Showing posts with label Daniel Boulud. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daniel Boulud. Show all posts

Sunday, October 9, 2011

A Kaleidoscope of Dreams

So I've been leaving pleasure by the wayside. And I feel petrified by it.

But amidst the stiffness and restraint, I've still managed to find solace in my weekend escapades, my midweek sweet libations, and my wee-hour nightcaps. Wine has been my loyal therapist, and food a non-judgmental confidant.

2011 may have taken away the pure joy of baking at midnight with classes the next morning.
...But it has become my job to do the tasting.

2011 hasn't taken me on new travels and discoveries.
 ...But it has become my job to win the pitch and experience the journey.

 2011 has left me yearning to go back to college and be graded for drinking in class.
 ...but it has become my job to mingle and entertain.

2011 has made me forget to stop and smell the daisies. (Pink ones, of course.)
...but it has become my job to ask for flowers.

2011 may have flown by without me grasping it in its entirety.
...But it has become by job to witness the race.

2011 has clearly been a year sacrificed to the soulless world filled with soot and suits. But someone once told me: If you want to reach the castle, you have to swim through the moat.

And while doing so, I do realize that I'm learning to love the experience.

I still gather with old friends to relive good times.

New York City is always never far from my mind.

Weekends are life's pleasurable pit stops.

 You'll find your pot of gold at the end of a certain rainbow if you search for it hard enough.

There's always time to make magic happen

And if you stop to take a second look: You'll realize that She has grown to look mighty fine.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Living A Dream... With Compliments from Daniel Boulud

Last weekend was special. Very special.

I had the greatest honor of dining at
Daniel over the weekend. With compliments from the chef himself. Yes, Chef Boulud.

I shall not go into the nitty gritty of how I landed myself with that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but I was definitely star-struck when I first had a phone conversation with Chef Boulud. He was in Florida that day for the Citymeals on Wheels charity event, but graciously offered to set up a dinner reservation that evening at his celebrated four-star restaurant on the Upper East Side... with his compliments.

I could not believe my ears.

It was by far the most spectacular dining experience I had ever had to date. Ever. The service was impeccable. Beyond outstanding, I dare say. Witnessing how guests were attended to was like watching a symphonic orchestra. From the dashing young man going around with the bread basket, to the charming maître d that greeted us warmly and ushered us to our table - everyone worked in harmony; every server moved in synchrony. I was in awe at how much passion each person had for their craft, no matter what it was.

And the food... the wine... Oh, where should I even start?

The maître d brought us a tasting menu and told us we could have anything from it.

Oh no, all of you are too gracious. Extremely gracious.

So then, we decided to leave our meal entirely up to the chefs. And I wondered if that was a mistake... but then again, who's complaining at all? If I have to say, it was a glorious mistake indeed.

MY DREAM MENU
(Some courses are accompanied with photos, but do pardon me for the unflattering lighting - the room was dimly lit)

KATAIFI CRUSTED MAINE LOBSTER
Broccoli Mousseline, Ricotta Salata, Lemon-Pine Nut Gremolata, Harissa Coulis
MAINE PEEKYTOE CRAB SALAD
Celery, Walnut Oil, Granny Smith Sauce

CEDAR WOOD WRAPPED KAMPACHI
Eggplant Caviar, Garbanzo Beans, Sauce Diable

BLACK SEA BASS WITH SYRAH SAUCE
Leek Potato Parmentier, Roasted and
Tempura Celery

SLOW BAKED ARCTIC CHAR
WITH SWEET MAINE SHRIMP
Cipollini Onion Marmalade, Glazed Salsify,
Dijon Mustard Chicken Jus

FOUR STORY HILL FARM VEAL TRIO
with Louisiana Crayfish
Roasted Tenderloin, Spring Garlic Confit
Crispy Sweetbreads, Artichoke Barigoule
Braised Cheeks, Young Turnips

DUO OF WAGYU BEEF
Red Wine Braised Short Rib
Chanterelle Marmalade
Seared Tenderloin
Chestnut-Potato Gnocchi, Swiss Chard

ASSORTMENT OF AMERICAN
AND IMPORTED CHEESES

WARM GUANAJA CHOCOLATE COULANT
Liquid Caramel, Fleur de Sel, Milk Sorbet
&
LYCHEE AND CRANBERRY VACHERIN
Candied Rose Petal, Crème Chantilly

MANJARI CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
WITH NOUGAT FOAM
Milk Chocolate Biscuit, Rwanda Coffee Ice Cream
&
ROASTED BANANA WITH BROWN SUGAR TUILE
Caramelized Macadamia,
Passion Fruit Banana Sorbet

(& THE SWEET FINALÉ...)

♥♥♥♥

I have to say that the photos don't do justice - though they'd have to suffice. The maître d and his team knew how much I simply adored the citrus madelines served with the tea. So much so...

...they surprised me with a box just before I left the restaurant.
How's that for four-star service? Let's not forget the absolutely beautiful wines that were paired with every course. Every dish worked in perfect synergy with the wines, and every mouthful was truly a mouthful of bliss. Complete. Utter. Bliss. Words can never describe how amazing that evening felt. I was living a dream.

And did I mentioned I had the chance to meet Chef Boulud when he returned from his charity event that weekend? I was almost speechless. Almost.

Pssst...! And I'm definitely looking forward to doing pastry at Daniel this summer!

P.S.- Will share more of my weekend gastronomic adventures in my upcoming posts... XOXO