As I mentioned in my previous post here, the hubz and I went to Restaurant Alma to celebrate some important milestones. To keep our dining experience interesting, we decided to pick different items from each course and decided who's pick is the winning pick in terms of taste and fusion of flavors.
Starters
Hubz: Glazed Black Cod
Me: Arugula & Smoked Chicken Salad
Middle Course
Hubz: Saffron Spaghettini
Me: Ricotta & Rabbit Agnolotti
WINNER: The hubz' fried artichokes and goat cheese over pasta gets some cookie point for being an "interesting" mix but my rabbit agnolotti wins this round... at least in terms of flavor.
Presentation-wise though, I think my sauce failed to remain emulsified.
The beurre monte sorta broke as evidenced by the butterfat separating from the rest of the elements in the sauce.
And how in the world would I know this??
That's what you get making The French Laundry cookbook as your bedtime reading, you become a food snob!
Entree
Hubz: Duck Breast and Confit
Me: Arugula & Smoked Chicken Salad
WINNER: While my salad was very tasty and refreshing (who knew beets, arugula, almond and horseradish tasted good together?), the hubz' glazed black cod was hands down the winner.
The fish was perfectly seasoned and cooked in that melt-in-your-mouth sort of perfection.
The fish was perfectly seasoned and cooked in that melt-in-your-mouth sort of perfection.
Middle Course
Hubz: Saffron Spaghettini Me: Ricotta & Rabbit Agnolotti
WINNER: The hubz' fried artichokes and goat cheese over pasta gets some cookie point for being an "interesting" mix but my rabbit agnolotti wins this round... at least in terms of flavor.
Presentation-wise though, I think my sauce failed to remain emulsified.
The beurre monte sorta broke as evidenced by the butterfat separating from the rest of the elements in the sauce.
And how in the world would I know this??
That's what you get making The French Laundry cookbook as your bedtime reading, you become a food snob!
Entree
Hubz: Duck Breast and Confit
Me: Sauteed Halibut
WINNER: The hubz' duck confit was the clear winner in this round, so much so that I was digging in his plate more than I was in mine. Don't get me wrong though, the sauteed halibut I had was good too but not the kind that leaves a lasting memory to my taste buds.
The duck however, was just simply special! In fact, I'll go far as to say it was the BEST course of the night!
The skin was dry and crispy while the meat was so tender and juicy.
A few swirls of the spiced yogurt and it was just perfection in every mouthful: crispy, tender, spicy and sweet all the same time.
It was an explosion of flavors and texture!
Rhubarb Shortcake
rasberry, rosewater, malted vanilla ice cream
The gastronomic adventure continues...
WINNER: The hubz' duck confit was the clear winner in this round, so much so that I was digging in his plate more than I was in mine. Don't get me wrong though, the sauteed halibut I had was good too but not the kind that leaves a lasting memory to my taste buds.
The duck however, was just simply special! In fact, I'll go far as to say it was the BEST course of the night!
The skin was dry and crispy while the meat was so tender and juicy.
A few swirls of the spiced yogurt and it was just perfection in every mouthful: crispy, tender, spicy and sweet all the same time.
It was an explosion of flavors and texture!
RESULT: The hubz wins 2-1 with his food picks! But as per Section 10.08.02 of the Marriage Manual, wifey is awarded an automatic 10 points in each and every hubby-wifey contest there is and ever will be. So there, the winner is me! :D
On a serious note, the community is the real winner here with the restaurant's sustainable practices. We can't be any more proud of this local restaurant serving locally-sourced ingredients and recognized nationally for it. The James Beard award is truly deserving!
Rhubarb Shortcake
rasberry, rosewater, malted vanilla ice cream
The gastronomic adventure continues...
Mmm food porn at its finest! Looks so yummy!
ReplyDeleteOooh, the food looks absolutely divine! I'm glad you won the competition with your hubz ;-) I'd have to go for the duck as well... when done right, there's nothing tastier. Thanks also for your advice on the French Laundry book! Definitely plan on picking that up in the very near future. And I have absolutely no problem if your blog starts getting more foodie oriented, since I consider myself a foodie as well :)
ReplyDeleteThis post is making me hungry, they all look yummy! I wonder what´s the glaze on the cod made and the greens below it. ;)
ReplyDeleteSarap, G! Di ako makatulog nito. ;)
WOW! the food does look delicious Grace. Maybe you should change ur blog name to fashion & fine dining? :)
ReplyDeletebtw you looked great in your previous post!
x
@Anna - I like the idea of "fashion and fine dining" as my blog subtitle! =)
ReplyDeleteeverything looks delish!! that strawberry shortcake must have completed the meal. YUMM
ReplyDeleteAnna Katrina
http://passportglamour.blogspot.com