Sichuan NYE 2008 Dinner

Let's make the new year HOT

Post-Xmas Degustation

Went food shopping yesterday at the open market in Sunnyvale. Kinda pricey.


Look - naan !




Also stopped by Whole Foods - good stuff that is ridiculously expensive. I sure do miss the markets in France! =P






Did most of the mise en place yesterday. I just spent the morning setting up. =)

Aperitifs:

Sangria
Spicy cheddar cheese spread
Pita chips
Radis
Fresh bread + Bordier butter



Amuse-bouche:

Calamari with a yellow tomato salsa, pimente d'espelette


A bite in between:

Mushroom pâté


Entrée:

Scallop on top of cream of corn, green onions


Plat:

Grilled rib-eye with a red wine and port sauce, bok choy, and squash purée with cumin


Plat #2 (didn't make the confit from scratch this time):

Confit de canard, jus d'orange, potato purée

Ummm FAT


Dessert:

New York Cheesecake

And of course, wine and champagne ! We announced our engagement.


Zacky is a little sailor from Bretagne !




We finished "lunch" at 18h00 !

Gary Danko

Raf brought me to Gary Danko today.

GD's mini day spa. There's no one in this photo ! ???




It was too dark to take decent photos of the food. The food was seasoned very well. Risotto was overcooked. My duck was slightly overcooked - but isn't everything in the US? ;) Pigeon was perfectly cook since it's only served rare. Chocolate souffle is overhyped - it's just a chocolate souffle (don't get me wrong, it was still good). Superb service and ambiance. Overall a good experience.

Also because I am engaged. SURPRISE !




REALLY delicious pumpkin cream-cheese muffin.


=)


Gary Danko
800 North Point St
San Francisco, CA‎
(415) 749-2060‎

Noël 2008 in Cali

Back in Cali now doing what I do best - eat.


Brought Pierre Herme macaroons




Zacky loved them including...


The Stanford sweatshirt was a gift to Zacky from Manny. (My sis and bro-in-law both went to CAL). HAH!


Joyeux Noël !

Another night out in Paris

At...


After a nice nap, met up again at night for some bar-hopping in the Marais.






1 - 2 - 3 TEQUILA !


BLUE STEEL


LOL






I feel so loved !

Dégustation at Chez Amir

Was invited to Amir's today for a tasting. Amir and another fellow Ferrandi student, Matt cooked up a feast - of course, it was the best of the best.

Amir's bro Cameron and his bf Drew were in town.


We started with a nice white wine... then for the amuse bouche...

Foie gras custard à la toque infused with foie gras, and black Perigord truffles


Roasted pork belly, polenta and onion compote, boudin blanc, and of course, Perigord truffles ! (Matt's dish)


Amir at work with the lamb




Matt and Jin


Ris de veau with truffles, lardons, cauliflower purée, shaved raw cauliflower. Am I in heaven or what?


Selle d'agneau de lait, trio of root vegetable purées, ricotta ravioli with chestnut sauce.


Perfectly cooked magret de canard, Anjou pear, wild rice and golden raisins, noisette, and beurre noisette vinaigrette


Pierre Hermé macaroons for dessert


Amir being Amir


I believe it was 17h00 by the time we finish "lunch." ALL of us were SO sleepy. We all went home to nap.

Thanks guys for the wonderful meal! It was amazing.