Plumed Horse (Saratoga Springs)

Happy Birthday to me!! John grumbled about taking me to Plumed Horse after an already very expensive meal at Dry Creek Kitchen a few nights earlier. But hey, I'm only 48 once! I didn't really think we could have a more expensive meal than we had at Dry Creek Kitchen or Manresa...but I was wrong! It's been known to happen. but that's okay because we had a truly wonderful meal. Both Dry Creek Kitchen and Plumed Horse offer more "accessible" tasting menus than Manresa. Don't get me wrong, I love Manresa but it's a little out there like WD-40.

Be sure to check out their wine cellar. It is 2-stories made of tempered glass and amazing! Except I couldn't walk across the floor because you can see down into the lower cellar. Yikes! Yeah, I know the tempered glass technically won't break.

I started with a Heidsieck Brut Champagne while looking over the menu. I was after all "celebrating!"

Course 1
Sushi Tuna Tartare with Quail Egg and Caviar
And I finished my glass of Heidsieck Champagne

Surprise Course
Oyster with Pimento and Butter
2006 Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc (we had just visted the winery a few days earlier)

Course 2
Black Pepper and Parmesan Souffle
Thomas Moreau Chablis

Course 3
Wild Sturgeon over Trumpet Mushrooms
2005 Handley Pinot Noir
An excellent Pinot Noir that was a fabulous accompaniment to the mushrooms

Course 4
Lamb Ribeye with Celery Root Puree and Pear
2004 White Oak Cabernet Sauvignon

Cheese Course
John and I each had 3 cheeses. I lost track of exactly what we had except they were fabulous. This course was accompanied by a 5 yr old Port and an 20 yr old Tawny port.

Course 5
Gran Marnier Souffle
Veuve Clicquot Demi Sec Champagne

Oh, and John had mentioned my birthday when he made our OpenTable reservation. So they also brought me this!

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Angèle Restaurant & Bar (Napa)

This french bistro restaurant specializes in cassoulets. We weren't dissappointed. John and I had the Beet Salad to start. We had the Cassoulet which made with duck and house-made sausage. We ended the meal with a Banana tart. Our waiter recommended an affordable Cote du Rhone to accompany our meal.

Angele is located in this interesting renovated section of Napa.

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Dry Creek Kitchen (Healdsburg)

I've been very bad lately about posting my dining experiences. Well, John and I had a few fabulous experiences over the last week while celebrating my birthday!

Dry Creek Kitchen
The tasting menu that night was titled "Pigs and Pinot." Unfortunately, a week later, I'm a little sketchy on the courses and the associated wines. But trust me, it was fabulous! If you get to Healdsburg, don't miss Dry Creek Kitchen

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