another F&C weekend

so we met CBGB at Forks & Corks in the line out front.  They let us in around 11 AM and we went shopping first (get rid of the vouchers) and left the wine for pickup later.  Then headed in and grabbed a table for use as a home base.  The place was mobbed in almost no time bringing out my crowd phobia.  So we all took turns going for food and various tastes of wine. What I liked best this time in the food was a savory cheesecake from Euphemia Haye - with Gorgonzola and Parmesan cheese with bacon and scallion topping - that was a real winner - along with oysters which were terrific... but I don't know where they were from because one of the table mates brought them...

here are just a few photos because I have done very similar posts at the last F&C grand tasting events at these links where I had a lot of photos which look extremely similar to this event... LOL

http://blog.semifreelife.com/2015/01/the-main-event.html

http://blog.semifreelife.com/2014/01/forks-corks-weekend.html

there were almost ten solid pages of wines on the list and a whole book of participating restaurants... and the 1500 attendee number is the TICKETED number - not the people who come as part of the restaurants (who may or may not work their own booths) and the volunteers and the wine reps who pour etc etc .... this is a big deal around these parts and again this year I said the same as last- too many people - charge more and keep the number down like at the IPNC in Oregon (International Pinot Noir Celebration) limit the number and it can be a lovely time rather than having to fight a path to the food tables or the wine pourers.... to say nothing of those people who just STOP in the middle of the path/sidewalk/terrace.....

so while this event is a huge success - it is not my style...

but here are some really positive things about this year-
1. the weather was good
2. the wines were across the board better than in prior years
3. the food was again really terrific - especially given that they are basically cooking for 2,000...

so I always end up with a begrudging thumbs up on this one- I just wish it were fewer people.  The tickets sold out in three minutes and the organizers I am sure feel like they can't reduce the number since there is so much demand for them...

up next a concert tonight - RUNA - Celtic Roots Music

Quickly gaining recognition as one of Irish music’s new “super-groups”, RUNA has been enchanting audiences by pushing the boundaries of Irish folk music, since their formation in 2008. Interweaving the haunting melodies and exuberant tunes of Ireland and Scotland with the lush harmonies and intoxicating rhythms of bluegrass, flamenco, blues, jazz, they offer a thrilling and redefining take on traditional music. The group has been honored internationally, winning Top Group and Top Traditional Group in the Irish Music Awards and an Independent Music Award for Best World/Traditional Song. INDOOR SEATING AND PATIO SEATING IS SOLD OUT - so I guess we are lucky to have gotten tickets.

and then the Sarasota Ballet tomorrow..... will report back....

absolutely perfect weather

for an evening event outdoors... so we went off to the first Chaine des Rotissuers  event for the 2015-2016 season.  The kick off dinner was at the Duck Inn where we have had several memorable meals. Chef Kevin Hickey a long time Chaine member cooked up a fabulous menu for our meal-

so on with the "show" just a small portion of the glassware for the nearly 70 members and their guests who attended the festivities-

Chef Kevin and helper work on the pig- which is being steamed in a contraption known as a Chinese Box...

guests and members begin to arrive-

each place setting has the full menu and background information on the food and the organization along with a list of members of the chapter..

the pig gets paraded around the garden - a nice tribute to his sacrifice for our enjoyment

a couple had a shared birthday celebration on this exact date-

some promo materials from the restaurant -

their signature dish - recommended to order ahead to guarantee getting one when you visit-

the Chaine menu booklet-

The food was very very good but not photogenic- LOL- but trust me- worth a visit to the Duck Inn to try it out... so you have to imagine it from the descriptions of the preparations... we left before dessert because our day tomorrow is a busy one- with last minute details to get to the house sitter about cat stuff and I haven't packed yet (Phil planned ahead and did it over the weekend...)

so this was a brief summary of dinner al fresco at Duck Inn - and my only complaint was it was over subscribed- too many people in too little space... should have been a 60 limit 56 would have been even more manageable- but live and learn- next time I will keep an eye on how many tickets are available - because those who know me know how much I HATE crowds.... I was lucky because I sat between Phil and a woman I know from Chicago Gourmets and like very much... - LOL the trend to communal tables is seriously NOT me... but that is why I am spending the next three weeks with a group tour of TWO of us- LOL... only me and Phil.... and our driver and our guide... it works so much better that way...

so we are off! and when we get back we have a whirlwind of final Chicago stuff before we head south - and further south (Cuba) and back to school etc... all our now usual winter activities... stay tuned...

perfect weather!

