A Garden Affair to Remember
The South Florida Chamber of Commerce could not have asked for a more spectacular day for our 2022 January garden luncheon, another great event in our 60th year as the Miami Branch. Temperatures were in the low 70's with not a cloud in the sky. Our Garden Luncheon was hosted at the home of long-standing member Dr. Jeffrey Block and his wife Michelle, along with co-host cellarmaster Phil Lyons. Because of COVID worries many members have shied away from indoor dining; and his beautiful garden setting was the perfect place to gather. Dr. Block is an anesthesiologist by training, but is also an accomplished horticulturist and this very special property is an institutional member of the American Public Gardens Association. We had 55 members and guests including a small contingent from the Palm Beach Branch in attendance. Many members said they hope we can make this an annual event!
The company catering our IWFS luncheon was Lovables Catering + Kitchen, featuring Chef Dewey Lasso, who provided wonderful dishes starting with an assortment of appetizers served along with J-M Seleque Champagne Solessence Extra Brut NV. While all the hors d'oeuvres were excellent, one in particular that everyone talked about was the Surf & Turf Grilled Cheese w/Boneless Short Rib and Key West Pink Shrimp.
We began our first course with Corn and Crab Cake combined with Cajun Remoulade, Beet Sprouts & Tomato Powder paired with Hartford/ Hartford Court Chardonnay Four Hearts Vineyards 2017; Second course featured Cedar Planked Black Grouper with Yellow Tomato BBQ sauce and Crispy Leeks. A beautiful Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose 2017 paired wonderfully. For the third course we had a dual offering of Oak Grilled Filet Medallions with Wild Mushrooms and Truffle-Parmesan Ravioli and a Grilled Prime Skirt Steak with Bone Marrow Demi served with Fois Gras Bread Pudding. Our two wines were Joseph Phelps Insignia 2001 and Rochioli Pinot Noir (Russian River) 2007. A side note on the Pinot. Phil decanted for well over an hour and initially did not like the wine. It just seemed off to him and maybe we were jaded by Cellar Tracker saying it was past its prime. When it sat in the glass it opened to be a magnificent wine and was the wine of the day for most of us.
Our final course was a Polenta Lemon Cake with Berry & Peppercorn Sabayon paired with Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2016.
Besides the beautiful property, weather and wine luncheon; the guests were serenaded by a wonderful Saxophonist and treated to a Barista-attended Gourmet Coffee, Espresso, and Cappuccino Cart. No wonder they were asking about an encore for next year!
Menu
Welcome Champagne & Passed Hors D'oeuvres on the Patio
Beef Carpaccio, Sullivan Street Bakery Sour Dough Crostini
Truffle Salad
Ahi Tuna Steak, Crispy Rice Cake
Surf & Turf Grilled Cheese w/ Boneless Short Rib and Key West Pink Shrimp
J-M Sélèque Champagne Solessence Extra Brut NV
The Main Event (All Served Family Style)
First Course
Corn and Crab Cake, Cajun Remoulade, Beet Sprouts & Tomato Powder
Hartford / Hartford Court Chardonnay Four Hearts Vineyards 2017
Second Course
Cedar Planked Black Grouper, Yellow Tomato BBQ Sauce, Crispy Leeks
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé 2017
Third Course - Dual Entrée
Oak Grilled Filet Mignon Medallions with Wild Mushrooms and Truffle-Parmesan Ravioli
Grilled Prime Skirt Steak with Bone Marrow Demi, Fois Gras Bread Pudding
Joseph Phelps Insignia 2001
Rochioli Pinot Noir (Russian River) 2007
Fourth Course
Polenta Lemon Cake, Berry-Peppercorn Sabayon
Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2016
For After
Barrista Attended Gourmet Coffee, Espresso, Cappuccino Cart