My birthday is tomorrow. "The Big 3-0," as everyone keeps calling it... and they use this weird, somber tone when they say it. They're just trying to freak me out, right?? I expect that tomorrow morning will be just like every other morning, except for WAY better because it's my birthday and I love birthdays! This probably stems from my childhood-- as a kid GENIUS I started kindergarten a year early, at four years old. This meant that growing up I was always a year younger than all my classmates, and so all through school I was the last to reach various "landmark" ages: 16, 18, 21. When I would whine about this my Dad would tell me "but you'll be the last one to turn 40," a thought which I still relish. But I don't want to think about 40, yet. The point is that, since I was always last, it was always important to make a big deal about my birthday-- parties, presents, and of course, fabulous birthday dinners.
First course:
Cookbook Tasting Menu
TARTARE OF AHI TUNA
SESAME OIL, TOASTED PINE NUTS, GARLIC, CHIFFONADE OF MINT
Seasonal Tasting Menu
NANTUCKET BAY SCALLOP CEVICHE
COCONUT, KEY LIME, MINT
Second Course:
POACHED MAINE LOBSTER
Another thing that hurt the pot pie experience was the butter-poached lobster served as the second course of the seasonal tasting menu. This was SO GOOD. The texture of the lobster was just unbelievable-- then again you could probably pach my shoe in butter and I would gobble it up. The crepe and the thai coconut creme/foam were subtle and just perfect with that sinfully rich lobster. Our only complaint was that there were one or two bites of this dish that had something very vinegar-y/acidic, almost like a pickle. It was a total shock and did not fit with the rest of the gentle flavors on the plate. But every bite except for those-- heaven.
Third Course:
Cookbook Tasting Menu
MISO-GLAZED BLACK COD
SHIITAKE CONSOMMÉ, SHRIMP AND SCALLOP RAVIOLI
Seasonal Tasting Menu
POTATO CRUSTED JOHY DORY
‘CHIPS ON FISH’, TARTAR SAUCE, VIDALIA ONION PUREE
Fourth Course:
Cookbook Tasting Menu
AMERICAN ‘KOBE’ RIBEYESeasonal Tasting Menu
BLACK OLIVE POACHED LAMB
Alright folks, prepare to be shocked. Here we are at a nationally renowned fish restaurant, and we get to the meat course... and the meat. is. Un-freaking-believable. So good. SososososoSOOO good. We were absolutely swooning. The beef was like the best steak you can ever imagine, and topped with the rich, soft, indecribably foie gras... it was off the charts! And as good as that was, the lamb was... better?? I don't know, it was pretty close. SO tender, not gamey at all, just melt in your mouth flavor. Micahel Mina may be a fish guy, but I'm tell you, the man knows his meat. Next time I'm in Vegas, I'm going to Stripsteak!
Fifth Course:
Cookbook Tasting Menu
TASTING OF MICHAEL MINA DESSERTSSeasonal Tasting Menu
CARAMELIZED FIG BREAD PUDDING
ORANGE, FIVE SPICE, WHITE PEPPER, AMANTILLADO SHERRY
and
TOMME CRAYEUSE (cheese)
PARSNIP, FENNEL, CHERVIL
Dessert-- I don't know if I was just completely sated at this point, or if these desserts just didn't do it for me. Probably both. I'm super-picky about desserts and none of these are the kind I really drool over, so they were all just ok (although the mini-root beer float was pretty fun... so tiny!). The cheese was yummy. I think I was just DONE with food at this point. But overall it was a really, really great meal. A little different than what I would normally pick (see my comment re: Stripsteak) but fun, fancy, and delicious nonetheless. It's always a treat to celebrate with my wonderful family. Happy Birthday Mom and Happy Birthday to ME!!!
Happy Birthday to all! A nice meal with family is the best way to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteI love your descriptions and having shared a meal recently with you, I can even better feel the experience.
ReplyDeleteYour comments on the things you didn't like hit a chord with me. I know I'm on the cheap side but whenever I pay top dollar for a meal at a place like this, it bugs the hell out of me when things come in anything less than great. I think it is especially worse because we all can cook.
Happy Birthday Xani
ReplyDeleteGreat to read about such a tasty sounding celebration.
3 Researches SHOW How Coconut Oil Kills Belly Fat.
ReplyDeleteThe meaning of this is that you literally burn fat by eating coconut fats (in addition to coconut milk, coconut cream and coconut oil).
These 3 researches from big medicinal magazines are sure to turn the traditional nutrition world upside down!