Was such a nice change from last year's rainy evening... we have now attended three years (all three years) Wine Walk to Ca d'Zan the Ringling mansion and estate. For those of you who know us or have attended the IPNC (International Pinot Noir Celebration) with us in Oregon, the ALL three years will not surprise you. My IPNC attendance -at ten plus years- and Phil's -at closing in on- 20 years would indicate that we are loyal to our wine events LOL....

here were the good and bad things about this year's Wine Walk

THE GOOD:

• Number One thing - the weather was perfect
• Number Two thing - the terrace at the Ringling was the VIP Lounge and was an absolutely perfect spot to - well - lounge around waiting for the sunset and finish off the eating path that takes you from the front door to the Bay... 
• Number Three thing- although I found nothing fabulous in the extra wines poured for the VIP ticket holders - it was a nice idea to have some extra stations along the way
• Number Four thing- several of the food stations were wonderful! The France one was my personal favorite but the American and the Spanish also had some good eats as well. 
• Number Five thing- the band was really good and well located so the music could be heard but wasn't overwhelming.
• And a shout out to the Cake Zone for the fabulous cup cakes!

THE BAD:

• The very first station was not at all ready and had no food or wines out despite it being more than five minutes after the opening time when we arrived  - hence no review of the German station except to say I would recommend against using this caterer as they clearly can't get their shit together...
• None of the wines were fabulous- and now I know that we have been seriously spoiled at the IPNC over the years with fabulous tastings of wines up to and including the Madame Bize-Leroy's wines, but seriously, this is a one night event - not a three day festival and yet a higher per hour cost than the IPNC.... 
• On a beautiful night like last night NOTHING should be held inside like the American station was last night - not that I don't like the circus museum but with such stunning weather - this part should have not been in a dark hall inside - and they too had issues - no one there to serve the beer they were hyping (not that it matter to me)  and the security woman was way over the top officious at that location - she clearly had the "gun and badge" syndrome...

However- nothing could have put a damper on the lovely evening - a great way to spend a few hours!

here are links to the two prior years:

http://semifreelife.semifreelife.com/2014/03/we-walk-walk.html

http://semifreelife.semifreelife.com/2013/04/march-madness.html

the entrance - you can see the blue sky weather we were blessed with!

the bay side of the house-

 
as the sun set the windows reflect its glorious hues

the menus-

an interior view

this would be an impressive thing to win-

because you can see the view of the tower in this aerial shot of the mansion-

and here is the menu that we missed because they weren't ready despite the security forces holding everyone for five minutes past the opening hour- I would definitely skip having these folks do any catering for you!

all in all a lovely evening but with some execution of logistics issues that made it just a shade under perfect...but hey, not everyone can be Pat Dudley! (the woman who ran the IPNC for many years) and so we continue towards our season's end- up tonight Itzhak Perlman at the Van Wezel. Stay tuned for more...

Sensational SENZA!

OK remember last time we went to Senza I only had the printed menu from our fabulous meal there- no photos- and how much I loved the food- here is the very brief blurb from that post-

The following evening (July 18th) we went to Senza for dinner on the recommendation of Alexa (from 42 Grams) - and had a knock your socks off meal that I have no photos of (phone in parking garage blocks away- WAH!) but since we will definitely be back I promise photos the next time.  

This time I was better prepared for the evening of fabulous food and good company and remembered to bring my phone/camera...

We met friends who had not been here before. Our friend Mary said every course was better than the previous course... and I think she was right! Here is the menu from tonight- again we did not do the pairings- and brought our own wines.

the wines we brought were two DDO wines -

we started with the oyster- appropriately briny with a citrus note to the presentation-

the second course was melt in your mouth Wagyu beef - with crispy puffed beef tendon and caviar- oh yum!

but as Mary said - it just got better- amazing beet dish which I remembered from the last menu - with rosewater and burrata... I have never been so happy that Phil always gives me his beet course to have a second helping of in my life! LOL-

next up chilled sweet corn soup with crab and lemongrass- the ingredients came and then the soup was added at the table - hence the sequence of photos-

and we declared that one the best so far- LOL - but up next we had sturgeon with the brulee of lardo at the table- another sequence-

then the loup de mer- with consomme and oil droplets added in front of us...

compressed tomato with yuzu, melon, and sesame-

the pork rib- with yummy sides flavors - especially the meringue

the peking duck breast with foie gras and cherries - and yes this was the best course yet---LOL

a cheese course- of raclette with a jelly stuffed eclair

then on to some dessert with the Almond cake and various other almond based goodies- mine didn't have the waffles (allergy to coconut) so there are two versions in the photos-

a few photos of the room (and the ladies room decor where the elf will hold your purse for you) to round out the photos

Cara and Noah couldn't be nicer and the entire wait staff is relaxed and friendly - we remembered Tori from the last time but everyone who came to the table in the team service was first rate-

the conversation at the table was interrupted every few minutes with the yum/ooh/ahh/wow/mmm/lip-smacking sounds of contented eaters! LOL and just as Mary was commenting that the meal was missing chocolate these truffles miraculously appeared to end the perfect meal! LOL

We were so happy to get back just a little over four weeks later for another FABULOUS meal!  Sensational SENZA is a perfect title for this post because not only was it so- the thing we commented at both meals was that the food here is so flavorful- it really is a taste treat...

So we promised to return at least one more time before we head south and although the schedule is already quite full we will definitely make room for another evening here! Thanks Noah and Cara!