I always enjoy celebrating my birthday, and I especially appreciate that James facilitates the birthday-ing beyond the single day. This year, I’ve had a really great time!
November 16, my friend and perfumer Ayala Moriel launched her chocolate bar line with Cocoa Nymph. My friend Anita, who shares a birthday with me and a passion for perfume, was also in town. Partners in tow (in toe?) we went to the Cocoa Nymph shop, listened to James (not mine) play some lovely piano. Then we tasted each of the 3 chocolate bars with wine pairings.
Guilt (orange + dark chocolate, really smooth)
I don’t normally like orange and chocolate but what I discovered is that I don’t like synthetic orange and chocolate. The orange in this bar, along with orange blossom, is absolutely beautiful. The chocolate just melts in your mouth.
Espionage (smokey salt + dark chocolate)
Wow! My favourite. This chocolate is a journey in your mouth. The smokey salt creates little bursts of flavour that are intensely wonderful.
Roses et chocolat
Rose in desserts is a very Middle Eastern flavour and I love it. The darkest of the bars, this rose essence is one of the best in the world. To have it in a chocolate bar would be sinful if the Cocoa Nymph wasn’t such a great chocolatier.
Chocolate and wine done, James and I carried on to Bao Bei for some late night cocktails (the John Wein and a smoky plum bourbon high ball). One of my favourite spots. We also indulged in some late night snacks. So tasty!
Shao Bing
Crunchy sesame flatbread with braised pork butt, Asian pear, pickled onion
and mustard greens‚ 10
Mantou
Steamed buns with braised beef shortrib, hoisin, scallions, pickled cucumber,
and roasted peanuts, 9
Steamed prawn and chive dumplings, 7.50
The next day was my buddy Jay Grandin’s birthday, which brought us to the Alibi Room for merriment.
Then Friday, James and I popped down to Seattle to hang with the awesome duo of Common Craft–Lee and Sachi LeFever. I can’t imagine more wonderful hosts for our Seattle visit.
Lee just returned Friday night from Toronto so it was another late evening meal, this time at an amazing Basque restaurant, whose name escapes me.
Duck confit, rabbit, squid, croquettes, brussel sprouts , ice cream, almond cake, roasted pear with fig ganache. Need I go on? It was delicious.
On Saturday, James and I started with some shopping at Nordstroms. I love the sales people there. Then we took the monorail to Pacific Science Center for the Harry Potter Exhibition.
After we walked back to Pike Market and had one of Seattle’s best crab cakes, 5 oz of crab moulded into a delightful mound of yumminess. Bit of shoe shopping. It was MY birthday so no feeling sorry for James. Then we drove up to Capitol Hill and Quinn’s Pub, where we had an amazing Painted Hills beef burger and fries (James) and a rabbit sausage with roast squash, frisee, chestnuts and a maple bourbon homemade marshmallow (me), oh yes!
The late night component included going back to Science Center to watch the Harry Potter movie on the IMAX screen. It was a big day.
This morning we (James, Lee, Sachi and I) joined Jay and Anatasia at Luc, a great French bistro that has just recently opened for brunch. Mushroom omelette, homemade doughnuts, coffee and friends.