My Birthday Dinner 2011

As per our annual tradition Brian took me to a surprise destination for my birthday dinner. This year was Sugar Toad. We now know that a sugar toad is a puffer fish and they are tasty. Here's the chef tasting menu that we enjoyed as well as the wine tasting for me and beer tasting for Brian.

TEMPURA SUGARTOAD

-DOMAINE CHANDON, “CLASSIC DOSAGE” BRUT, CALIFORNIA NV-

SHIGOKU OYSTERS: APPLE MIGNONETTE

YELLOWFIN TUNA: SOUTHERN PICKLED SLAW

BLACKMOUTH SALMON: GOLDEN RAISIN PESTO

-PINOT NOIR, J. CHRISTOPHER, “DUNDEE HILLS CUVEE” WILLAMETTE VALLEY ’07-

-ALLAGASH BREWING CO. “WHITE” WITBIER PORTLAND, MAINE-

“PERFECT EGG,” GAUNCIALE, CORN CAKE, GRAVY

-SANGIOVESE, MOSBY “LUCCA” VINO ROSSO DI CALIFORNIA NV-

-BREWERY OMMEGANG “HENNEPIN” SAISON COOPERSTOWN, NEW YORK-

BLACKMOUTH SALMON: PASTRAMI SPICED, ARTICHOKES, HEDGEHOG MUSHROOMS, BARIGOULE BROTH

-SYRAH, VENTANA, ARROYO SECO ’07-

-TWO BROTHERS BREWING CO. “LONG HAUL” ENGLISH BITTER WARRENVILLE, ILLINOIS-

CAROLINA TRIGGERFISH: BOK CHOY, CELERY ROOT, PICKLED GRAPES, BLACK GARLIC

-CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MANIFESTO!, NORTH COAST ’08-

-NORTH COAST BREWING CO. “BROTHER THELONIOUS” BELGIAN STRONG DARK ALE FORT BRAGG, CALIFORNIA-

CAMP FIRE S’MORE SOUP: VANILLA BEAN PANNA COTTA, BURNT MERINGUE

-WARRE'S WARRIOR PORT NV-

-GREAT LAKES BREWING CO. “EDMUND FITZGERALD” AMERICAN PORTER CLEVELAND, OHIO-

Aside from learning what a sugar toad is we also had a perfect egg. This is cooked sous-vide which I have seen a few times on Top Chef and was pretty interested to try. Of course our eggs were made even more perfect by having a crispy panko coating. 

When we ordered the tasting menu they ask if you have any restrictions or allergies and how adventurous you are. This time I did have to make one request. I saw that they had a cassoulet on the menu which just happens to be one of the lets say five dishes I make well and regularly. So my request was that they not serve me that. I knew it would be way better than what I make and I couldn't live with the potential disappointment I would feel every time I eat my own.

I addition to the lovely dinner we enjoyed, I always get a kick out of the getting dressed up portion of the evening. Here's what I threw together this year.

Momma feels pretty good for 38.

Check out those great runner's calves.