Last night we went to Michael Chiarello's Bottega in Yountville. I almost didn't want to go because he was such a jerky pants the times I have seen him on Top Chef. And we all know that reality TV portrays everyone completely accurately so I knew had to be a poo head to all his staff too. But because I will always throw aside my values and morals for food, I went.
The restaurant was in the Villagio/Vintage Inn complex where Andy and Leigh Blum were married and had a cool rustic feel to it. We had a great server who have us some cool recommendations but I think we already knew what we wanted. We decided that none of the Secondi looked that great to us so we would just do starters and pastas. I had the brussell sprout and egg salad with a citrus vinaigrette and Mike had the some crab salad that I refuse to describe on grounds that I officially still hate seafood. We also split the burrata and spring pea dish as well. I love the brussell sprouts and was very disappointed with the burrata dish. For dinner we had a Bolognese pasta and a potato raviolo filled with ricotta, spinach and black truffle. Notice I said raviolo because that sucker was the size of my head. Both were great and we each became a member of the clean plate club.
Mike did a sweet thing where he ordered for us. He did a great job but I he had some help since I had been studying the menu for 2 days and talking to him about every dish. The ordering for me produced the most awkward moment of the dinner though when he brought out dessert menus. Mike loves Panna Cotta so he ordered a really good looking one on the menu. When the waiter turned to me to ask if I wanted any dessert, I just said "I wish" in a depressed and heartbreaking voice. Somehow this came off really wierd and uncomfortable. The waiter looked at me then looked at Mike like "Can't you let this little guy have some dessert. He behaved." He walked a way and shook his head thinking that I was a prisoner and was probably going to have to go back to my dungeon after dinner. He brought one spoon and was careful not to put it near me. I guess I could have mentioned I gave up dessert for lent but what the heck?
More wineries today. More dangovers. (Has that word caught on yet?)
did you figure out the name of that restaurant across the street that we frequented?
ReplyDeletelove the "i wish" - i can picture it now.