mwp2paris
Aug 14, 05, 1:40 am
This had been a long week with 1 day in Northern California, 2 days in Southern California, a travel day, 1 day in Oklahoma, all Southwest flights, all Sheraton stays to take advantage of the double credit they offered me to keep my Platinum status, but I finally arrived home Friday night about 10:30 p.m. in a rental Trailblazer. Mrs. Paris had ordered pizza from the fabulous Waldo Pizza and I fixed myself a plate, poured a glass of the amazing Guenoc Petite Sirah, 2001 that she had uncorked earlier, and settled into bed for a back scratch; a hug and snuggle from the youngest Paris offspring; and somehow found the energy to offer a foot massage to Mrs. Paris.
During her foot massage, Mrs. Paris let slip that we were going to be going on a date the following night and that I would need to get my rest and be ready for a night on the town.
While Mrs. Paris played sly with where she had made our dinner reservations for Saturday night, she did let one clue slip…”you’ll need to read the restaurant review” meaning Lauren Chapin’s musings on a restaurant in Kansas City featured in the Preview section of the Thursday edition of the Kansas City Star.
Early Saturday morning, I managed to drag my sorry ... out of bed and find the appropriate section and once my contacts cleared, I was able to focus and see where I would be dining that evening.
When I flipped to the appropriate pages and saw it was 40 Sardines that had been reviewed and received 3 and a half stars out of 4 for food, and 3 stars for service and atmosphere, my heart lept a beat…yummy…and maybe this time they would actually have the damn sardines they are named after which they did but more on that later.
Saturday proved to be a cloudy, humid, torrentially rainy day but at 6:57, we made our grand entrance into the tre’ cool and comforting waiting area of 40 Sardines, which is located in an unremarkable strip mall in the heart of suburbia at 119th and Roe.
The decor of 40 Sardines is contemporary and yet calming...it has won awards for design for a reason. Blue is the overwhelming theme and though it is very modern, it is not harsh or hard around the edges...smooth, like a fine sherry, is the best description of the dining space.
The bar was packed and several waiting couples gave us the once-over meaning they were there hoping for a table whilst we had a reservation that they envied.
We were greeted with a smile, and after giving our name and reservation time, we were quickly sized up, which I took some offense to until I realized that they were determining that since we both were clad in our sleekest black slacks (Mrs. Paris looked fabulous in her black slacks, colorful top, aquamarine wrap and blinky silver jewelry and I in black slacks and crème on crème Tommy Bahama) we needed black cloth napkins rather than the white ones which the table was set with.
Menus, black napkins, wine list, and us in tow, the uber-slim hostess swept us through the frenzied dining area to our table located “upstairs” which involves two steps up from the main dining floor. I initially was a bit concerned at the location of our table but then I rather grew to like it…a 2-top, located center of everything, with a fetching view of the entire restaurant and bar…great for people watching and keeping tabs on the fabulous food being delivered to the entranced diners around us.
Within moments of our bottoms hitting the tre’ chic yet comfortable chairs, Kellee, our server, was there to greet us…trim, blonde, young, and attractive, he quickly realized we were there to enjoy an evening not just a meal and adjusted his service to meet our desired pace.
We first ordered martinis…the Lime Drop for Mrs. Paris and the 40 Sardines for me…Charbay Grapefruit, Campari, and a sliver of fresh pink grapefruit made for the perfect libation…Mrs. Paris enjoyed her Hanger One Kafir Lime with a splash of Triple Sec and fresh lime juice. With our drinks delivered, we began to puruse the menu. There is little sexier in a lovely restaurant than the sound of martinis being appropriately shaken echoing across the various conversations.
What can one say when one wants to order one of everything…with much discussion, trepidation, and hesitation…we finally arrived at decision time.
Kellee approached and took our orders and complimented us on our choices…Mrs. Paris narrowed it down to the Sauteed Campo Lindo Chicken Livers served with spring peas and mini cornbread muffins in a balsamic onion reduction sauce whilst I chose the namesake…Grilled Portuguese Sardines served with housemade Italian giardiniera, arugula, and pinenut-parsley relish.
As a side note, when the chefs/owners Debbie Gold and Michael Smith were on their honeymoon in Europe, they had a dinner that featured 40 sardines...thus the name 40 Sardines for the restaurant they now run.
