Dear Sun Spots: I recently ate dinner at the Boiler Room Restaurant & Brew Pub in Wilton, and had the most delicious steak tips. Do you know if they would be willing to share their recipe? Thanks for the help. – No Name, Wilton.

Answer: Sun Spots had the pleasure of chatting with head chef and owner Rick Mealey, who was delighted to share this recipe with you and other column readers. Enjoy!

Boiler Room Bacon Bourbon Tenderloin Tips Ingredients: 1.5 pounds tenderloin cut into 1-inch cubes (Ask butcher for tips and tails for a price break. You can substitute sirloin, but it won’t be as tender), 1 cup sliced mushrooms, 8 slices of cooked bacon, chopped, ¼ cup bourbon, ¼ cup red wine 1 cup BBQ sauce (Bullseye, Cannonball, etc.), salt and pepper to taste, olive oil for cooking. Method: Coat bottom of large sauté pan with olive oil and turn heat on high. When oil is really hot (but not smoking) add beef, mushrooms, bacon, and salt and pepper. Let meat brown and add bourbon and red wine and reduce ½ way. Add BBQ and finish reduction until the sauce becomes a preferable consistency. Serve with garlic mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus. This recipe serves four.

Mealey says he’s owned and been head cook since the Boiler Room’s first day of opening almost seven years ago. The Wilton restaurant opened in July 2000 and in Rumford in March 2005. Mealey says that without three others – Jerry Troger, Darin Mills and Brian Nichols – he’d be in a lot of trouble.

The Boiler Room Restaurant & Brew Pub sits on Wilson Stream at the head of Wilson Lake in Wilton and offers a variety of fare. From: grilled filet mignon topped with lobster, asparagus, and hollandaise, chicken scampi roja (a traditional scampi with a kick of roasted red pepper pesto, artichoke hearts, spinach and sundried tomatoes), to gourmet pizza and pub fare. And, of course, your favorite steak tips.

They are open daily in Wilton, 284 Main St. #A, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can call them at 645-3170. The Rumford restaurant, 29 Hartford St., is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can reach them at 369-0055. In the meantime, you might also check out their Web site at www.boilerroomrestaurant.com for more details.

Dear Sun Spots: I am looking for someone who does Microsoft Expression Web tutoring. Expression Web used to be called FrontPage. Please contact me at 353-3076 anytime, or at my e-mail address at threeddd3237@roadrunner.com. – No Name, Lisbon.

Answer: Sun Spots wonders if you’ve considered checking in with any of your local adult education centers? You might contact them to see if any anticipate some fall computer classes on this subject.

Dear Sun Spots: My mother had breast cancer and had a breast removed. I have her bra and prosthesis, and they are brand-new. She had them only a month before she passed away. We would like to donate them to someone. Any suggestions? Thanks for your help. – No Name, No Town.

Answer: Sun Spots is very sorry for the loss of your mother, No Name. How generous of you to consider donating these items to assist another during their time of need. The Y-ME program is always in need of wigs and prostheses. If you’d like to donate a new or gently used product, call 1-800-221-2141. They ask that your donation is in at least good condition and has been washed. They are especially in need of dark wigs and large prostheses. Most any cancer patient would be very grateful for these items, which can become quite costly, even with health insurance coverage.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

Copy the Story Link