So, you think writing about restaurants and food sounds like fun, right? You think sitting down to another meal full of items like Lobster Bisque, BBQ Free-Range Chicken Pizza, Skuna Bay Salmon Salad, Black Forest Ham and Gruyere Sandwich, and Molasses Gingerbread Cake with Meyer Lemon Sauce is easy? Well, let me tell you something, it is WORK! You see, once you back away from the table and contemplate the items you have just tried, you have to put those thoughts into words that will enlighten the reader and make them want to share in the experience.

Being a baseball junkie, I was looking at this exercise as “at bats,” and would score my choices as hits or outs; you know, have a little fun with it. So here we go!

First at bat: Lobster Bisque. Lots going on here: the base was creamy and flavorful, plentiful chunks of tasty, tender lobster, and just the right garnish. HIT.

Second at bat: Skuna Bay Salmon Salad. Salmon is an easy fish to overcook, and when I first laid eyes on this salad, I worried this might be the case. I have found that when the exterior of the salmon looks this good and well-seasoned, I’m going to find the inside a little dry and overdone. Not this salmon though. It was cooked perfectly and seasoned as though they read my mind—served on top of a very fresh salad, with a beautiful avocado rose, sprinkled with feta and finished with a honey-lime-basil vinaigrette. HIT.

Third at bat: Black Forest Ham and Gruyère Sandwich. Look, I love ham and cheese, and Heyday’s version hit it out of the park (sorry, I couldn’t resist, but it’s true!). The ham was perfect, the Gruyère added a little sophistication, and the aioli, caramelized onions, and brioche bun nailed it. I upgraded the side to their Butternut Squash Salad—this combination was most definitely a HIT.

Fourth at bat: BBQ Free-Range Chicken Pizza. I'm from New Jersey and love pizza, but pizzerias in Jersey don't put chicken, barbecue sauce, pickled red onions, applewood smoked bacon, cilantro, and pineapple on a pizza. In my day, this would have been blasphemy. My first bite with no pineapple was good...really good. I knew the pineapple would turn me off, but my wife said I had to try it, so I did. Here is what I can tell you: if pressed by my friends at the Jersey Shore, I will plead the fifth! I didn’t want to like it, but I can’t dream of ordering this pizza without it now. HIT

Extra innings: Molasses Gingerbread Cake with Meyer Lemon Sauce. So, after going four for four, was this café about to swing and miss? Was this tasty looking dessert just a pretty face or was this going to be a perfect night at the plate (get it, plate!)? Well, the iced cake was delicious with a delicate and tasty spice, and the lemon sauce was the perfect complement. HIT.