Christmas 2009 Rewind Part 1: Annual L'Auberge Dinner

We celebrated the third annual L'Auberge Chez Francois family dinner the day after our big Festivus party. L'Auberge is definitely NOT our favorite. It's really tired and old; the Alsatian cuisine stodgy (read: heavy, fatty, and full of calories), and the execution is just okay (not bad, just okay). But the clientele, which is mainly older (as in the average age is like 67), love it. And G's parents treated us, so there's that. The service is sweet (in a funny way, as in costumey vests), old school and very attentive. (G's parents asked for James, their favorite waiter.) And so continued the holiday binging. We also used the occasion to celebrate G and his dad's birthday, which meant a lot of desserts.

I felt/looked like a stuffed animal afterwards (my woolly dress didn't help matters any).

A salad of lardon and roast goose.

They have a good wine selection. (No corkage in Virginia.) We had Conundrum to start.  

I had the extra garlicky escargot.

Then a very hearty Bouillabaise. There was no skimping here.

A very large Delmonico steak for momz. 

But some frog legs to start her off.

 

Vacqueyras, a red Rhone, and a Virginia sparkling from Kluge

G's foie gras with poached pears was average.

G and his dad split a rack of lamb

The kitchen made them both meringue birthday desserts

We had a palate cleanser of grapefruit sorbet then I had the lemon torte and someone got the cheese plate.

All good enough. L'Auberge is a sweet, cliche sort of place. Though not at the top of my list, I see how lovers of Julie and Julia would enjoy it.

***Images taken by me using G's dad's Canon point-and-shoot***

Overstaying my birthday welcome

Thursday: Lady-like birthday night out...

The teenager drank whiskey. Then got up the next morning all bright-eyed to eat a Potbelly's breakfast sandwich.

The Zola, aka the White Knight, was cheap and sweet. Appropriate.

On antibiotics, Lips had to leave early (and is most likely preggers).

 

Lamb sliders

 

Lobster mac

 

 Gorgonzola frites 

Mi dang.

....ended with a beastly Friday morning.




G was in Topeka...and NOT amused, children.

Birthday dans Québec

I turned 37 Friday. G planned a wonderful long weekend in Québec. It was a surprise that he had been working since August, researching hotels (we stayed at Chateau Frontenac) and dining (we ate at Toast and La Champlain). We had delicious impromptu little snacks and lunches and savored things like croûton spécial, caribou pâté, lemon-butter-and-honey crêpes, chausson aux pommes. We went to the old port market and purchased a bunch of goodies including ice wine from the coast, maple syrup, local Québecois goose liver and a bit of saucisson (for a snack).


Like magic, G rangled the brand new (sold out) GF1 camera, which is what I used to take all these images. (I had been wanting a new camera -- and coincidentally, my Canon Elph stopped working our first morning there--he couldn't have planned it better himself). He is the bestest.


Berry soufflé

Local goose liver at the Old Port Market (kind of like our Eastern Market)
The epicerie (aka bodega) had all sorts of terrines of game. We picked up this couribou terrine and had it for breakfast with some cheese and fruit. Delish!
Old Port Market




The fish course at La Champlain. A lobster and potato something or other was served in a giant spoon bowl.
Red deer tataki at La Champlain
Liver dry sausage

All kinds of game pâté


The yummiest lemon, butter, and honey crêpes at Bistro du Cap
My new camera!
The cheese course at Toast. A warm bowl of goat cheese layered with onions, tomatoes, olive oil, and macadamia nuts.
Seared duck, rare, wtih crispy spiced skin and a pot-au-feu of giblets and other nice things

The AMAZING seared duck breast served with boudin blanc (pork, milk, and egg pork sausage). We had it with a lovely Sauternes. This first course was the best course at Toast.
We stayed in the Lindbergh suite at Chateau Frontenac

G brought a couple bottles of Champagne for the room.
There were all sorts of maple products, including this maple butter

It was quite cold

Epicerie de la rue Couillard, full of baguettes and other goodies









croûton spécial, a baguette toasted, brushed with wine, and topped with cheese, tomato and onion
A warm bowl of cream of mushroom