A Catered Affair - Last Minute Dinner Party

Seared Cod with Pomegranate Salsa and Roasted Tomato Lentils

One of the biggest sacrifices that I've made since starting my new career is my free time and the realization that at a moment's notice, something can come up and I may have to drop everything to be there. As much as this can be a little annoying, it's also kind of exciting too. I love that fly-by-the-seat-of-your pants feeling and the adrenaline rush, not to mention that elevated sense of satisfaction that comes along with pulling something off on the fly - it's quite an incredible feeling. 

Gougeres

On Monday evening around 9 PM, I received a call from a woman who was hoping to get a last minute dinner party catered on Wednesday evening. She requested that it be a formal three course sit-down dinner. She also requested gougeres to snack on while their guest arrived. We also threw in an extra appetizer as well to help them get their evening started. The agreed upon menu for the evening was:

Gougeres

Spiced Fig and Port Jam Crostini with Prosciutto and Balsamic Reduction

Sweet Potato Bisque with Crisped  Pancetta and Fried Sage Leaves

Seared Cod with Clementine-Pomegranate Salsa and Roasted Tomato Lentils

Shaved Fennel Salad with Grapefruit Vinaigrette 

Mulled Wine Poached Pears with a Homemade Pistachio Cookie

Homemade Pistachio Cookies

Once the menu was finalized, the next day was a blur. In between grocery shopping and prepping for the evening, in addition to catering to our regular weekly clients, we didn't stop until the last dessert plate was cleared. Of all of the dinner parties that we've catered, I think I was most proud of this one. Usually, we have at least a couple week's time to pull off our events and countless hours to plan. This one was done totally on the fly and challenged our adaptability and efficiency and I consider the work we did to be a success. 

Mulled Wine Poached Pears with Homemade Pistachio Cookie

Yesterday, I was dead tired from it all and decided it was time to take a day off. Never had I had a more satisfying and well deserved day of relaxation.

The Story Of My First Oyster

“Ewww! it looks so gross!”  I practically squealed to my friend.  I poked it with a fork and the slimy little blob responded by swishing around a little in its shell.  There, sitting in front of me, delicately relaxing on a crisp white plate was my first raw oyster.  Eyeing the variety of sauces and dips that were presented to us on a bed of smashed ice, I packed as much as I could into the fragile white shell; a couple of shakes of Tabasco sauce, a healthy dollop of jalepeno cocktail sauce and a giant squirt of fresh lemon juice.  In a last ditch effort of protest, I moved away from the sea creature and looked at my friend quizzically, “People eat this?!” She responded with a smirk and a solemn nod.  “They do, all the time.”  I looked back at the plate and my little oyster was still there, waiting patiently for me to get up the courage to toss it back.    

Food’s funny like that and I think it’s a fair statement to say that everyone has a list of some foods that simply gross them out.  In the sake of being honest, seafood has always been one of those things that for whatever reason, make me a little squeamish and oysters were firmly at the top of that list.  I have avoided them for 29 years and to be honest, hadn’t given them too much thought.  I knew they came in a shell and that one is supposed to approach eating an oyster as one would approach taking a shot of liquor; just get it down as fast as you can and try not to think about it.  This eating method just baffles me.  I like to enjoy my food and savor the flavors as I chew.  I just couldn’t get this concept, nor could I understand the appeal.  How does one experience the flavor if one doesn’t chew?  But, that being said, what sort of a food nerd would I be if I didn’t at least give them a shot? 

So there I was in the middle of the Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons, celebrating National Oyster day with my friend Fiona to my left, a chilled fizzy glass of Rose champagne to my right and an oyster, buried in sauce and sitting in front of me.  I took a deep breath, summoned a little extra courage and tipped my head back as I raised the shell to my mouth.  The contents of the shell landed on my tongue with a dainty little thud and then cold little sea creature gracefully slid right down my throat.  I straightened myself up and paused to reflect on what just happened.  The taste of sweet and briny salt water lingered in my mouth.  My friend anxiously stared at me, waiting for a reaction.  A slight smile swept across my face and I heard myself say, “You know, that wasn’t all that bad.  I mean I probably wouldn’t go out of my way again to eat one again but I probably also wouldn’t so strongly decline it either”. 

And that was it.  I had had my first oyster.

