2011 SFC Vintage Room

We wore out the kids for a reason....the "grownups" (very loose terminology, I know....it only is grown-up by age......) had an evening in the Vintage Room.

The Vintage Room on Crystal Cruises is a singular event. If you are even REMOTELY interested in wine or food-or BOTH- it will be an event you do NOT want to pass up. I had been lucky to attend Vintage Room dinners on two past cruises, and was very much looking forward to this one.

The meal is prepared by the executive chef- in our case, the wonderfully creative Werner Brenner. He developed a menu based around the wines that Head Sommelier Leonard de Vries selected for us to taste. (Leo is the "relief" Head Sommelier for Crystal. When my buddy Bart Dufour, who is Serenity's Head Sommelier, goes on vacation, Leo takes over. He swings between Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, covering both Head Sommeliers.) I totally forgot to get a photo of Leo in action. Drat!!!!!

May I say that, as usual, they excelled.

The nine of us- we thought Alix and Austin were old enough to be included with the adults- were joined by two couples. Leo passed around glasses of Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve for us to enjoy as we got to know our new friends.



Even the roses had a vintage room feel.



Anticipation of things to come.



We were surprised to find our tablemates had Shreveport connections.



First course- Pan-Seared Sea Scallop with a sweet pea puree and vanilla champagne sabayon.



Besides the champagne, Leo poured us a yummy Austrian Grüner Veltliner-- 2010 Schloss Gobelsburg "Lamm".

Next, we had lovely Butternut Squash Tortelli with noisette butter and black truffles.



Nope this ain't your everyday teenage fare.



How about a little Sun-dried tomato crusted black cod? With a little fine herb salad and saffron beurre sauce.



Oh, and with that, a chardonnay- Darioush Signature- Napa Valley 2007.

Oh, but I'm not done yet. Not by a long shot.

It gets even "funner"---



What wino doesn't like having the option of 4 different glasses?



When was the last time you had short ribs like THIS?



Duo of beef- Grilled Wagyu filet mignon and short rib with Sauce Bordelaise and a little potato mousseline and veggies!

A lovely burgundy from Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes- 2008 Sérafin Père & Fils and a 2008 Caymus Special Selection from Napa.

Alix is happy.



But then, she's a cabernet girl.

Buzz was enjoying himself, too.



But wait........


There's still cheese.......with apricot chutney and walnut bread.



And what goes better with cheese than a Graham's 20year-old Tawny Port?

Do you think we would leave off dessert??? Not THIS bunch...

How about white chocolate trifle with mango gelee and passion fruit sherbet?



OOPS- I forgot to take the photo until it was half-gone..... but with that Leo poured my beloved Trockenbeerenauslese--the Austrian 2000 Kracher Grand Cuvée No. 6. God, I love this stuff...it is truly the Nectar of the Gods......

Yep, life is good.