Tuesday, December 30, 2008

A FAIRY TALE ENDING



Christmas is a poignant time. Events, images and memories flood our daily events..
As the winter season begins, necessity is the driving wheel. We were taught to be frugal, using only what was necessary. It could be a long winter.

Furry creatures scurry deep into the night as hiding places vanish. Meadows are covered in icy frost, yielding nary a secret. Cold, bare trees remind us of the stark beauty of winter's palette. The underbrush is frozen into skeleton beds, shrinking hiding places to shimmering tangles. A pause comes silently into our existence. We collectively yield as life becomes a puzzle of finding, foraging and filling our needs. A race against the elements. Keeping the wolf at bay.

It is not unusual for me to think of my father on Christmas night. I always think of him when I leave my home place. I know he is somewhere in the ether, shepherding the most poignant of memories. Reminding me of all the necessities of survival. I was jolted from this reverie as WFS said," that wasn't there when we drove in." Ahead on the pavement, was a perfect red fox. We turned around and returned to the spot where he lay. I do believe in another hour this red fox would have vanished into the night...but somehow, it was there, immobile in the cold...waiting for me to see his magnificent image. The image that truly evokes my father. The image most connected to his essence. Fox hunting on a cold, dark, winter night. The fox horn sounding as we buried him on Dutton Hill. Foxes were instilled in his being from his very early years. He knew their patterns, he admired their sly and cunning ways. His final months were spent in a twilight world where he relived the chase,calling out the dogs names as the fox zig-zaged across the nearby knobs.
I suppose we all find solace in memories. As my mother's days fall toward the twilight, the child in me cries, one more chase across the knobs....one more winter night. One more Christmas dinner. One more trip home.

Christmas Day






Christmas Day on Dutton Hill....every picture tells a story

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

CHRISTMAS EVE

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be here!
Christopher, Audrey and Colin made it here after being stranded in Columbus, Ohio in the ice storm last night.
We are happy and cooking away for tonight's dinner.
We are having beef tenderloin drenched in a coffee, chile and chocolate rub.
Country Ham
Potato, fennel and onion gratin
Broccoli casserole( my take on the old tradition)
Ambrosia
Southern Lane Cake
Pecan Pie
and copious amounts of good champagne!
Merry Christmas to all!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

WINTER SOLSTICE PARTY

FROM THE BOTTOM UP ARE THE IMAGES FROM OUR WINTER SOLSTICE PARTY.
FOR ALL THE FRIENDS GATHERED WITH US, THANK YOU FOR EVERY ENCOURAGING MOMENT OVER OUR SPAN OF TIME AS FRIENDS.
TO OUR FRIENDS FROM AFAR, WE MISSED YOU AND ALSO SEND A PROMISE TO THANK YOU EVERY DAY FOR ALWAYS BEING OUR SATELLITE SIGNAL AND REFUGE!
TO MOM AND DAN, YOUR SWEET SPIRITS WERE MISSED BY EACH AND EVERY PERSON. YOUR LOVE AND SMILES ARE PRICELESS.
FOR THE NEW YEAR,
PEACE AND LOVE.
ALWAYS

THE AFTERMATH




LEAD SINGING COMMITTEE



CAROLERS




WINTER SOLSTICE PARTY




WINTER SOLSTICE PARTY




WINTER SOLSTICE PARTY





PHOTO GALLERY, BEGINNING TO END

Monday, December 22, 2008

WINTER SOLSTICE PARTY




wow what a great party i attended last night at the home of my website partner. this gal knows how to entertain a crowd. when we arrived on the bone chilling cold night, we were happy to smell and hear that beautiful wood burning fire that was ablaze in the fireplace. too many new homes are equipped with gas logs these days, there is no substitute for the smell of wood, and not nearly the satisfaction given for the labor to start and maintain a wood fire. we gave our jackets to the host, and began to introduce ourselves to the new faces and say hello to some familiar ones. the bar was set up in the sun room, and that seemed like the place to start. the special drink of the night was a tangerine martini, but i opted for the chardonnay for my first drink, as did jennifer. i later tried a wonderful drink that the hostess was having, champagne and a raspberry liqueur much like chambord. it was both soothing and flavorful, settling my somewhat confused stomach from the onset of a lot of appeteasing.

