Julie Kalivretenos & Chef Norman Van Aken. Click to see more photos on Flickr.
Last night, my husband and I attended the 5th anniversary celebration of one of my favorite restaurants, and chefs, here in Orlando – Norman’s at the Ritz Carlton, Grand Lakes. I wouldn’t have missed it, and it was an even far better time than I ever expected! Norman is, of course, the award-winning author and legendary Chef Norman Van Aken, known as the founding father of “New World Cuisine”. Dean Fearing of Fearing’s at the Ritz Carlton in Dallas was also in attendance and co-collaborator on the evening’s luscious menu, as well as Food Network Canada buzzing about, filming the event. Additionally, a portion of the evening’s proceeds went to the Love Your Life Foundation, a charity benefiting financially challenged families.
A lovely champagne reception got everyone mingling, and a nice assortment of hors d’œuvres were passed including a mahi ceviche, unique melon kabobs that were seasoned with some heat, and little bruschetta with a brie-like cheese drizzled with balsamic reduction.
Speaking of the menu, ours was artfully modified to accommodate the vegetarian, but without compromising the original theming and integrity of meat inclusive ingredients. Our courses and their respective wine pairings included:
- Chilled Mixed Red and Yellow Beet Salad with Wasabi Sorbet and Toasted Pistachios – My husband swore he hated beets. But let me tell you, there wasn’t a fleck of food left on his plate. These were very small and tiny beets that just melted in your mouth. Quinta Do Feital Alvarinho “Dorado”, Minho Portugal, 2005
- Dean’s BBQ’d Royal Trumpet Mushroom Taco – This was a real treat, considering tacos are among my favorite foods in the world! Dean’s BBQ mushroom variation was creative and delicious, and naturally, more Tex-Mex than Mex. Melville Estate Viognier “Verna’s Vineyard”, Santa Rita Hills, California, 2007
- Stuffed Vidalia(?) Onion with Jicama and Edamame – Unlike the beet salad and mushroom taco, this was more of a substitutional variation from the salmon course on the main menu, so I am entering my own descriptions here. A savory filling of jicama, edamame, and herbs were wrapped with a thick, sweet onion ring and surrounded by a moat of what tasted to be a light curry foam. Patz & Hall Pinot Noir “Pisoni Vineyard”, Santa Lucia Highlands, California, 2005
- BBQ Tofu Steak with Jalepeno Grits and Butternut Squash Taquito – This pretty much speaks for itself. It was delicious, and by this time I was getting quite full! Domaine Serene Rockblock Syrah “Seven Hills Vineyard”, Walla Walla Valley, Oregon, 2005 and Domaine Jean-Louis Chave “Silene”, Crozes-Hermitage, France, 2006
- “S’mores” – Graham Cracker Crumble, Brandied “El Rey” Chocolate Ganache, Toasted Marshmellow Fluff, Burnt Honey Ice Cream – Mine was made extra special with a “Happy Birthday” written in chocolate and a candle! Bodegas Olivares Dulce Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain, 2004
Original menu, signed for moi...Click to see more photos on Flickr.
After all that wonderful food, wine, and champagne, it was a wonder I could walk out of the place! But if it wasn’t the event itself that made it all worth it, it was also my birthday (actually tomorrow) and we took the opportunity to celebrate my 25th as well. 25? Or was it 21? Heck, either one sounds good to me!
<3, JMK
