December 11, 2024
This was a very different dinner. Each course was paired with a cocktail, not a wine. All the cocktails base liquors were from Carpano (https://www.carpano.com/en/). The Carpano representative gave a brief talk about each cocktail and liquor.
The first cocktail, based on Carpano’s Punt e Mes, was served as a starter and went with the Amuse Bouche.
The bread starter, this time the jelly is passionfruit and radish. The radish doesn’t stand out, there’s just enough to brighten up the passion fruit.
The amuse Bouche, a Radish “Bruschetta” made with 4 different types of radish. They were very different, from the expected bright to fairly earthy.
The cocktail and its base liquor, Punt e Mes. The Punt e Mes was pretty good, but the yellow Chartreuse and Lemon made the cocktail perfectly smooth.
The first course, Hamachi Crudo.
Martin is addicted to Hamachi Crudo! So addicted that he had to get started before he remembered to take a picture of it. This was a really good one. What we did not expect was that the white radish purée really set off the Hamachi, it didn’t overwhelm it!
The Carpano Dry cocktail. There were just a few drops of chili oil, enough to add a tiny touch of heat and earthiness.
The second course, Pork Belly.
Just wow! The pork belly is meltingly tender and really big! The pickled radishes are toned down enough to work perfectly with the pork.
The Antica Formula cocktail. It had a bit of bite, which it needed to have to work with the rich pork.
The third course, lamb.
At the left and right are fire candle radishes, split in two. They aren’t too hot. The lamb is amazingly rich anf full flavored! The sweetish Carpano Rosso is a neat contrast with the lamb.
The Carpano Rosso
We’re not quite sure what the mousse was. It was probably foamed cream with just a radish accent. The sugar cookie that it's sitting on was really crisp and sweet. Then, the chocolate radish sauce was nicely brightened by the radish. Simply amazing!
Had to put a good picture of the final cocktail in. Yes, it's a coffee cocktail with a coffee bean floating in the middle. Sort of an espresso martini.
Fernet Branca - Caffe Borghetti