french benefits

a friend's gift to us this holiday season was dinner for two at a new french restaurant in the area.

easily the best dining experience we've had on the north american continent. easily. (though i admit i'm rather easy to please when it comes to food...)

i know none of you probably care what i ate last night, but i'm going to tell you anyway. i'm going to tell you exactly what we ate: (from the menu at West of Paris)

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From the Chef (on the house - I guess you would call it the pre-pre-appetizer)

-Shrimp in a white wine bath

Pre-appetizer

-Terrine de canard a l’huile de truffes et confit de figues et miel

(country-style duck and pork pate with truffle oil, mushroom and fig and honey garnishes)

Appetizer

-Bisque de Homard

(lobster bisque)

-Escargots a la Bourguignonne

(baked escargot in garlic and parsley butter)

Main Course

-Filet mignon de porc sauce Coligny avec sa polenta grillée et ses pommes cuites
(Pork tenderloin cooked in Burgundy white wine and home-made white stock, flambé with aged Cognac and seasoned with wild mushrooms. Served with a slice of crusty pan-fried polenta and cooked apples.)

-Côtes d'agneau ou filet tendre d'agneau au thym frais, sauce à la menthe accompagnée de son gratin dauphinois
(Pan-cooked Lamb chops or lamb tenderloin seasoned with fresh thyme and mint gravy, served with scalloped potatoes and a fresh vegetable of the day.)

Palette Cleanser

-Lemon sorbet mix

Salad

Cheese Tray

-Assortiments de fromages

(Selection of domestic and imported cheeses)

Pre-dessert

-Mini-crème brûlée

Dessert

-Turinois sur coulis de framboise

(Faugier chesnut and chocolat dessert with Grand Marnier liquor served on a raspberries bed.)

-Crêpe poire belle Hélène

(Warm crêpe served with a cooked pear covered with hot hazelnut chocolate)

"it's not a meal; it's an experience!"