Very Special Dinner

Andy and I went out for our belated anniversary dinner last night, to Mistral. It was outstanding in every way! Andy started with the Seared Foie Gras with Confit of Duck in Brioche with Tart Wisconsin Cherries and then had the Skillet Roasted Prime Sirloin au Poivre with Root Vegetable Hash and Cognac–Green Peppercorn Sauce. I started with the French-Style Onion Soup in Gruyère Pastry Crust (the crust was an impressive balloon-shaped tent that deflated as soon as I stabbed it, then fell into the soup—YUM!) and then had the Half Roasted Duck with Wild Mushroom Risotto and Dried Cranberry Gastrique. With it all, we had an excellent Ribera del Duero wine, the 2001 Hacienda Monasterio. The portions were huge; I couldn't even finish my entree, which is unheard-of! (But I'm looking forward to putting it in a wrap for lunch today.) Even more unheard-of: Andy and I had to split a dessert because we were so full! We easily settled on the Warm Chocolate Torte with Sauce Anglaise. It was a perfect combination of excellent food and service and a delightful room—well worth the wait for our anniversary celebration!

Comments

[nina]

Oh, yum! And you know I love the Ribera del Duero. Happy belated anniversary!

[Tonya]

Happy anniversary, and what a truly AWESOME meal you two had! Wow!

[Elisson]

Mozzil Tove on your anniversary!

"Half Roasted Duck with Wild Mushroom Risotto and Dried Cranberry Gastrique" sounds wonderful - as you know, I am a duck lover myself and a big fan of your very own Ultimate Roast Duck.

So: this duck is half roasted, eh? Is it half boiled, too? Heh.

[Karen]

Funny you mention that. On the menu it actually says "Half 'Whole' Roasted Duck." The waiter said that means that they roast the whole duck and then halve it. Seems kind of obvious and unnecessary to call it that, though, eh?

[Roxanne]

Yummy. And happy belated.