V Day 2008 Redux... Without the preaching- Bistro Ortolan
Happy Valentines Day to my Baby, from....
After yesterdays somewhat obligatory Valentines Days day post or whinge, if you will, it's time for an update of the day. In the lead up to this day, Erica as per usual re-iterated to me, as she normally does come these sorts of occasions, that I need not get her any flowers. And also that we need not dine out because we're trying to save money. And as usual I agreed, or more specifically gave silent agreement in the form of a nod or some other ambiguous physical gesture that could be perceived as agreement. And from her reaction she seemed to take it on board that we came to a mutual understanding that they day would pass uneventfully, especially given my stance on on commercialism of the whole thing.
As the saying goes "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!". Did Erica really think that I wouldn't get her flowers on Valentines Day??? Sheesh!!! Every year I scheme a new way to try to surprise her, even if it is in a small way. I think she'll probably have learnt by next year to expect flowers irregardless of what I say or agree to, so I'll have to think up something new... :)
I had organised for flowers to be delivered to her at home whilst I was at work on this day instead of bringing them home. Just to cover myself in case she made me give her a verbal promise not to give her flowers in which case I could promise not to *give* her the flowers. Because technically speaking, someone else would be. I also decided to make her a card this year, as lame as it was instead of simply writing on one.
The day before I kept sussing her out, trying to make sure she would be at home for the period of delivery, which is before noon. And so far so good, it seemed that she only had plans for the afternoon. So imagine my surprise when I woke up for work on V Day morning only to find out that she's woken up too! Normally she gets up much later! This indicated that she had plans to leave the house early for whatever reason she had! Awww crap!
So I had to make a hasty change of plans to make sure she remained at home for that period. I changed my days schedule to include a client visit to the city office. I called Erica and told her that since I'll be going to the city, I'll come home first to drop off the car and get her to send me to the station. So I timed it such that Erica thought I was getting home at 11am, I would get home by 11:30am, and the flowers would come soon after! This way there would be no need to suspect any shenanigans!! If I had say I'd be home by 12, then it might inconvenience her day as she was planning to head out early. So book early, arrive late, alls well that ends well :)
I had a surprise dinner booked for us as well at a French restaurant that I've been meaning to try called Bistro Ortolan. It's meant to be quite good and has received some very good reviews. I basically told her only where we were going once we were in the car so as to give her no chance to google the restaurant!!!
They had a special set Valentines Day Degustation menu which was different from the normal menu which I was hoping to try, but no matter as it turned out to be fantastic. The place was quite small, quaint, and intimate. It's can be romantic without being too posh or stuffy. The service was great, and included a very uncertain waiter on his first day on the job, clearly nervous and apologising profusely over everything.
Unfortunately they didn't have a bar, so no obligatory cocktails for us, but the food was divine. Very well priced 10 course (they include the petit fours as a course) degustation which I will definitely go back for. It was typically French, with most of the dishes being rich and creamy, however the flavours were outstanding and the portions quite generous. Definitely a place I would recommend to anyone looking for a relatively well priced degustation that is absolute quality. Now onto the food.
The Flame of Justice presiding over the eternal struggle between black and white.....
Le Bread
Freshly Shucked Dunnally Bay Pacific Oyster with Caviar Chantilly and Vichyssoise
'San Choy Bow' of John Dory and Prawn with Cauliflower and Lemongrass Emulsion
Seared Hervey Bay Sea Scallop and Bouillabaisse Tortellini with Fennel and Fresh Peas
Roasted Barramundi Fillet with Herbed Snails, Celeriac Veloute and Bone Marrow Gnocchi
Poached Free-Range Chicken Breast with a Trio of Jerusalem Artichoke and Freshly Shaved Perigord Truffle
Slow-Cooked Spiced Tenderloin of Rose Veal and Caramelized Sweetbreads, with Fondant Potatoes and Bearnaise Sauce
Selection of French Cheese with Walnut and Fig Toast (well... what's left of it...)
Black Plum and Green Apple Sorbet with Iced Apple
Caramelised Black Fig and Frangipane Tart with Chai Ice-Cream, Almond Milkshake, and Warm Chocolate Ganache
Tea, Coffee, Petits Fours, and a partridge in a pear tree......
Dinner took about 3 hours and by the end we were completely stuffed. It's always terrific when you have a degustation where each and every course tastes absolutely sublime. And that wraps up another Valentines Day. A wonderful day that I absolutely and thoroughly enjoyed with my always lovely and absolutely beautiful wife.
