Quick Review: Chez Shea
It's been on our list for a while now, and we finally made the time for dinner at Chez Shea.
Short version: we had a great meal.
Longer version (sorry, no pics!)
Sweetie had the Leek & Camembert Tart to start. Flaky patstry crust holding a delightful custard of tender leeks and cheese. Perfectly delicious, and not overwhelming. He won't agree, but my Escargot were even better. The best I have ever had, in fact. The snails were tender, not a hint of rubber, and the garlic/herb/butter 'sauce' was delicious, but did not erase the delicate flavor of the snails.
For our 2nd course, he had a bowl of Smoked Apple & Squash soup, which was delicious. The smoked apples were unusual, enhancing the squash flavor rather than overwhelming it. I had the House Green Salady, with Pink Lady apples, candied walnuts and a delightful sesame miso vinaigrette -- perfect!
For our main, he had the Potato Gnocci with Prawns -- plump delicate pillows of pasta in a light sauce with just the right amount of peas and prawns. The prawns were perfect, tender and rich. Very, very, good. I had the Seared Alaskan Halibut Cheeks, prepared with Bacon, Green Lentils, Black Trumpet Mushrooms, Wilted Greens, and an Apple Parsnip Puree. The cheeks were superb -- meltingly tender (poor man's lobster!) and rich. I have to say that I didn't like the complex medly of accompaniments, they were a little too salty and crunchy and didn't enhance the Cheeks, but threatened to overwhelm it. So I basically didn't eat it.
We skipped dessert; I had two glasses of Domaine des Cassagnoles, Cuvee Gros Manseng, Cotes de Gascogne, France 2009, which complimented the meal well.
A delightful evening and definitely a new favorite for us!
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Chez Shea
94 Pike St. Suite 34, Seattle, WA 98101
