Christmas Eve Dinner

Once again, my dear friends, Beth & Joe, hosted a spectacular Christmas Eve dinner for some of their friends. I had to work that day so I missed spending fun time cooking with them as we used to do in the past years. The menu was so well-planned. Each course of the dinner went very well together, and was paired with wines specifically chosen for it. Kudos to a fantastic chef, Beth has definitely outdone yourself!  All of us absolutely enjoyed our dinner and had a nice time.

Great time :)

Appetizers!

Shrimp, Zucchini and Red Bell Pepper Bisque
 

Mediterranean Salad with Prosciutto and Pomegranate
Great balance of flavors and textures. Yummy and pretty starter!

Prime Rib Roast with Roasted-Garlic Thyme Sauce
Beth perfectly cooked the roast, and the sauce was so delicious! 

Jewel Roasted Vegetables
Colorful and festive. This vegetable dish went really well with the dinner.

Key Lime Pie for dessert :)

********

Much love and appreciation for friendship.
Thank you, Joe, Beth and Kaleb for your hospitality! 

Holiday Treats

Fall Celebration with Friends

On a beautiful October evening, my dear friends hosted a celebration of the fall harvest, good food, and good friends at their lovely home. Our dinner was prepared by The State Room Restaurant's chef Matthew Wilson, and Spartan Signature Catering's senior executive chef Michael Clyne.

Beautiful set up for the evening.

Thank you, Lynne & Gary. Greatly appreciate your warm hospitality.  

 

Our evening started out with drinks and beautiful music...

While our Spartan chefs preparing our 6-course dinner.

Amazing tableside performance by very talented Kaleb.  

 Some bubbles to begin with. 

Appetizer

plum tomato napoleon with pickled shallots, Gorgonzola cheese,balsamic cream.

Soup

roasted butternut squash bisque with maple creme fraiche and toasted pumpkin seeds 

Salad

mixed field greens with fresh herbs, shaved carrots, red radish, heirloom tomato, Dijon vinaigrette 

Intermezzo

raspberry sorbet with grey goose vodka 

Entree

whole roasted red bell pepper stuffed with cranberry basmati pilaf, braised purple cabbage, with yellow beet coulis 

Dessert

homemade ginger bread cake with Kahlua scented whipped cream 

 Some of the drinks paired with our dinner 

 What a wonderful evening with great company.

Dinner was amazing, all dishes were so well-thought and delicious!

 With Chef Matt and Chef Michael :)

A Mother's Day Brunch

My son and I celebrated a Mother's Day with a lovely brunch at The State Room, together with my very good friend and her family. The restaurant is located inside the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center, on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. The offered entrees were in a nice variety, and complimented with buffet lines of appetizers, salad, and beautiful desserts. Food and services were great. We had a very nice time!

The State Room was remodeled last Fall -- adding a stylish bar, and transforming into an upscale casual atmosphere. I love the new decors and ambiance, and think this would be a great place to grab drinks with friends. After all, they have one of the best wine lists in town if you haven't heard.

Set up for brunch is very lovely and inviting. 

 What's a brunch without a mimosa?

 All of our entrees include appetizer and salad buffet to start off.

Prime Rib  Traditional Yorkshire pudding, roasted mushroom whipped potatoes, asparagus, rosemary demi-glace

Lobster Supreme Casserole  Maine lobster, cheddar cheese, fresh garlic, macaroni, herb-crusted bruschetta

Grilled Shrimp & White Cheddar Omelet  Thick smokehouse bacon, roasted redskin potatoes, asparagus tips

Bananas Pistachio French Toast  House-made caramel sauce, herbed chicken sausage, fresh fruits of the season

 

Roasted Vegetarian Strudel  Eggplant, zucchini, wild mushroom, summer squash, red & yellow peppers, with walnut citrus rice pilaf, red pepper coulis sauce

 

Dessert time 

I hope you had a nice Mother's Day as well!

xoxo

NYE Dinner at Gracie's Place

Happy New Year! I hope you had a nice celebration, and great times bringing in 2012. All it takes to have a great New Year's Eve is good friends, the right attitude, great meal, and fabulous ambiance. I was spending the evening with my dear friends, Beth & Joe, altogether with their friends. We all love Gracie's Place, in Williamston, MI. So when we had found out they offered a 4-course New Year's Eve dinner, we knew we had a great plan for the the night.

1st Course
Lavender Quail Sumac-quail confit, Arborio rice pudding, vintage bandage wrapped cheddar, black tea-honey reduction.
"La Spinetta, Bricco Quagliai, Moscato"

(Option)
Butternut Squash Carpaccio Toasted pumpkin seed oil, maple-lemon poached pear, coconut-lemongrass creme, pistachio.
"L. Mawby Blanc de Blanc Brut"

2nd Course
Maine Lobster Bisque Lobster, potato gnocchi, yuzu creme fraiche, white sturgeon caviar. [Great flavor and every component came together wonderfully, I really enjoy it!]
"Villa Rubini, Pinot Grigio"

(Option)
Juniper-Turnip Bisque Garlic roasted potatoes, kimchee apple, fennel, red wine reduction, kaffir lime leaves.
"Anakena, Estate Bottled Carmenere"

3rd Course
Mangalitsa and Venison Slow roasted Mangalitsa pork belly, barley risotto, rum-raisin braised venison osso buco, curried cauliflower, candied olives, and carrot-jicama salad.
"Las Perdices, Malbec Reserve"

(Option)
Plantain Ravioli Cured shitake mushroom, caramelized onions, toasted butter, sweet potato treads, cardamom yogurt.
"Folesana Gariete, Emila Albana"

4th Course
Tres Leche Cake Lemon-poppy tres leche cake, vanilla bean-orange creme anglaise, mango sorbet, huckleberry jam, marcona almond.
"Blue Fire Hot Chocolate"

(Option)
Banana and Chocolate Banana creme brulee, malted chocolate bread pudding, bourbon smoked sugar, banana-date flambe, saffron-balsamic syrup.
"Fenn Valley, 42, Vidal Blanc Iced Wine"


After dinner, Beth & Joe ordered our table a bottle of Malbec to share. We do love Malbec! By then, the band started playing beautiful jazz. Absolutely great atmosphere to ring in the new year.

Hope 2012 is good to you.
Eat, Drink, & Be Merry!