I'm surprised any restaurant serves meatloaf because, as has been said millions of times by millions of people, "No one makes better meatloaf than my Mom."

That was certainly true in my experiences — and it has nothing to do with my own mother's propensity for plying us kiddos with real absinthe at each meal.

So, if a restaurant is going to serve meatloaf, they go into an acknowledged "no-win" situation. Can't compete with Mom, right? I'll tell you what, though, with my own Sainted Mom gone for a while now, I've been forced to sample Other People's meatloaf recipes — and Chef Lou Mallett at Mr. G's in New London crafts a truly excellent meatloaf.

Since the meatloaf at Mr. G's isn't on the menu but only pops up occasionally as a special, I asked Mallett if he'd do us all a favor and share his recipe. He did! (And it doesn't even require a side pint of absinthe!)

Mr. G's Meatloaf by Chef Lou Mallett

Ingredients

1 cup of love*

2 lbs ground beef

6 oz crumbled Ritz crackers

I cup milk

¼ cup finely diced onion

1 cup ketchup

2 eggs

Directions

Except for ½ cup of ketchup (set aside), mix all the ingredients and then place in meatloaf pan. Pre-heat the oven at 350 degrees. Spread the remaining ketchup on top of the loaf before you place in over for about 45 minutes. Call Mom and tell her to come over and try YOUR meatloaf.

*Chef Lou says, "I don't love many things, but I DO love my meatloaf, so add some love to this recipe while you're cooking."