Cliff Turns 65!

We had a fabulous birthday party at Palate Food + Wine in Glendale. It was really fun for Cathy and me and the guests. Special kudos go to Joy and Brenda who drove down from Napa. They joined us for 4 days of dining!

Billy and Kevin invited us over for Dungenesse Crabs cooked on his outdoor wok. I went downtown to Chinatown and personally picked out the live crabs. They were some of the best I have ever had! Lots of great wine from Kevin's seemingly unlimited supply.

The next night we went to Barbrix our favorite local restaurant in Silverlake. We ate outdoors (always a treat in LA) and had a wonderful dinner. Yea Don!

Monday night we went to Osteria Mozza. I had asked them grill some Lobsters as an appetizer. They went overboard and planned a whole dinner for us. Chris served us a Burrata sampler plate, then the Lobster with a Fantastic Salad. They then served Lobster Pasta two ways, one with tomatoes one without. An assortment of delicious desserts capped off the evening. It was mind-blowing!

I have NEVER had lobster that came out of the shell so easy. Grilled Lobster is definitely my favorite way to have it prepared. Cathy had the fantastic idea to bring home all of the leftover lobster shells and lobster meat, so that we could make a lobster stock and lobster risotto. I will never leave lobster shells again at a restaurant. It was an inspired idea!

For the party on the day of my birthday, we invited our Silverlake neighbors and some close friends and family. Palate outdid them selves. Of course we planned a meal around Suckling Pig! The food was exceptional everyone commented on how great it was. A Tomato Salad with Watermelon in it was a great hit. You thought you were biting into a red tomato and you got a piece of sweet watermelon. It was a very cleaver idea. Then then served Scallops with Truffles. What more can I say? The Suckling Pig was the best ever, it had been confied in duck fat, making the skin really crispy. It was served with an incredible Potato and Corn Succotash. For dessert: a Rosemary Bread-pudding to die for. In addition the setting in the library at Palate and drinks outdoors on the patio only added to the joy. I have attached a link to some pictures from the party. It was truly memorable.
Thanks to Octavio / Jason and Steve (for the great wines). It was a memorable night!
See pictures of the party here.