They have won the Beard Award, been featured in Bon Apetite and Gourmet yet are so gracious and down to earth. Our youngest and their child both go to the same French immersion charter school so we see them as not just culinary celebrities but as just nice people doing what they love.
This evening Michael was working the dining room and made a point to approach each table and inquire if everything was as it should be...he cleared tables when necessary and basically did what it took to ensure a perfect evening for his guests.
The appetizers where decadent and savory…the chicken livers were rich and creamy while the sardines were fishy but not in an offensive way…they tasted of the freshness that the breeze off the surf smells during early morning walks along an ocean beach.
Caught up in a moment of culinary bliss, I managed somehow to flip 3 of the precious pinenuts and a bit of the parsley relish right down inside the front pocket of my Tommy Bahama. I, of course, in one subtle move discretely fished the flying pinenuts out of my pocket and into my mouth and thought, "off to the cleaners on Monday for you Mr. Bahama."
For our second course, we both chose salads…Mrs. Paris decided to enjoy the Summer Field Pea Salad With Cornbread Croutons and Feta Cheese whilst I savored every morsel of my Grilled Gordie’s Heirlooms’ Green Tomato Salad with iceberg lettuce, herbed grilled green tomatoes, toasted nuts and golden raisins.
I only wish that 40 Sardines would provide little salt cellars of Fleur De Sel…it would enhance the flavors of the amazing food and not detract one moment from the efforts of the kitchen.
Our cocktails finished, we studied the wine list and decided on the L’Ecole #41 Semillion from the Columbia Valley in Washington which was listed as a 2003 but actually turned out to be a 2004…but no harm, no foul because it was chewy and luscious with just the right mix of oak and acidity and proved to be the right choice for the second bottle to accompany our entrees.
For our main course, Mrs. Paris selected her personal favorite, the Novia Scotia Skatewing, and I selected one of the specials, the Monkfish wrapped in Proscuitto.
Both were amazing and nuanced in their presentation.
Mine was both bold and earthy with the saltiness of the proscuitto which didn’t mask the lobster-like bite of the monkfish combined with the ragu of green lentils, diced tomatoes, onions, and a splash of cream just to put the sauce into the ethereal zone. The green lentils were cooked to a pleasing al dente and popped pleasantly on the palate.
Mrs. Paris’s entrée was perfection…skatewing, olive oil mashed potatoes which could possibly be a tad too salty for some palates, and a fricassee of summer squashes which was divine.
This heavenly feast is all accompanied by artisinal bread with a ramekin of locally produced ricotta cheese bathed in olive oil.
We swapped plates, fixed tastings on our bread plates, grinned, giggled, swooned, and loved every minute…Kellee checked back often, and seeing the look of pleasure on our faces, confirmed his respect for patrons who love their food…his tip went way up at that point.
With dishes cleared, the second bottle of L’Ecole nearing its vanishing point and the savory side of life happy and secure, we accepted the dessert menus and began the painful selection process.
Kellee, realizing I was a fan of the fromage, said he could deliver a trio of cheeses for 12 bucks…but then my eyes spotted the Fresh Peach Float featuring a poached peach half, a scoop of peach sorbet, a healthy pour of Italian Sparkling Wine all accompanied by 2 mini Snickerdoodles and I was smitten…I can have cheese any day, this float was heavenly and I sipped every drop right out of the perfectly designed glass.
Mrs. Paris selected the Summer Berry Tart with a scoop of Lemon Curd Ice Cream…the flavors of this dessert were a symphony on the tongue…sour, tart, sweet, tangy, creamy…amazing.
We looked at each other and realized we had had the meal of memories…and I offered my usual philosophical muttering that there where people in New York City spending way more and eating way less than we had savored tonight.
Of course we had to have coffee and I sipped a Bonny Doon Vin de Glacier which was sweet and thick and absolutely the perfect ending to a perfect meal on a perfect night with Mrs. Paris.
40 Sardines is upscale casual, loud, crowded, moderately expensive and worth every effort and penny. Go for the sublime food, the service will be wonderful, and prance out full, happy, and rejoicing.
