I didn't really have much else to do so I arrived early, very early.  I was seated in the Lounge area (the Bar was closed this evening) where I chose to enjoy a pre-dinner soda and watch the fights that were on the TV in the corner.

The chef was busy cheffing away in the Kitchen, but could frequently be seen working away in the Dining Room making sure everything was just so and even visited the Lounge a couple of times - I guess to see who was beating on whom - but also said hi to me and any of the other 3 guests who came and went.  The open kitchen meant that I got to enjoy the pre-dinner sounds & smells (I probably could have looked in too, but I chose not to so that my meal was still mostly a surprise) of my soon to be dinner - a nice bonus.

The Lounge has a beautiful window, although the view is only of the back alley.  There's no real delineation between the Lounge and Dining Room other than the change in furniture.  The decor is simple yet effective and the chef has chosen to have a number of her personal pictures and trinkets set up throughout the Lounge and Dining Room with the highlight taking up a good part of the window.

When given the choice, I'll take a window seat every time, but the Dining Room doesn't really have a window (if you don't count looking through the lounge & past the TV).  As it turned out, being sat right by the Kitchen was a wonderful experience!

You occasionally will see the Chef come out and talk to the guests.  Even less often do you see them bringing out the food.  But tonight, the only Server who took care of me was also the Chef.  A very enjoyable experience, especially since I had decided to go with the Chef's choices for my complete meal (and wines) and I was now able to get first hand details on what was placed in front of me - although I was given a Menu in the form of a word jumble of which I only half succeeded in solving.

The meal went a little something like this:

• 2008 Tangent Sauvignon Blanc A Wine Club Selection - a little bit of acid on the palette that softened into a fairly crisp and dry wine.
• Shrimp, Asparagus & Lemon - a wonderfully elegant start, just the right amount of everything.
• Tilapia Tacos, with Arugula - not Taco looking, but certainly gourmet Taco tasting!
• Steamed Mussels - just enough crispy bread to enjoy with the yummy White Wine and Thyme Broth
• Brussels Sprouts & Smokey Onions on Cheddar Toast - who would have thought Brussels Sprouts could be part of such a wonderful bruschetta type experience?
• BLT & P Soup (Bacon, Leek, Tomato & Potato) - deceptively complex for such simple ingredients.  Could easily be a meal in itself.
• 2007 Dexter Lake A Wine Club Selection - took a bit to open up, but once there a rich balance of fruit and tannins.
• Sweet Potato Gnocchi, Maple Cinnamon Sage Brown Butter - perhaps the ugliest Gnocchi I've ever seen but absolutely no where near the worst I've ever tasted, perhaps in the top 3 all time best.  Don't judge a book... 
• Orange Glazed Duck - cooked just perfectly, a tender cut with just enough richness added from the sauce.
• Java Steak, Stout Glaze - if I was able to have this again, I'd request a little lighter on the Java, just a little.  Cooked as I like with just enough glaze to not be distracting.
• Chocolate SouffléA Daring Kitchen Experience - A treat in that after retiring to the Lounge for Dessert the Chef invited me into her Kitchen to help make the Soufflé.  A challenge to all but the finest, but a result to be proud of.

As I've found previously, it's hard to rank the dishes in order of preference, but it's also hard not to.  I'm going to go with the Gnocchi at #1, the Soup at #2, barely ahead of that Taco and Duck tied at #3.  Then we pretty much have a 5 way tie for 5th.

What really makes this the best dinner ever?  Easy!  And we all know the answer, we just probably don't get to experience it all that often, if ever.  The answer is, Love.  This whole meal was prepared, presented and enjoyed with an extra special double quadruple helping of love.  Without the Love this would have been a pretty good meal, but with it, the best dinner ever.

Oh, did I mention that the chef is my very triple extra clever wife!  And that the Lounge is the same one in which I watch Mike & Mike over breakfast every morning.  And that the Kitchen is where my lunch I 'drag' to work each day begins it's life.  And the Dining Room doubles as our mail sorting and laundry storage area.

Thanks Sweetie for an AWESOME Birthday Dinner! - aka THE BEST DINNER EVER!

Love, me