Chef View
By Dana Johnson
Indulge “Her” on Mother’s Day!
Here’s to all the wonderful Mothers who go that extra mile, wear that comforting smile, and often get lost in the laundry pile! For me, I’m thinkin’ Mike’s Grillhouse and the Mother’s Day Buffet. YES! You read that correctly…Buffet is the “special” of this highly celebrated day! That’s right; it’s not a day for skinny jeans, a pencil skirt, or a corset!
Mike’s Grill House’s Mother’s Day Buffet (another way to say Dana~licious dining & grazing extravaganza!) will be open at 11am to 9pm. Brunch, lunch, and dinner will feature many of the same items such as fresh (being the keyword), fruits, garden salads, sautéed veggies, and French baguettes. Also Mike’s signature sliced sirloin w/ a cabernet mushroom sauce, chicken scaloppini, penne pasta w/ a sun-dried tomato sauce, mashers, and rice pilaf! Then a parade of desserts! Where will we find room for the brownies, cookies, cheesecake bites, lemon squares, and tasty melt~aways? In my purse to go? Oh sorry, that’s not right!
Champagne, beer, and wines like McManis, Gallo, J-Vineyards, Kendall-Jackson, and many more fine selections can be found on their wine list will be available for purchase. Don’t spread this around but it’s only $23.95 per adult & $12.95 for 12yrs. & under! Mike Nelson really must appreciate all the wonderful Mothers to be so generous! Thank you!!
Mike and his beautiful wife Shelly have been married almost 9 years. They have 2 children; Ava Mary, age 6 who I was fortunate to meet and take pictures of her sunny & bright smile. Son, Cash age 4, was at school during my awesome visit. Mike and Shelly are smart enough to make time to still have “date night” and they love to dine at Dewz! Mike has been in the restaurant business for 32 years and by year 35 he’d like to spend more time raising his children and doing some restaurant consulting opposed to owning & running such a successful restaurant that requires a commitment of what seems like 8 days a week!
During my dining experience I was surprised and delighted to see how much attention and time both Mike & Shelly give to their patrons. Not only are they making sure all the guests are taken care of, but I watched them bussing tables even while they have full staff, impressive! Regular menu has at least 5 fresh fish selections daily from Aloha Seafood, (owner is a Modesto native), hand-cut steaks, Mike’s baby back ribs boiled in beer, sautéed scallops, mandarin chicken salad, soups, salads, wraps, burgers, chicken fried steak (grilled, not fried), and banana fosters (flambéed!) My NY steak sandwich was trimmed to Dana~licious perfection, the homemade asparagus soup I had to fight my daughter Scarlett over, and the slaw had raisins like mine! Scarlett also devoured the chicken club wrap! Next time, pesto chicken sandwich for me! Bread note, all from Max’s in Fresno made with SF yeast!!! Mmmmm!
Modesto View signature question; Beatles or Stones? Mike, “It would have to be the Beatles” then he said “I’m sorry.” Well, I’m sorry that Mike works so dang hard that he’s been missing out on the incredible Rolling Stones!
***Dana~licious Recipe for Mother’s Day!
All Mothers! Take the day off! They will survive somehow!
Cook nothing! Wash nothing! Clean nothing! Pick up after
no one! Drive no one anywhere! Use their headphones for
a change! Book in advance a spa day! Check into Modesto’s
Doubletree & order room service! Make your own recipe to
ensure you enjoy your special day!
Happy, Happy Mother’s Day!
Mike’s Grillhouse
3801 Pelandale Ave, Modesto, CA 95356 (209) 545-4500
7 days a week 11am -9pm
