40 and FABULOUS!

Maine Rabbit Sous Vide

One can only wish this line referred to us, but it actually belongs to our niece Kelli who is turning 40 on Friday.  It's amazing that we now have children in their 40's since we are only in our 20's... We are proud and honored to be sharing in this stepping stone of life with our amazing Kelli.  She is beautiful, charming, and extremely knowledgeable on may subjects, but especially so when it comes to anything food or wine related.  While there are many qualities I love, I think this is why I love her so much!

We have had an opportunity to dine together many times and have had more than a few outstanding meals.  We have even managed to enjoy a bottle or two of fabulous wine along the way!

We now have the pleasure of helping guide her into her 40's.  She wanted to plan a dinner in NYC for the family, but I convinced her to head back to hometown, Boston.  Kelli found a french restaurant that sounded good online and booked.  She also decided to have a pre-birthday dinner last Saturday night to try out the food and wine in anticipation of the larger celebration.  Lucky for me, I was asked to join Kelli and her mother Kathy for a welcomed girl's night.

We headed to Troquet and were seated upstairs at the best table in the house by owner, Chris Campbell.  The view of Boston Common was a great addition to our night.  Kelli also asked about a wine cellar sale and we proceeded downstairs and picked up both a white and red to try with dinner.  Chris said they do this during the summer as a thank you to their customers and he helped us make the decision.  I don't know how many people actually know about this, but we had two very nice bottles at a very low price.  They were also named on Wine Enthusiast, America's 100 Best Wine Restaurants of 2011 list.  I guess it pays that Kelli always does her homework when making reservations!  Both Chris and our server Shannon were attentive to all our questions and requests throughout the evening.

While Kathy was somewhat apprehensive looking at the menu, we wanted everything.  So we decided to order more than we needed in order to taste our way through Troquet.  We began with four appetizers.

Ricotta Cavatelli

Yellowfin Tuna Tartare

Duo of Hudson Valley Foie Gras

Ward's Farm Corn Soup

These appetizers were outstanding!  The cavatelli had wild mushrooms, parmesan and black truffle.  The tuna sat in tarot crisps and had cucumber and green apple wasbi granite.  They sat atop edible meringue clouds.  Next was an incredible foie gras with rhubarb, apple confit and elderflower gastrique and ended with a delicious corn soup topped with a pekeytoe crab souffle.

We moved onto our entree and while Kathy chose the safe scallops, Kelli ordered the duck with wild rice, book choy, baby beets and a sweet and sour rhubarb sauce.  My rabbit had a polenta agnolotti, roasted asparagus, speck ham and chantrelles.  Our wines were a 2006 Bourgogne Patrick Javillier Cuvee des Forgets and the a 2005 Chateau Saint Paul Bourgeois Haut Medoc.  Oh, and we also had a taste of a 2005 Bel Air Sauteurne that went with the foie gras as well as dessert.  Yes, there was dessert.

Seared Dayboat Sea Scallops

Roasted Jurgielewicz Duck

Maine Rabbit Sous Vide

Can you believe how beautiful these dishes were?  While we sat there with smiles on our face, we knew there would be dessert to try.  I actually thought the cheese plate would be enough, but Kelli being Kelli, said we needed to try more.  All choices were outstanding and we managed to eat most of it.  My cheese tray did come home with me as a snack the next day.

Cheese Cart

Cheese Tray

Toasted Almond Semifreddo

Blueberry Tart

This turned out to be another fine dining experience with my Kelli and one I will always remember. We ate, drank and laughed all evening.  This memorable night is a keeper and I cannot wait to experience it again.

Have a great week everyone and pay special attention to your family.  You are who you are because of them!  Happy Birthday Kelli and welcome to your 40's!

Fino a quel momento

LID