* * * C O N T I N U E D F R O M L A S T M E S S A G E * * * sign; I got the impression of a light gold wine with great legs, but I couldn't really tell. The finish was pronounced and persistent but not obtrusive. Dessert was an oddity - I didn't really want anything on the dessert menu, so we ordered one pear tart with caramel sauce, heavy on the sauce, for her (she said it was pretty good, but I didn't taste it), and I ordered Smoked salmon topped with snipped chives, lemon creme fraiche, and served with a potato nest, Walla Walla onion relish, and a side of assorted greens in balsamic vinegar. An enormous serving, three thin slices cut down the length of a big fish. Unlike most of the smoked things we saw here, this was a cold-smoked product, silky smooth and delicate in texture and flavor. One of the best smoked fish products I've had (the alder-smoked black cod at Ray's, see the post for Wednesday, and the cherry-smoked menominee at some shack off Rt 31 in either Eastport or Charlevoix, Michigan share the honors). The potato nest was a little over-browned, having spent maybe 5 seconds too long in the fryer, but that was okay because I didn't really feel like more potatoes. With this I finished off the Woodward, and she had Ch. Ste. Michelle late harvest Semillon '92. Wine Spectator likens this vintage ($17 a half in the store, $6 for a 4-oz glass here, that is, less than the retail price) to a first-growth Sauternes. It reminded me of the Filhot from Friday, a little direct, but extremely luscious and fruity. Young still, but very drinkable. The honeyed finish lasted and lasted and lasted. I finished the last ounce before we left for the airport, and I could still taste it distinctly when we got off at Dulles at 5 the next morning. I'm thinking about calling the Chateau sometime and ordering a case of this if I can't find it locally. * KingQWK 1.05 # 187 *
Seattle, WA