On Saturday, September 29th, Tif and Ed had reservations for
Michelin's top rated, Alinea. It was to be their anniversary,
birthday, every-holiday-imagined celebration. For Art and me,
Cheesecake Factory is our idea of fine dining. I won't even say how
much Alinea cost because it makes my hands shake to even think about
it.
Here's the Menu.
The following are photos Tiffany took and her explanations (in pink) of what they ate/EXPERIENCED.
2nd course: Steelhead Roe
We placed straw filled with salmon roe into this ice cup and sipped/ate the roe.
I'm rather surprised. I know Tif is not a huge fan of fish eggs. She must have eaten it though.
9th course: Corn
Everything on the plate is from a corn plant. The fuzzy stuff is corn silk. Gray chalky stuff is corn truffle. This was one of my favorite dishes. The different textures and flavors were very good.
11th course: Chanterelle
Different mushrooms served with asparagus, smoked dates, ham, etc. and served on a charcoal log and hot stones. The smell of the charcoal added to the taste and experience.
Our son-in-law does NOT like mushrooms. This must have been a challenge for him.
13th course: Lamb
We were served three cuts of lamb and given the plate of 60 different food compliments to try and make our own personal entree.
Gee... those lamb pieces are pretty tiny and I imagine not enough to try more of those condiments.
15th course: Anjou Pear
We were served a pear and an onion brie concoction on a smoking stick of cinnamon. The smell of the cinnamon added to the experience/taste. This is one of the courses where the plate/holder was probably designed just for this dish.
Now this sounds quite tasty to me.
17th course: Balloon.
This was the most amazing dish. It was Ed's favorite definitely. I wish we could have had KC with us just to experience this. It was a balloon made out of green apple taffy like substance and helium. I had to hold mine to keep it from floating away before I ate it. We were encouraged to suck in the helium first for fun and talking (with squeaky voices) before eating it up.
I wish there was a photo of them eating it. I can't even imagine how you'd eat a balloon!
18th and final course: White Chocolate
They laid out a gray silicon mat before a chef came to design-paint-deconstruct the final course. This was a white chocolate ball filled with melons, meringue, cake, cotton candy and freeze dried strawberry puree. On the outside is sweet cream sauce, sweet peas, edible flower petals and freeze dried sweet peas and strawberries.
And what did we dine on?
KC had macaroni and cheese (her favorite) and we had spinach lasagne.
As we were feasting on our little repast, KC said, "Grandma, aren't we lucky that we get to have this great dinner?"
What did we answer as we were dining with our favorite (albeit only) grandchild?
"ABSOLUTELY!"
Here's the Menu.
The following are photos Tiffany took and her explanations (in pink) of what they ate/EXPERIENCED.
2nd course: Steelhead Roe
We placed straw filled with salmon roe into this ice cup and sipped/ate the roe.
I'm rather surprised. I know Tif is not a huge fan of fish eggs. She must have eaten it though.
9th course: Corn
Everything on the plate is from a corn plant. The fuzzy stuff is corn silk. Gray chalky stuff is corn truffle. This was one of my favorite dishes. The different textures and flavors were very good.
11th course: Chanterelle
Different mushrooms served with asparagus, smoked dates, ham, etc. and served on a charcoal log and hot stones. The smell of the charcoal added to the taste and experience.
Our son-in-law does NOT like mushrooms. This must have been a challenge for him.
13th course: Lamb
We were served three cuts of lamb and given the plate of 60 different food compliments to try and make our own personal entree.
Gee... those lamb pieces are pretty tiny and I imagine not enough to try more of those condiments.
15th course: Anjou Pear
We were served a pear and an onion brie concoction on a smoking stick of cinnamon. The smell of the cinnamon added to the experience/taste. This is one of the courses where the plate/holder was probably designed just for this dish.
Now this sounds quite tasty to me.
17th course: Balloon.
This was the most amazing dish. It was Ed's favorite definitely. I wish we could have had KC with us just to experience this. It was a balloon made out of green apple taffy like substance and helium. I had to hold mine to keep it from floating away before I ate it. We were encouraged to suck in the helium first for fun and talking (with squeaky voices) before eating it up.
I wish there was a photo of them eating it. I can't even imagine how you'd eat a balloon!
18th and final course: White Chocolate
They laid out a gray silicon mat before a chef came to design-paint-deconstruct the final course. This was a white chocolate ball filled with melons, meringue, cake, cotton candy and freeze dried strawberry puree. On the outside is sweet cream sauce, sweet peas, edible flower petals and freeze dried sweet peas and strawberries.
KC had macaroni and cheese (her favorite) and we had spinach lasagne.
As we were feasting on our little repast, KC said, "Grandma, aren't we lucky that we get to have this great dinner?"
What did we answer as we were dining with our favorite (albeit only) grandchild?
"ABSOLUTELY!"
wow, that is just amazing, not my cup of tea, but amazing!! I would loved the lasagna with the grand daughter1!I'm not a very fancy smancy person
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying these upscale photos Kay, thanks so much. Congrats to Tif and Ed. And your dinner sounds good too, really!
ReplyDeleteI have to rush off but will be back to have another look!
Eighteen courses? Wow! And some of it sure didn't look like food. I like your dinner better. :-)
ReplyDeleteI sure wouldn't have minded trying it if it weren't so darn expensive.
DeleteThat teddy bear is ENORMOUS!
ReplyDeleteI was rather surprised too. It was a neighbor who gave it to KC. It takes up a lot of room but KC loves to lie on it.
Deletewow that dinner was a huge production...mac n cheese with a grandchild still takes first though...
ReplyDeleteOMG....what a feast (for the senses)!!
ReplyDeleteL from W
It really was... from what Tif and Ed told us.
DeleteHow fancy! Btw: Hope you are all ok as I understand the area where you are is being hit pretty hard.
ReplyDeleteWe're actually back in Hawaii right now, Hattie. However our son is in Baltimore and his girlfriend is in Washington, D.C. So far, they have power. We're keeping our fingers crossed.
DeleteFish eggs/fish roe/caviar---all the same thing. I know some kids who came here from Ialy to visit their Grandmoher. They couldn't get enough of the sushi roll with those bright orange salmon eggs. To them it was like eating caviar. At $2.50 a pop, they were about right on that subject.
ReplyDeleteThat orange roe is ikura and I LOVE it. However, as you say it's now really, really expensive. We used to take it for granted when we were kids.
Deletei'm with Tif on this one. Mac and cheese, who can beat it. Dianne
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to see how people eat at very expensive restaurants. Hard to believe, but interesting.
ReplyDeleteI agree with that last comment from Dianne, give me the Mac & Cheese!
I would have enjoyed the fancy dinner. Love to be adventurous. Congrats to Tif and Ed.
ReplyDeleteI really think you would have enjoyed it, Gigi. Tif and Ed are pretty finicky eaters so I'm surprised they ate all of this. I think you do this even more for the experience than the taste... I think.
DeleteI agree with KC. You got the best end of that deal.
ReplyDeleteI would want instructions with that fancy dinner, just like the labels on the underside of the lid of a big box of chocolates. Does the balloon pop onto your face if you don't suck out the helium? I've seen that orange roe on some sushi here, so I'll try it now! DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteActually I think they had a waiter assigned to them telling them what to do. That orange roe is called ikura and it's salty and a bit fishy. It's wonderful with hot rice and maybe some pickled vegetables..
DeleteI think the restaurant must have been an amazing experience! Loved the look of those dishes but especially enjoyed the photo of you and KC. Congratulations to Tif and Ed.
ReplyDeleteThis is quite incredible.
ReplyDeleteI would stick with KC and her dinner.