Craigie's "Road Less Traveled" Menu
http://www.craigieonmain.com/?page_id...
So I've been contemplating eschewing my vegetarian ways but haven't really found the inspiration to do so. I think I've just found it. Might as well start with a bang, yes?
I'm particularly psyched about the Green Olive Stracetti Pasta with Burgundy snail ragout.
Who's already got their reservations, and what are you most excited to try?
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I was lucky enough to go last night with a buddy of mine. We're both CoM fans, and were looking forward to the meat-heavy off-the-map menu.
What we got (between the two of us):
Amuse: Three Crostini: cod milt brandade, monkfish liver pate, lobster tomalleyFirst Course: Duck Consommé
duck tongue confit, testicles, foie gras-stuffed neck, grilled heart skewer
Crispy Pig Foot Croquette
sunny side up duck egg, lentil saladEntrees: Elysian Fields Lamb Four Ways: Neck, Sweetbreads, Brains, and Heart Sausage
crispy quinoa, beet and pomegranate jus
Local Beef Two Ways: Braised Cheek, Grilled Tongue Confit
cardoon and marrow gratin, oxtail and roasted barley jusDessert: Azuki Bean and Pandan Mochi,
matcha glaze, black sugar ice cream
Alfajore Ice Cream Sandwich
tonka bean and chia seed sable, dulce de leche ice cream, yerba mateTo start with what I wasn't a fan of, it mostly centered around the beef cheeks. I had no expectations over any of the dishes, but this one had an oddly astringent after taste (it was the only thing throughout the meal that I did not finish). The pig foot was perfectly cooked and moist, and mixed with the egg, it had the perfect richness and depth of flavor with which I was hoping. For the dessert, I had the Azuki Bean Mochi, which was 'interesting' to say the least. There was some strong sesami gastriche (sp) on the plate, which was almost too strong by itself. But once you mixed it in with the rest of the dish, and had a sip of the sake punch included, it all made sense. The strength of the sesame coupled with the sweetness of the sake was pure balancing genius.
Portions were sized appropriately, and service was attentive but not overbearing, as all my other CoM meals have been.
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This was last night and it was outstanding.
Some highlights:
- Crostini with lobster tomalley as part of the amuse-bouche: oceany and earthy.
- Pig foot croquette - rich inside, crispy outside.
- Stracetti pasta with snail and pig kidney ragout - funky tasting in a really interesting way.
- Lamb four ways (neck, sweetbreads, brain, heart sausage) with crispy quinoa and beet & pomegranate jus - incredibly tasty, with a great crunch from the quinoa. The brains were amazing - like sweetbreads squared, delicious and unctuous.
- Azuki bean and pandan mochi with matcha glaze accompanied by sake milk punch - lots of interesting unexpected flavors for dessert.They said they'll be doing another one in the summer, which will be a little less meat-focused. We'll be back.
›1 Reply-
re: dfan
globalgourmand
Mar 3, 2011 06:56 AM
I'm glad it was a success and bummed we missed it. I got the e-mail and then dropped the ball (had to work anyway.) I love offal but I go nearly all veg in the summer.
I've been wanting to get in for their Chef's Whim Sunday nights-- anyone know if offal is frequent on Maws' whim menus?
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MC Slim JB
Feb 21, 2011 06:52 PM
I think if you're going off the vegetarian reservation, a Craigie offal dinner is a pretty classy way to do it. But as Boston_Otter points out, your lower GI tract may not thank you for it the next day or two.
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Boston_Otter
Feb 21, 2011 06:36 PM
Just as a cautionary note from a former vegetarian: depending on how long you've been doing an all-veggie diet, you might not want to dive right back in to eating a 5-course offal meal. After a few years, your body needs a bit of time to remember how to digest this stuff :)
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davis_sq_pro
Feb 21, 2011 03:08 PM
Wow. I almost want to reschedule my vacation so that I can attend this! But the allure of going somewhere warm is ever-so-slightly stronger.
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