Mother's Day Tasting Dinner 2012

After our amazing experience at The French Laundry, the four of us who dined there were itching to make a meal inspired by that restaurant's philosophy of many tiny delightful courses. While The French Laundry's menu is nine courses, it's really several more than that when you include the dishes you are served before, after, and among the nine courses on the menu. So we decided to celebrate Mother's Day by serving a thirteen-course wine-paired meal to our mothers. We divided up the courses so that the four of us were each responsible for three or four.

Quail Eggs "Benedict" --Brenna

McLennon Farm Asparagus Tempura with Horseradish Cream and Watercress, my attempt to recreate the dish we enjoyed at Chez Panisse in April (paired with Groth Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Napa Valley) --me

Spring Pea Soup with Crispy Shallots, my attempt to also recreate the soup we had at Chez Panisse (paired with Groth Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Napa Valley) --me

Coddled Egg with Pea Fricassee and Farro Risotto, my last dish, and my attempt to recreate one more restaurant course I had been served, at L'Espalier in Boston in May (paired with Coppola Chardonnay Diamond Collection 2010) --me

Sweet-Pea Ravioli, Butter-Poached Lobster, and Carrot-Butter Sauce (paired with Coppola Chardonnay Diamond Collection 2010) --Brenna

Sea Scallop and Pork Belly with Ramp Cream (paired with Coppola Chardonnay Diamond Collection 2010) --Cass

Pan-fried Duck Liver with Truffled Frissee Salad and Bacon Lardons (paired with Charles Krug "Generations" 2008) --Cass

"Steak and Potatoes" with Mushrooms and Foie Gras (paired with Charles Krug "Generations" 2008) --Cass

Rhubarb Sorbet with Strawberry and Candied Rhubarb --Gordie

"Grand Fromage," cheese course inspired by L'Espalier, with fig bread, roasted almonds, beet chips (paired with Warre's Otima Ten-Year-Old Tawny Port) --Gordie
(right after this course we had Gordie's third dish, Chocolate Souffle with Strafford Organic Creamery Vanilla Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce, but, sadly, forgot to get a photo)

Dulce de Leche Mousse Cake, Pear --Brenna

Espresso Ice Cream "Cones" --Brenna