Todd English's Blue Zoo - 2009 Food & Wine Signature Dinner

[ehagerty]

My goal for today is to get pictures loaded. Commentary may - or may not - follow. Fellow guests - feel free to weigh in with your analysis....

Appetizers at the cocktail party


Pork Belly

http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p700901752-3.jpg




Tuna & Caviar

http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v5/p759464364-3.jpg




Lobster on skewers, with celery leaf

http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v7/p826323957-3.jpg




Bartender making "Blue"berry martinis

http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p915112713-3.jpg




Fish - didn't think to get the details - all I could think of was Ace Ventura...

http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p701372657-3.jpg






Meeting up with other foodies

http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v5/p897958807-3.jpg





...of course, Jason & Brenda are FAMOUS on the Disboards, so no need to "protect" their identity!!

http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p544660651-3.jpg






Amuse
apple ... cider, celery
ruffino orvieto classico, orvieto

http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v3/p948535494-3.jpg




http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p673397506-3.jpg




Todd, chatting up the crowd between courses

http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p994976495-3.jpg




Vinter (Ruffino) explaining the pairings

http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v6/p562890836-3.jpg




1st
scallop ...
lobster jus, littleneck clam, iberico ham broth, sorrel
ruffino "libaio" chardonney, toscana

http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p694809934-3.jpg




http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v7/p672204523-3.jpg




http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v5/p555827513-3.jpg





Chef Chris, giving the details

http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v8/p987672010-3.jpg




.

[TDC Nala]

My goal for today is to get pictures loaded

They didn't get loaded at the dinner? everyone else did.

[ehagerty]

2nd
porcini papardelle ....santedame estate romitorio di dantedame, toscana
http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v8/p600529398-3.jpg




3rd
vitello tonnato ....
sweetbreads, toro, lemon, garlic chip
ruffino riserva ducale oro chianti classico riserva, toscanahttp://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v5/p714307778-3.jpg




or a slightly different angle

http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v6/p858675948-3.jpg







4th
wagyu ... shortrib, cauliflower, petite vegetables
tenuate greppone mazzi brunello di montalcino, toscanahttp://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p868244446-3.jpg




... another slightly different angle, showcasing the cauliflower (one guest's favorite part!)

http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p669961478-2.jpg




.

[ehagerty]

http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v6/p982143309-3.jpg


and a toast to the red wines!!

http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v5/p658080441-3.jpg





.

[ehagerty]

I am congenitally unable to smile on demand.... Todd was very accommodating!

http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v8/p635307156-3.jpg






http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v7/p788015381-3.jpgp




http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v7/p1050738911-3.jpg




.

.

[BriarRosie]

I am so glad I missed the photo op with Todd. He's too oily and smarmy.

Ewww.

[TheDISneyFamily]

Hey, where did the pictures of Catherine & Lori go? :confused3

Love the pictures! You really should consider being a professional culinary photographer. :goodvibes

Glad you all had such wonderful evening with friends! :grouphug: Thanks for the review! :thumbsup2

BTW, Todd looks great even if he is a scoundrel pirate: and three sheets to the wind. ;)

[ehagerty]

5th
humboldt fog .....
chestnut, maple, brioche, nitro raisin
ruffino modus "super tuscan", toscana
http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p805490681-3.jpg




http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v7/p931210796-3.jpg




6th
pear and cramel millefeuille .....
tonka bean ice cream
ruffino serelle vin santo del chianti, Toscana

http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v7/p993641480-3.jpg




http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p659141743-3.jpg




.

[ehagerty]

Until the next time!

http://ehagerty.zenfolio.com/img/v6/p792572202-3.jpg




.

[TDC Nala]

That picture of the sweetbread is great!

Can't wait to see your V&A photos this time.

[Briarmom]

I so wish I could have been there. Bendy looks all lushy and boozy.:thumbsup2

[ehagerty]

Random, summary thoughts in the 12 minutes I have before I need to go pack for 3 day getaway to Ohio.....


- Will do some "clean up posting" when I return (next Monday)

- V&A pictures have been downloaded to computer, uploaded to web host site - just need to get started on the Dis posting

- Mushroom pasta and tuna on sweetbreads were surprisingly salty - as in "not subtle salt" at all.

- Everything else was good

- Overall summary - "value for the dollar"

--- I chose this dinner because it was available on a night when I was available. It was attractive because I have never dined here before, and its reputation on the Dis was pretty positive.

--- Once booked, I connected with Dis-folk and was graciously invited to share a table.

--- The company was very entertaining - lotsa laughs, food commentary challenge


- BUT - the final "test" is "Would I do it again?" and "Would I recommend it to others?"

--- Answer? Company aside (food only) = Maybe. Left to my own devices, for the dollar, V&A (regular dining room) with wine pairing and TiW discount was about the same price. I definitely enjoyed the food-n-wine at V&A the next night more.


As always, these choices are rarely mutually exclusive. Chances are, you can do both. BUT, IF you have to choose......

[ClareH37]

Thank you so much for posting - I am drooling at all that beautiful food!

I'm from the UK and every visit to Florida I *have* to visit Blue Zoo, pure heaven :goodvibes

[purpliequeen]

I can't wait to dine at Bluezoo during our next trip. Thanks for the pics and review.

Side note: I go to school with Todd English's son. :)

[DizOz]

That was snesational. Thanks for the great pictures and details.

Now I am off to clean the drool from my keyboard.

[ehagerty]

Just letting you know I reposted some pictures - had to clarify what was OK.

[oybolshoi]

Your pictures are amazing and lovely as always Ellen ... our food pictures don't look nearly as good as yours do. :thumbsup2

And I love that picture that you took of Jay and me ... it's too cute! I know that no one will believe it, but Jay was actually the boozy one that night. :cutie:

[Briarmom]

And I love that picture that you took of Jay and me ... it's too cute! I know that no one will believe it, but Jay was actually the boozy one that night. :cutie:

:rolleyes1 Uh huh.