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Happy Birthday, Jason!
Jason is out of town for his birthday today, so we celebrated on Friday night with a spectacular dinner.
Ahi Tuna Satay
coconut, jasmine rice, peas
NV François Chidaine Montlouis Brut
Local Jardinière Salad
soubise, garlic scapes, yogurt
2005 Perll Riesling Kabinett "Bopparder Hamm Mandelstein"
Sea Scallop Ravioli
cauliflower marmalade, lemon brodo
2005 Lagler Grüner Veltliner Smaragd "Steinborz"
Hudson Valley Foie Gras Terrine
white nectarine, pepper relish
2004 Domaine de Fenouillet Muscat de Beaumes de Venise
or
Prune Stuffed Gnocchi
foie gras, toasted almonds, Vin Santo
2001 De Bartoli Moscato Passito di Pantelleria "Bukkuram"
Crispy Pork Belly
turnips, parsley salad, cèpes
2004 Bellivière Coteaux du Loir Rouge "Le Rouge-Gorge"
Roasted Leg of Lamb
escarole, currants, black olive
2005 Qupé Syrah "BobCat Cuvée
Selection of Artisanal Cheeses
Blackberry Sorbet
Chocolate Cigar
chocolate crème, coffee & vanilla granité
2003 Domaine du Trginer Banyuls "Rimage Mise Tardive"
Of all the courses, I think the lamb was my favorite--I found myself savoring each bite, resisting swallowing to hold onto it longer. Jason was more impressed with the pork belly, which I agree was the best I've ever had. He hadn't finished his muscat and liked that with the pork, but I thought their pairing made a stronger contrast and brought out more of the flavors. Of the optional courses, we chose to skip the fois gras terrine and share the prune gnocchi instead.
We did opt for the cheese and had a choice of almost twenty, from which I took the Clochette, an aged Pecorino from Emilia-Romagna, and Old Amsterdam--an aged Gouda. Jason tried two different goat cheeses (one was Charolais, a heavily ashed version) and two sheep's milk ones (one of which was coated in rosemary and thyme, which somewhat overwhelmed the flavor of the cheese). The condiments with that were a date paste, a cherry relish, grapes, almonds and thin toasts.
Each of the wines was presented with a two or three minute descriptions of its origin and flavors. All of them were interesting and well-paired and it was a treat to have these little stories between each course.
To no one's surprise, the final course was my least favorite. The cigars were fine--I am not a chocolate fan and these were very dark chocolate, but the wine was perfectly matched and helped to balance it out. The coffee granita, however, was a mistake--it just tastes like watery coffee.
The service was impeccable and yet friendly. The only downside to the evening was the loud group at the table next to us, but we didn't let them spoil our evening. Dinner took approximately four hours, without ever seeming to lag, and the portions were perfectly sized so that I felt pleasantly full at the end. Overall, a wonderful experience that I would recommend to anyone looking to celebrate a special occasion.
Ahi Tuna Satay
coconut, jasmine rice, peas
NV François Chidaine Montlouis Brut
Local Jardinière Salad
soubise, garlic scapes, yogurt
2005 Perll Riesling Kabinett "Bopparder Hamm Mandelstein"
Sea Scallop Ravioli
cauliflower marmalade, lemon brodo
2005 Lagler Grüner Veltliner Smaragd "Steinborz"
Hudson Valley Foie Gras Terrine
white nectarine, pepper relish
2004 Domaine de Fenouillet Muscat de Beaumes de Venise
or
Prune Stuffed Gnocchi
foie gras, toasted almonds, Vin Santo
2001 De Bartoli Moscato Passito di Pantelleria "Bukkuram"
Crispy Pork Belly
turnips, parsley salad, cèpes
2004 Bellivière Coteaux du Loir Rouge "Le Rouge-Gorge"
Roasted Leg of Lamb
escarole, currants, black olive
2005 Qupé Syrah "BobCat Cuvée
Selection of Artisanal Cheeses
Blackberry Sorbet
Chocolate Cigar
chocolate crème, coffee & vanilla granité
2003 Domaine du Trginer Banyuls "Rimage Mise Tardive"
Of all the courses, I think the lamb was my favorite--I found myself savoring each bite, resisting swallowing to hold onto it longer. Jason was more impressed with the pork belly, which I agree was the best I've ever had. He hadn't finished his muscat and liked that with the pork, but I thought their pairing made a stronger contrast and brought out more of the flavors. Of the optional courses, we chose to skip the fois gras terrine and share the prune gnocchi instead.
We did opt for the cheese and had a choice of almost twenty, from which I took the Clochette, an aged Pecorino from Emilia-Romagna, and Old Amsterdam--an aged Gouda. Jason tried two different goat cheeses (one was Charolais, a heavily ashed version) and two sheep's milk ones (one of which was coated in rosemary and thyme, which somewhat overwhelmed the flavor of the cheese). The condiments with that were a date paste, a cherry relish, grapes, almonds and thin toasts.
Each of the wines was presented with a two or three minute descriptions of its origin and flavors. All of them were interesting and well-paired and it was a treat to have these little stories between each course.
To no one's surprise, the final course was my least favorite. The cigars were fine--I am not a chocolate fan and these were very dark chocolate, but the wine was perfectly matched and helped to balance it out. The coffee granita, however, was a mistake--it just tastes like watery coffee.
The service was impeccable and yet friendly. The only downside to the evening was the loud group at the table next to us, but we didn't let them spoil our evening. Dinner took approximately four hours, without ever seeming to lag, and the portions were perfectly sized so that I felt pleasantly full at the end. Overall, a wonderful experience that I would recommend to anyone looking to celebrate a special occasion.