A Tribute to Spring...05.11.07

And yet another compilation of tastes from the Rainier Club atelier...at least one thing is certain~ Spring is here! Tonight was no exception. The ingredients stellar. The vibe cool. The cooks...on top of their game. The group, some newbies from the "outside", tracked down by the vast space of internetness, all I can say is hell yeah! It was, as luck would have it, another surprise birthday, planned for the hosts' wife. Not in a freakin hundred years would she have expected to come to the mansion of 4th Avenue, but low and behold, here was this secretive and almost elusive culinary hideaway, nestled amongst the skyscrapers and condos sporting a stylish kitchen with some of the greatest foodstuffs awaiting. Enter the menu...Below are some of the tastes we shared with this group of foodies, brought in from Chicago, Germany, Texas and from where-else I have no clue. Who cares...this was a great opp to turn some new peeps on to our cooking and craft, and that we did! What made it even more exciting for us the finding of more foodies who enjoy non-alcoholic pairings with the menu. And so it was...A Tribute to Spring!

Maine Lobster & Tapioca Salad, Ugli Filaments, American Sturgeon Caviar

and Passion Fruit lacing

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Salmon Candy Ice Cream Cone, Nigella Wafer

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Hudson Valley Foie Gras Torchon

Rhubarb Confit, Gastrique, Roasted Asian Pear Puree, Truffled Apricot Conserve

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Scrambled Duck Eggs with Truffles

Wild Green French & White Asparagus, Purple Asparagus Salad, White Asparagus Ice Cream

50 year-old Balsamic Condiment and Micro Burgundy Amaranth

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Pan Roasted Atlantic Monkfish

Roasted Porcini Mushrooms, Peas, Fava Beans, Green Garlic

Pickled Cipolline Onion Jus and Cardamom Leaf Emulsion

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Kumquats, Agro Dolce, Black Pepper, Lemon Verbena Foam

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Heather Honey Lacquered Squab

Morels, Demi Thumbelina Carrots, Red Ribbon Sorrel

and Bayley-Hazen Bleu in a Smoked Valrhona Essence

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Coffee Crusted Loin of Lamb

Artisan White Grits, Artichokes, Umbrian Truffles, Abalone Mushrooms

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Dark Chocolate, Blood Oranges and Malted-Coffee Ice Cream

Huckleberry Brulee

Meyer Lemon tart, Oven Dried Strawberries, Blackberry Sherbet

Key Lime Bavarois, Coconut, Roasted Pineapple

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Mignardises

Blackberry Pates de Fruits, Fennel Meringues, Chocolate Dipped Linzer Bites

and for the non-alcoholic pairings...

Sparkling Pear Cider

Kumquat Dry Soda

Navarro Gewurztraminer

Pu-erh Truffle-Cepe "Chai" Tea

Navarro Pinot Noir Grape Juice

Valrhona Manjari Infused Milk