Muss & Turners NYE

End 2007 on a good food note - that's the plan. We went to Muss & Turner's in Smyrna. Casual, friendly, and run by folks who know good food. We took pics of not only our plates, but Scott and Annita's too. We're rude, I know, I know.

Heck, I'm just happy they had Green's GF beer! Woot!!

Prix fix:

• Amuse buche


• Hamachi crudo -or- fruits de mer


• Salad of endive, arugula, fourme d'amert, pine nuts and sherry vinaigrette -or- puree of celery root soup with truffle walnut compote


• Kamado grilled veal chop with brown butter roasted winter squash and lacinato kale -or- herb seared wild king salmon with lemon roasted potatoes, horseradish beurre blanc


• Boston cream pie -or- meyer lemon explosion

Wines of note: Chateau de Valmer Vouvray (sparkling), Girardet 'Grand Rouge' Umpqua Valley, Oregon (2004) - Annita's favorite. The boys enjoyed de Doelle Stille Nacht (12%) and Ommegang Rare Vos on draft.

Christmas critter delivery!

We were simply drinking some wine and beer and playing Katamari on PS2 when Pepper started flipping out by the front door.

"Honey, we have a visitor!" We surmise our little friend here came waltzing up to the front porch, only to be spooked by 23 pounds of barking furry mess behind a glass door and he simply ran as high as he could get - which just happened to be the front porch column. Was he attracted to our lightening display? Or smells of aged Gouda on the counter? Who knows.

We closed the door, thinking this would encourage him to get down. And it did. And we recorded a bit on video on his careful navigation down. [Those squeaky noises are Pepper.]

And no, we didn't hear a 'thud' at all. He had quite the poise. We saw him afterwards retreating to our backyard and up into the woods.

Merry Christmas, Mr. Raccoon!

Foie gras at Bouchon

Last meal here in the city and its only fitting to end on a high note. There is no human alive who can finish the entire jar. It is so unbelievably rich, it literally turns liquid the longer it sits in a warm environment. This is probably the best appetizer (if you want to call it that) in many years. You just wanted to take the jar of half-eaten foie away with you when you leave. But I don't think the folks next to us on the flight to Atlanta would appreciate me pulling this out of my carryon bag.

Columbus Circle

The view looking down. What is especially remarkable about this is these stars, huge, suspended, and turning a myriad of shades from red to yellow to blue to purple. They really are spectacular.

Central Park

After breakfast, we decided to walk off our blue plate special of corned beef hash and eggs from Apple Jack Diner on 55th & Broadway. Cholesterol anyone?? Well, it was one time. And I have been craving some hash like you wouldn't believe. I only eat it in NYC, getting down here in Atlanta is just not going to happen. Their hash was awesome, where there was no definitive line between where the crispy pieces of corned beef end and where the soft potatoes begin. It's all just a big mush of piping hot goodness.

The best hot chocolate

At MarieBelle, Upper East. It's quite chilly as we walk thirty blocks down Madison Avenue. We find this little jewel. Hidden on the second story, it is a warm welcoming cafe more akin to Paris. They are known for their hot cocoa, and we do not hesitate to plunk down $12 each for a thick cup. It's a 70% cocoa of single origin made to european standard. Good thing a spoon was given....it's just that thick.

Brine-y Things

Dave took us to this awesome Belarus market in Brighton Beach. I'm holding their best product: pickled watermelon, tomatoes, apples, and half-sours. (You can see Dave is holding the critical watermelon piece by the tongs). Before we arrived, Dave warned us: the Russian ladies put up with no English and no funny business. Keep your head down and your comments to yourself, and you'll be okay. Eric had to take this picture in total secrecy. The store was remarkable: nothing in English. No products. No language. I was surprised we didn't pay in rubles.

Faicco's

Dave took us to this great place. Italian. Smack-dab in the middle of Brooklyn. And it was packed full of locals, all patiently waiting for their number to be called.

This was by far the best, freshest mozzarella one would ever hope to eat. Water oozes out of its pores when cut, and its got a fresh spring to it, slight tang, with a thick skin.

We got a couple ounces of cured meats and roast beef to go. Yum!

Yonah's on LES

Knishes anyone? God, we had been meaning to hit this place the last couple of trips to New York. And finally - whooot!! It was worth the wait!! Dave said the sweet knish was really worth trying - made with farmers cheese. Baked fruit (or berries) are delicately baked in, but only enhance the knish, not take it over. The acid is a nice balance to all that filling. Think of a cheese blintz....on steriods.

Rock Center Tree

Crowded...but beautiful!

The crowds were massive down 5th Avenue, but we felt it appropriate that we are in New York for Christmastime, it is only appropriate. The LED lights really sparkled under the clear night - something this picture does not capture. The tree is a bit smaller than I thought it would be. I think I pass similar-sized evergreens on the way to work every morning. But where do you see such spirit sandwiched between massive skyscrapers?

Gordon Ramsey

We were excited just to be able to get in for reservations at Gordon Ramsey's Dining Room at the London. Michelin stars are nothing to scoff at, so we were expecting some serious food. And serious service to back this up.

I ordered the scallops, which if you notice closely, appear to have been 2 scallops - not 4 - cut in half. That's a big pet peeve of mine. I like my scallops huge, juicy, tender, and slightly seared. These were so thin, that they were very easily overcooked. The presentation was very good and the crispy rice was a nice crunchy complement to the mild scallops.


Eric ordered the foie gras, served warm over sauteed slices of sweet plum. This was an amazing combination and I was beginning to doubt my appetizer choice for sure.

Eric ordered the filet and short rib for dinner. Both were cooked fabulous and tender. But the complaint being the meat was not easily cut with the dull standard knife provided. A steak knife... anyone?....

Squab...can you believe it? It was truly amazing meat. Had I been blindfolded, I'd swear it was a rich pork loin. The gamey taste was complemented well with golden raisins and pieces of foie gras tucked into little crevices between the boneless pieces.

Unfortunately, the cuisine couldn't overcome the missed timing with service. My wine service began shotty, but the head sommelier gave some relief by the time of the entrees. And refills on table water were rare. The cheese cart had been sitting by us the entire night, so we were anxious to arrive at that course and choose from 30 or so offerings. Problem is, the gentlemen in charge of serving the cheese didn't know a whole lot about them. I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination on cheese, but he really didn't know these. Or what to pair with my pinot noir. And lastly, he didn't change knives between cuts. Meaning, my goat cheese was overwhelmed by bits of Eric's stinky cheese choices.

Am I being too picky? Perhaps. But I expected first class service. And we almost got it, but not quite.

Lemon Macaroon

Awww yea

Here it all is. In all its goodness. An aged raw milk. Ascutney Mountain from Cobb Hill Farm in Vermont.

Essex market

We came here first thing upon arriving in New York. Lower East Side. We heard a lot about it, and its cheesemonger - Saxelby. Supposedly the best in the city and we just had to check it out.

Pepper

Sweet boy

So we got these new cell phones...Sony Ericsson's K800i.... and were spending an extraordinary amount of time fooling around with them. The best feature? Being able to take high-res pics and post immediately to the blog. No computer!! This comes in handy for next weekend's trip to NYC and our Famous Dave tour.

Pepper was simply a willing participant in this morning's 'test' photos.