Usually for our anniversary we go on a weekend trip, but this year we just went out to dinner. CRAZY FANCY PERSON DINNER! An, an “Asian fusion” restaurant near our house, offers a ridic 8 course tasting menu, including TWO desserts. You know I was all over that. It’s designed to walk you through the different sections of the restaurant, which was also cool, because I tried stuff I liked but would probably have never ordered on my own.
Drinks
They offered us champagne because it was our anniversary, and I even had a sip even though I normally don’t drink. The menu started with tea service!! The tea was a white jasmine, so mostly tasted like flowers. Steven was not really a fan, and it’s not my favorite tea either, but it was also so pretty!
Cute tea pot!!!
1st Course: Amuse-bouche
This one was the most visually arresting, and Steven’s favorite. Unfortunately, I don’t remember what each of the little things are (on the menu they gave us it just says “Zensai”)
You’re eating off a tree!!
2nd Course: Sushi
Moriawase: Nigiri Selection, Fresh Wasabi, Ginger
3rd Course: Soup
Apple Parsnip Soup
This included poached apples, shrimp sausage, and hazelnut granola. I was wary of the shrimp sausage, but it turned out to be delicious. Granola in soup seems weird, but it wasn’t too sweet, and definitely added a nice texture that complimented the apple well. This might have been my favorite course. But you know how much I love soup.
4th Course: Scallops
Steven’s least favorite course (he still ate it)
Bamboo scallops with nori tapioca, pearl onion, brioche, and uni cream. The uni cream was really good!
5th Course: Seabass
Steven actually liked this one even though it was fish!
Roasted seabass with Thai butternut squash, pineapple, and smoked ham dashi. I was tilting the plate to get all of the smoked ham dashi. No regrets, it was super delicious.
6th Course: Beef strip
Steven and I had lost count so we hardly had room for this guy
Beef strip with miso, pickled mustard seeds, maitake, sweet garlic, and jus. Steven had made us steak the day before, but this one definitely put even his skillz to shame.
7th Course: Dessert 1
FINALLY DESSERT TIME
Napoleon with mascarpone, pears, pistachio tuiles, and ginger sorbet. This one was the best dessert, maybe because I’m so into pears.
8th Course: Dessert 2
SO PRETTY!
Gingerbread with cherry, pumpkin seeds, and kobocha squash ice cream. And fancy chocolate writing!!!!
This dinner was so fun!!! The service was excellent and very fancy–they always came out with two people so that they could set it in front of us at the same time. Afterwards, one of the chefs came out to talk to us, which was so great, because we got to thank her in person for how pretty and delicious everything was. This was definitely one of those meals I’ll remember for a long time
Happy 4th Anniversary!!