This meal cannot be described in one simple and all encompassing word, but if I had to choose one: PHENOMENAL! I am so lucky and feel very honored to have been able to celebrate our anniversary by dining at the best restaurant in the country! Pictures cannot do these dishes justice so I will do my best to explain everything to you! Beyond the amazing food, we just had a damn good time! Four wonderful hours passed, and we left with full bellies, a little tipsy, and huge grins on our faces. Thank you Chef Achatz and Co for an absolutely unforgettable first anniversary!
We arrived at our table and sitting there was some mysterious red liquid encased in a block of ice. What is this you ask? We shall find out later...
First on the menu: Char roe with carrot, coconut and curry. Perfect little starter. The coconut and curry with the roe was out of this world (and so pretty to look at!)
The ocean arrives at our table! The seaweed display smelled of the salty ocean and with it, came its bounty! An oyster leaf (literally a leaf that tastes like you are eating an oyster), king crab with heart of palm, mussel with saffron and chorizo, and a razor clam with shiso and soy! We transcended to a dining room on the cliffs of the Pacific!
The antenna! Wooly pig with fennel, orange and squid. Look ma, no hands!
Now, I don’t even know how to describe the process here, but a scallop was basically blended and recreated to look just like tofu. A dashi broth was poured on top. Pretty insane!
The ice has melted down a bit and we are given straws to sip on the juice inside: beet, hibiscus and licorice. Personally, I can’t do beets. I’ve tried, and I’ve failed to like them, so this juice was not for me. I stuck to my wine! T seemed to enjoy it though!
Up next, Black Sea Bass served with an olive caponata and fried chickpea chips, inspired by chef’s trip to Sicily. This was by far my favorite dish of the night. Alinea usually does not serve a family style dish, so this is something new, and should stay on the menu. ALWAYS!
What on earth is this? Again, something was placed on our table and we find out what it is later!
The hot potato, cold potato dish was one I was most excited for, and it did not disappoint! You pull the pin out and the hot potato drops in the cold potato soup! We were told to do it fast, so my shot of this is a little shaky!
Mushrooms with juniper, sumac and shallot. T hates mushrooms and even he liked this!
Ok, so the mysterious red stuff hanging on a table was cabbage and we were told to place the venison on it and wrap it like a burrito. Fanciest and tastiest burrito I’ve ever had the pleasure to try!
Black truffle explosion. No description needed. I can now die and go to heaven. Pure bliss.
Fun with utensils! Spoons with lavender, squab, foie gras, rendered duck fat and some other treasures. We were told to eat these in no particular order.
Moving on to desserts... Pear with onion, brie and smoking cinnamon. Having fun with our food!
Ginger antennas! This Ginge enjoyed it!
Winter in New Hampshire… peppermint frost with clear hot chocolate. Such a whimsical presentation!
Now this was a blast! We were brought out balloons and told to suck out the helium! The balloon was apple flavored taffy that you could eat. Taking fun with food to a whole new level!
And finally… dark chocolate with lingonberry, butternut squash and stout. Our server artfully placed the lingon berry and butternut squash on our table and dropped the chocolate ball of goodness for us to enjoy! The elaborate dessert presentation blew me away!
By far the most extraordinary culinary experience to date! I’m not sure what could possibly top this! Happy Anniversary T! Love you!
