A Birthday Celebration Dinner
It was the beginning of a brisk fall evening. A 19th century mansion
in San Francisco. Dark wood walls and a gray stone fireplace.
A 75th birthday celebration. And it needed to be elegant, warm, intimate
and leisurely. With fire ablaze, candles in abundance. Each of his
favorites, each in their turn, each paired with the perfect wine:
Each taste a celebration of his life.
* * *
Passed Appetizers
WILD MUSHROOM PUFF PASTRY
sauteed wild mushrooms, shallot,
Macintosh apple and cognac
in a puff pastry shell
FRESH JUMBO SEA SCALLOPS
wrapped with Italian pancetta
and pan seared at the site
HOUSE FOCACCIA CROSTINI
WITH VARIOUS TOPPINGS:
fresh vine ripened tomatoes and
basil colorful roasted peppers finished
in a caramelized red wine sauce
house caponata with fresh oregano flowers
Sonoma Farms Chevre with cracked
peppercorns and sun dried tomatoes
SASHIMI GRADE AHI TUNA TARTARE
with sesame oil and scallions
served on a crisp nori chip
* * *
First Course
Offered with warm artisan breads with citrus butter
TOSSED SONOMA ORGANIC BABY FIELD GREENS
with seared Magret farms duck breast,
gingered fall apples, warm Laura Chenel
goat cheese, sweet caramelized
walnuts and a thyme infused, aged
red wine-walnut oil vinaigrette
* * *
Second Course
FRESH DUNGENESS CRABCAKES
on peppery frisee with a bright citrus-avocado salsa
* * *
Main Course
PREMIUM SONOMA FARMS RACK OF LAMB
marinated with lemon, fresh rosemary, garlic,
olive oil and cracked peppercorns, grilled at the
site, served on a bed of Tuscan white beans
with colorful red and yellow peppers, grilled baby
artichokes and Mediterranean citrus fennel coulis
Plate garnished with confetti lemon zest and rosemary
* * *
DARK ROAST COFFEE
SERVICE OF SPECIALTY CAKE