On my own for dinner tonight. Ho Hum.  Ted is golfing in the Poconos with friends.  However, there was much to do and I haven’t stopped yet.

First, a cake to deliver.  First Communion for Cassidy, Tyler, and Olivia:

This is a 9 x 13 vanilla double layer cake with cannoli filling and white frosting.  The raised Cross is chocolate cake inserted into the vanilla cake to the point of cannoli filling.  It is about 1″ to 1 1/2″ high.

Second, I exchanged the DVD from last night. We watched “Doubt”.  Very good movie.   Tonight is a “chic flick”.  Shane won’t mind.  “Bride Wars” with Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway.  Hope it’s funny.

Third, was dinner at Geisha II, a Japanese Dining establishment on Bank Place off Genesee St. in downtown Utica.  Geisha II serves Vegetarian and Macrobiotic foods as well as standard chicken, pork, and shrimp Japanese cuisine.

It is casual dining, small and friendly. One waitress serving the 15 patrons that were visiting at about 6 pm on a Friday.  The ceiling and walls need repair but the atmosphere is quiet and relaxing with soft background music gently playing to enhance your dining experience. 

The meal began with a cup of Miso Shiru: traditional soybean base soup with tofu, scallions and wakame ($1.50).

There were too many appetizers that looked good so 2 were chosen: Vegetarian Eggroll – nappa, celery, kale, and azuki beans rolled and deep fried ($1.50).

The next appetizer was “Age Dashi” – delicate deep fried tofu served with dipping sauce, fresh ginger and scallions ($6.95).

For the main course Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura – Although the menu says “Five” shrimp, there were 3, but they were huge. There were shrimp and a variety of vegetables such as red peppers, green beans, zucchini, shredded carrot, onion slices, and something I couldn’t recognize.. beet? potato? It was purple and the texture was like a potato. Any idea?  It’s the last picture of this post. It had a skin on it (like a potato?).  All that served with rice and dipping sauce ($8.95).

Did I eat all that? No way. It was a good mish-mash of different items though and all very enjoyable. The only draw back is that I don’t usually eat fried food. So now I’m wondering if this might have an adverse affect on my system and what that might do for the 5K race I signed up for tomorrow.  Guess I’ll let you know tomorrow. 

As for the last words on “Geisha II”, it is well worth a try if you are a Vegetarian in Utica looking for a nice, reasonably priced, casual dining experience. 

Reminder… help with that purple thing, please. G’night.