Hello 2010 originally published on Food and Fond Memories on January 11, 2010 by sandyaxelrod 4 Comments (Edit)
Hello 2010
Hello 2010! New Years Day was beautiful but chilly so we all bundled up for our last visit to the French Quarter on this trip. I say all because today was Hershi’s day to join us. He had the cutest orange turtle neck with a peace sign applique and he really needed it to keep warm. Hershi is not only an attention whore he is a clothes hound! He LOVES to get dressed. He strutted his stuff in Jackson Square even catching the attention of “Robot Ron”. Hershi made new friends wherever he went and because of the orange sweater Florida fans called him a Gator dog which was fine by us.
Hershi with Robot Ron
Hershi Says “Hello New Friend”
By the time we went back to the RV we were frozen and in need of a nap. We relaxed for quite a while before dressing for dinner. We actually had two reservations. One at 9PM at Gautreau’s and one at 10PM at Stella! and we had heard great things about both. Before dinner we went for a drink at the Sazerac Bar at the newly re-opened Roosevelt Hotel. Lally Brennen had suggested we do this for two reasons. First the Sazerac is a well known cocktail developed there and second because the hotel is so beautiful. It is truly a landmark. It had been a Fairmont Hotel prior to Hurricane Katrina but the storm left behind 10 feet of water in the basement and wiped out the entire electrical system. The former owners felt it wasn’t worth the expense to fix. Hilton bought the hotel, completely renovated it and now the Roosevelt is a Waldorf Astoria and it is gorgeous. The lobby is lined with 20 lit trees and fabulous crystal chandeliers.
Millions of Twinkling Lights Adorn the Lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel
Gingerbread Houses and Trains at Roosevelt Hotel
We started with drinks at the bar and met a nice young lawyer and his lady friends who told us Stella! was definitely where we wanted to have our last dinner of this vacation. Then we took our drinks into another lounge where they had a big screen TV to watch the Sugar Bowl. Here we met more people from New Orleans. Carol and her young daughter were also there to watch Florida’s Gators slaughter the Bearcats of Cinncinatti. As it turned out Carol and her husband were good friends with the Chef/Owner of Stella!, Scott Boswell, and he had spent the entire week preparing for New Years Eve dinner and New Years Day dinner. She said the food and experience would be extraordinary and not to be missed. So that settled it we were going to Stella! and were we glad we did!! The chef’s Global-Modern cuisine is spectacular and the presentations even more so.
Jumbo Gulf Shrimp and Andouille Risotto with Baby Shiitake and Maitake Mushrooms, Melted Brie, Local Scallions and Virgin Olive Oil
When we arrived we were told our table wasn’t quite ready so we waited at the bar. We were not planning on ordering cocktails because we had already had them. However the wait proved to be a bit longer than the manager thought appropriate so Lorie treated us to Martinis. This was the first time we were ever asked if we wanted our Martini shaken or stirred. I said the name is Bond, James Bond – shaken not stirred! The bartenders here take their work very seriously. Each glass that comes out of their small dishwasher is hand wiped and inspected under the light to make sure they are crystal clear with no spots, lint or lipstick! The process was really quite impressive. We were seated at 10:30 and perused the wine menu before even inspecting the food menu. We decided on a Row 11 Vinas 3 Pinot Noir 2009 from California. It was reasonably priced and delicious. We started our meal by sharing the Jumbo Gulf Shrimp and Andouille Risotto with Baby Shiitake and Maitake Mushrooms, Melted Brie, Local Scallions and Virgin Olive Oil.
Next we shared a Composition of Heirloom Beets – Heirloom Beet Carpaccio with Red and Yellow Beet Sorbet, Confit of Baby Beets, Spun Beet Honey and Purple Beet Air. The dish was so innovative that it made me feel that Scott Boswell was a bit of a food scientist like Ferran Adria in Spain at El Bulli!
Porcini Crusted Dutch Valley Veal Tenderloin Medallions with Fingerling Potato Confit, Roasted Winter Root Vegetables and Calvados Escargots Herb Reduction
Miso and Sake Glazed Japanese Mero Sea Bass with Udon, Green Tea and Soba Noodles, Canadian Lobster, Louisiana Jumbo Lump Crab and Gulf Shrimp Broth
The service here at Stella! was absolutely impeccable. Our flatware was replaced with white glove service between each course. In fact we had a few extras that were compliments of the kitchen. One was a Louisiana Shrimp Kimchee with Mango Champagne Puree and Crisp Taro Root and another amuse bouche was a Kabayaki Wonton with Coconut Peanut Curry Sauce and Sweet Red Chili. Now on to our entrees, Steve ordered the Porcini Crusted Dutch Valley Veal Tenderloin Medallions with Fingerling Potato Confit, Roasted Winter Root Vegetables and Calvados Escargots Herb Reduction and yes, it tasted as good as it sounds. I thoroughly enjoyed my Miso and Sake Glazed Japanese Mero Sea Bass with Udon, Green Tea and Soba Noodles, Canadian Lobster, Louisiana Jumbo Lump Crab and Gulf Shrimp Broth. It was amazing, the flavors just danced in my mouth.
Assorted Fruit Sorbets in Ice Bowl
French Toast with Bananas Foster, Tahitian Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Crispy Fried Plantain
So much food but dessert was a must. Steve had the assorted Fruit Sorbets which came out smoking like dry ice. All of the colorful sorbets were nestled in a beautiful bowl of thin ice made with a balloon, water and liquid nitrogen. I told you Scott was a mad scientist. I had to have the French Toast with Bananas Foster, Tahitian Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Crispy Fried Plantain and I was not at all disappointed, it was beyond fabulous. Then as if all of that was not enough they brought our a little sampler plate of assorted miniature desserts. And yes, little piggies that we are, we finished those too! Hello 2010, looks like it will be a delicious year.
