim Some

  • Tuesday, November 11, 2014
  • Willie Mae

Lois and I wanted to try Firebirds Grill on Gunbarrel Road for some time now, but it has been quite crowded (even during the time old folk usually eat dinner).

The lights were so dim I could barely see where the gal headed when showing us to our table. I gathered right away that this must be one of those ‘ambiance’ places you take your sweetheart.

It does set a certain mood and Lois said she was in the mood for a margarita. Phil doesn’t let her get those too often so I told her to go ahead and I would have a glass of wine while we waited for our meals.

We looked over the menu and wow-wee - the prices were shocking! The lowest priced meals were about $20 and they had one meal for $40! Lois and I decided that our drinks were our ‘appetizer’ and we knew we would not be getting dessert.

Lois wanted me to order for her because she ‘could barely see the menu it was so dark’. I told her she could see just as well as I could and to just pick something. I think she was afraid to order anything that she would like because of the cost, but I told her not to worry about that because I would pay for her drink on my tab and Phil would never know (until he reads the story).

Lois chose the coconut shrimp for $21 and I wanted the pecan-crusted trout for $23 that came with tortilla slaw. That didn’t sound all that great to me, but I will try anything once!

Our waitress came back with bread and, when Lois helped herself to a slice, she reached for the little cup of butter it came with and said, “Boy, they are afraid to give you any butter, aren’t they?” I was afraid they may be stingy with all the portions – that is how high-priced restaurants usually are (trying to be French or something).

When our food arrived, Lois and I both were pleasantly surprised. The portions were not skimpy and our meals looked delicious!

I was intrigued by the tortilla slaw. I saw roasted pine nuts and knew immediately I would love the slaw. I use roasted pine nuts on my salads at home and they just make a dish!

I appreciate when a lot of dressing isn’t added to slaw and the texture is firm and crunchy. With the tiny, colorful tortilla strips added, it was even crunchier.

We both had plenty or our plate. So we decided to share and try each other’s selections. I gave Lois part of my trout and I snatched one of her large coconut-breaded shrimp.

She told me to dip it in the mango sauce, but I didn’t want to. I was too busy enjoying the favor of my wine with my meal. Mango is a bit too sweet for me, but I did eventually try it. I liked the flavor of the shrimp without the sauce. Lois liked it with the sauce. In fact, she decided to get real saucy and ordered another margarita! I was glad I was driving. I told her she was paying for that one, but I don’t think she cared by this time.

My trout was very moist and succulent and oh, it was fresh. There was a little mango diced on top, but it complimented the trout and wasn’t too sweet. The lighting was so dim, I couldn’t really see what I was eating and I realized that what I thought might be a layer of spinach was actually the fish skin! I don’t usually eat fish skin, but I have to say the trout was so fresh, it didn’t taste fishy and I ate the skin and even the parsley garnish.

Lois eats slower than I do so as I waited for her to finish, I looked around at the décor. There was an enormous mirror on the far wall a few tables behind Lois and it slanted downward. I would watch the servers pass by it and it made their reflection look like they were going to tip right over.

I got tickled and told Lois to take a look. She did and she said, “That mirror isn’t slanted!” I think she had too many margaritas because it clearly was.

Even though we were a bit sticker-shocked with the menu prices, it was well worth it and well worth giving them a Willie Mae “Whee-ee-doggie!”

As we were leaving, I was trying to lead Lois out since it was so dim when she said, “Where are you taking me?” We had moseyed over by the bar and I looked at what I thought was the door, but it was a full length pane of glass that looked like the way out. I bet folks thought I was snockered.

Lois and I really enjoyed this place and think you will enjoy it too, but if you ever want to darken their door…just make sure you choose the right one.

 

 

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