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

Tuna & Caviar

Lobster on skewers, with celery leaf

Bartender making "Blue"berry martinis

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

Meeting up with other foodies

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

Amuse
apple ... cider, celery

ruffino orvieto classico, orvieto​

Todd, chatting up the crowd between courses

Vinter (Ruffino) explaining the pairings

1st
scallop ...
lobster jus, littleneck clam, iberico ham broth, sorrel

ruffino "libaio" chardonney, toscana​

Chef Chris, giving the details

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[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​

3rd
vitello tonnato ....
sweetbreads, toro, lemon, garlic chip

ruffino riserva ducale oro chianti classico riserva, toscana​

or a slightly different angle

4th
wagyu ... shortrib, cauliflower, petite vegetables

tenuate greppone mazzi brunello di montalcino, toscana​

​

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

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[ehagerty]

and a toast to the red wines!!

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[ehagerty]

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

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[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?

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

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

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

 

[ehagerty]

5th
humboldt fog .....
chestnut, maple, brioche, nitro raisin

ruffino modus "super tuscan", toscana​

6th
pear and cramel millefeuille .....
tonka bean ice cream

ruffino serelle vin santo del chianti, Toscana​

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[ehagerty]

Until the next time!

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[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.

 

[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

 

[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.

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.

 

[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.

Uh huh.