Happy New Year!

We did more than we usually do, and it was a heck of a lot of fun. I'm not one for crowds and the whole New Year's Eve thing - been there, done that, I'll leave it to the youngsters now. But we did want to have a nice dinner, and spend some time with friends, so out we went.

First, we got gussied up and went to dinner at Charleston. Now, I'm not Spamwise, but I do want to give you a run down of what I had and what it was like.

I had 'The Season' tasting menu, with wine pairings. $150. (Mrs. Stagg had 'The Sea'.)

Amuse Bouche

Green Lentil Soup with Gamebird Stock

Champagne, Pommery "Brut Royal" NV

It's like a spoonful of soup and 3 ounces of bubbly. What I found interesting is they were fantastic together.

First Course

Phesant and Rabbit Terrine with Torchon of Foie Gras, Roasted Walnuts

Vouvray Moellus "Le Mont" Gaston Huet 1997

My first Foie Gras. WOW. The wine with the food was like an explosion of flavor (all good).

Second Course

Grilled Hearts of Romaine with a Reggiano Tuile and Sweet Garlic

Trebbiano d'Abruzzo, Marram "Anima" 2004

Again, the wine and the salad were just perfect

Third Course

Pan Roasted Duck Breast with Root Vegatables, 50 year old Balsamico

Rioja, Valsacro 2001

Duck medium rare, again, the wine was perfect. Interestingly, neither the wine or the duck blew me away on their own, but together, fantastic.

Fourth Course

Frilled Lamb Rack Chop with Prot Wine Reduction, Pommes Puree, Black Truffle

Zinfandel, Surh Luchtel 2004

Again, outstanding. I loved both the lamb and the wine on their own.

Dessert

Chocolate Trio: Chololate Baked Alaska, Bloor Orange Tart, Chololate-Caramel Creme Brulee

Banyuls M Chapoutier 2004

Decadent.

I'm usually not particularly expirimental with my food - I'm a Ceasar Salad, Rare Tuna, Steak eating kinda guy. I rarely eat duck, and had never eaten rabbit or Foie Gras. Cindy Wolfe makes being a little experimental with food fun and nearly risk free, helping folks like me open up to new things.

9.5 out of 10.

Afterwards we came home, walked the dog, and went to K's house for a little more food and drink with friends. Then to Gecko's, where I ran into two old friends, folks I hadn't seen in years. We planned to either go back to K's or back home to see the fireworks at midnight, but stayed - we were just having to much fun with everyone else. The bar wasn't too crowded, yet lively enough to make it a heck of a lot of fun.

Off to my parents' today for some of mom's cookin' and football.