Victoria & Albert's October 25, 2009

[redzinner]

Welcome
25 October, 2009

White Truffles Hosted by Fiorenzo Dogliani
Wines by Beni Di Batasiolo, La Morra Piedmont

Amuse-Bouche
Truffle Custard in the Egg Shell with White Truffles
Demitasse of Mushroom Consommé
Italian Buffalo Mozzarella with Crispy Prosciutto
Ohio Tomatoes with Octopus and Gugliemi Saverio Olive Oil
Metodo Classico Millesime, La Morra Italy 2003

Black Trumpet-crusted Elk Carpaccio with Preserved Artichokes and 36 Month Parmigiano-Reggiano
Gavi del Comune di Gavi DOCG 2006

Butter-poached Maine Lobster with Lobster Mushrooms and
Chef’s Garden Root Spinach
Langhe Chardonnay, Serralunga d’Alba DOC 2006

Wild Turbot with Grilled and Raw Porcini, Pappardelle Pasta, and
English Peas
Sovrana Barbera d’Alba, Piemonte DOC 2006

Truffle Gnocchi with Beef Tongue, Fava Beans, Taleggio and Forest Namekos
Vigneto Boani Barolo, Monteforte d’Alba DOCG 2000

Ballotine of Polet Rouge, Mushroom Torte, and Trumpet Royals
Vigneto Cerequio Barolo, La Morra DOCG 2001

Veal Tenderloin, Sweetbreads, and Osso Buco with Truffle Potato Puree, Maitake Mushrooms
Vigneto Boscareto Barolo, Serralunga d’Alba 2003

Gorgonzola Picante with Barolo-poached Pear, Mostarda Di Cremona,
and Dandelion Green Salad
Vigneto Corda della Briccolina Barolo, Serralunga d’Alba 2003

Peruvian Chocolate Soup, Tanzanie Chocolate Mousse,
and White Chocolate-Truffle Gelato
Moscatel Tardi Moscato Passito, Piemonte 2006

“Celebes” Coffee, Tea and Piedmont Oak Tree with Chocolate Truffles

Scott Hunnel, Chef de Cuisine Erich Herbitschek, pastry Chef Israel Perez, Maitre d’Hotel
​

 

[redzinner]

Managed to take some photos of the Signature Dinner and will try to post them later after the obligatory unpacking, laundry, etc.
Signature Dinner is such a lame descriptor for this event.

 

[oybolshoi]

I take it this means you really enjoyed your evening?

 

[Sandy321]

Cant wait to see your pictures and read the review -

I love the wine pairings, but honestly, I've never heard of the wines - does that mean I dont get out much??

 

[redzinner]

I take it this means you really enjoyed your evening?

Not enough goodvibes smilies

Cant wait to see your pictures and read the review -

I love the wine pairings, but honestly, I've never heard of the wines - does that mean I dont get out much??

I'll try to do a review ... what I can remember. 6-11:30 was an wonderfully long dinner experience but some of the brain cells start closing down.

The wine pairings were so exquisitely paired with the terroir nuances of the truffles. Small vineyards with low yields means not very much of this wine leaves Italy so you might get out a bunch Sandy but you need to get to Italy more!

 

[webray]

Wow...that sounds great!
Glad you got a chance to enjoy!

 

[TDC Nala]

Hey Zin, I changed your thread title. It said "September 25" and I was thinking "there wasn't anything special about September 25"


I think I had some of those things on the 18th. How was the tongue?

 

[redzinner]

Hey Zin, I changed your thread title. It said "September 25" and I was thinking "there wasn't anything special about September 25"


I think I had some of those things on the 18th. How was the tongue?

Thanks! Nope can't think of anything special about Sept 25 except it was the 3 month mark before Christmas.

The tongue was sassy. Tasted like braised beef, very tender. The guy sitting across from me, Alan Wong said it tasted like short ribs to him.

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

So glad you had a good time last night, Sally! I heard the dinner was a huge success! Can't wait to see your pictures.

Cheers!
Michelle

 

[BriarRosie]

Thanks! Nope can't think of anything special about Sept 25 except it was the 3 month mark before Christmas.

The tongue was sassy. Tasted like braised beef, very tender. The guy sitting across from me, Alan Wong said it tasted like short ribs to him.

I had a Hannibal Lecter moment when I saw it was served with fava beans. Pity it was a barolo and not a chianti served with it.

The menu sounded fabulous! The veal dish they served you sounds a lot like what they served us on the 18th for dinner.

 

[jeminni]

Lots of mushrooms, good thing Brenda wasn't there
Looking forward to your reviews, especially the Lobster one. You have me wondering what a Lobster mushroom is.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Can't wait to see pictures!

 

[ImprovGal]

Lots of mushrooms, good thing Brenda wasn't there
Looking forward to your reviews, especially the Lobster one. You have me wondering what a Lobster mushroom is.

I was very grateful for the theming "leak" that it was going to be a truffle dinner, as I have a strong food aversion to mushrooms. I absolutely loved last year's V&A dinner but had a feeling I wouldn't be able to appreciate this year's as much so I didn't try to book it.

It sounds like it was once again an amazing evening, though, for the mushroom lovers!


Redzinner - I love how you casually describe celebrity Chef Alan Wong as "the guy sitting across from (you)."

 

[redzinner]

Wow...that sounds great!
Glad you got a chance to enjoy!

Hi webray, Thanks to you we did enjoy the entire experience.

So glad you had a good time last night, Sally! I heard the dinner was a huge success! Can't wait to see your pictures.

Cheers!
Michelle

I just took a few photos Michelle but I will post them. And yes you heard correctly, Chef Scott said he has never been so excited to serve a dinner in his career. The white truffles of Alba Italy were certainly king that night.

I had a Hannibal Lecter moment when I saw it was served with fava beans. Pity it was a barolo and not a chianti served with it.
The menu sounded fabulous! The veal dish they served you sounds a lot like what they served us on the 18th for dinner.

I would imagine it was pretty similar Lori minus the truffles. We also enjoyed the egg custard in the shell that is part of the trend at V&A. Delish!
We have dined at a table next to Hannibal, aka Anthony Hopkins in Vegas. My back was to him so I asked DH what Anthony had for his main course ... yep DH said raw meat, duh. Smack! He actually was enjoying fish with a white wine.

Lots of mushrooms, good thing Brenda wasn't there
Looking forward to your reviews, especially the Lobster one. You have me wondering what a Lobster mushroom is.

Brenda's truffles would have been pushed to one side of the plate and then Jay would have devoured them!
A lobster mushroom is just a fungus that is orangeish red like a cooked lobster. Thankfully, with the lobster mushroom there is no need to dig out the meat from any funky crevices.

Redzinner - I love how you casually describe celebrity Chef Alan Wong as "the guy sitting across from (you)."

I didn't know who he was . He just introduced himself as Alan. Little things said and done in the first half hour made me start connecting the dots. Great casual 'guy' though. Very fun evening.

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

I just took a few photos Michelle but I will post them. And yes you heard correctly, Chef Scott said he has never been so excited to serve a dinner in his career. The white truffles of Alba Italy were certainly king that night.

Awww... that's wonderful! I'm sitting here, drooling just thinking about it. I also heard there was a bit of excitement, too. Hope everything is OK. Anyway, I wanted to mention that NYE is looking to be a big night for V&A.

V&A NYE

Not sure they will be able to top this year's sig dinner, but I think they are going to try. All the best bubbly will be out.

 

[TDC Nala]

Awww... that's wonderful! I'm sitting here, drooling just thinking about it. I also heard there was a bit of excitement, too. Hope everything is OK. Anyway, I wanted to mention that NYE is looking to be a big night for V&A.

V&A NYE

Not sure they will be able to top this year's sig dinner, but I think they are going to try. All the best bubbly will be out.

I think I may try to go to this. I will be checking tomorrow to see if it's sold out and if they still have a room at Saratoga on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of January - will have to book the first two nights at a value just to get in. Found an inexpensive flight too - but I have to wait on that until I call DVC to see if Saratoga's still available and if the event is sold out.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Awww... that's wonderful! I'm sitting here, drooling just thinking about it. I also heard there was a bit of excitement, too. Hope everything is OK. Anyway, I wanted to mention that NYE is looking to be a big night for V&A.

V&A NYE

Not sure they will be able to top this year's sig dinner, but I think they are going to try. All the best bubbly will be out.

That is really tempting to try for as I could drive down for that...stay at a value then come home the next day.

My husband might thing I'm certifiable for that though.

 

[redzinner]

Awww... that's wonderful! I'm sitting here, drooling just thinking about it. I also heard there was a bit of excitement, too. Hope everything is OK. Anyway, I wanted to mention that NYE is looking to be a big night for V&A.

V&A NYE

Not sure they will be able to top this year's sig dinner, but I think they are going to try. All the best bubbly will be out.

I'm sure he and his staff try to make each and every experience the best it can be. The truffle dinner was special to him since he was able to go to Italy and dig for some truffles himself. His 'shovel' was on display with some truffles at the entrance. He was very proud of it! The aroma was intoxicating (if you like earthy aromas ).

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

Didn't mean to take away from the importance of the Signature Dinner, I just wanted to tell you about NYE because I know if anyone would appreciate it, you would!

I'm still kicking myself that I didn't fly down last weekend so I could attend the dinner. Truffles (especially white truffles) are at the top of my foodie list. Hopefully Chef Scott will have some leftover for this weekend! Looking forward to your pics & review!

I'm sure he and his staff try to make each and every experience the best it can be. The truffle dinner was special to him since he was able to go to Italy and dig for some truffles himself. His 'shovel' was on display with some truffles at the entrance. He was very proud of it! The aroma was intoxicating (if you like earthy aromas ).

 

[BriarRosie]

I think I may try to go to this. I will be checking tomorrow to see if it's sold out and if they still have a room at Saratoga on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of January - will have to book the first two nights at a value just to get in. Found an inexpensive flight too - but I have to wait on that until I call DVC to see if Saratoga's still available and if the event is sold out.

Now I know why you were thinking about going back around New Year's Eve. This sounds tempting.