Initially, I want to prolong a brilliant enormous, particular thanks to Chef Joe Richardson and Lara Hooper, homeowners of Lucilla, for leaping in on a “new to me” promotional second for our Patreon subscribers! And to Tallahassee Foodies, you all are merely the perfect! I had an exquisite time eating with you all on the Lucilla Autumn Wine Dinner final night time!
Our Patreon subscription providers simply kicked off two weeks in the past, and I contacted Lucilla early October, weeks earlier than our launch to say, “Hello Lucilla, I used to be questioning, would you be considering internet hosting a wine dinner for Tallahassee Foodies, and in addition, would you be keen to supply my Patreon subscribers first entry to enroll in your wine dinner, and in addition, would you have the ability to supply them just a little one thing particular in trade for his or her subscription?” Their reply to all the above was (fortunately), YES!!!!
And guess what my Foodie Mates, the parking zone was packed, the tables have been all seated, there have been acquainted faces blended with a number of Lucilla newbies, and though I arrived on time, fortunately I used to be the final one there! I say fortunately as a result of my “immediate, but after everybody else’s arrival” earned me a spot proper close to the kitchen the place all the motion was happening. Chef Joe, beforehand of Cafe Cabernet, Andrew’s Downtown, and Sage, granted me permission to snap a couple of pics of their plating in progress, and wow, what a tremendous expertise to observe because it all got here collectively.
There have been two waiters with, what would appear like fairly a heavy workload, as every course got here out on the similar precise time for your entire restaurant, but everybody working the occasion, back and front of home, was so calm and funky, making dialog with patrons, and cracking jokes with one another. They’re all true execs at what they do, and their system was so on level!
It was simply an all-around great night! I’m undecided if I used to be simply so glad to be out and about, so glad to be at a wine dinner, so glad to be amongst foodies, so glad to eat Lucilla’s at all times wonderful meals, or possibly it was a mix of all the above that almost introduced a tear of pleasure to my eyes a couple of instances!
Chef Joe labored on this unbelievable menu for about three to four weeks earlier than our massive night time, and every course was completely paired with superb wine and spirits, courtesy of the gifted and tremendous educated, Adam Foster of Winebow Effective Wines and Spirits.
Please enable me to share with you the wonderful Lucilla Autumn Wine Pairing menu, each course in photos…
We began with Crispy Fried Oysters served with a creole aioli-datil pepper and cocktail sauce, layered over the perfect ever fried inexperienced tomatoes paired with a Dibon Cava, Brut Reserva from Spain! Every little thing was seasoned and cooked to perfection! I imagine you may order both of those choices on their appetizer menu, we’ve had and beloved each earlier than, and HIGHLY suggest! My husband is aware of to cross me his fried inexperienced tomato, each single time!!!
Subsequent, we moved on to the Seared Sea Scallop served over a candy corn and chestnut risotto, with a citrus butter chive oil paired with Enrico Serafino, ‘Gavi di Gavi’ Cortese, Piedmont! How did Chef Joe know to pair all of those wonderful components collectively??? The mixture of savory, “good for fall” chestnuts, balanced out by a citrus and butter chive oil was magical. I feel this was the primary second I practically shed a tear lol. My husband and I LOVE risotto, so this was one more wonderful dish on their Autumn Wine Pairing menu.
We moved on to the Maple Miso Glazed Ōra King Salmon over bacon candy potato hash, with a aspect of garlic spinach paired with Dupeuble, Beaujolais Rouge, Gamay. Oh my, the maple miso glazed salmon was unbelievable! Do you see that glaze layer pictured above? A visitor mentioned to a waiter, “this was the perfect dish I’ve ever had in my complete life”. I heard this repeated within the kitchen, and in true Chef Joe trend, he jokingly responded, “they have to not get out a lot”, because the kitchen and myself all started to giggle. He’s humble and hilarious! Fortunate me to get, what I’m dubbing, “the chef’s desk expertise”, proper subsequent to all of the motion.
At this level, I’m attempting to save lots of room for the dessert Lucilla teased earlier within the day on Instagram, however I wanted to work in a couple of bites of probably the most tender steak ever!!! This course was the Solid Iron Seared Filet Mignon, served with a aspect of completely salted mushroom toast and roasted brussel sprouts with a house-made steak sauce paired with Matthews, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley WA. The steak was high-end perfection, and Adam Foster knew precisely what he was doing with each single pairing!
Simply after I thought I couldn’t match one other chunk of something in my stuffed stomach, I one way or the other managed to scrape the attractive dessert dish of each final crumb! The Pumpkin Pots de Creme was served beneath a toasted marshmallow with a aspect of shortbread, and paired with Emilio Hidalgo, ‘Morenita’ Cream Sherry, Jerez. We have been all speaking about each dish after dinner, and particularly that dessert!
Thanks a lot, Chef Joe, Adam Foster, and all at Lucilla to your wonderful hospitality! I’m so perpetually grateful for you all, leaping proper in as our very first “perk associate”, and providing up a enjoyable and engaging menu for my new subscribers. I do know there have been numerous acquainted faces on the Autumn Wine Dinner, in addition to some newbies, and we’ve already in contrast notes that we are able to’t wait to return once more quickly! So once more, a brilliant enormous thanks for all the pieces!
When you’d wish to comply with together with me at Patreon, I hope you’ll take part on all the enjoyable. We’ve got extra thrilling perks developing for the remainder of November, and concepts already lined up for December. Past the perks, funding helps pay for this weblog (that hosts this text, our vacation directories, bulletins, occasions calendar and extra), in addition to our publication! To these of you which have already subscribed, thanks so very a lot! Your assist is so appreciated to assist hold this ardour venture alive!
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