It was $175.00 per person and that included everything, the cocktail reception with open bar, all five courses with wine pairing, and cocktails, cigar and a DJ on the patio after dinner. All the courses were prepared by different Orlando chefs from local celebrated restaurants. The wines were pair by local celebrated sommeliers.
We were greeted by several hosts and hostesses upon arrival and given champagne. Throughout the foyer and bar area, servers were providing drinks, champagne, and passed hors devours. The hors devours were prepared by Chef Fernando Enriquez from Norman’s. I have to say, every single one I tasted was absolutely delicious. I had a Three Onion Custard Tart, Yuca Stuffed Crispy Shrimp, Foie Gras Mousse with Strawberry Jam and Aged Balsamic on a Brioche, Cuban Picadillo Empanadas and a Florida Goat Cheese Baguette with tomato conserve. I loved the Shrimp; it has a spicy and rich sauce that reminded me of a hummus. The Foie Gras Mouse was wonderful with Strawberry jam; I usually don’t care for Foie Gras but having it as mouse made it more palatable. My favorite was the Goat Cheese Baguette it went wonderfully with the champagne. The goat cheese was seasoned with herbs and piped of this tomato jam that was divine. The empanada was very doughy and lacked flavor, it almost seemed silly to have them compared to everything else they were serving.
Soon, we were all called to our tables, and they began to introduce all the chefs and sommeliers for the evening. They also had a marvelous piano player and signer. The singer was so good I thought for the first few songs it was a radio or piped in music! I never found out who it was.
The tables were beautifully set and decorated. The wine started flowing and the first course came out. I was not overly excited about the first course, mostly because it was Spanish Cappelletti and I thought…pasta. However, it was prepared by Chef Brandon McGlamery of Luma on Park, another one of my favorite restaurants. The wine was Etude Pinot Gris from sommelier Brian Koziol and I am not a fan of white wines. So I guess it was not off to a good start, in my mind anyway. But I was so wrong. The Cappelletti were amazing, melt in your mouth wonderfulness! They were stuffed with fabulous cheese, sprinkled with blue foot shrimp and shaved parmesan and golden raisin. I wanted to lick my bowl. The wine was crisp and light and complemented the entrée perfectly.
We were off to a good start. The next course came out and I thought it was salmon. I was looking forward to it because it was prepared by Chefs James and Julie Petrakis from the Ravenous Pig. But It was smoked Trout. The skin was perfectly crisped and the fish was cooked with a nice slight rare pink. It was on top of a white gazpacho, candied grapes, and cucumber relish with harissa oil. I did enjoyed but I am still surprised it was smoked trout it looked like salmon and tasted very yummy. The wine course was a Riesling, it was nice but not to memorable.
All in all it was a fabulous evening with excellent food and entertainment. I can't wait to go back and have dinner there again!
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