November 13, 2008
Dinner for One
I've been working hard since the year began and have become a little frustrated about the results. So last night it was time for some hard earned reward.
Off to my favorite restaurant downtown, because I had an hour to kill before an industry mixer which started at seven. The restaurant in question is Jamie Kennedy's Wine Bar on Church St.
As I ate and drank the meal I realized that my truly happiest moments as an adult revolved around cooking, eating and good wines. I tweeted about it from my seat at the Che'f bar as I watched my meal being cooked right in front of me.
The menu;
Seared Scallops with Pork Belly and Porky Beans - $12
Sweetly fresh and perfectly cooked sea scallops with a good sear, with cubes of fried pork belly and crisp bacon over a bed of braised white beans. Not salty at all, but rich and satisfying.
Wine - Fleury Pere & Fils "Brut Carte Rouge" Champagne - $25.80 (6oz)
Wonderfully dry and yeasty glass served nicely chilled. Surprisingly good match with the Scallop course.
Grilled Tri-Tip of Beef with Shaved Beet and Frisse - $12
Four slices from a grilled to order chunk of Tri-Tip served rare and I could see it resting on a cutting board for 3-4 minutes after being grilled. Slightly tough but perfectly cooked and seasoned with a crusty salt and pepper coating. Served over a shaved multicolored beet and frisee salad with a few sprigs of rapini as an additional garnish.
Wine - 2001 Hospice de Beaune Volnay - Santenots ler Cru "Cuvee Gauvain" Pinot Noir - $31.50 (6oz)
I've enjoyed Hospice wines before. They are quite expensive as they are a product of a charity auction for hospitals in France. This brought back a flood of sense memories even though I had a preference for the white burgundies from Hospice de Beaune...
It was remarkable; delicate in the French manner and clear with an exceptional smooth finish. Quite light with a perfect nuance, and again a surprisingly successful match.
It can be awkward eating alone. But this time, and at this place proved it can be a sublime exception.
