Rhubarb Cheesecake &Return of Soft Shell Crabs

Isn't it neat how certain foods have a sense of nostalgia about them? Most of us have memories of our families and loved ones when thinking about our favorite dinners and desserts. I think of my grandma whenever I have pasta salad or whenever I make Christmas cookies. Ryan thinks of his grandmother whenever he has rhubarb pie! He can remember her making it and how tasty it was! My first experience with rhubarb came in the form of a large slice of strawberry-rhubarb pie, complete with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I remember being mesmerized by the ping pong of sweet and tart flavors.
 

Rhubarb Cheesecake
Now that we are smack dab in the middle of rhubarb season and Chef Chris's spin on rhubarb pie is (coincidentally) about to make its way to our menu, let's talk basics and what you need to know.

Rhubarb is a long, stalky plant that looks quite a bit like celery. It can range in color from deep red to light pink, and even pale green. Regardless of color, your taste buds are always in for a treat. You won't get to see the transformation process from a stalky plant to an Uptown dessert, but as always, the end result is an experience worth stopping in for.

To make our own spin on a classic, we are taking cheesecake and pairing it with a graham cracker coconut crust and then drizzling strawberry rhubarb sauce over the top. (Is your mouth watering yet?!) Pair it with a scoop of our gelato and you'll have recreated a favorite snack from your childhood.

Speaking of tasty, have we mentioned that our soft shell crabs are coming back on Friday?! Rhubarb and soft shell crabs have next to nothing in common right? Wrong! Both have a sweet taste to them.  Both have prime seasons of April through late summer. And soon, they will both find themselves on the Uptown Grill menu! 


Soft Shell Crabs
For those who aren't familiar with soft shell crabs or those who missed them when they were here last, soft shell crabs are a sweet, succulent meat. These crabs are snagged right in the middle of their molting process - and you don't have the difficulty of ripping a shell apart to get to the good stuff. They have a nice, sweet flavor, and they have the perfect amount of crisp in every bite!

Stop in soon for your chance to try the dynamic duo. An out-of-this world soft shell crab dinner with a heavenly strawberry rhubarb cheesecake dessert washed down with your favorite concoction from behind the bar... sounds like the perfect meal!

Stop down to treat yourself before these two items fly off the shelf again!