DDC Gascony Dinner at Caribou Cafe

[Rich Pawlak]

I would be remiss if I didnt give kudos to Jim Tarantino (marinade) for designing

and hosting a fabulous Gascony dinner at Caribou Cafe last night. His

enthusiasm for the dinner, coupled with Chef Olivier de St. Martin's

passion for this cuisine made for a transcendent meal. Decadent foie

gras mousse appetizer with a bright, light salad; a homey, rich cabbage

soup, and a body-warming classic cassoulet, complete with duck confit

leg, sausage and lardons; a surprise palate cleanser of rosemary

sorbet, made by Tarantino himself (!); and a buttery evil apple tart

for dessert. Lovely wines as well.

The perfect dinner on a snowy, cold winter night. And

the best 40 dining companions anyone could ask for.

Kudos, Jim!

[KatieLoeb]

Yeah - but where's the picture of my half chewed duck leg?

No really folks. You missed a great one if you missed this. And who could have predicted perfect bone aching chilly cassoulet weather for the event? Everything was wonderful - the food, the wine (great pairings being offered by Caribou) and the company.

And that apple tart had a healthy hint of Calvados and a heap of butter in it! YUM!

Nicely done. A round of applause for Jim, Chef Olivier and the capable staff at Caribou Cafe!

[Mummer]

What Rich and Katie said!

Kudos to Jim and Caribou.

And God bless the DDC. Meat-a-thon, anyone? How about Newark, NJ on March 4?

[I_call_the_duck]

Good food, good wine, good company. Lots of fun. Thanks, Jim!

[aaronwcpa]

A little late but much thanks to Bob for arranging this exemplary dinner. My wife had not been to a DDC dinner for a while and came with some trepidation but the food, new to her and me, won her over. Among the very best dinners DDC dinners and this was my twenty-third.

Worth the trip in less than ideal weather.

Thanks again.

[Rich Pawlak]

A little late but much thanks to Bob for arranging this exemplary dinner. My wife had not been to a DDC dinner for a while and came with some trepidation but the food, new to her and me, won her over. Among the very best dinners DDC dinners and this was my twenty-third.

Worth the trip in less than ideal weather.

Thanks again.

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Who's Bob?

[herbacidal]

Does Jim have a middle name?

[marinade]

Does Jim have a middle name?

←

Actually my middle name is Danger (no relation to Nick).

Really loved that dinner. I was hanging out downstairs with Olivier for a little bit and he was gushing at all of the empty cassoulet crocks that were heading back to the kitchen. My wife says that a sure sign when a group of people like something is that the chatter stops, and sounds of utensil clatter builds. The lamb sausage had a slight garlicky kick to it but what seemed to balance that and some of the flavors in the dish was what I thought was quartre épices in that ever-so-smooth and perfectly emulsified sausage forcemeat. Olivier confirmed it, a pate in a tube.

Thanks for the nice acknowledgements and most of all thanks to all of you who came. I think it’s more dangerous eating without y’all and a lot less fun.

[MarketStEl]

Wish I had started this job earlier! This was right around the corner from me.

Oh, well...I've RSVPed for the Newark event but haven't gotten a confirmation from the host. I'd need a ride to that one.

[aaronwcpa]

A little late but much thanks to Bob for arranging this exemplary dinner. My wife had not been to a DDC dinner for a while and came with some trepidation but the food, new to her and me, won her over. Among the very best dinners DDC dinners and this was my twenty-third.

Worth the trip in less than ideal weather.

Thanks again.

←

Who's Bob?

←

Sorry I meant Jim. My mind does not always retain names. Thanks to Jim.