Friday, August 24, 2001
Sam, Dianne, and Patrick have breakfast at The Port Café then see The Curse of the Green Scorpion at the Metreon. Patrick called Marcia and found out that she okayed our pick for a new range. Dinner at Hawthorne Lane with Sam, Dianne, John, and Patrick. Appetizers: miso glazed black cod with sesame spinach rolls and soy-lime vinaigrette ($13.50); Nancy's Istara cheese soufflé with prosciutto di Parma and fresh figs ($14.50); and seafood platter with mussels, clams, prawns, Dungeness crab, oysters, and three dipping sauces. Main courses: I had Chinese style roasted duck with steamed green onion buns, fresh lychees, and plum sauce ($26). Patrick had grilled spiced pork chop with marinated beets, baby squash, and fried stuffed squash blossoms ($27). Dianne had grilled tenderloin of beef (rare) with cranberry bean and chanterelle ragout with roasted garlic gnocchi ($32). John had sauteed Alaskan halibut with white bean puree, lemon aioli, and crispy fried brandade knishes ($27). Sam had roasted rack of lamb with zucchini risotto and stuffed heirloom tomatoes ($34). Desserts: mango, plum, and melon sorbets stacked between oval meringue slabs and mini cubes of pink-colored Jell-O ($8); warm chocolate truffle cake with candied almond ice cream ($9.50); blueberry crepes soufflé with Champagne gelée and blueberry compote ($9.50); selected artisanal cheeses and seasonal fruits ($12). (We had one other dessert but cannot remember what it was now.) Wine: Chateau Potensac, Medoc, 1996 ($65). Piano: Dave Austin.