There were 18 of us gathered at Central Market at 6 PM. We sat down to a four-course meal prepared for us by Tony Najiola, chef & owner. The menu varied slightly from what I posted earlier... First came Slow Cooked King Salmon with Italian Butter Beans and a pinot-marrow jus, paired with both the 2004 and 2006 Clary Ranch Pinot Noirs. The 2004 is my big "cocktail" Pinot, with a full body that would satisfy a Cab lover. The 2006 came out in more of a classic Burgundian style, lighter and more delicate. The salmon was done perfectly tender with a spice rub - Delicious!
Next came Pan Roasted Liberty Duck Breast with a fennel-potato gratin and green peppercorns. This was, without a doubt, the best duck I have ever had! It was paired with the 2004 and 2006 Clary Ranch Syrahs. I've always loved my Syrahs with a steak or with lamb. This pairing was a winning surprise. The duck was done medium rare and was reminiscent of a marinated slow cooked pork tenderloin. Yowza!The third course was a palate-cleansing savory seeded gougere (a cheese puff) over a bed of local greens... which was followed by the piece de resistance:
a Warm Gravenstein Apple Galette with Prune Ice Cream paired with Vin de Noix. There were flavors exploding in my mouth; flavors that seemed to come out of nowhere - the product of whatever chemistry resulted from the unique combination of the Galette and the Vin de Noix. I had to go back and taste the individual components to see where the flavors were coming from, and THEY WEREN'T THERE! It was only in combination that the most complex flavors were revealed. WOW!
After dinner, we walked along the river over to Graffiti for a cocktail and more lively conversation. Graffiti was the first restaurant to carry my wine, and will always hold a special place in my heart. The setting is beautiful, overlooking the Petaluma River turning basin. All in all, it was a wonderful evening with good fellowship, great food, and some wonderful wines (if I do say so myself).
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