Chef's Blog

DAMN I wish I had taken pictures, but Ryder and I didn’t allow ourselves a lot of extra time or bring a commis with us when we cooked at Fisher Vineyards’ Napa property for their Cellar Selection dinner last Sunday night.  Ryder snapped a few of the canapes, I’ll post them if they came out looking good.

The setting was ur-wine country–an old plank barn on the valley floor, doors thrown open to view the vineyards as the sun set over the Mayacamas range, a string and flute trio barely covering the droning of the short-track racecars over at the fairgrounds in Calistoga.  We were a good country mile away, they’re just that loud.  Everyone sat at a king’s table right in the barn, on the gravel floor.  By the NY strip course, we were cooking in the dark . . . Most of the menu is Ryder’s inspiration:

CELLAR SELECTION DINNER

September 4, 2011

BARBECUED KUSSHI OYSTERS With Sweet Corn and Fresno Chile Butter

FORNI-BROWN GARDENS PADRON PEPPERS Ambrosia Melon and Prosciutto San Daniele

GOLDEN TOMATO GASPATXO with Garlic Blossoms and Gremolata

Schramsberg, Blanc de Blanc, Sparkling

GRAVLAX OF SACRAMENTO DELTA KING SALMON

Horseradish, Rye, Pink Pearls Apples, Armenian Cucumber, Dill

1999 Whitney’s Vineyard, Chardonnay, Sonoma County

2009 Whitney’s Vineyard, Chardonnay, Sonoma County

SEARED PORK BELLY

Poached Farm Egg, Black-eyed Peas, Tomato Jam, Marjoram

2005 Wedding Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

GRILLED NEW YORK STRIP OF PAINTED HILLS FARM BEEF

Salt-baked Onion, Parisienne Gnocchi, Broccoli Rabe, Sauce Bordelaise

2008 Coach Insignia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

2007 Lamb Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

PLEASANT RIDGE RESERVE COW’S MILK CHEESE

Black Mission Fig, Pepperonata, Pain de Campagne, Sunflower Seed

1998 Coach Insignia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

1994 Lamb Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

DARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

1977 Fonseca