Thursday, April 28, 2011

Interesting Meals

We have had several interesting meals in the last few days. Obviously, we are home, in Cincinnati, and have been here since April 11, our 57th Wedding Anniversary. I have spent most of my time, on the Blog, reporting on our travels but now it's time to get back to covering what we're doing in the "hood".
Working on the most recent to the longer ago here is where we have been "Eating Out".

Last night was a new and most interesting experience. We were guest at an event held at "the Art of Entertaining" 2019 Madison Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45208 (513)871-5170. This venue in the space previously occupied by Chateau Pomijie. Under current ownership it is both a wine store and a party venue, catering to groups and smaller private affairs, family dinners, birthdays etc.
There are several dining areas and a kitchen with enough space to seat up to twenty. In the whole place I would guess that they can easily handle groups up to 50 or 60, seated.
The owner plus several chefs, and helpers, provide the staffing, as well as the food preparation and service. Our chef, Jason( large ego, like a lot of chefs and others) believes in full flavoring, to which I heartily subscribe. Last nights menu was as follows:
Sweet Potato "Latkies" served warm and crisp with a dab of Creme fraiche and a pecan half. It was easy to discern the Cinnamon, Clove and Fennel. Along with this came a platter of small Polenta "pucks" covered with wine marinated mushrooms, excellent wine taste carried the combination, generously sliced and applied.
A steaming bowl of Curried Cauliflower Soap, hot and thick was ladled into individual mugs to which was then added parsley aoli came as the next course.
The two main entrees were seared and semi-crisp, chicken slices, both white and dark meat with home made tomato Salsa and Mojo Sauce and a medium sliced sirloin strip topped with sauteed, caramelized onions and served with a horseradish cream sauce.
To make sure we all left too full they cut overly generous slices, of their neighbors, "Bonbonerie" opera cream cake.
A wonderful evening of food and wine.

The night before, with two other couples, it was "Cumin Eclectic Cuisine" 3520 Erie Ave. Cincinnati 45208 513-871-8714. We lucked in to opening night for the new Spring menu, too many new item for us to try in one night. Coming from an extended cocktail hour, at home, we only sample a very few.
I started with a Spring Bean Salad, Haricot Vert mixed with curly crisp greens, shreds of Parmesan and sugar coated pecans all dressed with a light, slightly peppery, vinaigrette.
Next came one of my favorites, sweetbreads, crisp with coated large pistachio kernels, all, decorated lightly with a sweet citrus sauce.
Marilyn chose fried Artichoke hearts, first, and followed with a starter size Chicken pot pie, plenty for one.
I ordered for the table two orders of Nan and for dessert, we six, split another new item, Grapefruit Short Cake, house made English style Biscuits, lightly coated with Strawberry puree on which was placed Grapefruit sections which had been salted with sugar and run under a broiler, till they were golden. All this was topped with generous portions of home made whipped cream, Divine.

I think I'll stop now and watch part of the NFL Draft, the Bengal's are on the clock, not that it makes any difference till the Management changes, and return to this over the weekend.

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