Napa & Company Recap: Ode to a Blogger's Feast
Sarah Green
Sometimes, a culinary experience is so sublime, Calliope is evoked. On Monday evening, 16 bloggers were invited to experience NAPA & CO, featuring their talented Executive Chef Arik Bensimon. We came, we ate, we were inspired. Tiny tidbits were passed, 6 courses were served, and wines were perfectly paired . But prose wouldn't do it justice. Only through poetry and some visual food porn can you, too, feel a part of our pilgrimage to edible rapture:
HAIKU
Duck egg gently poached
Hatched atop Fontina bed
Truffle chip pillows
Pork Belly Skewers
Pickled Rhubarb Tangy, Sweet
Caramelized Delight
Oh, Hen of the Woods
Fennel Pollen Blanketing
Halibut Heaven
A SOUS VIDE SONNET
Lamb Belly, Slow Cooked, Delicately Glides
Resting, Dreaming upon its Fava bed
Of oval, green lily pads lifting high
Medallions of glory, perfect tears shed
Under - it's magic. A pureed potion,
Beans are gently pummeled, drizzled, mashing
Like the spray of wild and feral ocean
Upon the taste buds, flavor waves crashing
Yet more awaits, forks descend, penetrate
White yogurt ribbons, goat's milk for the gods
Wrapped sweet morsels, surrendering to fate
Plump, fava clouds transport the savory pods
Paired with Chianti - Ambrosia, delight
Gourmand's nirvana, lamb belly, done right.
A BRISKET TALE
B etter than Bubby's
R aised on local grass
I nfused with jus
S avory, succulent, slightly sweet
K runchy Korn Kompote
E xquisite heirloom tomatoes
T ender, tantilizing, to DIE for
"Oolii" Oo lala!
Oolii - Croatian mushroom
Oolii - "google" stumper
Oolii - bride to the fettucine groom
Oolii - shitake trumper
Oolii - saffron sponge
Oolii - Chardonnay's friend
Oolii - take the plunge
Oolii - latest trend
DESSERT- A Mathematical Equation
Mascarpone cheese cake fluff + sweet basil infusion + fresh, infused raspberries = sublime finish + 16 sated foodies
LIMMERICK
There once was a girl from Nantucket...(oops - wrong limmerick!)
The Kitchen at Napa & Co
Really knows how to put on a show
With Bloggers around
To Impress and Astound
They certainly know what they know!
A LITTLE LATIN DIDDY:
Amo ergo edo.
Edo ergo amo.
And now, some heartfelt prose to finish - Thank you, Mary, Charlie and Arik Bensimon for a most poetic evening. With admiration from CTbites.com.
Reader Comments (5)
Sarah - you have outdone yourself!! The article resounds with 'epicurean hedonistic glee'!!!
I wish I was there!
Yeah, that sums it up. Nice work. It was truly an awesome meal. We'll have our review out soon. I don't know if it will be in the form of a limerick, haiku, sonnet, or even free verse. :)
Pure heaven...like water for chocolate. Well don Chef Arik...you deserve the kudos and accolades
This meal deserved sonnets and poetry written in its honor. Hats off to Chef Arik! Thanks for the adjustment made to the menu for those eating vegetarian. DIVINE...
recipe for kale salad and halibut????? i'm begging you!