Now that I’ve aired my complaints about having no kitchen, I’m back to talking about meals in restaurants. Newport is a bustling tourist spot in the summer, but by this time of the year it’s quite thinned out. Some restaurants that overflow in August actually shut down for weeks at a time in December. Others offer a variety of weeknight specials to entice diners, and Lloyd and I are happy to give in. Sunday is half price entrees at Salvation, Monday is half price dinner specials at Caf Zelda, Wednesday is dinner for two with a bottle of wine at Sardella’s Italian Restaurant, and Thursday is $20 Tuesdays at Perro Salado (three-course dinner for $20). This week we took advantage of both the Wednesday and Thursday deals. Pictured is a close-up of my herb-crusted tilapia from Sardella’s. It was a little buttery, but otherwise a yummy choice. Tilapia is one of the mildest fish out there, and by soaking it in buttermilk, you can make it even milder. Then, just like tofu, it’ll take on the flavors of the herbs and sauces you prepare it with.

Here are a couple butter-sauce tilapia recipes for you to try at home. I tend to prefer a rich sauce on the side, so I can dip as I please.

Brown Butter-Sauted Tilapia with Pistachios

Grilled Tilapia with Lemon Butter, Capers and Orzo