DINNER: Tuesday, July 15, 2003
Tonight, I took part in the monthly WINE DINNER celebrating the wines of California’s Sonoma Valley at the Iron Horse Inn in Glendale. I attended with my friends Doug & Meg (both chefs), and we sat at a communal table with Annie (the pastry chef at Iron Horse) and her friend Phil.
Since Chef Jackson knew us, he sent a special amuse bouche to our table — a bruschetta with beautiful roasted figs, prosciutto, and gorgonzola with a balsamic reduction.
Everything on the menu was good, but I particularly enjoyed the Lamb, the composed Salmon salad, and the Ranier cherries.
The menu & pairings were as follows:
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Pork Satay with Chinese Five-Spice, Annie’s Green Papaya Salad, Sweet-Celery Vinaigrette
2000 Chateau St. Jean “La Petite Etoile,” Fume BlancÂ
Second Course
Spicy Blue Corn Soft Shell Crab, Creamy Tomato-Fennel Slaw
2001 Bearboat Chardonnay
Third Course
Fresh Thyme and Oxford Honey, Marinated Lamb Chop, Grilled Balsamic Strawberry,
Garni of Arugula
2001 La Crema Pinot Noir
Fourth Course
“Composed Salad” Smoked Salmon, Wilted Pea Tendril with Hot Bacon Vinaigrette, Fresh Blackberry, Pinenuts, Goat Cheese
2000 Chateau Souverain Zinfandel
Fifth Course
Piper Sonoma Soaked Ranier Cherries with Crispy Pistachio-Creme Filled Cannoli
Piper Sonoma, Blanc de Noir