Dinner at The Playground with Paul Wasserman

Wednesday, September 14, 2016.

Sold out dinner again at the 2.0 room at the Playground . www.playgrounddtsa.com,.

Paul Wasserman was in attendance. His mother writes a column for the New York Times and is a  large importer of wines from Burgundy. 

As always the food was top notch and different. 13 plates and 6 wines.

We started out with glasses of NV Parigot, Cremant de Bourgone de Rose. 100% Pinot to whet the appetite.

A 2011 Don Patrick Charlin, Rousette du Bugey Montagnieu, Savoie, Altesse  was poured.  
 I really liked this wine and it paired perfectly with the housemade grilled whole wheat flatbread. Accompanied by Broccolini Sofritto over Broccolini.  A cappacio of Conserva Artichokes, Salsa Verde with Red Fresno Chile's and a Conserva of Shellfish, Preserved Lemon and Chile Flake. These were all clean your plate dishes. Flavors were great and you kept going back for more.

Third wine was a 2012 Sylvian Patialle, Marsannay Blanc.  Made from a pink chardonnay grape. Another one to add to my list.  The 3 dishes served with this wine were a Ocean Trout Tatare, Nicoise Olives, Tomato Concussed, Candied Lemon Zest and handmade Purple Potato Chips.  A Heirloom Tomato Salad with Roasted Garlic Buratta (housemade). Needless to say I was happy. I even ate the tomatoes. And the third dish of this trio was Lobster, Vanilla Butter and Corn. Some of the best corn I have eaten. Lobster was sweet and tender and there were large pieces in the dish. You knew you were eating Lobster. The Vanilla Butter was unusual but very good and gave a very different take to flavored butter.

Next trio of dishes consisted of Beet salad (fabulous beets) with Faro, Brown Butter Honey Vin, Fennel, Pistachios and Orange. A Charred and Braised Escarol with White Beans. I absolutely loved this dish. So good. Followed by  Fingerling Potatoes with Chorizo and Smoked Egg Vin.  Wine paired was a 2012 Sylvian Patialle, Marsannay 'Les Longeroies" Pinot Noir. Very light Pinot. Very French

Fifth wine was a 2014 Jean-Baptiste Souillard, Crozes-Hermitage "Les Habrards" Syrah . Bigger wine that the Pinot and paired beautifully with the Mole with Masa Gnocchi, Coppa di Testa, TMG. Mushrooms with Fried Shallot Cream, Caper Raisins in Puree and Crispy Garlic. Another dish you could wipe you plate for. Accompanied by a slice of Wagu Rib Eye cooked perfectly.

A palate cleanser of Lychee Sorbet, Strawberries and Lime Zest was welcomed before dessert

Dessert consisted of Membrillo, Manchego, Candied Pecans, Love Cake, Hazelnut Gelato and Poached Sultanas..  The wine was a Caves Jean Bourdy "Galant des Abbesses".  A Pinot based wine. Not too sweet and a good pairing

Beautiful dinner tonight. Unbelievable food. Worth every dime I paid for it.