I'm an American. Let's go to Red Lobster.

Last week, my mom became an American citizen. After 48 years of living here, she finally did it. She had a bunch of reasons why she remained a Japanese citizen but the one that finally compelled her to switch was because she couldn't vote. This year being a presidential election, she desperately wanted to become a citizen.

There were people coming from 32 different countries being naturalized alongside my mom. The judge said that America naturalizes more people in one year than all other nations combined. One by one, everyone was called up to collect their certificate and if desired, take a photo with the judge. American flags were handed out as people exited the courtroom, courtesy of The American Legion Women Veterans. 

We discussed what we'd have for lunch - something American, for sure! Hamburgers? No. Dad said Italian. I'm thinking - that's not American, Dad. Mom wanted lobster. She wanted to go to Red Lobster. I balked but it was her day so off we went. 

Let me start off by saying, I don't eat at many national chain restaurants. I live in a gastronomic city and travel to other gastronomic cities where there's such variety and excellence on all levels that dining at a chain restaurant doesn't make sense to me. But, I'll try a place at least one time (usually while on a road trip), to see what all the hubbub is about. I've been to Applebees: their Oriental Chicken Salad is pretty good; the unlimited bread basket and whatever cream based pasta I ate at The Olive Garden: pass and don't look back; and McDonald's: I'd happily eat their Big Macs and fries. 

We each ordered a Blue Moon beer and the Wood-Fire Grilled Lobster, Shrimp and Scallops. Honestly, it was pretty good. The order came with a Caesar or house salad; rice pilaf, baked potato, or french fries and steamed broccoli. Each piece was perfectly cooked, moist and with a subtle wood-charred flavor. It wasn't rubbery or tough at all. It did however taste liberally basted with butter-like flavor, the secret to any perfectly cooked, moist meat. 

On a side note, the scallops came on a very smart two-prong skewer, which if they sold up front by the hostess stand, I would have bought. The ends were pointed to pierce whatever vegetable or meat necessary and because it was just one piece of wire bent to make a loop for a handle, the entire piece could be placed on a grill, unlike some that I've seen with silly flammable wooden or plastic caps. 

Will I go again? Maybe if my aunt decides that's where she wants to go when she becomes a citizen. In that case, count me in.