The Rhodes presented two appetizers that were passed outside: mini grilled quesadillas w/ mango and jalapeno, and shashimied portobello mushrooms with miso and spinach in a crisp won-ton shell. Both were just outstanding and the plates were emptied quickly!
Inside we sat down at a long table, properly segregated by gender (ha ha!), filled our glasses with wine and The Lundquists put out the first plate with a strawberry balsamic salad with candied pecans on the side. Now, the salad was tasty, tasty, but those pecans were dipped in tiny bowls of the balsamic dressing and were out of this world!
With our palates properly warmed up The Jaffes plated a perfectly portioned olive & artichoke tartlette. A hand molded crust curled around salty bits of olive, luscious bites of artichoke hearts and creamy cheese. It was a fabulous first course, flavorful with a flaky crust!
The Bayons left a table of laughter to come back armed with plates of penne - creamy mushroom penne. Oh! The penne was perfectly cooked and the sauce carried the pasta and mushrooms beautifully. It was right after this course we took a little break. Let all the goodness settle in our stomachs and the wine coat our palates a little more. Somewhere in here Chris thought the party was missing popcorn. Hey, it's vegetarian! And it was delicious dipped in the balsamic from The Lundquists first course!
To finish things off The Redmores sweetened things up with a little angle food cake. That in itself is nice. Not thrilling, but nice. BUT when brushed with frangelico and topped with an espresso-frangelico whipped cream, toasted hazelnuts and a dash of cocoa powder it does indeed become thrilling.
No meat?.... no problem. We emptied plates, left with full bellies and aching faces from the smiles and laughter. Thank you Chris & Chris for a simply wonderful night, and to the whole gang for being such great food-loving friends!
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