ISO Birthday dinner idea at a restaurant

[Banana Brain]

Hey, sorry I sort of dissapeared for a while. I'd like to say I've been busy but that would be a lie (except for a few days ago when I had an old pal visit for three days). But mostly, no excuse! Anyways, I'm going to this resturaunt tomorrow with my gal pals for my birthday. Can someone help me decide what to order? Since you know, its my birthday and I only go to a pricy resturaunt a few times a year. What would you get? Thanks.

EDIT: I felt really really sick, so we didn't go. Going on Saturday instead, will post back then!

 

[pdswife]

Happy Birthday to you!

I just took a look at the menu and
I've decided...I'll be no help at all! I want everything!!

Creme Brulee for dessert for sure though!
And the lamb sounds good for dinner ( except it's not a weekend)

 

[The Z]

Happy Birthday for tomorrow, "Brian" (heh heh )

So many things look so good and we all have different tastes... and what sounds good to me today might not tomorrow. When I go to a gourmet establishment I usually go for a 'base' of something I like but rarely eat in my regular routine (like lamb) and see what they've done to it.

 

[ChefJune]

I havenn't been there in a long while, but the food was superb when I was... Id be having the sweetbreads or the rabbit... side of braised greens or hand-cut fries...

You'll be in heaven whaever you choose. besides, how can you possibly know what you will want to eat tomorrow?

Play it by ear, and have a wonderful birthday, and a great dinner!

 

[Chef_Jen]

OK heres what id order if iw as with a group..

to start

Mizuna Salad with Smoked Feta, Prosciutto, Grilled Peaches & Balsamic Vinaigrette



SIDES:
Sweet Beets with Roasted Hazelnuts & Honey Mustard Glaze
Braised Greens with Garlic, Lemon & Olive Oil


MAINS
Rabbit
or
TUNA!!


now since im a dessert chef ill tell you my take on desserts!

I like the sound of the Peach Polenta Cake with Stewed Blueberries, Crème Fraiche & Maple Glazed Almonds

HOWEVER... Whenever a restaurant is brave enough to put on a Souffle i order it!!Warm Chocolate Soufflé Cake with Toasted Hazelnuts & Honey Vanilla Ice Cream ((im a lil disappointed that its served with this icecream and that there is 2 chocolate desserts on the menu)) but still go souffle

 

[Banana Brain]

Thanks for the recplies guys. I think I would have the lamb, but tomorrow is Tuesday, not Saturday. And June, I don't think I could ever eat a bunny. Well maybe I could, but I never tried it so I don't think I'll risk it.
I'm sort of suprized that they have both "sweetbread" and "vegetable bread pudding" on the list for entrees. But I guess you have to feed the vegetarians, and they could be good.
Hey ChefJune, when were you at Paley's? Is there a different one outside of Portland or did you go to the one there? Are you an Oregonian?

 

[Banana Brain]

OK heres what id order if iw as with a group..

to start

Mizuna Salad with Smoked Feta, Prosciutto, Grilled Peaches & Balsamic Vinaigrette



SIDES:
Sweet Beets with Roasted Hazelnuts & Honey Mustard Glaze
Braised Greens with Garlic, Lemon & Olive Oil


MAINS
Rabbit
or
TUNA!!


now since im a dessert chef ill tell you my take on desserts!

I like the sound of the Peach Polenta Cake with Stewed Blueberries, Crème Fraiche & Maple Glazed Almonds

HOWEVER... Whenever a restaurant is brave enough to put on a Souffle i order it!!Warm Chocolate Soufflé Cake with Toasted Hazelnuts & Honey Vanilla Ice Cream ((im a lil disappointed that its served with this icecream and that there is 2 chocolate desserts on the menu)) but still go souffle

Thank you for the suggestions! Besides the desserts you suggested (3 of the four best looking) I was thinking the goat cheesecake. But I'm afraid that might be sort of weird tasting. Anyone had goat cheesecake? Is it good/better than cream cheesecake?

 

[QSis]

Okay, here are my choices, Banana (Happy Birthday, and here's to you and your generous girlfriends!)

I would order things that I would love, but wouldn't make myself, and can't get most other places.

- Kobe beef tartar for an appetizer. I've never had Kobe.

- salad with romaine, onion, bacon, buttermilk and bleu cheese dressing (OMG!) to be brought WITH my entree.

- Dungeness Crab with corn and chanterelle risotto

- chocolate souffle

WOW!

Have a blast!

Lee

 

[licia]

Everything looks so good BUT, if you have the crushed potatoes, tell me what it is like - I've never heard of it.

 

[amber]

These would be my choices....

The romaine salad
Diver scallops
crushed new potatoes
Halibut
Creme brulee

Have a great time tomorrow and happy early birthday to you!

 

[mudbug]

happy birthday in advance - couldn't choose - tell us what you finally decided on.

 

[jpmcgrew]

Hard to say as I dont know what you like, bottom line it's whatever you feel like at the moment.By the way. Happy Birth Day!

 

[VeraBlue]

How about I come with you to help you decide? Hope it's a wonderful birthday, too

 

[ChefJune]

Thanks for the recplies guys. I think I would have the lamb, but tomorrow is Tuesday, not Saturday. And June, I don't think I could ever eat a bunny.

BB, Rabbit is NOT "bunny!" not one of those cute little things you give your kids for Easter! These are raised for eating. They are leaner than any red meat, and lower in fat and cholesterol than chicken. Tho their texture is similar to chicken, they have MUCH more flavor.

