2008 Gourmet Institute Saturday Dinner at Union Square Cafe
Tonight's dinner at Union Square Café felt cozy and intimate. It was
as though we were a group of acquaintances that met for dinner at the
local neighborhood restaurant – except the food is exquisite.
We arrived to find the bar area converted into a cocktail reception. Chateau St. Jean sponsored the dinner, and paired a different wine to each course. So, I immediately tried a glass of the Fume Blanc that they offered during cocktails. Now, dear readers, my preference for French wine is no secret. I am often quite critical of California wines. However, this Fume Blanc came very close to a Loire Valley white… it had solid acidity, lovely citrus fruit and a dryness reminiscent of France.
Sara Moulton stood talking to Michael Romano. I waited patiently to say hello to Chef Romano and tell him how much I enjoy whenever his team cooks dinner at Guy Jone's farm, Blooming Hill Organic Farm. He talked about how great Guy is – a fact I completely concur with – and how he has been a long-standing customer. I left Sara and Michael to talk and continued to mingle around. All the while, I sipped away wine and tasted the many different treats the servers passed along:
Mozzarella, artichoke puree and greens
Arugula Frittata with Serrano Ham
Lobster Canolis
Foie Gras on corn Meal Toast with Jam
After about a half hour, we sat down to dinner. Our first course was a Roasted Halibut, Puntarella Porcini salad and Parsley Vinaigrette, paired with the 2005 Chateau St Jean Sonoma County Chardonnay. This wine tasted almost Burgundian. I never would have guessed it to be a California white. Far from the fruit and oak bombs it's region is known for, this wine was austere and chalky with only a hint of butter and vanilla.
I sat next to Rachel on one side and on the other, Alina, a representative from the Magazine. Alina had invited one of her clients to dinner and when the woman arrived, I couldn't help but feel as though I knew her. It turns out – I did. Katrin works for Wines from Spain. She organized an event I attended two years ago (along with FCI) called Spain's Top Ten. This culinary feat featured the gastronomic gods of Spain – all of them!
Our second course featured game birds – a theme for the evening. It was a Chestnut-Potato Gnocchi wit Guinea Hen Ragu and they paired it with a really lovely 2006 Chateau St. Jean Sonoma County Pinot Noir.
Our third course was a 21-day Dry-Aged Beef Ribeye Tagliata from Pennsylvania with Rick Bishop's Shell Beams, Potatoes and Rocket with Cipollini Marmelata. This course paired with a 2004 Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages Cabernet Sauvingnon.
We finished the meal with the most amazing 2006 Chateau St Jean Belle Terre Vineyard Late Harvest Riesling – a natural botrytis wine. They served it with a Bosc Pear and Fig Tart with Black Cardamom and Crème Fraiche Ice Cream.
I couldn't finish any of the courses – although they were all delicious. I am so stuffed. I feel like not eating for a week! But everything tasted so good! I have another full day of classes tomorrow, but for now, I am off to bed.
We arrived to find the bar area converted into a cocktail reception. Chateau St. Jean sponsored the dinner, and paired a different wine to each course. So, I immediately tried a glass of the Fume Blanc that they offered during cocktails. Now, dear readers, my preference for French wine is no secret. I am often quite critical of California wines. However, this Fume Blanc came very close to a Loire Valley white… it had solid acidity, lovely citrus fruit and a dryness reminiscent of France.
Sara Moulton stood talking to Michael Romano. I waited patiently to say hello to Chef Romano and tell him how much I enjoy whenever his team cooks dinner at Guy Jone's farm, Blooming Hill Organic Farm. He talked about how great Guy is – a fact I completely concur with – and how he has been a long-standing customer. I left Sara and Michael to talk and continued to mingle around. All the while, I sipped away wine and tasted the many different treats the servers passed along:
Mozzarella, artichoke puree and greens
Arugula Frittata with Serrano Ham
Lobster Canolis
Foie Gras on corn Meal Toast with Jam
After about a half hour, we sat down to dinner. Our first course was a Roasted Halibut, Puntarella Porcini salad and Parsley Vinaigrette, paired with the 2005 Chateau St Jean Sonoma County Chardonnay. This wine tasted almost Burgundian. I never would have guessed it to be a California white. Far from the fruit and oak bombs it's region is known for, this wine was austere and chalky with only a hint of butter and vanilla.
I sat next to Rachel on one side and on the other, Alina, a representative from the Magazine. Alina had invited one of her clients to dinner and when the woman arrived, I couldn't help but feel as though I knew her. It turns out – I did. Katrin works for Wines from Spain. She organized an event I attended two years ago (along with FCI) called Spain's Top Ten. This culinary feat featured the gastronomic gods of Spain – all of them!
Our second course featured game birds – a theme for the evening. It was a Chestnut-Potato Gnocchi wit Guinea Hen Ragu and they paired it with a really lovely 2006 Chateau St. Jean Sonoma County Pinot Noir.
Our third course was a 21-day Dry-Aged Beef Ribeye Tagliata from Pennsylvania with Rick Bishop's Shell Beams, Potatoes and Rocket with Cipollini Marmelata. This course paired with a 2004 Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages Cabernet Sauvingnon.
We finished the meal with the most amazing 2006 Chateau St Jean Belle Terre Vineyard Late Harvest Riesling – a natural botrytis wine. They served it with a Bosc Pear and Fig Tart with Black Cardamom and Crème Fraiche Ice Cream.
I couldn't finish any of the courses – although they were all delicious. I am so stuffed. I feel like not eating for a week! But everything tasted so good! I have another full day of classes tomorrow, but for now, I am off to bed.
Comments