For my birthday this past February, my wife had given me tickets to the University of Kentucky- University of Florida basketball game.  The game, played March 7, 2015 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, was the final game of the regular season.  The Wildcats won the game completing their season with a 31-0 record.  Like so many other people across the country I had to see this team in person.

We decided to drive to Lexington o nFriday after work  after having a week of snow.  We had reservations at Gratz Park Inn for Saturday night, but at such a short notice we were unable to get anything at that location for Friday night.

When we arrived in Lexington we were able to get a room at the Hilton Garden Inn at Hamburg.  The Hilton was very nice, the front desk staff was very friendly, the room was clean, and it was a great stay. We decided to get something to eat after checking into our room .

We ate at Carrabba’s Italian Grill which was a short distance from the Hilton.  Arriving at the restaurant at about 8 pm I noticed two things.  The smell of Italian food filled the air and drew you in through the doors.  The second thing was not so good.  The place was packed.  We met the  hostess who welcomed us and assured us it would be a wait of about ten minutes.

We were escorted to our table, a small booth for two, perfect for usIn less than ten minutes. I started the meal by ordering an appetizer, “Brick Oven Baked Fontina Bruschette” and a bottle of wine.  The wine we chose was the featured wine, it was “Rodney Strong” Merlot.  We found it to be very good.  When the waitress brought the wine she also gave us hot bread and seasoned olive oil for dipping.

The appetizer arrived very quickly and was great.  The fontina and marinara are baked in an iron dish and are brought to the table steaming hot with slices of oven baked ciabatta bread.  It was a good portion for the two of us to share.

For the meal we did something we seldom ever do.  We ordered the same thing.  We were both looking at the chicken dishes on the menu trying to decide between them, when my wife pointed out the “Chicken Trio”.  The dish includes smaller portions of three of Carrabba’s best chicken dishes “Chicken Bryan”, “Chicken Marsala”, and “Pollo Rosa Maria”.  Along with the Trio you also receive your choice of soup or salad and a side.

The “Chicken Bryan” is a grilled boneless breast topped with goat cheese, sundried  tomatoes, basil, and a lemon butter sauce.  It was very good but it was very rich.  I could not finish all of it because of the richness.

“Chicken Marsala” is a boneless breast which has been wood grilled and topped with mushrooms, prosciutto, and their homemade Lombardo Marsala wine sauce.  The Marsala is earthly and reminds you of the kind of comfort food you may have eaten at your grandmother’s house.  It was great and I did not leave any of it on my plate.

The “Pollo Rosa Maria” is a boneless breast stuffed with fontina cheese and prosciutto topped with mushrooms and their homemade basil lemon butter sauce.  It was also very rich and very good.

For sides to go with the meal my wife chose a soup and garlic mashed potatoes.  I had a Caesar salad and the cavatappi amatriciana.  The sides were very good.  The only thing I would do different is the cavatappi amatriciana.  With such a filling meal I think I will have the vegetables the next time instead of the pasta.