Chef's Table 2009 - Lots o' photos

16 years ago

We had a wonderful time again at our annual Chef's table dinner at a local restaurant. The food was incredible as usual, the company was fantastic and it was great seeing our friends at the restaurant again.

Here are the photos.

First, bread. Two kinds plus an olive oil/herb/garlic dipping sauce. Both breads were good but the focaccia was melt in your mouth wonderful. The other bread was perfect for sopping up the sauces on some of the courses.

Here is the bottle of wine we ordered. Well, one of them! LOL

Santa Cristina Sangiovese - very nice.

First course was porccini crusted scallops. I can't remember the sauce. But it was heavenly. Unfortunately I neglected to photograph it till I had eaten it all.... so here is a picture of what was left of someone else's plate. LOL

Next course was the salad - sliced mushrooms, artichoke hearts in a vinaigrette with shaved parmesan cheese.

Here's our beloved waiter peppering it.

Next we had a delectible dish of gnocchi in a gorgonzola cream sauce with peas and sun-dried tomatoes. I could have made a meal out of this, and in fact, after eating this, we were all pretty full as you can imagine.

We had to tell our waiter to hold off a bit on the main course!

Before the main course, it's time to cleanse the palate.

And now, the main course. Lamb chops - wonderful! Salmon in a lemon wine sauce - delicious! Filet in a port reduction sauce - marvelous!

Most of us took a few bites of each and packed up the rest to go. After all, dessert was imminent.

And boy was the dessert wonderful. A light walnut studded cake with a light frosting and a wonderful filling, topped with strawberries and raspberries. Magnificent!

And of course, cappucino to go with it... again, a late picture because I forgot! This soothing drink included Frangelico, Amaretto and Bailey's. Topped with a dollop of fresh whipped cream. YUM.

We played the Greed Game (stealing gift exchange), passed out little goodies to each other, as is our tradition, ate, drank and laughed and a good time was had by all.

Many thanks to our waiter (seen above) and our chef!

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Comments (23)

shellm
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
What a wonderful time,thanks for sharing.

Shelley
caliloo
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Looks like a FAB evening! Sangiovese is one of my very favorite wines with beef.... I hope you saved a sip for the filet course!

I really hope that I can get a group of friends to do a similar night out at some point, I need to talk a few into an experience like this.

Alexa

PS - what did you decide to give for gifts? I know that was a concern a few weeks ago....
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claire_de_luna
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
That looks so Good! I would have been happy with the gnocchi and gone straight to the dessert. Yes, please tell what you decided to give the chefs, since you know we have inquiring minds. Thanks for the pictorial; I like to live vicariously when I can't be there in person!
beachlily z9a
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I think the chef looks very, very pleased with his new cookbook!

A lovely Malbec for me this evening!
beanthere_dunthat
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Sounds delicious! And if that cake tasted half as good as it looks, I'm a wee bit jealous. LOL!
lowspark
Original Author
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
We called the restaurant to ask for advice on the gifts which turned out to be a good idea.

We gave the chef two cookbooks - apparently he collects them and loves looking through them for new ideas - Chanterelle and A16:Food + Wine. Both of the books are from very exclusive restaurants and the stories and recipes are something a chef should really get into.

The waiter got a very cool bottle of tequila, round shaped with a long neck and a blue agave in the middle.

They both loved their gifts so we were pretty happy about that. We reminisced with both the chef and the waiter about how long we'd been going there (this was our 6th year) and how we first got to know each other in those first few visits.

I highly recommend the chef's table experience if you can arrange it. It's so much fun.
jessyf
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
There is nothing on this world like good gnocchi. I'm still composing my 10 best things list, thats one of them!

Time to make ricotta gnocchi again, maybe tonight.

What a lovely tradition you've started with your friends, and I love the graciousness of your gifts.
mustangs81
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
May, what a fun and wonderful tradition. Everthing looks fabulous! I've dicided that you are my "go to" person when I'm in Houston. You have taken me to two restaurants, both have been outstanding and this one looks no exceptional.

But then again, I did take you to "Table Clothes and More" and the "Little House of Pancakes".

Cathy
lowspark
Original Author
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
LOL Cathy. Yes, I'd say we're even as far as showing each other excellent places to visit in the two locations. I'll try to come up with something new the next time you are in Houston but it will be hard to beat Tablecloths and more!
mitchdesj
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
wowsie, amazing table, all the courses are tantalizing.

that dessert will be on my mind all day.
sally2_gw
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
What a wonderful experience for you, and it was so thoughtful of you to give those gifts to the chef and waiter. Smart to ask the people at the restaurant. The chef does look quite pleased!

Sally
lindac
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I wanna be your friend and go with you next time!
Linda C
sheshebop
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Awesome! I would love to do this. But, we are a little town, and I never heard of "Chef's Table" here. I want to go to YOURS next year, LOL.
Sherry
compumom
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
What a fun tradition and the food looked divine! Your choice of gifts was very thoughtful and the recipient seemed pleased!
lowspark
Original Author
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
C'mon down y'all! I'd love to go with you to the chef's table any time! You are welcome!!
User
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
May, what a wonderful dinner. Looks like your gifts were a big hit. That smile on your Chef's face says it all.

Ann
riverrat1
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
May, what a good time you guys must have had! I agree that the smile on the chef's face says it all! Thanks for sharing your special evening with us.
althetrainer
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Ooooh looks so good. You guys must have a wonderful time! Thanks for sharing.
lakeguy35
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Looks like a great evening May! I'm with a few others and keep going back to that dessert pic..mmmmmm! Thanks for sharing all the pics and your evening with us.

I seem to remember a few "bead" places too....LOL!

David
trixietx
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
How fun and the food looks amazing. I keep going back to the dessert picture also, but all the food looks so good.

I would love to do something like that.
annie1992
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Sherry, I could get us the "chef's table" at the local bakery, LOL.

Everything looks very good and the chef appears happy with his gift. The cake, though, that looks exceptional.

Annie
doucanoe
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Wow, what a gorgeous meal! Your chef looks very happy with his gift, too.

Thanks for sharing your evening, I would have liked to see a photo of you and your friends, too! LOL

Linda
canarybird01
16 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Looks so good May and I can imagine what a great time you had.

That's a nice custom to keep up. I just had my ladies' night out Christmas dinner as well here on Saturday night. We look forward to ours each year.
Thanks for the photos! Too bad you're not in one of them.

SharonCb

Chef's Table 2009 - Lots o' photos

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