After yesterdays somewhat obligatory Valentines Days day post or whinge, if you will, it's time for an update of the day. In the lead up to this day, Erica as per usual re-iterated to me, as she normally does come these sorts of occasions, that I need not get her any flowers. And also that we need not dine out because we're trying to save money. And as usual I agreed, or more specifically gave silent agreement in the form of a nod or some other ambiguous physical gesture that could be perceived as agreement. And from her reaction she seemed to take it on board that we came to a mutual understanding that they day would pass uneventfully, especially given my stance on on commercialism of the whole thing.
As the saying goes "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!". Did Erica really think that I wouldn't get her flowers on Valentines Day??? Sheesh!!! Every year I scheme a new way to try to surprise her, even if it is in a small way. I think she'll probably have learnt by next year to expect flowers irregardless of what I say or agree to, so I'll have to think up something new... :)
I had organised for flowers to be delivered to her at home whilst I was at work on this day instead of bringing them home. Just to cover myself in case she made me give her a verbal promise not to give her flowers in which case I could promise not to *give* her the flowers. Because technically speaking, someone else would be. I also decided to make her a card this year, as lame as it was instead of simply writing on one.
The day before I kept sussing her out, trying to make sure she would be at home for the period of delivery, which is before noon. And so far so good, it seemed that she only had plans for the afternoon. So imagine my surprise when I woke up for work on V Day morning only to find out that she's woken up too! Normally she gets up much later! This indicated that she had plans to leave the house early for whatever reason she had! Awww crap!
So I had to make a hasty change of plans to make sure she remained at home for that period. I changed my days schedule to include a client visit to the city office. I called Erica and told her that since I'll be going to the city, I'll come home first to drop off the car and get her to send me to the station. So I timed it such that Erica thought I was getting home at 11am, I would get home by 11:30am, and the flowers would come soon after! This way there would be no need to suspect any shenanigans!! If I had say I'd be home by 12, then it might inconvenience her day as she was planning to head out early. So book early, arrive late, alls well that ends well :)
I had a surprise dinner booked for us as well at a French restaurant that I've been meaning to try called Bistro Ortolan. It's meant to be quite good and has received some very good reviews. I basically told her only where we were going once we were in the car so as to give her no chance to google the restaurant!!!
They had a special set Valentines Day Degustation menu which was different from the normal menu which I was hoping to try, but no matter as it turned out to be fantastic. The place was quite small, quaint, and intimate. It's can be romantic without being too posh or stuffy. The service was great, and included a very uncertain waiter on his first day on the job, clearly nervous and apologising profusely over everything.
Unfortunately they didn't have a bar, so no obligatory cocktails for us, but the food was divine. Very well priced 10 course (they include the petit fours as a course) degustation which I will definitely go back for. It was typically French, with most of the dishes being rich and creamy, however the flavours were outstanding and the portions quite generous. Definitely a place I would recommend to anyone looking for a relatively well priced degustation that is absolute quality. Now onto the food.
The Flame of Justice presiding over the eternal struggle between black and white.....
Le Bread
Freshly Shucked Dunnally Bay Pacific Oyster with Caviar Chantilly and Vichyssoise
'San Choy Bow' of John Dory and Prawn with Cauliflower and Lemongrass Emulsion
Seared Hervey Bay Sea Scallop and Bouillabaisse Tortellini with Fennel and Fresh Peas
Roasted Barramundi Fillet with Herbed Snails, Celeriac Veloute and Bone Marrow Gnocchi
Poached Free-Range Chicken Breast with a Trio of Jerusalem Artichoke and Freshly Shaved Perigord Truffle
Slow-Cooked Spiced Tenderloin of Rose Veal and Caramelized Sweetbreads, with Fondant Potatoes and Bearnaise Sauce
Selection of French Cheese with Walnut and Fig Toast (well... what's left of it...)
Black Plum and Green Apple Sorbet with Iced Apple
Caramelised Black Fig and Frangipane Tart with Chai Ice-Cream, Almond Milkshake, and Warm Chocolate Ganache
Tea, Coffee, Petits Fours, and a partridge in a pear tree......
Dinner took about 3 hours and by the end we were completely stuffed. It's always terrific when you have a degustation where each and every course tastes absolutely sublime. And that wraps up another Valentines Day. A wonderful day that I absolutely and thoroughly enjoyed with my always lovely and absolutely beautiful wife.