california: you win. today, foie gras is officially illegal in the golden state.
congratulations.
to celebrate your victory, i went on a foie gras bender in the month of june. i made it my goal to eat as much foie gras as possible.
you know, so it wouldn't go to waste.
i had it seared.
i had it as a mousse.
i had it as an ice cream.
i had it in ravioli.
i had it in a soup.
i had it in a custard.
i had it in a beignet.
i had it with scallops.
i had it with figs.
i had it with duck.
i had it with poached apricots.
i had it with kobe beef tartare.
i even had it on a stick.
that's right. a foie gras lollipop. a chilled, decadent mousse rolled up in a ball and dipped in candy cocoa butter...oozing with a heavenly rich, fatty, creaminess...and devoured entirely by a very happy me.
oh my foie, it might've been the greatest thing i've ever tasted. to think the chef there almost didn't let me have it (long story)!
the restaurants that participated in my foie gras bender: baker street bistro (SF), west at hotel angeleno (LA), chez papa resto (SF), waterbar (SF), and chaya brasserie (SF).
here's a little taste of how yummy my month was:
seared foie gras, seared scallop, sweet potato, pomme souffle
seared foie gras, blueberries, sauternes gelée, candied brioche, walnut oil
sunchoke soup, foie gras, truffle |
custard, foie shavings, candied corn |
 |  |
foie gras parfait, peanut butter, strawberry jam, brioche
duck confit, foie gras gel, curried duck skin, pickled cherry
foie gras ravioli, beef fillet, sauteed morels
seared foie gras, apple compote, figs, grapes
seared foie gras, honey poached apricots, brioche pan perdu, pistachios
seared foie gras, brentwood corn relish, jalapeno-green onion cornbread, miso barbeque sauce
foie gras ice cream, roasted peach, rhubarb crisp
you may think you've won, california. but i think the winner here is pretty clear.
(psst, it's me)
WINNER WINNER FOIE GRAS DINNERS!
and fortunately, these will not be my last. i can get my foie fix in vegas. and no doubt, foie gras and i will meet again someday in france.
until then, it's au revoir to foie. i think i gave it a pretty good send off, don't you?
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thank you to wifey, chandra, and dennis, who shared in these delights and endured my obnoxious mmm'ing and oh-my-gawd'ing and holy-crap'ing.
and a special BIG BIG thank you to matt and lauren. i think i love you guys.
Labels: california, chaya brasserie, chez papa resto, foie gras, foie gras ban, food, hotel angeleno restaurant, los angeles, restaurants, san francisco, styles of foie gras, waterbar
