Best dinner ever?

Harvest dinner at Watercourse with an appropriately full moon over my shoulder. Plate upon plate of lovely foods, wrapped up with a mug of chicory coffee and stolen spoonfuls of leftover pecan pie and chocolate dipping sauces. Not to mention an introduction to six wines (hello, Riesling, I think I like you). These people know how to make me happy.

Amuse:

Chestnut and savory pear bruschetta served on a sweet potato cracker and topped with French Roquefort cheese and a fig compote.

Pairing: Danielle De L’ansee (Loire Valley)

1st Course:

Squash 3 ways:

A spicy kabocha squash bisque, with a pumpkin seed oil drizzle and crispy squash chips with a smoked sea salt.

Pairing: Petite Petit (California)

2nd Course:

A sweet walla walla onion pate, served with toast points, and a rosemary apple mustard.

Pairing: Magnificent Riesling (Washington)

Main:

Herbed and truffled white bean and cauliflower puree served with a crispy potato nest, arugula and champagne grape salad with autumn gastrique and a mushroom demi.

Pairing: Rivetto Docetto D’ Alba

Dessert:

Pumpkin spiced beignets with a trio of dipping sauces (chocolate, pecan pie and cranberry).

Pairing: Gruet Demi-Sec (New Mexico)

Another world

When I was a kid, I stopped at an Australian tourism booth at a fair. I came away with a Violet Crumble bar, a "kangaroo crossing" sign for my room, and some vague idea that one day I'd visit. Almost thirty years later, I finally got on the plane and took a really long flight that ended in Sydney. After three weeks in the other hemisphere, I've got lots of pictures and the stories to go with them. While the suitcases are already unpacked, it'll take a little longer to sort out memories, so little by little, I'll add words and images. I already miss the birds.