We drove to the local art house theatre to see the newest Bill Murray flick, Broken Flowers, only to find that the 9:30 screening was sold out...we looked at each other and just laughed...we were happy and content and headed home completely satisfied...we'll catch Bill tomorrow at a matinee.
This is one great green orb we live on and dining like this can only happen here so eat, drink, live, laugh, and dance like there is no tomorrow because there are no seconds!
During her foot massage, Mrs. Paris let slip that we were going to be going on a date the following night and that I would need to get my rest and be ready for a night on the town.
While Mrs. Paris played sly with where she had made our dinner reservations for Saturday night, she did let one clue slip…”you’ll need to read the restaurant review” meaning Lauren Chapin’s musings on a restaurant in Kansas City featured in the Preview section of the Thursday edition of the Kansas City Star.
Early Saturday morning, I managed to drag my sorry ... out of bed and find the appropriate section and once my contacts cleared, I was able to focus and see where I would be dining that evening.
When I flipped to the appropriate pages and saw it was 40 Sardines that had been reviewed and received 3 and a half stars out of 4 for food, and 3 stars for service and atmosphere, my heart lept a beat…yummy…and maybe this time they would actually have the damn sardines they are named after which they did but more on that later.
Saturday proved to be a cloudy, humid, torrentially rainy day but at 6:57, we made our grand entrance into the tre’ cool and comforting waiting area of 40 Sardines, which is located in an unremarkable strip mall in the heart of suburbia at 119th and Roe.
The decor of 40 Sardines is contemporary and yet calming...it has won awards for design for a reason. Blue is the overwhelming theme and though it is very modern, it is not harsh or hard around the edges...smooth, like a fine sherry, is the best description of the dining space.
The bar was packed and several waiting couples gave us the once-over meaning they were there hoping for a table whilst we had a reservation that they envied.
We were greeted with a smile, and after giving our name and reservation time, we were quickly sized up, which I took some offense to until I realized that they were determining that since we both were clad in our sleekest black slacks (Mrs. Paris looked fabulous in her black slacks, colorful top, aquamarine wrap and blinky silver jewelry and I in black slacks and crème on crème Tommy Bahama) we needed black cloth napkins rather than the white ones which the table was set with.
Menus, black napkins, wine list, and us in tow, the uber-slim hostess swept us through the frenzied dining area to our table located “upstairs” which involves two steps up from the main dining floor. I initially was a bit concerned at the location of our table but then I rather grew to like it…a 2-top, located center of everything, with a fetching view of the entire restaurant and bar…great for people watching and keeping tabs on the fabulous food being delivered to the entranced diners around us.
Within moments of our bottoms hitting the tre’ chic yet comfortable chairs, Kellee, our server, was there to greet us…trim, blonde, young, and attractive, he quickly realized we were there to enjoy an evening not just a meal and adjusted his service to meet our desired pace.
We first ordered martinis…the Lime Drop for Mrs. Paris and the 40 Sardines for me…Charbay Grapefruit, Campari, and a sliver of fresh pink grapefruit made for the perfect libation…Mrs. Paris enjoyed her Hanger One Kafir Lime with a splash of Triple Sec and fresh lime juice. With our drinks delivered, we began to puruse the menu. There is little sexier in a lovely restaurant than the sound of martinis being appropriately shaken echoing across the various conversations.
What can one say when one wants to order one of everything…with much discussion, trepidation, and hesitation…we finally arrived at decision time.
Kellee approached and took our orders and complimented us on our choices…Mrs. Paris narrowed it down to the Sauteed Campo Lindo Chicken Livers served with spring peas and mini cornbread muffins in a balsamic onion reduction sauce whilst I chose the namesake…Grilled Portuguese Sardines served with housemade Italian giardiniera, arugula, and pinenut-parsley relish.
As a side note, when the chefs/owners Debbie Gold and Michael Smith were on their honeymoon in Europe, they had a dinner that featured 40 sardines...thus the name 40 Sardines for the restaurant they now run.
They have won the Beard Award, been featured in Bon Apetite and Gourmet yet are so gracious and down to earth. Our youngest and their child both go to the same French immersion charter school so we see them as not just culinary celebrities but as just nice people doing what they love.
