You are invited to join me for dinner at Claudio's Ristorante and Piano Bar on Nasa Rd 1. Claudio's serves steak, seafood and pasta. We are open Tuesday through Sunday for dinner. We are located right next door to the Seabrook Beach Club.

Not only do we have great music to dance to while you eat, but we have fabulous dishes on our menu for you to enjoy. You have your choice of seating. Outside on the patio overlooking Clear Lake, inside by the full service bar, Ricky Ricardo style right by the dance floor, or in the non smoking section which is more quiet for dinner conversation. I start the music at 7:30 pm. I sing Italian, pop, and popular music that is enjoyable to listen and dance to. I've started cooking classes on the last Thursday of every month. Call 281-532-4600 for reservations and ask for Kim.

This month I want to share two seafood recipes with you.
The first one is called Tuna Carpaccio; serves 4

You will need:
16oz fresh yellow tuna filets
16oz spring mix lettuce
1/4 cup melon slices
1/4 cup Orange slices
1/4 cup Lemon Wedges
1/2 cup Strawberries cut in half
Blackened seasoning
Extra Virgin Olive Oil ( to taste)
White vinegar (to taste)

Lightly coat sauté pan with olive oil and heat over medium high heat.
Coat both sides of tuna filet in blackened seasoning, lightly cook tuna for about one minute on each side. Arrange lettuce on serving platter and place blackened tuna onto it. Drizzle olive oil and vinegar over tuna to taste. Garnish platter with cut up fruit and serve hot.

My neighbor needed a recipe for Trout Almondine. She said it turned out great so I’ll share it with you!

Trout Almondine; serves 6
2 lbs trout filets, fresh or thawed
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp seasoned salt
1/4 cup melted butter
2 tbsp. lemon juice
4 to 5 drops hot pepper sauce
1 tbsp chopped parsley

Cut filets into serving size portions. Combine flour, seasoned salt, and paprika, mix well. Roll fish in flour mixture. Place fish in a single layer skin side down, in a well-greased shallow baking pan. Drizzle 2 tablespoons butter until golden brown stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add lemon juice, hot pepper sauce and parsley mix. Pour over fish and serve at once.

These seafood recipes remind me that you need to make plans to go on a sea cruise with me in October 2004. Come by the restaurant and talk to me about planning our trip. Don't forget to bring your friends and family to Claudios for the holidays. We have party menus to fit anyone's budget. Make Claudio's your favorite restaurant!

Ciao for now!
Claudio Sereni