New Orleans' loss is Sonoma County's gain, as Chef Charles Russo has joined the staff and works his magic at Tai Olesky's Mosaic Restaurant & Wine Lounge in Forestville, CA. "Mushroom appetizer?" I thought. Sounds good, but this! Layers and layers of flavor of locally cultivated gourmet mushrooms, sauteed with shallots and fresh herbs, deglazed with madeira, finished with a touch of cream and served with a wedge of Triple Cream Brie and grilled crostini! I turned it over and over in my mouth. "I'm in church," I thought. "Lord, let me live through dessert." And, because I don't eat enough fish and they've reinstated it on the menu, (we love restaurant accountability) I had the salmon. Again, my palate was treated to a multi layered bath of flavors, after my gasp at presentation had passed. My dining partner's coffee encrusted filet mignon was similarly astonishing. Small wonder this restaurant has earned a Zagat rating. Mosaic. It's diviiiiiiiine!
NOTE!
The Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch Pocket Guide is a wonderful carry-with-you card.
"It's handy, it can be downloaded to an iPhone, it is absolutely free, and it makes anyone an instant expert on which seafood choices are sustainable and which are not. Never go into a grocery store or restaurant without one." -- Barry Estabrook in Summer 2009 Gourmet
MONTEREYBAYAQUARIUM.ORG
How did you find this gem? Through Zagat or word of mouth?
ReplyDeleteWord of mouth through friends, then newspaper press, and then I received this dinner invitation. Am I glad I did!
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