This evening Michael was working the dining room and made a point to approach each table and inquire if everything was as it should be...he cleared tables when necessary and basically did what it took to ensure a perfect evening for his guests.
The appetizers where decadent and savory…the chicken livers were rich and creamy while the sardines were fishy but not in an offensive way…they tasted of the freshness that the breeze off the surf smells during early morning walks along an ocean beach.
Caught up in a moment of culinary bliss, I managed somehow to flip 3 of the precious pinenuts and a bit of the parsley relish right down inside the front pocket of my Tommy Bahama. I, of course, in one subtle move discretely fished the flying pinenuts out of my pocket and into my mouth and thought, "off to the cleaners on Monday for you Mr. Bahama."
For our second course, we both chose salads…Mrs. Paris decided to enjoy the Summer Field Pea Salad With Cornbread Croutons and Feta Cheese whilst I savored every morsel of my Grilled Gordie’s Heirlooms’ Green Tomato Salad with iceberg lettuce, herbed grilled green tomatoes, toasted nuts and golden raisins.
I only wish that 40 Sardines would provide little salt cellars of Fleur De Sel…it would enhance the flavors of the amazing food and not detract one moment from the efforts of the kitchen.
Our cocktails finished, we studied the wine list and decided on the L’Ecole #41 Semillion from the Columbia Valley in Washington which was listed as a 2003 but actually turned out to be a 2004…but no harm, no foul because it was chewy and luscious with just the right mix of oak and acidity and proved to be the right choice for the second bottle to accompany our entrees.
For our main course, Mrs. Paris selected her personal favorite, the Novia Scotia Skatewing, and I selected one of the specials, the Monkfish wrapped in Proscuitto.
Both were amazing and nuanced in their presentation.
Mine was both bold and earthy with the saltiness of the proscuitto which didn’t mask the lobster-like bite of the monkfish combined with the ragu of green lentils, diced tomatoes, onions, and a splash of cream just to put the sauce into the ethereal zone. The green lentils were cooked to a pleasing al dente and popped pleasantly on the palate.
Mrs. Paris’s entrée was perfection…skatewing, olive oil mashed potatoes which could possibly be a tad too salty for some palates, and a fricassee of summer squashes which was divine.
This heavenly feast is all accompanied by artisinal bread with a ramekin of locally produced ricotta cheese bathed in olive oil.
We swapped plates, fixed tastings on our bread plates, grinned, giggled, swooned, and loved every minute…Kellee checked back often, and seeing the look of pleasure on our faces, confirmed his respect for patrons who love their food…his tip went way up at that point.
With dishes cleared, the second bottle of L’Ecole nearing its vanishing point and the savory side of life happy and secure, we accepted the dessert menus and began the painful selection process.
Kellee, realizing I was a fan of the fromage, said he could deliver a trio of cheeses for 12 bucks…but then my eyes spotted the Fresh Peach Float featuring a poached peach half, a scoop of peach sorbet, a healthy pour of Italian Sparkling Wine all accompanied by 2 mini Snickerdoodles and I was smitten…I can have cheese any day, this float was heavenly and I sipped every drop right out of the perfectly designed glass.
Mrs. Paris selected the Summer Berry Tart with a scoop of Lemon Curd Ice Cream…the flavors of this dessert were a symphony on the tongue…sour, tart, sweet, tangy, creamy…amazing.
We looked at each other and realized we had had the meal of memories…and I offered my usual philosophical muttering that there where people in New York City spending way more and eating way less than we had savored tonight.
Of course we had to have coffee and I sipped a Bonny Doon Vin de Glacier which was sweet and thick and absolutely the perfect ending to a perfect meal on a perfect night with Mrs. Paris.
40 Sardines is upscale casual, loud, crowded, moderately expensive and worth every effort and penny. Go for the sublime food, the service will be wonderful, and prance out full, happy, and rejoicing.
We drove to the local art house theatre to see the newest Bill Murray flick, Broken Flowers, only to find that the 9:30 screening was sold out...we looked at each other and just laughed...we were happy and content and headed home completely satisfied...we'll catch Bill tomorrow at a matinee.
This is one great green orb we live on and dining like this can only happen here so eat, drink, live, laugh, and dance like there is no tomorrow because there are no seconds!