Normandy Dinner
I was asked by one of my newest friends if I could be her date to the 2nd annual Normandy Dinner hosted by Chef Renee Erickson at Boat Street Cafe which is hidden at the bottom of Queen Anne Hill on Western Ave here in Seattle.
It turned out to be a most spectacular evening.
The dinner started with an hour of freshly shucked oysters served with champagne vinegar mignonette, radishes, butter, salami, fresh crusty bread, sparkling cider from the Cambremer village of Normandy, and a delicious muscadet. This hour was spent outside on the patio of the restaurant with a mini bonfire and the crisp chill of the November evening air.
[That's Chef Renee in the scarf shucking some oysters]
It was a very intimate crowd together in a very cozy little dining room. There were two gents (Eli and Cameron) playing live music in the corner - they call themselves the Monarch Duo. Their music is inspired by Latin America and Africa.
It was all very rustic and French. It felt like I had just walked into the movie Chocolat. I was sure that Johnny Depp was going to appear at any moment.
[this handsome puppy joined us for dinner]
For our first course we enjoyed mussels with tarragon and pan de campagne paired with a muscadet.
Next we enjoyed a braised pork shoulder with cabbage, onions, aztec fuji apples, roasted root vegetables and spicy hot mustard. The pork was paired perfectly with a glass of Gamay from Beaujolais.
For dessert we had apple ice cream, poached pears, and butter cookies topped with fresh cracked peppercorns.
It was a truly wonderful meal.
Having just moved to Seattle from Los Angeles, it is hugely refreshing to dine at restaurants where the chefs are not concerned with their ego or celebrity status but more so with their food and the overall guest experience. Hallelujah.
Chef Renee also jars and sells her homemade pickles. Options include pickled figs, red onions, prunes, and raisins.
Boat Street Cafe and Kitchen
3131 Western Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
Sarah Simms