Photo credits: Fiona Coxe

Quite The Delicious Jer-Ne

Last night was the type of night I love; four courses eaten oh so slowly over a three and a half hour time frame, diners being passed around so everyone can try, loud laughter, the exchange of hilarious stories and a visit from the Reverend Al Sharpton.

I think that sentence pretty much sums up my evening last night and you know what?  I think every night should be like that (a visit from the Reverend optional, of course.  He just happened to be sitting a couple tables over from us).  Just stop for a moment to think about what this country would be like if we regularly took the time out of our hectic lives to really enjoy a good meal and eat it at snail's pace.  I feel that we are all constantly on the go and almost programed to keep moving at lightening pace, we don't stop to truly savor a meal over an extended period of time.  And that is a shame.  It is so relaxing to fully savor a meal, thoughtfully chewing each bite and appreciating every ounce of it all.  

I had received an invitation for an evening at Jer-Ne, located at the Ritz Carlton, right in the center of town.  Jer-Ne is swanky.  It's sleek and chic but friendly and inviting, all at the same time.  With dark wood trim, comfortable seating, low lights and soft, yet upbeat music playing in the background, Jer-Ne is the perfect place to go if you'd like to feel like royalty for an evening.  From the moment you walk in, it is made quite clear that you are the guest and your job is to enjoy the evening and the friendly staff is there to ensure that happens.

The menu itself is an interesting one.  Playing off of several regions and influences (Italian, German, Brazilian, Moroccan, French, et...) it provides quite the variety.  At the very start of our meal, we were introduced to Luis, who would be taking care of us for the night and that he did.  He started by giving us a complete run down of the menu, describing in detail how each item tastes and pointing out his personal favorites.  He was very knowledgeable of the menu.  On his suggestion, we started with a course of ceviche and within a couple of minutes, we were presented with three little rectangular plates piled high with white fish, shrimp and octopus.  Surprisingly enough, I really enjoyed the octopus (it had a light coating of chili oil on it) and the white fish (so light with the fresh taste of citrus and a hint of coconut).  

After the first course, we all enjoyed a course of salads.  My friend Oona, her cousin Alan and I enjoyed the watermelon feta salad.  It was beautiful a presentation, a bed of bright watermelon topped by fresh arugula and dollops of salty feta and sweet fig jam.  Oona's husband, Andy, opted for the asparagus and shitake mushroom salad.  It was a beautiful little haystack of fresh vegetables.  He graciously offered me a taste.  It was a delicious little salad with an Asian flair.

After the salad course, the main meal arrived.  Oona and Alan enjoyed the rib eye steak that was paired with a baked potato.  The steak was so tender, both declined the offer for a steak knife and simply used a butter knife to easily slice through the meat.  Andy selected the roasted halibut that was a beautiful presentation of corn with a fresh piece of halibut resting on top.  The dish was finished with by streak of chimichurri.  I enjoyed one of their tasty little flatbreads, which was a thin crust topped by tender pulled chicken meat, apricots and a mint yogurt sauce.  The flavors were fantastic and I loved how well the sweetness of the apricots contrasted against the tangyness of the yogurt sauce.  It was very flavorful.  

Last, but certainly not least, we were presented with a sampling of their dessert menu.  Everything was dangerously good with just a little flare of something unique.  We enjoyed bites of German cheesecake, warm molten lava cake, panna cotta, banana cream pie, deep chocolate pudding, a lemon caramel parfait and  wedges of cherry kuchen.  While they all were fantastic in their own way, my favorite was the panna cotta.  It was cool and creamy, laced with vanilla beans and garnished with mandarin orange slices.  Yum, yum yum.  

    

At the conclusion of the meal, I was given an exclusive tour of kitchen and pastry room.  What surprised me most was how small the kitchen actually is.  (I guess I'm not the only one with a Small Boston Kitchen!)  The other thing that surprised me was that the kitchen staff actually took the time to stop what they were doing to smile and say hello.  And man, were they busy!  They were hustling back and forth preparing dishes for not only the restaurant, but for a wedding as well and they still made the effort to make me feel welcome.  

Thanks to the staff at the Jer-Ne and the Ritz Carlton.  Especially Luis, our server (be sure to ask for him when you go!).  He was awesome.  And very special thanks to Andy, Oona and Alan for such a wonderful, fun and fantastic evening!