Post by: kimmer on February 13, 2009, 02:41:41 AM
Best wishes to you, Chris! 
May you enjoy a day filled with skiing, chocolate
cake, good music and wine.
Sending loads of good wishes your way, and may the year ahead bring you much joy and happiness.
Post by: Highmac on February 13, 2009, 03:29:44 AM
Happy Birthday Chris!
May you have 
many 
more 
to 
come 
for all you do here
Post by: Jack W on February 13, 2009, 09:04:41 AM
Post by: Xairbusdriver on February 13, 2009, 11:15:20 AM
looks like they let everyone have February birthdays! Must have been a big discount at hospitals a while back! No matter, hope yours is as happy as any you've had and each one after is even better! 
Post by: Mayo on February 13, 2009, 03:31:28 PM
Post by: RNKIII on February 13, 2009, 06:29:55 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Chris
May you have a wonderful day and an even greater evening...... never mind that it is FRIDAY the 13th!!!
Best to ya,
BOb K.
Post by: chriskleeman on February 13, 2009, 10:00:26 PM
I have had a great day. I was a bit depressed this morning, got going late, but played a great gig this afternoon, went very deep on slide guitar!
Then, I found out I didn't have to go work at the restaurant when I got done with my gig, and was able to make reservations at a wonderful inn nearby with an incredible award winning young chef whom I've had the pleasure of knowing for a few years. Dinner was, unbelievable, with extra courses sent out by the chef, and to top it off, a rep from one of the biggest Italian wine importers was there, a very good friend in the business, hiding out with his girlfriend, and there were some incredible wines thrown in with some contraband Grappa from Amarone... it was just wonderful, very relaxing, and the only thing missing today was some skiing, but I'll take it!
Amazing.
And oh yeah, Kim, there was some great chocolate pot-au-feu thrown in with dessert!
Thanks!
Chris
Post by: kimmer on February 13, 2009, 11:01:28 PM
QUOTE(chriskleeman @ Feb 13 2009, 08:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
And oh yeah, Kim, there was some great chocolate pot-au-feu thrown in with dessert!
... and the wine sounds fantastic.I'm glad your day ended on a good note!
Post by: krissel on February 14, 2009, 02:15:23 AM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS !!!
Thanks so much for all you do for TS and for being there when someone needs that 'something extra'.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on February 14, 2009, 09:50:20 AM
QUOTE
chocolate pot-au-feu
OK, oh talented one, had to look that up. :noteworthy: (without being specific as to who that might be...) However, the definition I found had nothing to do with chocolate! Except the ones that said that it was available or offered. Still no recipe or description of the dish. Somehow, I don't think it means chocolate added to "pot-au-feu" (French soup of meat, typically boiled beef..., literally, "pot of fire")!!! 
More likely some form of chocolate fondue? 
Post by: kimmer on February 14, 2009, 11:58:59 AM
Post by: chriskleeman on February 14, 2009, 12:41:39 PM
QUOTE(kimmer @ Feb 14 2009, 12:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
We'll have to wait for Chris to confirm, but I figured it was either chocolate fondue or chocolate mousse. Either way, if you are a chocolate fiend ...
Briefly, as I have to go out to work in the restaurant and then play a gig in another joint later...
This guy came from the French Laundry, a very famous Napa Valley restaurant. In this case, the "pot-au-feu" refers more to the presentation. There were three components to the desert, which was actually called "Chocolicious" there was home-made killah-vanilla ice cream with a chocolate-toffee slice on top, a wonderful glorified rich version of something akin to a "whoopie-pie" and the pot-au-feu was a ramiken which was filled with a "soup" of warm espresso, rich chocolate and cream with a hint of cinnamon.
CK
Post by: dolphin on February 14, 2009, 12:53:49 PM
Post by: Mayo on February 14, 2009, 01:30:24 PM
And Oh So Affordable in these difficult times...
The Prix Fixe Chef's Tasting Menu for Valentine's Day is only $240... per person. And you vegetarians needn't fret: the restaurant also offers a "Tasting of Vegetables" menu, also for $240. (At that price I expect the vegies to be lovingly tended by nubile naked virgins who give the plants daily massages and pick them only under a full moon...)
Fortunately, the gratuity is included...
For a minute I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to afford to eat there!Chris, I estimate that your dessert would be worth around $35 if served at the Napa restaurant... You lucked out buddy!
Post by: chriskleeman on February 15, 2009, 10:45:17 AM
We didn't even get close to that price of one dinner for the two of us! Luckily, this chef is pricing his stuff more towards the local economy, and he employs as many local products as possible. We are blessed in Vermont and New Hampshire with quite a few organic and specialty cheese producers, as well as farmers who are beginning to produce organic meats and vegetables. And Jason doesn't just cherry-pick the products, he tries to make use of as much of the whole animal as possible when he buys some of his meats. And a side note: while dairy farms, unfortunately, are on the decline in Vermont, the actual number of farms is on the rise, as specialty small farms become more viable.
And, there is a lower-cost option, a small section of the Inn where they serve a "Tavern Menu", and even though the food there is a bit simpler, the same thought and care goes into what comes out the plate. It still ain't cheap, no matter what, but it's quite fairly priced. Especially when you factor in the higher food cost from using small local farm products.
So he brought his cooking skills with him without breaking the bank, lucky us! More here: Inn at Weathersfield
Mayo, his Valentine's tasting menu is a mere $69 per person, and you don't have to spend anywhere near that if you order ala carte!
Probably sounds like I'm promoting them... but hey, if any of you are ever traveling out this way, it's a great place.
Chris K
And thanks everyone for the good wishes!
Post by: kimmer on February 15, 2009, 12:30:36 PM
QUOTE(chriskleeman @ Feb 14 2009, 10:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
This guy came from the French Laundry, a very famous Napa Valley restaurant. In this case, the "pot-au-feu" refers more to the presentation. There were three components to the desert, which was actually called "Chocolicious" there was home-made killah-vanilla ice cream with a chocolate-toffee slice on top, a wonderful glorified rich version of something akin to a "whoopie-pie" and the pot-au-feu was a ramiken which was filled with a "soup" of warm espresso, rich chocolate and cream with a hint of cinnamon.
