We had a small dinner at the L's just as we started our "work-ation" a little over 2 weeks ago - it seems like many moons ago since we're already back to "real" work. But simple dinners like this recharges the batteries and makes life worthwhile. We first started with some bubbly, a bottle of 2002 Drappier "Grande Sendree" Rose Champagne...
along with salumi...
and pate...
And I attempted a recipe I first saw on FB, the Sunshine Spinach Pie
Along with my red wine braised Escargot with Mixed Local Mushrooms... something I "borrowed" from Roy...
Of course one bottle of bubbly doesn't go that far especially when it's the first bottle popped so we also uncorked a NV Billecart-Salmon Extra Brut
Then the cold salad of Shaved Asparagus with Mint
And you need vino so the reds were then uncorked including the host's 2010 Altagracia
As well as a 2009 Kosta Browne Kanzler Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
a 2003 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon
and a 2011 Guigal Crozes-Hermitage decanted 2 days earlier
For the mains including Shoyu Pork Belly
Shiitake Risotto
Red Wine Braised Kuahiwi Ranch Short Rib
and Roasted Root Vegetables
After a slight lull, we sampled a simple dessert including Cheese and honey-combed honey
And a Mocha Refrigerator Cake (which I forgot to photograph... too much vino perhaps) and I uncorked the liquid dessert, a 1989 Chateau Suduiraut Sauternes... liquid gold...
with assorted mignardises
Finally ending (and starting) as we usually do with some bubbly, in this case a NV Charles de Cazanove Brut
What followed the next week (during our work-ation) was sweat and toil but starting with a dinner like this with good food and wines and great friends make any task that much more bearable...
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