which brings us to the heart of the order- the bill of fare. the sideboard behind the main dining table was absolutely the cover of southern living, gourmet, bon appetit, better homes and gardens- any magazine would have been happy to behold such a spread. there was blue dog bakery bread spread all over in pre-sliced fashion, which andy from the bakery probably made special for the party. he was in attendence as were many food business representatives, like Lindsey and the very capable barkeep from the patron. the sideboard also had four different goat cheeses from Capriole farms that were picked up by ed garber. the goat cheeses were spectacular, with subtle differences in the texture and flavor of each one. there was also a stilton and possibly a manchengo. (i'll add a photo very soon.) also on this table was a pork charcuterie that was stunning to look at.

on another table was a baked brie wheel that was accompanied by apples, grapes, more bread, and some mission fig preserves to drizzle on top. the best of the appetizers was a cheese and spinach dip that i had enjoyed at this house before. there are two cheeses in the spread and the nutty bread held up excellent for under the weight of the high-piled spread. a phalenopsis orchid finished of the little round table.

on the main dining room table there were glass plates and silverware, country ham biscuits, buffalo brisket with horseradish, shrimp and grits, and the highlight of the evening was the fingerling potatoes with a aoili that absolutely set the world spinning. after i enjoyed some on my plate, i hovered over the tray and enjoyed twice as many while discussing new york restaurants.

after dinner we perused the profiteroles with orange cream and other petit fours right before we began our caroling. we sat around the fire and belted out hymn after chorus of old favorites. as we let our food settle, the dicussions ran from politics to technology, law and family. the attendees were a great mix of farmers, lumbermen, lawyers, service industry professionals, attorneys, and people in the court room business (notice a trend).

it was the holiday party of the year- small enough where you can meet just about everyone, personable enough to be held at a home, and a hostess who does it all. i heard everyone raving about the food, this says a lot. there were two helpers and a bartender, but Sarah was the workhorse in this labor of love. she has an eye for beauty and a palate for divine creations. here's to the holidays , good friends, good food, and the good 'ole days. AE

Friday, December 19, 2008

WINTER SOLSTICE

Sunday brings the winter solstice and our solstice party.
I sat this morning while the winds howled and the rain dashed against the windows...
reflecting on winter.
Though I am a warm weather aficionado, I do love the winter solstice.
Some thoughts:
kindness in words create confidence
kindness in thoughts creates profoundness
kindness in giving brings love
These are not original thoughts by any means...
but a good way to brace for winter.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Gibralters

When my mom's mom was a young school girl, her fondest memories were of a candy store in jeffersonville, in known as schimpff's confections. the store opened in 1891 and is one of the oldest continually operating candy stores in America. their maple cream gives a new meaning to the word complexity, man these guys know their stuff. my parents took my daughter and my niece over there a couple of weeks ago and it got me thinking- if this is one of the oldest candy stores, what is THE oldest. a google search revealed the answer- Ye Olde Pepper Candy Store- salem, mass. since 1806.

i was intruiged by the history i read on their website yeoldepeppercandy.com and ordered a box of gibralters. after a week and a day they arrived at my business (monday). there are two flavors of this candy, peppermint and lemon. i believe the best way to describe these treats the sailors used to carry across the waters is an after dinner mint on steroids. they are trapezoids that come wrapped in a paper bag. the lemon is good, but the peppermint is not my cup of tea. they are quite the novelty, though- maybe the first piece of candy made in the US. the early people used to go up from boston just to get them ( not an easy feat in 1806 ). the box of 12 (6 and 6) was $20 with shipping. would i order them again, no. but they make good gifts to hand out. and they are historically aesthetic. AE

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Christmas Shopping amongst the garbage and the flowers



For you that may not know, 'the garbage and the flowers' is from the Leonard Cohen song, Suzanne.

Dumpster diving and roadside pickings. We are terribly fascinated and addicted to this little game. Each quarter Louisville has free throw-away-day. You can actually put anything on the street and the city workers will drive their big diesel trucks by and whoosh it away....however, there are professional pickers, scrap junk haulers, bargain seekers, resale artists and moi...out scavenging about through the massive piles of stuff along the streets. Vying for the goodies. Supply and demand. Oh, the goodies we have found over the years! It is like Christmas with each find and since it is almost Christmas, these finds were even more lovely! The little buggy, now how cool is that? We intend to fill it with stuffed toys and scoot it under the tree....WFS thinks a kitty bed after the holidays! The vinegars are still quite nice( don't worry I won't re-gift them).......WFS has already whisked away the nice bent willow wreath to his office door. We were driving along about sunset yesterday, scurrying about with all the other loonies as Louisville prepared for its dusting of snow. Anyway, as we turned a corner, WFS said, "did you see that?!" I had not. He turned the Conestoga Wagon around and we headed back to the small pile on the curb...there it was, the baby buggy! 'Tis not a stroller nor carriage, it's a buggy! Inside the buggy were all sorts of goodies. We never look a gift horse in the mouth, so we loaded all of it in the CW for later investigation. It proved to have some very nice pickings. May all your Christmases be white, bright and filled with unexpected surprises is my mantra. Especailly if they just fall into your hands.

Now a little side story about my dear friend, Mairzey...After a few months in our fair city and carefully observing our "finds", she was driving through a very upscale neighborhood and noticed a lovely upholstered chair along the curb. She pulled to the curb and commenced to score her first roadside picking prize. Just as she was lifting the chair into her trunk, a voice yelled, "OH, NO! That is for our church, we're donating it." This story was chuckled over many, many times....I'm not sure if it has curbed( pun intended) Marizey's enthusiasm..
Happy pickings to all of you ~~~~~~~~~

Monday, December 15, 2008

A CHRISTMAS CARD TO ALL


THIS MIGHT SEEM A LITTLE UNUSUAL TO ANY THAT DO NOT KNOW THE CHRISTMAS ANGEL, CEBAH.
PERHAPS DAN WILL BLOG THE LYRICS TO THE ANGEL SONG.
I FOUND THIS PHOTO OF OUR MOTHER FROM CHRISTMAS SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
IT IS MY BLOG HOLIDAY CARD TO ALL OF YOU.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS. I GOT A SCRIBBLED MESSAGE FROM A FRIEND THE OTHER DAY AND IT SAID, HAPY HOLYDAY.
I LIKE THAT.
HAPY HOLYDAY!~

Saturday, December 13, 2008

EARLY XMAS FOR WFS



'TIS THE SEASON! NO SERIOUS SHOPPING FOR THE TWO OF US! IT WOULD TAKE A MIRACLE TO DRAG WFS TO A SHOPPING MALL, THOUGH HE DID ACCOMPANY ME TO WILLIAMS SONOMA TWO DAYS AGO! WE WERE DOING OUR USUAL SATURDAY MORNING STUFF, RAMBLING AROUND, HAVING BREAKFAST AT BLUE DOG, POKING THROUGH THE CONSIGNMENT STORES LOOKING FOR AN OLD OVER COAT FOR A SEMI-HOMELESS FRIEND IN SHELBY CO. OUR ADVENTURES FOR THE DAY WERE COMING TO AN END, WHEN I DECIDED I NEEDED A FEW LITTLE STOCKING STUFFERS, JUNQUE, IF YOU WILL....NOW THIS IS A SHOPPING PLEASURE WE BOTH CAN ENJOY.....WE DECIDED ON WORLD MARKET. HERE WE FOUND WFS' VERY FAVORITE THING...RUBBER DUCKIES! AS YOU CAN SEE, THREE LITTLE FELLERS JOINED OUR FLOCK. THE LITTLE DUCKIE WITH THE COMPASS CAME ALL THE WAY FROM PORTLAND, OR. THANKS TO DAN AND CATHY! HE HAS A VERY SPECIAL SPOT RIGHT NEXT TO THE BATTERED VERY FIRST RUBBER DUCKIE( WITH THE SAD FACE) FOUND IN A GARBAGE HEAP MANY YEARS AGO. THE KFC DUCKIE CAME FROM RUTH AND JIM....AS THEY NEVER, EVER, EVER EAT THERE, I WONDER ABOUT, AS PAUL HARVEY SAYS, THE REST OF THE STORY!
THE NEW XMAS DUCKIES LIGHT UP, ONE IS A DEVIL AND THE OTHER AN ANGEL, THAT MIGHT BEAR SOME SIGNIFICANCE BUT LET'S DON'T GO THERE!....WE THOUGHT LONG AND HARD AS TO THEIR PLACEMENT...THE PHOTOS TELL THE TALE!

Friday, December 12, 2008

A sad Loss


Well we have already had one article on the loss of some good restaurants in louisville. but what happened this last week was the passing of an institution. before we get into that, let me say what an institution is to me. In 2005 i was dining at Galatoire's on a sunday night- very important. When we walked in the doors, the nice louisiana native asked which server we wanted. i was somewhat appalled at this question, having never dined there before. Apparently sunday is the night that only natives dine at this Bourbon St. legacy. There were some really interesting folks in there when i was. I saw probably the largest diamond not in a museum on this lady's hand, but she had to have a tired arm from showing it off to the whole restaurant in an effort to show she was the matriarch of the south. as the potato souffle with bernaise went down, and the creole shrimp with remoulade were digesting, i walked to the back of the restaurant towards the water closets, and i saw something strange. there was a desk against the back wall with enough space to stand behind it. it was very cluttered and there was a man standing behind it. I told him it was atypical for a restaurant to have a desk, and he said "this is not a restaurant, it's an institution". I was speechless and he was too. no humor, just facts, and as i drank out of my wine glass that said 100 years of service, the institution moniker sank in. (that glass was 3 years old at the time). The only other restaurant I have dined in in the US with a desk visible in the dining room was the Union Oyster House in Boston. The lady who sat at that desk next to the half round bar and the dumb weighter (not dumb waiter) must have been 94 years of age, but she was as spry as ever. Dig a little on this establishment- I believe it is the oldest restaurant in the country. great food and great atmosphere- make sure you do not get a table, if you miss the international conversation at the DOWNSTAIRS bar, you might as well go to Cheers.

ok- last week we lost Mazzoni's. Now that you know what an institution means to me, you know how hurt i am in the passing of this restaurant. they started downtown , moved to taylorsville rd later, and most recently relocated by pig city bbq on us 60. The fried clams were always my favorite, with that great tartar sauce, but the oysters is what brought the masses in. the pressed tin ceiling and beautiful wood bar and bar back made this place. the cool photos of old louisville history added so much. I was lucky to dine at the restaurant one last time during the ryder cup. i wish these guys would give a one week warning to the public before they go down, so that people like us can go and say goodbye to our friends before they pass on.

So patrons, go out there and dine at your favorite rstaurants, it is hard times for everyone i know, but we lost a piece of americana last week. it is tough seeing these places go down, especially when there is so much history attached to a locale. the picture at right was a guy that must have worked there for at least 25 years. i remember him as a kid when my dad used to take me for dinner in the early 80's. he seemed to me the epitome of what a waiter/barkeep should be. professional, no nonsesse, long mustache, and a knack for pouring a cold beer from a tap. here's to the memories of restaurants past, and the good ol' days. AE

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Skunk Cabbage


On my recent visit to Dutton Hill and Pete's Spring, I photographed this plant known locally as skunk cabbage. Cathy, Dan and I were scrambling back up the steep embankment from the spring. This is an addition to my little summaries below. I could daydream for hours about the possibilities of my imaginary friends building a house under these soft petals.
One more addition. The creche you see in the photo below was found by WFS many, many years ago at a garage sale. An old man was closing up his house and had a few odds and ends in his garage.He looked very sad about leaving 60+ years behind. We promised to give the creche a good home. WFS and I have a strong sentimental attachment to the creche...the cotton used for the snow is exactly the same as when we purchased the creche...

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

SOME THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT ME




I was reading Roseanne Cash's blog. She is someone I have great admiration for, as an artist and as a woman. Plus, the girl can write and rock...her latest blog was : Some things you might not know about me. Her blog inspired me to tackle this subject for my blog...so, with apologies to Ms. Cash,
Here goes!
I suppose everyone has something they think is private, secret or simply no one's business. I have liberal liberal leanings...I figure folks are capable of knowing, dreaming and living their desires....LET IT BE, said the Beatles. I agree. Having said that, the flip is my very, very conservative approach to altered senses. I cling dearly to a clear mind and body. It causes my causes to get a bit confused. Simply spoken, I don't always practice live and let live. I question authority but I always am mindful of laws. I confine my beliefs to me...but occasionally I can be, uh, Carrie Nation.
I love sad movies, sad songs, sad human- drama- non-fiction books....My friend Eddie summed this up when perusing my Netflixs...my god, said he, all you watch are depressing foreign films. This is mostly true.....when others are sniffling in the movies, I can barely wait for the next frame...My friend Eddie also surmised that I have such an endless sunny disposition that I need a voyeuristic view of how it feels to be sad, lonely and depressed. I am not sure I entirely agree with his theory but perhaps my grandson Jaxon came closer to my vision.. A few years back, we were watching Bambi...we were snuggled in bed and the sad, scary part was approaching...Grandmother, said Jaxon, let's fast forward through the sad part...No, I said, it might be sad for a little bit but in the end, everything turns out fine....even when the Nazis are brutal, the Armenians are tortured and the handsome prince disappears in the mist...there's always, as Scarlett said, tomorrow! I draw on my own twisted path through life....Big Edie said, Never give up! I never give up.
I love being quiet. Most of my family and friends see me as a very active and social animal. I prefer quiet. I must have alone, very alone time. I need not accomplish a single thing except to still my being into quiet.
I dream big, luscious, happy dreams...I must allow quiet to find a place in my harried world.
I love rocks, moss, water and the sea. I am drawn to the desert but never, no, never could I live there...I must be in the woods near a creek bed. I must sit upon a fairy bed of soft green moss. I must hear the sea roar at least once a year. I must take off my shoes in the early spring and dash my feet in an icy creek.
I love being older. I am truly different from most of my contemporaries in this arena. My creaky joints and moaning knees, not so much...but every other aspect I love about being here and now. Grandmother, older sister, younger sister, wife and mom...
Life is good, and god awful but....... I am grateful to have flourished to my senior status.
I loathe the words, "Im bored." What the hell is that about? I am never, ever bored. EVER.
I dislike, strongly dislike, furry little anchovies and egg whites. Most of you know that...
And last, I love Christmas. I love the food, the fantasy, the child like wonder...I love the songs, the smells. I love friends and little surprises wrapped up in bright paper. I love Christmas cards. I save them for years. Each year I look at how children have grown and changed. I fondly remember my friends, some no longer even close but there they are, still writing me a card each year. I love tinsel. I love the word, tinsel. I love colored lights. I adore blue lights. I will give any foe a pass during Christmas. My childhood was never one of gifts under the tree with colored paper and bows...it was the smell of applesauce cakes and caramel icing. Divinity candy with sometimes a little peppermint crushed in the center. It was wondering and waiting for Santa. It was hanging the long ladies stocking( the kind worn with garters) behind the coal stove and finding it filled with oranges and hard candy the next morning...It was the best of Christmases when my two older sisters made me a cigar box full of outfits for my little, tiny doll with curly hair and a head that turned all the way around. My only friend, Cissy( who lived in Lexington and visited her grandparents farm for holidays), got a great big doll with eyes that opened and shut...however, we played endlessly with my little, tiny doll.
It was the year the Dutton's drew names from the shoe box at the Old House(my Grandma's house). We would exchange gifts on Christmas Day. We were sworn to keep the name we'd drawn a secret. ...That year, I had spied a small plastic purse at the JJ Newberry's store in town. It had a clasp across the top much like Bakelite....I dreamed, wished, hoped and behaved myself for that little purse. We flew out, pre-dawn, from our chilly beds and I waited for the one gift that would be tucked under the tree for me....Mom handed me a pair of socks and a new scarf...the other kids were receiving similar gifts...We took down our stockings...I didn't even want a chocolate drop candy...My heart, literally, was broken. I wisely did not show my anguish. Later we all rode on the sleigh over to my Grandma's house for the big dinner(noon) meal and the Dutton Christmas celebration with all our kin. My aunt Gladys had a aluminum foil Christmas tree located in the seldom used parlor of the Old House...each year she pinned small envelopes with two crisp, new dollars tucked inside for each grandchild...we were always forced to wait for this gift...we could find ours on the tree but that was it. When it came time to call out the names for the gift giving, I impatiently watched my uncles get work gloves, my aunts a spool of thread, my mom a new apron made by my aunt and so forth. My older sister got a pair of Sunday gloves...my brother got a baseball. A baseball! I sat and watched my cousins walk up and get their gifts from under the tree. We had great, fun, homemade and STORE bought gifts. One per person. Finally, my name was called and I took the small, white tissue package from my aunt and walked in front of the fireplace grate....sulking. I didn't care if I opened it or not. I didn't have my heart's desire, so, what was the use? My aunt was passing out the envelopes with the money inside. I took mine and tore open the envelope and clasped my very own two dollars.. Finally, I removed the tissue from my small gift. Inside was that soft, fawn colored purse with the bakelite clasp. I got so excited that I threw the tissue and my two dollars in the open grate.... The fire consumed my money. I think I wound up crying while everyone else burst out laughing. You see, My Mom, Cebah, drew my name. MY name, Sally Belle....She scrimped and saved and plotted and planned so I would have my heart's desire. As a child of the meaningless middle, I often felt my life was a series of wait until you're older, you'll have to wait, your turn will come...it did. I was about 11 years old, a drifty, day-dreamy child.... but on that day, I could clearly see, the true meaning of life...it is all about Christmas. Live it every day...give something to someone. Believe in Santa Claus and believe in dreams.... cement your family and friends... love Christmas

BJ's

Last saturday i went to the cards game and ventured out to the oxmoor mall afterward. my good buddy- bourbons chef michael crouch- and i did a bit of shopping, some alpaca socks, a look in the bookstores- bon appetit and gourmet, and decided it was time for a libation. I had heard good things about this restaurant, but had taken my time to go try the spot. As we walked in, the SEC championship was playing- and all of the bar was full, as were the tall tables in the bar. I recognized people at two of the five high tops, so we sauntered on over. We grabbed a seat with Rob and Andrew- and ordered a beer. Well, i thought ok this place might have sam adams at best- EXTREMELY wrong. they brew their own beer and have a selection of imports that for its size, most fits my style better than anywhere this side of Rich-o's. Kwak, Chimay, La Chouffe, et al reigned in the bottles. But from the taps, this wonderful brewer from Denver has got their shit together. With New Belgium just up the road in Ft. Collins, paltry brews need not apply in this, the best state of American micro-brews. Fat Tire rocks the waves. I had the amber, but i tried the hefeweizen and a lighter pilsner. All three were excellent- hard for a brewer to be good at all styles, i would like to do a flight next go round.

We also ordered a bread bowl clam chowder and a thin margarita pizza. The soup came out first, the scoop of bread had been doused with garlic and baked, the soup was piping hot, which warmed our still chilly bones from the short walk from the entrance to the mall to the entrance of BJ's. The soup had ample clams and the potatoes were small enough that they didn't make the dish feel like potato stew. too many and you miss the mark. Great soup. The pizza was good, the tomatoes were very pink- i know its winter, but use fresh ingredients- tailor your menu to do such, or just leave them off and add something else. the cheese was rich, and the oven was made for making pizzas- brick ovens are the best. I would probably not go here for dinner- but for drinks and appetizers- I highly recommend this joint. AE

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

WEEKEND PHOTOS




ENTRANCES, EXITS AND BIG BIRTHDAY!




Calling all wordsmiths! I need a word for better than perfection. All words will be considered on a word by word basis.

The weekend began a bit early as our dearest friend Cathy Loup arrived early Thursday morning from the Big Apple. Seeing our friend/kin aglow in an elegant green wrap, smiling ear to ear was just the best way to start the day!

We immediately started out hunting and gathering for the long trek home.....Dutton Hill Home! CL has the drill down, go to the little market across from Cave Hill, buy everything in sight, head on to The Wine Shop, taking John's advice on how to get the most remarkable spirits and wines( explaining bootlegging to CL was a complete hoot!!!!) This all came about when dearest CL said, as we sauntered from the Somerset Kroger store with buttermilk,..." should we pick up a few extra bottles of wine while we are out?" I spun a tale of going through the back roads to the bootleggers. Now CL will go for anything, so.....I had to reconsider that adventure~~~~~~But I digress...back to hunting and gathering. We stopped by Breadworks for the best sourdough bread( other than our home kitchens). We had lunch reservations at 221 Clover. This is a very civilized way to spend lunch. I thought it appropriate before we headed to uncharted territory. Our lunches were soooooooooo good, especially the desserts. CL's pot de creme( photo attached) was so rich we couldn't finish the serving. I kept poking at my apple tarte tatin...though I was stuffed to the gills, I couldn't resist the lure of caramel and apples.

We filled, yes fillled, the Conestoga Wagon with goodies and headed southeast to Dutton Hill. We made a detour through Shelbyville to meet AE~~~~He plied us with decadent chocolates, being girls on a bender, we ate them with great gusto...swearing we couldn't hold another bite.
We arrived on Dutton Hill just as the sun was dsappearing. We quickly headed out for the first of many walks across hallowed land. The sunset was so unbelievable...creeping in as the late afternoon quiet floats over the landscape. Dan had created an awesome dinner...spiced spareribs, root vegetables and bread pudding...I made a salad and we uncorked a very nice wine....we could only waddle to the sofa and let the day wind to an end.

Friday we had a great lunch of country ham hot browns and fruit....We all jumped in the Conestoga Wagon to see the fmaily cemetery and the civil war monument on Dutton Hill. WFS graciously drove and cared for Mom while the three of us explored our childhood playground. We skinnied down the steep cliff leading to Pete's Spring, our water and life source. Such memories. I always stand in complete awe when I think of my father and mother, with six kids, living in contented peace back in our tiny holler.
How lucky were we? Beyond words.

Our final event in Somerset was our mother's birthday party. We fried chicken, made biscuits, mashed potatoes and ate a scrumptious persimmon/black walnut birthday cake with gold leaf buttercream(photo above)~~ made by Dan. Donna and Bill Cox joined the birthday party . Donna made challah bread and carrot, cranberry salad. The Dutton's love to eat and cook and cook and eat. Our friends seem to narrow down to the foodies. I dare anyone NOT interested in food to stay one weekend in this food nirvana and NOT come away enthralled with what can happen in the wonderland of food. All the laughter, music and fun are a bonus.

WFS and I drove back late into the night....CL returned on Sunday after another food and fun evening with Dan,et al. We cherish time with CL. Truly our little sister. The report I have is: the Saturday night pozole was to die for.... as we were entertained by Miss Peggy P Saturday evening in Louisville, we had to miss the pozole and late night singing and dancing. Miss Peggy P had mussels and sopping bread. Ending the meal was a very interesting dessert. A lovely plate was delived with a thin biscotti, goat cheese, grapes and walnuts. A silver dish and ladle filled with honey followed .... a drizzle of honey over the goat cheese, then spread over the biscotti and chased with a grape made for a very, very nice finish to a great meal with five fantastic friends.
Can you say, overload?

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

The French Laundry







All of my adult life i have known of this restaurant tucked away in the gourmand outpost of Yountville, California and known it was celebrated as the best restaurant in the United States. It was warned by our concierge at the very posh club level at the Ritz in San Francisco to not inflate the image and expectations to the point I would be disappointed. I did not have to be warned. I am very objective about all restaurants, and I try, no matter if it is El Bulli or somewhere better, to go in thinking this still has to pass MY test. I did, however expect this restaurant to be near the forefront of my dining experiences.

We had been in Napa for awhile, so we stopped by the Napa Style store to change into our nines, and bumped into Michael Chiarello. Super nice guy, he hollered at us as we walked in, "Hey, You guys want some wine?" We had just been talking about how he probably would not be there. And then not only was he there (at a table for four with three other young food industry professionals) but he wanted to make us feel very welcome. We chatted for 10 minutes off and on, and his wine was the best I had had all day. We drove four blocks to the FL and parked ourselves, then walked through the blue door. Oh that blue door that Chef Keller poses by. Once inside we were immediately shown to our upstairs table, past many empty tables downstairs, a gesture that always makes me feel like a second rate diner. We were seated next to a couple that looked like they had flown in from Tokyo to dine- no I'm serious. After water we were delivered menus, we settled in with champagne, $26 a glass, and it was worth every sweet drop. We were delivered the always present salmon croquette atop a cone. They were divine. My first course was the oysters and pearls. Three small artisanal oysters and a generous portion of fresh beluga caviar from the Caspian Sea. This dish was a wonderful start. The third course was a butter poached lobster tail that was very good. it was served with globe artichokes and piquillo peppers. The 4th course was a fried madara (fish) and was superb. The 5th course was a rabbit loin, it was pretty good. Not nearly as good as the one Charlie Trotter delivered to my table in Chicago, though. My dad had the couer de veau for this course. that is a veal heart for non-francophiles. I do not do organ meat except foie gras, which leads back to course two. (keeping you on your toes, I know) the torchon of moulard duck was absolutely wonderful. It had some Michigan cherries and turnips, with a pine nut nougatine. I guess it was worth the $30 supplement. The only better pate i had eaten was at restaurant gary danko just to the south in fog city. The 6th course was the best. It was a steak from the snake river farm in Idaho that was a cross between Wagyu and western steer. It was only fed grain for the last year of its life instead of the last two years as they do down under. What this did is add the marbling , but not to the point where it took out all of that great domestic flavor that you lose in Kobe and Wagyu. The cross was very innovative and provided a taste nuance that I had never tasted. This dish was excellent x 2. The next course was cheese. It was called lancashire, from England. This is always one of my favorite courses. Kind of a mellowing out of the taste buds to get ready for sweeter dishes. the cheese was served atop a very hot portion of fiber, sorry that's as close as i can get. it was shaved tableside and enjoyed by all. Next a sorbet and finally desert- asian pear with three fried rice balls and a dollop of guanabana sorbet. Jennifer had a chocolate box that was filled with peanut butter filling. The parents had chocolate ribbons. All three were lackluster in my eyes. I'd seen it at Le Bernardin a year earlier. I expected to leave this set of entertainment as seriously spectacular, innovative and awe inspiring. i mean come on, any chef who is any chef has some ties to this place if not being personally reared by Chef Keller.





ok- with all of these dishes being described as excellent, what should I rate this establishment?well well- let me say that The Inn at Little Washington and Per Se beat the pants off this restaurant. The dishes were good, but uninspired (thanks Cathy). The servers were great, but two were easily stumpable. The decor was fresh, but had no personality. And my biggest hope was to meet Chef Keller. abashed- he was on a book tour for 5 weeks. was he though? a clerk at napa style said he saw him the day before- granted he looked somewhat suspect. But even the servers were kind of beat around the bush about this topic. "He's around" were the words used twice, as his dwelling is connected to the restaurant. I badly wanted to meet this man, as i have read so many good things about him and how nice and genuine he is, and how hands-on he is. well he was none of those to me, because he was not there. I am now 0/2 on tries to meet him. Is this restaurant five star, yes. I now need only five more to have eaten at all 17. I am missing the white barn inn, joel rubuchon in vegas, the dos brisas outside Houston, masa, and the dining room in buckhead (I did have breakfast in the restaurant). The FL got beat by the two I mentioned along with Le Bernardin, Alex, Charlie Trotters,and maybe Alinea. It did beat the woodlands (barely), the Georgian Room, the Dining room in san fran, le Bec Fin, and Jean Georges. I only used current five star holders on this list. This restaurant was very very good, but not the best of the best. I'm sure it will evolve back into stellar qualities, but when the chef is away... AE