Matt and I really made our rounds tonight in Old City. Tuesday was his birthday so we spent today down town going to various drinking/eating establishments and to the movies. Luckily, our parents basically funded this outing (thanks parents!) through birthday gifts (cash) and since Matt and I never really want material things, we bought movie tickets and food! It was a great day and now at 12:45 I am too excited to sleep.
We got down town and dropped our wine off at Bistro 7 where we had dinner reservations later in the evening. Bottle Shock was playing at the Ritz East but we had some time to kill so we got refreshing beverages first.
The move was amazing. Based on a true story and scarily inspiring (especially because Matt’s grape vine is doing really well in our back yard). Everyone, please call Matt “Farmer Matt” whenever you see him from now on.
After the movie we stopped at Beneluxx because we had some time before our dinner reservation. Beneluxx is housed in the old SoMa dance club building (sad that SoMa is gone, but Beneluxx is more my speed now), the establishment provides a variety of tasting items, specializing in wine. cheese, beers, and chocolate. Since we were eating dinner soon, we just sampled a couple of wines and cheeses. They bring your samplers in cute little scientist beakers and provided self-cleaning glass mechanisms at the table.
I don’t even know if I can comment on the food right now because every single dish was perfect. I’ll just post what we ordered, and photos (usually bad ones, since I hate using the flash inside of restaurants).
Green Vegetable Gazpacho with Lemon Cured Salmon, Crème Fraîche and Pickled Vegetables
Wild Burgundy Escargot stewed in Fennel Pernod Cream with Tiny Sourdough Croutons (Matt tried escargot for the first time. I declined.)
Olive-Oil Poached Rabbit Rillette with Avocado and Pickled Baby Carrots
Herb Roasted Striped Bass Filet over Saffron-Scented Mussels Stew with baby arugula, Israeli couscous, yellow pear tomatoes and basil aioli
Crispy, Slow-Roasted Pork Belly Glazed with Honey, Lavender and Peach Gastrique with roasted peaches, French green lentil pilaf and mâche greens
Vanilla Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Lemon Jelly and Summer Berry Terrine
We caught the last train back home feeling very satisfied and happy.
What a yummy-looking meal! I avoid flash in restaurants, too.
Erin-I’m so glad that you and Matt had such a nice evening to celebrate his birthday-the movie sounds very interesting-especially for Matt-and what a cool way they do the wine tasting! I’ve never had ANY of the dishes you photographed-I hope they were delicious-hey, how come you chickened out on the escargots?! Only kidding! I would have too! Love,Linda-Mom
So glad you had a nice time. Sounds like a great day. I could use one of those self cleaning glass gizmos.
I think the self-cleaning glass is a must in any winery/tasting room. Hey–about that–let’s do some Bucks County winery tours this fall!