Back in the saddle again

And back in the kitchen!  Sort of.

Here’s the weekend:

Friday night:

6:50 pm: Matt and I arrive at Feast for dinner.  I broke his heart the night before when we ate at home; he was looking forward to braised lamb neck with apricots.  We had braised rabbit shoulders with garlic alioli (I send you to Misha’s blog for photos of these gorgeous specimens) as an appetizer.  Mmmm.  I love rabbit to begin with (sorry, Mom!), and this was perfect.  The skin was caramelized, the meat was soft and falling off the bone, and the alioli (nothing more than garlic, salt and olive oil) gave enough astringency to offset the meat.  (I am a garlic fiend, so I was eating this by itself.)

Matt ordered the cassoulet for dinner, and I ordered crispy pork belly (aka foodie catnip).  My pork belly was…oooh.  So good.  Crispy skin, oozing fat right underneath that, and perfectly cooked meat.  My one quibble with the dish was the underplayed acidity from the red cabbage and apples, served as an accompaniment.  I wanted a splash more vinegar or lemon juice to help cut the richness of the pork, fat and skin.  The potato mash cake was perfectly crispy and fluffy.  Matt’s cassoulet was good, and he devoured the duck confit (I was lucky to get even a small piece).  I can’t wait to get back, especially since the restaurant took pictures of the beef necks they’re going to prepare soon.  This is the kind of place that is sorely needed in the States, a place that uses the entire animal, and is not afraid to show it off (you could see the tracheae in the photo of the beef necks).

Saturday

11:15 am: I need vinegar.  I desperately need vinegar.  My stomach was not used to the fat from the pork belly, so it was a little queasy.  I’m about as bad as I am after a long ride.  I have been known to drink pickle brine.  Matt suggested Katz’s, to which I agreed.  The pickles were good, but my burger was greasy (not a good idea), so I left it unfinished.

7:15 pm: Pasta and homemade pecorino romano sauce, using nasty cheese from Kroger.  Perfect for sitting in front of the TV, watching NCIS and Castle.

Sunday

10:30 am: Ugh.  Stupid cold.  I have Thai chicken soup starter, stock, and leftover chicken.  Tom kha gai it is! A small bowl and I feel better.

12:00 pm: Matt chose lunch yesterday, so I chose today: Niko Niko’s.  A gyros sandwich later with lots of tzaziki sauce, and I’ve got my Greek fix for the next few months.

5:00 pm: Time for a new standard meal.  Delhi-style dal, with red lentils and lots of spice.  Pretty and delicious.  Served with a little brown rice, and it’s a great meal.  Matt’s taking the leftovers for lunch tomorrow.