We had some great buildup to this menu club destination! And it did not disappoint. The revived decor was so tasteful, so light and classy. What a memorable, fine evening — I hope this post does it justice.
Jane has sold her home here in Seattle, and makes her move at the end of May. That news, while sort of bittersweet, was somewhat expected. Then, Sasha threw us a GREAT piece of news!! She’s expecting, and is due in mid-October. We had much to celebrate.
And we had the gorgeous flatware to prove it. GioPonti by Sambonet. I found it online! Check it out! Posh. Sophisticated. Unlike the, ahem, ladies at the table behind us…
The platinum pony tail, the dark roots, the seriously thick makeup. Jane requested to have herself shot if ever seen in such a state. We can’t make any promises, Jane. Some people like the off-center high pony tail. (shudder)
For starters, we toasted to Sasha with drinks. Sasha had a cold water. Jane sampled the Côtes Du Rhône, Lauri had the very intriguing Barbapapa (Hanger One Lime Vodka, Cointreau and lime juice with rhubarb sorbet) and Beth had a Vesper (gin, vodka, Lillet Blanc, and a lemon twist). Don’t tell me I don’t do my homework, ladies. My drink, the Vesper, is the James Bond version, and Daniel Craig would have been a fine accompaniment. It was STRONG.
For first course, Jane and Lauri had the beautiful green salad. Beth had the salade composée, the favorite of our very friendly and amusing server. Radish, asparagus ASTRIDE (looking back, I think the server meant to say ‘BESIDE’, but he definitely did not) a goose egg that featured dandelion greens sprouting from the top. Like fireworks. I think we can all agree, it was very French and quite pretty. And totally delicious, with a mustardy dressing drizzled on it. The goose egg was sort of deviled (and mustardy), but quite a bit larger than a hen’s egg. Yum!
At some point during first course, we discovered why Jane loves Remington Steele, but is less keen on Pierce Brosnan, the man himself. Also, she’s a big Dennis Quaid fan, and suggested we only need to view The Parent Trap to find out why. It’s in my Netflix queue already.
Additionally, we learned that Jane is The FIRST American-bred patron of Le Gourmand to know (and love) Barbapapa, the European (Swedish?) cartoon of yore, the one after which Lauri’s cocktail is named. Growing up in Buffalo, NY has its perks, and one of them is being close enough to Canada to get their TV in the 70’s. We all missed out… MUCH like we’ve all been missing out on The Way We Were, Jane’s favorite film. So moving. So sad. She’s appalled at the lack of TWWW knowledge at menu club, and Lauri points out quite rightfully, and repeatedly: We are unfinished. Jane is still needed, and must return as often as possible for menu club.
For main course, Sasha and Lauri went with fish, while Jane and Beth went with game. Sasha had the Ruby Red trout in a spinach sauce. It looked fabulous and French with the trout’s head joining our table for our enjoyment. Lauri had a the delicious halibut – I think her sauce had nettles in it. Yes, nettles.
Jane ordered the lamb and it was truly amazing. You can tell Le Gourmand has fairly high-end purveyors of everything they serve. It shows. Beth had the pigeon partridge, and it was served with some astounding sauce that was so rich, along with roasted turnips. Truthfully, I was expecting a whole bird, but half was sufficient in the end. Like the trout head, the actual foot of the half pigeon partridge made the meal seem more… real. Our delightful server offered Beth a glass of some holy-cow-good 2002 red wine (a bordeaux?) that, he claimed, simply needed to be opened. It was “feminine”, never having touched oak, or wood of any kind, while aging. It tasted amazing and soft. He also brought roasted potatoes and spinach (or kale?) out for the table. Delectable.
In other news, Sasha told of James’ (now postponed) trip to teach in France this Fall, and although she does not appear to have gained an ounce, she’s purchased some clothes for her pregnancy… Lauri’s in-laws arrived in the afternoon… and we heard pieces of ‘the story of Lauri and Nok’ while at Stanford (and beyond)… Ellen Barkin was discussed. Beth shared some stories of screenplay class and her fellow classmates, difficult to age, but she’d say… 58? We spoke of our aging parents. Lauri has a few years before she can relate. Go Jan and Larry!
As we finished dinner, we noted other patrons in the small dining room. Jane had met a woman in the restroom with Dr. Suess red-striped socks with skulls on them. Nice! There was some sort of party of 8-9 people celebrating some sort of occasion with gifts… and there were the three bleached and blotted aforementioned ladies, of course. Also, there was a couple that included a 70 year old man with white hair and his much much younger companion, who sported bare arms and too much cleavage, and was uncomfortable doing so. All in all, a fun night of commentary.
Dessert was divine. Mille Foies (?), a truly out-of-this-world nougat ice cream, with nougat from Montélimar. Ohhhhhh. So. Good. We also sampled the profiteroles, swimming in rich chocolate that I personally could feel in my tummy for hours. So happy. This lovely evening was Jane’s treat. Her generosity and her knowledge of Swedish 70’s cartoons are unmatched. So kind of her, and such a wonderful evening!
THANK YOU!!
-Beth
