IMPRESS
EVERYONE
Written By Marsha Wilson Rappaport
Including
Yourself at the M&M Restaurant and Bar
Spring
is springing up! And that also means a progression of
special events that require invitations to friends and
family. Think about it: Mothers’ Day, Father’s
Day, GHF Homes Tour, lots of Weddings, Receptions and
more are all packed between April and June. That means
some nights you show them the wonders of “laid back”
Galveston and other nights: it’s time to put your
best foot forward. Lucky you – the M&M is now
reopened on 24th and Church.
 The
M&M, is still decked out for fine dining. The hardwoods
are shiny; the tables crisply draped in white linens and
that moose over the bar somehow survived Ike. Yet, in
true Galveston fashion, you can dress it up or dress “Galveston
style” and still be comfortable.
Although
I can’t guarantee that you will get to impress your
in-laws by waving at Galveston’s notables, I will
tell you that on the Wednesday evening I stopped by, I
was regaled by some of the Island’s “A- listers”.
First in, was “power couple” Galveston County
head guru Curtis Brown and his ever sweet Sue Ellen. Then
the Mayor dropped in with her entourage. Mayor Lyda Ann
Thomas, no doubt, enjoying an evening when she no longer
had to campaign, was taking a break with bud, Elyse Stephens,
and her cousin Harris “Shrub” Kempner with
wife, Peaches.
 Good
company aside however, you’ll be glad to know that
many of your old dining favorites are back and they’ve
been joined by some dazzlingly new menu items.
“I
came back for my wedge lettuce salad with blue cheese
dressing,” said Curtis Brown. His wife, Sue Ellen
was nodding her head in agreement as the waiter brought
a grouper special, topped with large lump crab meat.
My
meal was delicious and generous. My appetizer was Fried
Green Tomatoes with Lump Crab, delicately coated with
a savory sauce that didn’t overpower the crispness
of  the
tomatoes or the subtleness of the crab. My entrée
turned out to be my beef fix for the week: a whopping
N.Y. strip Steak, served perfectly medium well, with a
stack of flavorful Lyonnais potatoes. The steak was generously
coated with a rich marsela wine reduction accompanied
by Portobello mushrooms and topped with a perfectly grilled
jumbo shrimp. All of this was accompanied by an incredible
smooth glass of Pinot Noir, by Hahn Estates. The serving
was traditional M&M. I made no excuses – I don’t
have a dog and a people bag was in order.
Rather
than wax poetic about the menu here let me in on a few
upcoming menu items that I think will excite you.
 Chief
Waiter Extraordinaire Billy Maltbie explained that the
Chef at M&M is familiar to many: he’s Luis formerly
of Rudy and Paco’s.
Billy
and Luis have been “thinking out of box”.
For example, the M&M serves one of the area’s
largest Lobster Tails.
“It’s
Australian – its 18 ounces.” Explained Billy
“It’s baked and basted with lemon, butter
cream – it’s the best Lobster you can get.”
And
of course the market price on this spectacular hunk of
lobster, on that particular Wednesday was a “special
occasion” price for most of us - $69.95.
“We’re
starting something new. A group can now order the lobster
and we were going to use a “French Cut” so
everyone can enjoy it.”
Now
there’s an “a –ha moment!” that
would certainly impress friends and family.
Billy
wanted to let the folks know that although M&M no
longer has a “full cerviche” bar, they do
have a wonderful tuna cerviche and days with cerviche
specials.
“We
have some of the area’s biggest shrimp, he said,
“we use U-10’s – really jumbo shrimp.”
Desserts
include a “Chocolate Mousse Pie” topped with
white chocolate and finished with cooking crumbs and a
Chocolate Brownie Sundae with Fudge and Chocolate Ice
Cream. Both sound super yummy and will no doubt require
prior dietary “extra gym” dedication.
“We
don’t have a substitution charge and all of our
drinks are doubles.” said Billy.
General
Manager, Kris Kaufman, wanted customers to know that the
outside patio is in progress and later this spring will
be open for drinks and meals.
“Come
by and try our signature “Clear Cosmo” –
which is mixed with Stoli Cranberry Cointreau, White Cranberry
Juice and Strawberries.”
Kaufman
also mentioned that they’re gearing up for live
entertainment and have already prepared banquet space
upstairs that can accommodate up to 50 folks.
The M&M Restaurant and Bar is located at 2401 Church,
Galveston, Texas. http://www.galveston.com/mm/, Phone:
(409) 766-7170 and Fax (409) 766-3400. They are only open
for dinner at the moment, but they are open late on weekends.
The Bar is open until Midnight. Give them a call anytime.
As
Galveston “grows back” it’s great to
see yet another fine dining establishment open. After
all as Curtis Brown says:
“Everyone
has a memory at the M&M”.
P.S.
Hot
Bites: Nate’s on the West End is open on the West
End at (next to Seven Seas Grocery Store on 3005). Down-home
fare includes crawfish, smothered in a rich crab sauce,
generously poured over rice. AND, check out the new menu
at Tremont House Café. Try their, hot roast beef
pannni, generously topped with blue cheese and grilled
onions paired with a richly, herbed, thick cup of tomato
basil soup. Lunch done right!
Marsha
Wilson Rappaport is a local author and free lance writer,
who deliberately drove down the seawall during spring
break. Finally – sun and fun for us all. Speckled
Trout and Redfish – here I come.
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