Yesterday at the climbing gym, L asked what I was doing for dinner. Oh, we’re going to Broadway Cellars – want to come? I offered. No, she disingenuously replied, I’m having dinner with my folks. But when we arrived at the restaurant, I realized that Jeff had invited the group of climbing buddies, most of whom we had hung out with in the morning! It was a delightful surprise, and we spent a superb evening together (most hilarious story of the night that still has me chuckling to myself – Eugene’s account of his and S’s adventures in Oahu). 
 |
| From 30th Birthday January 2012 |
This evening, Jeff brought me to Alinea for another celebration. All in all, it was a pretty good dinner – we enjoyed the novelty, but man, it’s way too many dishes. Thank goodness I can still stay up for a couple more hours to digest. But we both agreed – somehow, the experience wasn’t all that magical / mind-blowing. Perhaps we’ve been spoilt with too much good food, but we weren’t too excited over most dishes save the thoughtful presentation. If anything, we decided that most of our most memorable food experiences have been those at B&Bs – simple, fresh, but absolutely delicious!
Nonetheless, this has been a wonderful weekend. Thanks Jeff!
 |
| From 30th Birthday January 2012 |
Amuse Bouche – Char Roe with carrot, coconut, curry. Paired with cocktail of Margaine Brut with St. Germain and Esterhazy Beernauiese
 |
| From 30th Birthday January 2012 |
Miso broth for the Scallop dish
 |
| From 30th Birthday January 2012 |
Yuba, with shrimp, miso, tgarashi
 |
| From 30th Birthday January 2012 |
Scallop, acting like agedashi tofu. Paired with Vina Godeval, Valdeorras 2010
 |
| From 30th Birthday January 2012 |
Woolly pig with fennel, orange, squid
 |
| From 30th Birthday January 2012 |
Ice sculpture with a juice of beet, hibiscus, licorice
 |
| From 30th Birthday January 2012 |
Scup, caponata, mint, panella. Paired with Lucien le Moine, Bourgogne Blanc 2006
 |
| From 30th Birthday January 2012 |
Wild mushrooms, juniper, sumac, shallot. Paired with Lignier-Michelot Morey-Saint-Denis ‘En la Rue de Vergy’ 2007
 |
| From 30th Birthday January 2012 |
Venison, red cabbage, mustard, paprika. Paired with Prats & Symington ‘Post Scriptum’ Douro 2007
 |
| From 30th Birthday January 2012 |
Black truffle explosion, romaine, parmesan
 |
| From 30th Birthday January 2012 |
Squab, inspired by Miro. Paired with Valpolicella Classico Superiore ‘TB’ Bussola, Veneto 2006
 |
| From 30th Birthday January 2012 |
 |
| From 30th Birthday January 2012 |
Chestnut, veal heart, quince, root vegetables. Paired with The Rare Wine Co. ‘Boston Bual’ Madeira
 |
| From 30th Birthday January 2012 |
Apple, onion, brie, smoking cinnamon
 |
| From 30th Birthday January 2012 |
Winter in New Hampshire. Paired with Dashe ‘Late Harvest’ Zinfandel, Dry Creek 2009
 |
| From 30th Birthday January 2012 |
Lemongrass shooter with mango, thai basil, finger lime
 |
| From 30th Birthday January 2012 |
Dark chocolate, butternut squash, lingonberry, stout. Paired with Domaine Madeloc ‘Robert Pages’ Banyuls NV
