Mother's Day at La Folie

I had been to La Folie several times before, but the last time was about ten years ago, so I only had vague recollections of our meals there. I do remember that my mom liked the place a lot, so when a coworker went and posted gorgeous photos from his meal, I was inspired to call them up and make a reservation for a pre-Mother's Day dinner. (I hate Mother's Day brunches, and my mom doesn't seem to mind.)

We had a fabulous time; Mom had the tasting menu, and the rest of us ordered a la carte, so we got to see/taste a wide variety of dishes. As the lighting got dimmer throughout the evening, my photos got noticeably worse, but luckily my favorite dish (the quail and squab) came out okay. Also, D ordered the 5-course menu, and he nearly ate himself sick, so I would say the portions are very generous, especially with the seared foie gras.

summer truffles (we didn't order any):


amuse bouche #1 - shortrib w/ hummus, parsley, pickled ramp (a little bit bland):


slow poached egg w/ potato crisp & chive:


lobster, mushroom, & English pea risotto (really good, with tender peas and very fresh mushrooms):


seared foie gras, foie gras soup (part of Mom's tasting menu; her favorite dish all night was the soup):


sauteed snails served in veal bone (didn't try, Dad said they were good):


tempura poached egg w/ sweetbread pancake, walnut & apple compote, shaved black truffle:


seared foie gras w/ cherries, star anise, & bourbon maple syrup (the giant foie gras that defeated D that night):


seared scallop w/ fennel & artichoke:


seared foie gras w/ potato & scallop, rosemary & asparagus:


butter poached Maine lobster on butternut squash ravioli>:


rack of lamb, lamb loin wrapped in spicy lamb sausage, butter beans & lamb tongue (sausage was a bit salty, rack was the best as usual):


beef tenderloin w/ croquette, potatoes & mushrooms (good but uninteresting):


duck breast w/ peach, cherries, & crispy rice:


quail & squab stuffed w/ mushrooms, wrapped in crispy potato strings, & natural jus w/ truffles, egg in a basket (didn't order this, but liked it so much I stole a bunch from D):


carabina cheese (fine, not remarkable):


tomme de savoie, sofia, & birberousse cheeses (I chose the cheeses myself, and I did like them):


bergamot mint pudding w/ cocoa powder:


cheese souffle w/ lemon cheese ice cream (the cheese flavor was perhaps too subtle):


baked Alaska w/ basil & huckleberry ice cream & pear & huckleberry gelee:


chocolate bread pudding w/ strawberry ice cream & white chocolate creme anglaise & green tea sauce (really tasty!):


chocolate mousse, canele, madeleines, huckleberry gelee (okay...the canele were a bit disappointing):

Luce at the Intercontinental

We celebrated my cousin's birthday at Luce, which had been recommended to us awhile ago by a friend. Our overall impression that the food was good, but the service was a bit spotty. Nothing was "wrong" exactly, but it just wasn't as polished as we expected. Still, it was nice that we were able to get a reservation at a late date and we had a good time.
amuse bouche - crab custard with uni foam (not quite enough crab flavor):

foie gras "chaud & froid" - quince, celery, walnuts, & honey-lavender brioche:


kampachi w/ trout roe & toasted buckwheat (I liked this one quite a bit):


seared scallop & abalone - pumpkin & duck consomme:


butter poached lobster - squash, sunflower shoots, lemon verbena (also very tasty):


slow cooked pork loin - parsnip, brussel sprouts, pickled mustard:


textures of dark chocolate & olive oil (birthday treat, fun to eat):


hazelnut financier, banana ice cream, gianduja cremeux, milk chocolate feuillentine (not as good as above):


strawberry & pineapple gelee: