Food, Wine & Friends Page 71
Our celebration to end 2004 and embark on 2005 began with much planning and
preparation.
And so on December 31st we gathered at the Obesters' By The Sea along the
western edge of California overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
The table was set, a menu at each seat.
And the festivities began!
We had three platters of freshly shucked oysters...
Belon in the foreground, Miyagi in the back and Westcotts (not pictured).
Alexia likes to sing for her supper and she did a nice rendition of "Nobody
Knows the Truffle I've Seen."
Sandy Obester, meanwhile, was preparing some cocktail-sized crab cakes.
Henry Moore took care of opening the first bottle of Champagne.
Alexia brought a Comte Audoin de Dampierre Champagne from the 1990 vintage...a
crisp, moderately toasty bubbly which was very good.
Alexia attacked the oyster platters with enthusiasm as Bob contemplated the
upcoming dishes.
Jesper and Amy FitzJensen were simply thrilled to be out of the house (for a few
moments).
The second bottle of bubbly was the 1990 Deutz "Cuve William Deutz."
Alexia, in the interest of quality control, has the first taste.
Meanwhile, the oysters have been devoured and it's time to move ahead. Bob
prepared the toast for the Foie Gras...
Grade A Sonoma Foie Gras...
Bob deftly sauted the Foie Gras.
Don't forget the sauce!
The 1997 Chteau d'Yquem was magnificent and decadently rich. Foie Gras
and Sauternes is a dynamite combination.
Everyone "chowed down" with enthusiasm (and Sauternes).
Meanwhile, truffle lurked in the kitchen.
Porcini and Truffle Pasta from Piemonte in Italy awaits the pot to boil.
Bob then whacked up a truffle for the pasta sauce.
Sandy Obester then helped Bob plate the pasta.
Once served, all, including the chef, sat down to inhale the intoxicating aromas
of the truffle.
We paired this with Antinori's 2001 "Cervaro della Sala," an Umbrian
white blend of Chardonnay and Grechetto along with Isole e Olena's 2002
Chardonnay from Tuscany. The Antinori was more creamy, while the Isole e
Olena showed more toasty and smoky notes.
Meanwhile, the pasta was inhaled.
Henry Moore, pasta aficionado.
Next, Sandy brought out a lemon granita which they topped with pomegranate
seeds.
Paul then started his main course of Rabbit wrapped with Apple-wood Smoked
Bacon.
And someone opened the two bottles of Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernets.
The 1975 cork came out easily...the 1976 was more challenging.
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