Okay, it wasn’t really brunch, as I’d have gone with an entirely different menu, but a lovely group of six for a mid-afternoon meal in the garden was had this last weekend. So what WAS on the menu?
A prawn tiradito, the prawns only briefly blanched to set them, then chilled. Dressed in a curing liquid of lime juice, passionfruit, yellow chili, a little sunflower seed oil and just a few drops of sesame oil, emulsified. Then topped with lightly brined cucumber and radish slices, red chilies, fried garlic chips, chopped peanuts, black sesame seeds, cilantro and mint leaves.
Wine: Fuego Blanco Gewürztraminer 2020, from Valle de Pedernal
Homemade mocha fettucce (thicker, shorter fettuccine) in a sauce made from homemade ricotta blended with a piquant olive oil, chili flakes, ground pistachios, and salt. Topped with sautéed pickled frying peppers, a fried julienne of beets, and chives.
As we’re moving into cooler weather, it’s time to break out some of our braised dishes again. One of the house faves, huatia sulcana, braised rump roast of beef in red wine and beef stock with onions, garlic, three types of chilies and seven different herbs, then the braising liquid reduced and thickened with a roux. Accompanied by a sort of “chaufa”, or fried rice, but with wheatberries instead of rice, and shredded vegetables. Garnished with a red onion and mixed herb salad.
Wine: Las Perdices “Ala Colorada” Petit Verdot 2016, Mendoza
And, simple, but one of my all time favorites, and what I think is the best lemon pie around, our version of Marion’s (a restaurant that used to exist in the East Village) Lemon Kiss Pie, flavored with saffron, and dusted with powdered sugar and ground mace (the husk of a nutmeg).
When are you making your reservation for an afternoon outing in the garden?
That looks lovely Dan. We recently drove to San Diego to get away. I long for good restaurant meals and service. In Calif the restrictions are still pretty tight. The restaurants want you to eat outside even if its cold and raining. We ate inside at the fine dining restaurant but the windows and doors were kept open. The wait staff wore a coat and knit gloves and we kept our coats on too. The service was poor. It seems the good wait staff have all gone to do something else. The food was good.
Thanks for the menu.
Yes – we’re on outdoor dining only as well – they gave a shot at indoor dining but people abused it, both from the restaurant side having more tables/seats than were permitted and people just ignoring restrictions and packing in, milling about, so it’s back to outdoor only.