548333 Wed Aug 13 11:22:11 -0700 2008 13 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 3953774 Finally made it to Manresa the other night. Our plan was to do the four-course but we ended up going for the tasting menu. The revelation of the meal was "Into the vegetable garden ..." which was a type of dish I've never encountered before. It looked at first like a salad, but some parts were closer to a ragout, and there were some foams and who knows what else. I definitely want to go back to try this in different seasons. A blog entry from the chef on its evolution: http://loveapplefarm.typepad.com/growbetterveggies/2007/12/into-the-vegeta.html Other highlights were the Parmesan churros, the "classic version" of the corn and tomato salad (who knew that peeling tomatoes was worth the trouble?), and the vadouvan ("exotic spice"). Also the house-made bread, which is almost exactly like Tartine's, no coincidence as the baker used to work there. And the house-churned butter. Unfortunately, after tasting 16+ dishes and I'm not sure how many wines (we got one each of the two pairings) over four hours, my memory of the meal is mostly a blur. I know everything was delicious. The only dish I thought was a little weak was the amberjack sashimi, since the accompanying fresh green coriander seeds (somewhat similar to caper berries) overpowered the very delicate fish, but it was great to get to taste those. Among the wines, the Bordeaux-like 2005 Ahlgren Bates' Ranch Cabernet and the very Burgundian 2003 Miura Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir were standouts. I was also impressed by the pairing of a 15.9%-alcohol Sea Smoke Chardonnay with the sashimi, normally I find such high-alcohol wines bizarre and undrinkable but this combination brought out its sake-like qualities. I'm looking forward to going back, but from now on I'm doing the four-course instead. Wed Aug 13 11:22:19 -0700 2008 11369 Robert Lauriston 1 3954489 I think the chef's tasting menu is one of the best in the country - it is so well-thought out as well as an incredible experience. See here: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/541956 Wed Aug 13 14:08:18 -0700 2008 3953774 11756 lizziee 2 3954906 sounds wonderful. Manresa is on my list as my next "big ticket" meal. Do you think that as a first experience it's important to have the tasting menu or would the four-course meal suffice? Wed Aug 13 16:14:26 -0700 2008 3954489 169526 pastryqueen 3 3955121 Honestly, I think the chef's tasting menu is just so extraordinary that you would be missing something very unique. Chef Kinch just doesn't throw out a laundry list of dishes - it is a carefully composed menu. Wed Aug 13 17:32:16 -0700 2008 3954906 11756 lizziee 3 3956756 My meal was great and I don't regret having ordered it, but if I'd ordered the four-course I'd probably remember it all. Nothing specific to Manresa, but this meal confirmed that personally I prefer larger portions of five courses plus maybe an amuse and mignardises. Thu Aug 14 09:32:54 -0700 2008 3954906 11369 Robert Lauriston 4 3957050 I totally agree, I had a similar experience at Charlie Trotter's in Chicago. Thu Aug 14 10:56:44 -0700 2008 3956756 17346 Cicely 1 3955265 Scanned menu (managed to get it halfway readable): Wed Aug 13 18:26:08 -0700 2008 3953774 11369 Robert Lauriston 2 3955291 Forgot the link again: Wed Aug 13 18:35:15 -0700 2008 3955265 11369 Robert Lauriston 1 3956648 I had the tasting menu this past weekend and it was truly excellent. I think as Lizziee points out, chef Kinch really excels at creating a thought out menu from start to finish, with the playful amuse and mignardes that resemble each other. It would be a shame to come here and miss the full experience. The dirt in the "into the garden" dish adds an earthy element to the vegetables. A unique and signature dish. The lamb chop I had was perfection. I was tempted to ask for seconds. Service is gracious and not overly formal. A relaxing way to spend the evening. Thu Aug 14 08:59:59 -0700 2008 3953774 38457 Senor Popusa 2 3956956 As discussed in that blog entry I linked to above, the "dirt" is made from roasted chicory and whatnot. Thu Aug 14 10:33:08 -0700 2008 3956648 11369 Robert Lauriston 1 3956817 I misremembered, it was the shellfish that had the green coriander seeds. The sashimi was perfect (which explains why it paired so nicely with the sake-like Chardonnay). Thu Aug 14 09:53:26 -0700 2008 3953774 11369 Robert Lauriston 1 3956936 Robert, I was there two weekends ago. "Into the vegetable garden..." was indeed very satisfying. Perfect blend of texture and taste. I wish I can make a dish so imaginative and tasty. We did the tasting menu as well. I had since tried to duplicate the peeled tomatoes, ikura and smoke tuna broth dish. I cannot get it perfect but my version is quite nice to as well. Very happy with Manresa. Thu Aug 14 10:27:51 -0700 2008 3953774 94441 sfwtchris 2 3957765 if I recall correctly, I think the server said the dish had over 17 or 18 different selections from their garden... so many different textures and flavors going on! Thu Aug 14 14:28:15 -0700 2008 3956936 126639 marilees 1 3957727 In terms of food quantity, is the tasting menu or the 4 course meal larger cumulatively? I'm considering making a reservation, but I don't have the largest appetite and I wouldn't want to be uncomfortably full or leaving food on the plate. If I wanted less food, which is the way to go? Thu Aug 14 14:12:13 -0700 2008 3953774 10626 phoenikia