The first thing one must do when they are trying to move on is to forget the past...Well unfortunately for me the last good food and wine experience I had came on one of the last nights spent with Megan. So I will digress a bit into the past, only because the meal we had was extraordinary. I will remember that night as one of the most memorable date nights Meg and I had of late, good food, good wine, good conversation, and well you know what comes after all that...
But moving swiftly beyond that and into the meat of this blog (no pun intended)...
We arrived at Willi's Wine Bar in Northern Santa Rosa around 7:30 finding the place packed full, but we didn't mind and enjoyed sitting at the bar. We brought with us a bottle of 2004 J Robert Thomas Pinot Noir, a single vineyard designate from the winery, and very typical RRV Pinot but with a twist; it was dark and rich with black cherry and hints of vanilla and an intriguing smokiness almost to the extent of it being some sort of smoked meat. It went down "smooth" and was delish!
The dinner was filled with an array of indulgences; we started with an arugula & endive salad, avocado, Manchego cheese, and finished with a Meyer Lemon - truffle vinaigrette. First of all, who doesn't love arugula? Spicy, nutty green of my dreams; good to eat by itself, in salad or on sandwiches. All the flavors complimented each other perfectly, you got the spicy/nutty arugula, the cleverly bitter endive mixed with buttery avocado, tangy, nutty Manchego and then earthy, tart and tangy sweet meyer lemon and truffle vinaigrette. This salad was probably one of the best salads I’ve ever ordered in a restaurant before. While we were enjoying our greens or next dish arrived, Ahi Tuna Tartare. Normally Megan wouldn't be big on raw fish, but I convinced her that it would be good. Stacked in a cylinder with pea shoots, green onions and avocado, along side home made chips to scoop with, the tuna was delectable, marinated with soy and sesame oils; a great mid course. Our server/bartender Joe actually suggested us starting with these two courses and finishing with our final two, because I had originally ordered them in a different order. I didn't realize the significance until he brought us the next two plates together; truffled french fries with parmesan, parsley & black truffle aioli and pan roasted halibut cheeks with garlic, tomatoes and olives. It was like a kicked up, glorified version of fish and chips. I had to convince Megan on the cheeks too, but once again, I knew she'd love it if she only got to try because halibut cheeks are sooooooo gooooood. The fries are incredible, fries and truffle oil were meant to go together, plain and simple. The fish cheeks, a very simple preparation, served in a small cast iron skillet, the cheeks were cooked with garlic, olive oil, tomatoes, olives and parsley I believe, simply prepared, big flavors, simply delicious, a perfect compliment of salty, garlicky, rich fish with juicy cherry tomatoes.
Unfortunately there was no room for desert, but we left thoroughly satisfied.
I apologize if this isn't the most exciting, intriguing blog ever, but it was a month ago when I ate there, being that, and recent occurrences have rendered me blogless for a few weeks, its hard to remember all the details, but I knew I just needed to get something down to get me back into a blogging state of mind.
But stay tuned I have some very cool winery visits planned that are sure to dazzle!
