This & That

Folks, I got this in the email today and I about died! Why do I not know this guy who decided to drop nearly $50,000.00 for dinner and drinks for himself and 5 guests. Some uber rich Russian from what I understand. Alas, I do enjoy a cold vodka on the rocks from time to time, but this is crazy!

So speaking of dinners, I never got around to telling you about the balance of our dinner at Brooklyn a couple of weeks ago. The first part of the meal went as planned kicking off with three half dozen oysters ( Dabob Bay from North Puget Sound, WA plus Virginica from the Puget Sound region in WA & my personal favorite - Kumamoto's out of Humboldt Bay, CA ) so we could each enjoy two of each...then we shared Day Boat Scallop with Foie Gras - Served with a vanilla bean-scented carrot puree and mascarpone-filled mission figs, finished with a port wine demi-glace. Magical.

Curt decided to go for the Country Salad - Gathered field greens, bibb lettuce, Bosc pears, Honeycrisp apples,and strawberries with candied walnuts and goat cheese, tossed with a wild raspberry vinaigrette. Markie and I went for the Caprese Salad - Purple Cherokee tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and organic basil,finished with cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil and 12 year aged balsamic vinegar.

Up next, main course and Curt decided to try The Carpetbagger. Also known as heart attack on a plate: A fresh oyster folded into a filet mignon and wrapped in apple smoked bacon. Served with gorgonzola potatoes, wilted basil and spinach with pear tomatoes.Finished with a cascade huckleberry demi-glace. Markie went with Bouillabaisse made with fresh fish, prawns, penn cove mussels, thorndyke bay clams, house made chorizo, roasted corn, spinach and air-dried tomatoes with crab risotto in a fennel-saffron tomato nage. While the venison and duck did tempt me I opted for Carlton Farms Pork Chop that was pan-seared with a porcini mushroom crust. Served with braised pork belly bacon, gorgonzola scalloped potatoes, apple butter-braised cabbage with ham hock. Finished with an apple cider vinegar reduction. We were in heaven plus Curt had brought two lovely bottle of wine so who could ask for more...

WE DID! Their Key Lime Pie is to die for and truly the Brooklyn’s salute to this Florida classic. A delightful disc of heaven to be enjoyed and was enjoyed by the table as Markie decided to cap off his meal with a Port sampler. Four one ounce select samples of premium port. It was a meal not soon to be forgotten and I hopped a cab home while the boys stayed a while and then Markie drove them back to his place and Curt made his way back to Olympia the following morning.

Now jumping topics a whole lot...but really not, I am going to take a moment and try and answer a question I was asked by a blog follower. I made reference in my last post that I am a Radical Faerie, but I also often state I am just not that radical. Well, here is the whole thing in a nutshell. We're decentralized, and nobody's in charge -- so every faerie who you ask will give a slightly different definition of "Radical Faerie." Generally, we tend to be gay men who look for a spiritual dimension to our sexuality; many of us are healers of one kind or another. Our shared values include feminism, respect for the Earth, and individual responsibility rather than hierarchy. Many of us are Pagan (nature-based religion) and thus the seasons are honored by many. Our defining events are Faerie Gatherings, where we'll get together for an extended retreat, usually in the woods, separated from the outside world. A lot of that time is spent in "heart circles," where we open up emotionally. I got involved years ago by going to a circle and then began going to Breitenbush Hot Springs for gatherings in the winter and summer. Some of my closest and dearest friends have been met via the gatherings and many of you have heard of Uncle Markie, Riversong, Wonderful, fado, and so many more! They are my brothers of choice and spirit. We laugh and cry and have many good times together. It was two of them recently who picked up that I was VERY STRESSED when no one else really did. They "have my back" in a way and it is just another part of who I am.

So now gearing up for our Ya-Ya weekend in Centralia this weekend and oh what fun it will be to see them all. We are inducting a new Ya-Ya and so Saturday night will be a hoot. We are all staying at the Olmypic Club in Centralia. From Mcmenamin's website:

THE OLYMPIC HOTEL & THEATER

Relax in style amid the legends

In central Washington State, The Olympic Club Hotel's legend looms large. Here you'll find an historic building -- filled with warm woods and period details -- steeped in colorful tales of countless gamblers' jackpots, revenuer raids, dark secrets deeply buried, and a famous bandit's bravado. The Olympic Club has been a point of power, intrigue and contention since opening in 1908. Its name evokes heroic gods of ancient Herculean characters, the exploits of whom are now the stuff of modern legend.

Remarkably, the Olympic remains virtually unchanged from the time of its opulent remodel in 1913. Still much in evidence is the building's blend of sophisticated finery and earthy extravagance. Its magnificent mahogany bar and leaded-glass canopies are as impressive as the colossal Round Oak wood stove, elegant women's bathroom and mammoth porcelain urinals, (hey, they spared no expense in those bygone days!).

The hotel's 27 intimate, European-style rooms feature vintage furnishings, comfy chenille-covered beds and conveniently located common bathrooms. You may hear the lonely, soulful sound of the trains from your room as they roll through Centralia -- but if you'd prefer not to, earplugs are provided. Each room here is named for the colorful and worthy cast of characters who have left their mark on this place -- the internationally notorious "gentleman train robber" Roy Gardner who was captured at the hotel back in 1921; Gertrude Howell, the hotel's first female proprietor who also identified Gardner; and Jack Sciutto, the Oly Club's original proprietor who was crowned "King of Bootleggers."

As refined as the Olympic Club Hotel may have been portrayed, especially in its early years, the place has always possessed an element of the Old West with stories of train robbers and ladies of the evening who took up residency on the second floor. Known as a true "gentleman's resort" the opulent furnishings of mahogany paneling, Tiffany-style lights, ceramic-tiled floors and Belgian crystal lured a good many of the area's loggers, miners and railroad workers through the doors.

McMenamins has expanded upon the Olympic Club's traditional definition of a workingman's resort by welcoming the whole family to enjoy lodging, meals, movies, art, history, sport and special events. Throughout the Olympic Club historic photographs and extensive original artwork chronicle the building's intriguing history.

We could go on but its so much more fun to experience this place for yourself! Located halfway between Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon, the Oly Club is a convenient destination for business travelers and fun seekers alike. I'll be sure to give you as much of an update as allowed by law afterwards, but it will be fun!

So enjoy the day and I'll keep on sharing from time to time if you like reading about what is going on...Cheers!