Since S and P were visiting from the Golden State, the Ks and Ts just HAD to break bread with them once again since it's been over a year since our last dinner together. We selected Hiroshi since Sunday was the only day the six of us could get together (we would have loved to have had them sample The Pig and the Lady - no offense Chuck - but The P and L is closed on Sundays and Mondays). And it's not like choosing Hiroshi is scrapin' the bottom of the barrel. We started with bubbly which originally looked like a poor man's Ace of Spades but turned out to be a 2005 Amour de Deutz Milliseme - rounded palate of citrus butter, cherry and mineral with a seamless palate flow. Me likes!
Since we don't see S and P very often, I took a chance and uncorked a 1999 Laboure-Roi Echezeaux. After Chuck gave it several rounds of "glug, glug" decanting, the funk blew off and the dried cherry and herbs came to the forefront (though it was still several years from peaking).
We sampled the special Ama Ebi with raw tails and deep fried heads
The Duo of Contemporary Sushi with miso glazed salmon and cold smoked hamachi (the Mrs always orders this dish even when we're on the Vino side).
The Portuguese Sausage Potstickers with kim chi foam
And the Adobo Pork Belly from Chef Axelrod
Since P was present, E uncorked a Grgich Hills Sauvignon Blanc while I uncorked a "baby" Marguax, a 1987 Pavillon Rouge or Chateau Margaux's 2nd label. Loads of green tobacco and herbs with a nice palate flow.
We then moved on to our entrees which included the Steamed Onaga with bok choy
The Panko Crusted Mekajiki - the fresh shiitake and butter sauce were KILLER!
The Pan Roasted Opah
And the Red Wine Steamed Veal Cheeks
I was pretty stuffed at this point but the table ordered desserts including the Chocolate "Ooze" Cake.. rich chocolate molten center...
The Banana Cake
And the Haupia Lemongrass Creme Brulee
While I simply had my usual digestif, a Negroni on the rocks
Of course, a lesson I've learned from the Ks, the meal isn't complete until the last Champagne is uncorked - you ALWAYS start AND end with Champagne! In this case, a bottle of "Parking Lot" Krug!
We initially met S and P through my Bay Area Brother's Food and Wine get togethers but they quickly also became our friends and now, the Ks friends likewise. And though we don't see them as often as we'd like to (somehow due to the 2500 mile separation... c'mon Mr Tesla, Mr Musk, get that rapid people mover goin"), it's ALWAYS a blast we sit down to break bread and uncork wine. Hopefully our next encounter doesn't wait another year and in the words of William S. Gilbert: " It isn't so much what's on the table that matters, as what's on the chairs."
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