Well maybe I could, but I never tried it so I don't think I'll risk it.
I'm sort of suprized that they have both "sweetbread" and "vegetable bread pudding" on the list for entrees. But I guess you have to feed the vegetarians, and they could be good.

Sweetbreads are meat. They're the thymus gland of either lamb or veal!

Hey ChefJune, when were you at Paley's? Is there a different one outside of Portland or did you go to the one there? Are you an Oregonian?

I love in New Jersey. I was at Paleys a few years ago when the IACO (International ***'n of Culinary Professionals) conference was held in Portland. Also dined at the restaurant in the Heathman Hotel, Wildwood, and the late Avalon. I like Portland very much.

and have a FABULOUS birthday!

 

[Banana Brain]

Thank you so much for telling me sweetbreads are meat, I was thinking of ordering that just because it sounded like something cakelike, which would be an interesting dinner. I'm glad I understand now!
Okay, I'm thinking this is what I'll order:
Appetizer: Spicy Gazpacho and Seafood Salad
Side: Fries with Mustard Aiolie
Entree: I'll ask the waiter what he reccomends, since he works there and probaly has some clue as to whats good.
Dessert: Dogaba chocolate empanadas (I *heart* dogaba) with cinnamon cherry ice cream and sherry soaked cherries.

And I'm sure I'll get to try whatever it is my friends order, and they'll try what I order, because thats just how we are. Should be good.

 

[Banana Brain]

Ok, I did finally go on Sunday night. I got what I said I would, all of it AMAZING (though I couldn't by any means eat more than 1/2 of it) especially the Fries. When they say whole grain mustard ailoi, they mean whole grain. There were black grains in it that made it just... very... grainy. And mayonnaisey. The waiter recommended half-size portions of different meals, so thats what I did. I got the half-size protion of the crab and sweet corn risotto (which was so incredibly creamy and rich). When it says, "Dungenous Crab, Sweet Corn, and Chanterell Risotto" you would expect a plate with three different things on it, right? But it was actually just a bowl of all three. The risotto and corn were mixed, the crab meat lay on top. And I got the 1/2 size of what the waiter reccomended, the sweetbreads. I actually liked it! The warm salad was a bit odd, but the meat I really loved. What I thought tasted the best though honestly was what my friend got, the vegitable bread pudding with tomatoe sauce. The dessert was really great because the empanads were freshly fried and the chocolate all melted. Maybe he would have recomended the halibut, but his first words when I sat down were "the halibut has been very popular tonight and we're out".
Now I'm going to turn the subject though. I got sort of a show at the resturaunt, despite the fact that I asked to be seated in "a quiet place". Some people at the table across from us were drinking maybe alot (I don't know for sure, but I know they had several wine bottles) and began talking and laughing loudly. At one point one of them said the f-word and the guy at a table right next to ours shouted, "HEY, WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE!" while pointing. He said to his wife, "Are you embarrased? I'd be embarrassed if I were them." His wife didn't really say anything. Then he looked at my friend and I and apologized for yelling at them. The woman who dropped the f-bomb apologized, but he got up again anyways and started talking to her about how it was innapropriate or something. One guy who was with her just said, "Why don't you just sit down?" and then he stormed off. He could clearly be heared yelling, "This is my anniversery!" His wife just sat there. Eventually a waiter came back to tell her that her husband was waiting for her outside so she got up and left. Later when the waiter came back the woman apologized to him as well and they all just laughed it off. The waiter apologized to us for the extra entertainment of the evening. But they soon were swearing midly and talking quite loudly again. They were still sitting there when we left, even though they'd long since finished eating.
In your opinion, who was more inpolite? The woman who said the f-word (not loud enough for my friend to even hear, just slightly loud), or the man who screamed at the table to "watch your lanuage"?

 

[buckytom]

sounds like a good meal, but crappy show bb.

instead of apologizing to you, the waiter might have offered a drink or dessert on the house, especially since it was your birthday. (you did make that known to the waiter, didn't ya?)

both were impolite. the foul mouthed people were for obvious reasons. i wonder what would have happened to them if someone else like your table complained. (lots of variables. if they were "friends" of the owner, or had a huge check, or you had a bad waiter, probably nothing. but good management would have handled it, or at least comp'd you in some way).

but, i've been in situations where i've had to ask potty mouths to clean up their act. fortunately, it's mostly been around children, so most people comply. the thing is, if you're gonna go that far with adults you'd better be ready to back it up, at first with a sharp tongue, but who knows where it might go. he was a coward to walk away and leave his wife stranded in an embarrasing situation. he disregarded other people in the area, said his piece, then split. that was rude too.

oh, just one technical note: sweetbreads can be from the thymus, as chefjune mentioned, or they can be from the pancreas. the pancreas type are more expensive and are preferred by connoisseurs.

 

[Banana Brain]

First on the sweetbreads, I think these were from the back of the thigh. Less valued, still very good. Looked fried. Yes, I agree he shouldn't have left his wife in the embarrasing situation that she did nothing to get into. He should have at least been man enough to come back into the room and escort her out. What a bad way to treat her on their anniversery! This was definatly not a childeren's resturaunt, and the man and his wife had finished eating so they really could have just left. He'd probably been wanting to say something all night, but didn't want to spoil his meal. I did mention it was my birthday (even though my actual birthday was on Tuesday) after I finished eating and we were getting ready to pay the bill. So I got a "happy birthday" and an apology for the show which I guess is all you can really expect from a busy waiter. I wasn't really bothered by it anyways, I have to be honest that I DID find it pretty entertaining. Something to watch while enjoying my empanadas.