Good Morning!

We just returned from our family vacation and I am still worn out, but I have so many stories and great experiences to share I have to start with a very special wine and dining evening, I will not forget anytime soon.

I am a HUGE fan of Food Network and I have fallen in love with many of the Chef’s and you all remember when I met Anne Burrell and lost my mind for a few days, I got a signed copy of her cookbook, Cook Like a Rockstar. Well, one of my fav shows in Chopped and Next Iron Chef, one of the chef’s I have enjoyed watching is Chef Geoffrey Zacarian and he won the Next Iron Chef and I love how he describes the food and ingredients on Chopped and I found out his restaurant in NYC called The Lamb’s Club and made a reservation.

When I called in they ask me if we were celebrating anything and I said it is actually our anniversary and they said, great, can’t wait to see you. The day we arrived in NYC we had tickets to the Yankees game and while we were in the Bronx a freaky summer storm hit and the subway was flooded and we could not get back to the hotel in time and I called The Lamb’s Club and said we might not make it and they were very happy I called them, because they had been reaching out all patrons because the power was out and their was no A/C.

They ask if we could come in another time and we decided to come the next night. When we arrived, we were greeted like royalty and we were wished a Happy Anniversary and after we were seated the manager brought us a couple glasses of Champagne to start our evening off with. Then we started looking at the wine list and menu for dinner. We could not find a bottle of wine from the year we met so we order a bottle from 1991, when my step-son was born. It was a 1991 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, the Sommelier brought us a decanter and the wine was like silk, smokey, lively, dark berries, baked fruit and besides the silky texture it had a finish for days. (this is what fine wine is supposed to taste like to me).

The Chef sent out a little starter in a shot glass, Foie gras mousse on an apple chutney and it was topped with truffles. It was amazing and throughout the night one culinary delight after the other was put in front of us and we savored every single bite. When the Dover Sole was put in front of me, it was heaven, sheer heaven. The desserts were placed in front of us and then a plate the said Happy Anniversary and we finished every single absolutely delicious bite. As we ordered a last drink for a nightcap I was tapped on the should and the manager said the Chef would like to wish you a Happy Anniversary and there stood Geoffrey Zacarian. I was so taken aback and so excited to meet him. I never dreamed he actually did the cooking himself, I assumed he was the figure head owner but he was standing right in front of me and we shook hands and I had my picture taken with him (you can see how happy I was on my profile pic on Facebook).

It was an amazing night, the wine was superb, the company was perfect, the service was spot-on and I am still raving about the foie gras, Dover Sole, Steamed Chocolate cake…

We had several meals and wines worth writing about and I will blog about the food and wine from other nights the rest of the week, so stay tuned for my awesome experience on the east coast.

Much LOVE and wine,

Tammi