Canlis

Do you think he had ANY idea that marrying me would mean he'd be blowing the wad at Canlis 7 years later? Absolutely not. I was a pretty cheap date back then when we were young and clueless but I guess he should have known, choosing someone majoring in food and all...  Can I just say that I married a gem? I mean, let's get this straight: he took me to CANLIS!

 Our anniversary this year sort of snuck up on us amidst a busy season with Graham starting his new job and me still breastfeeding an infant. Ordinarily, we like to plan weekends away which I have love, love, LOVED. It was really hard to come to terms with the fact that a night (let alone a weekend!) was not going to work this year given the state of affairs with our not-really-sleeping-by-any-stretch-of-the-imagination infant. We were both bound and determined that this be the ONLY year we don't get away alone as these times have been crucial for us.

Anyway, since we were "saving" money by keeping our celebration to a mere five hours, we decided we could liberalize our dinner budget and go all out (yessssssssssssss!!) 

PS - I blow-dried my hair for the 2nd time (maybe 3rd?) since Jack was born. Thankfully, I had the forethought to take a picture since it probably won't happen again in 2014. 

We began our evening in Fremont, sampling some chocolate at Theos and tasting some bourbon/vodka at a random distillery before we made our way to Cafe Diablo on Queen Anne, one of our dating stomping grounds.

Then we were off to Canlis! Our evening was so wonderful and the service impeccable. We sort of had an "in" as Graham sings with one of the hostesses there. Even though she was not working, she made sure we got top notch treatment, including glasses of complimentary bubbles, appetizers and a hand-written card.

Pardon the picture quality, please. I felt ballsy enough pulling out my phone to snap pictures of our plates, let alone a "real" camera with mega-flash. Our appetizers were divine. From left to right: a truffled mushroom tart, edamame in a rice crisp and the most gourmet tater tot that has ever touched my lips. All paired amazingly well with our bubbly.

Our waiter was hysterical, though surely it was not his intention. He seemed to pride himself on his thirty-word sentences that left us with more puzzle than clarity. "If you favor the finer flavors of a more substantial composition, or if your appetite allows a more satiable variety of complex layering, might I recommend the roast duck..." and on and on. Each time after he stopped at our table to share a new tidbit, we'd look at each other, totally baffled and wonder is he for real? He was wonderful, really, but we're dying to know if he is this serious outside of work!

For our next course, we ordered Steak Tartare. It was yummy but hands down I would take the beef tartare at Joule Restaurant over this one. Next came the infamous, I mean famous, Canlis Salad which was tasty, but just a salad after all. Our next course was one of the highlights for me: a terrine of foie gras with roasted rhubarb, nettle puree and black pepper brioche. It was delicious and melted in the mouth, as it should.

As if 3 starters weren't enough, we also got the prawns which were sauteed in dry vermouth with garlic and lime. They were good but again we both agreed our favorite prawn dish was served elsewhere (The Barking Frog's Grand Marnier Prawns). Our main course was amazing as well: Muscovy duck, roasted with a honey sesame crust, croquette, orange marmalade and a green fennel puree. The duck was first presented to us whole before it was whisked away to be plated as you see below.

For dessert (as if we had room!), I had mille-feuille milk chocolate, peanut butter, bananas and caramel. Graham had the souffle and both came with a candle and "Happy Anniversary" written across the plate.

Twas a leisurely and lovely evening of delicious food, wine (we finished our first bottle ever - thanks to the long, slow meal, and, let's be honest, having three kids....) and good conversation. We even had our own personal serenade from the amazing piano player in the bar. Cheers to 7 years and cheers to a man who is willing to pull on his fancy pants and take his lady to a place that calls for diamonds! And blow-dried hair, which is about as rare a diamonds these days.