Last week was full of celebration.  I had a birthday, we participated in a Harvest Dinner and we hosted a Sweet Sixteen dinner.  I’ll share these with you in two parts because I don’t want you to overindulge as we did.  The festivities began with my birthday. Since we had just done Supper Club on Sunday night we decided to dine out for my celebration on Wednesday.  Being a major food snob you have to know that’s it’s very difficult for me to find a restaurant that has it all…food, decor and service.  Nevertheless, Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen has been getting so many accolades we gave it a try.  Sure enough they hit the mark on food but really missed on decor and service.  For fine dining (in an old house) I expect at least an attempt at ambience and for $75/person I expect attentive, expedient service.  There was none of either so I’ll focus on the positive.  The celebrants were fabulous, the wine flowed freely and the food was really good.   I’ll share my favorite dishes.

The charcuterie is house made.  It wasn’t standard setting but was very good and the Pate-in-a-Jar was by far the star of the evening.

Unfortunately, the word Italian Kitchen doesn’t translate to their pasta dishes.  The pasta was good but certainly not a reason to go back.  However,  I would go back and sit in the bar for this rabbit dish…one of the better composed dishes I’ve had in Memphis.

These were the stars of the dessert menu….and we had them all!!!  Chocolate Torte with Popcorn Ice Cream…think having popcorn and a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup at the movie. Got it?  Got it!!!  Then, Mascarpone Cheesecake.  The only way it could be better is on a tan flat stomach…DIVINE!!!!

Good Friends and good food and the opportunity to celebrate another year of good health,  genuine happiness and unconditional love.  To hell with the ambience and service!!!

I don’t remember much about my sixteenth birthday.  I’m sure my mom made my Devils Food Cake with Seven Minute Icing and dad probably fried fish or grilled burgers.  But when girls hit sixteen it’s a very big deal. We had a big deal Sweet Sixteen Dinner yesterday for the girl who stole my heart from the minute I walked in her front door 12 years ago.  She still calls me Mr. Tim in that adorable 4-year-old voice.  She’s in her third bedroom that I’ve done for her and it pains me to say the next one will most likely be a college dorm.  WOW!!!

Sweetest of the Sweet!!!

  

Strawberry Gift Box Cake from Miss Muffn.

The house was love and pretty in PINK!!!

We started with some charcuterie of our own design.  Prosciutto with Cambazola and Homemade Clementine Preserves (Thank you Uncle Bucky); Goat Cheese Ball with Bacon, Thyme and Cracked Pepper, Homemade Pickles and Little Bite Bakery Lavash. Then, Pan Seared Foie Gras with Brown Sugar and Balsamic Glazed Front Street Figs.

 

The birthday girl requested Caesar Salad so I did Romaine Hearts with Sourdough Croutons and Pickled U15 Shrimp with Remoulade Style Caesar Dressing.

The entrée was Grilled Veal Chop with Dauphine Potatoes and Thyme Scented Spring Peas.

And, the birthday girls mom and I got carried away on the final course.  It’s a Neapolitan “Push-up” with Strawberry Birthday Cake, on Chocolate Rum Sauce with a Sparkly Chocolate Dipped Strawberry and Homemade Shortbread…the textbook definition of “it’s not done ’til it’s overdone!!!

Check in tomorrow for my report of The Harvest Dinner in Partee II where yet again…

…a good time was had by all!!!