the reception!

Two weeks after the ceremony Angela and Lee had the reception for their wedding in Raleigh North Carolina at the Melrose Knitting Mill.  A beautiful venue for a stunningly beautiful reception - every detail coordinated by the bride and groom.

strange wedding customs - the bride- chair dancing LOL

Phil Friedman caught on "film" dancing !

strange wedding customs - the groom - pool dunking -  "like father like son" LOL

eventually the party was over and the help let us know it was time to leave by making sure there was nowhere to sit LOL

and to remember the fun - a photo booth -

a fun day for everyone! And we even found a great place for dinner the evening before - at St Jacques - a place the local Chaine chapter had visited (we recognized the plaque when we entered) - a dinner with Jeremy on Saturday and with Larry on Sunday at a local seafood place-

of course we all had fish for entrees and a starter of oysters - which were long gone by we had a photo....

the season finale!

Last night we attended the season finale of the Chaine des Rotisseurs dining group.  It was held at the Band of Bohemia, culinary brewhouse a mile or so from where we live.  The meal was terrific and we quickly decided this is a place to return to.  We started with a selection of libations and some passed small bites and then went on to a fabulous dinner from the group in the kitchen,  Service was exemplary all around!

so on to the photos -

the Hooch was especially worthy!  and here is the full menu for the reception- the oysters with the sport peppers were my fave!

here were the promo materials for the event-

and here is the fab menu for the evening along with photos - course by course-

OK not being a lamb fan I asked for a substitute and they served me chicken with the lamb set up - which was a nice accommodation- Phil liked the lamb very much...

the printed program for the event-  inside and cover-

a festive ending to the Chaine season which will start up again in September with its monthly dining events!  meanwhile we have plans over the next few weeks for various meals with friends we have made through the Chaine and a lot of travel on the schedule this summer- so stay tuned...

we finally go to boka

So last night after years and years of accolades for BOKA we finally had the perfect reason to go...dinner with friends who are huge fans and regulars at BOKA...

the ambience was lovely with a living wall and vintage style tiles on the floor of the glass roofed room where we were seated.  we chose the tasting menu and paired it with two wines from our cellar and some wine form their list - starting with the Ruinart Brut Rose....

I will let the dishes and their beautiful presentations speak for themselves -

three bites from the chef as amuse bouches!

foie gras and frozen strawberries

three fish/seafood courses-

beef tongue

duck breast with gem lettuce 

buckwheat and goat milk ice cream with strawberries

matcha ice cream (my fave dessert) 

the red for the savory courses was an Uncle Neil gift/selection and was still full of fruit and well balanced- a terrific wine! the 1990 Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru Les Chaumes from Jean Faurois

This Chenin was an excellent choice with the seafood - fish courses after the Brut Rose...

we had a Sauternes for the foie gras course and the desserts- a 1986 Rieussec which was 100% perfect for a Sauternes... a lovely evening of conversation and story sharing- our friends have traveled to many places and as with all travelers had stories (an an occasional phone photo) - before we knew it four hours had passed and we agreed that the meal was wonderful and that the birthday week celebrations for Evelyn were officially in full swing...  

another dinner

Last night - after eating at home for one night after our return from the wedding trip we decided to eat outdoors and to revisit a place we haven't been to in quite some time... Tre Kronor

we decided on two starters and two salads and then only made it through part of the entrees because we have over ordered LOL

the gravlax and the toast Skagen

then two salads one with avocado and blueberries and Danish Blue and the other with poached pears and candied walnuts and Danish Blue

 the entrees- Swedish meatballs and pork loin - the meatballs won the evening and those got finished the pork loin not so much... although they have pretty decent desserts we skipped them due to our over ordering LOL -

 tonight we are off a true food adventure to Boka (our first time) with friends - it is very highly regarded and has been for years -not exactly sure how we missed it but looking forward to giving it a try!  so more later - as usual....