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SANDY OBESTER'S 2002
BIRTHDAY
***
A PARISIAN SURPRISE
Celebrated
December 1, 2002
in
Pescadero, California
Obester's
Edge of The World Chateau |
Paul Obester arranged a wonderful soiree for his wife Sandy,
who was celebrating another anniversary of her 40th birthday.
Paul, having been shocked by Sandy for his 60th birthday in 2001, turned the
tables by creating a French-themed evening which would culminate with a birthday
gift for Sandy: Tickets for the both of them to fly from San Francisco to
Paris, arriving in France on Sandy's birthday, December 4th.
The usual suspects gathered at the Obester's "Edge of the World"
Chateau on California's rugged coast.
We started with some nibbles and a magnum of Bollinger's outstanding
"Special Cuve" Champagne.
Alexia Moore put together a little platter of Marinated Artichoke Hearts,
Rice-Stuffed Grape Leaves (Dolmas) and some Pickled Peppers.
Paul procured a bushel of Fresh Oysters and there were copious quantities of
oysters.
David Obester and Mrs. David, Rebecca Archer, whipped up "Oysters
Rockefeller".
The Birthday Girl and her husband Paul.
Rebecca Archer and her Oysters Rockefeller.
Alexia prowling the appetizer's table.
Having finished the Champagne, Paul set to preparing the first course, a plate
combining Sea Scallops and Foie Gras. Paul summoned the Foie Gras expert,
Bob Gorman to assist. Here's Bob whacking up the Foie Gras.
After cutting up the Foie Gras, Bob sprayed a pan with "Fat Free" PAM
and quickly sauted these little morsels.
Shredded leeks provide a platform for the seared scallops, topped with the Foie
Gras and some deep-fried bean sprouts.
The Michel Niellon Chassagne-Montrachet wines were both good, the 1999 being a
bit more developed, though the 2000 was the more interesting wine (to my taste
buds).
Paul prepared a Leg of Lamb Roast in a "Salt Crust". This was
roasted in his wood-fired oven, taken out from that inferno when the internal
temperature reached 95 degrees. This continued "cooking" to
perfectly rare as we enjoyed the scallops.
Two bottles of 1978 Bordeaux were served with the lamb.
1978 Chateau Margaux
1978 Chateau Latour
Here's Paul breaking the salt crust of the roast.
The two wines were magnificent!
The Latour still had a lot of life to it, highlighted by plenty of blackcurrant
fruit. Chateau Margaux's 1978 marked a return to excellence for that
property. I was surprised by the sweet oak still displayed by the
wine. It was excellent when it was released and it's still fabulous!
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