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Holiday dinner 2011: The Herbfarm – Seattle

Every year, my bf and I have a tradition of having a holiday dinner with just the two of us. The season can get busy – in the best way – with friends and family, so I
love the idea of setting aside a night to dine somewhere special and celebrate together. Bf made reservations months in advance for The Herbfarm, an AAA 5-Diamond restaurant that grows its produce/herbs in the backyard farm and sources everything else around the Pacific Northwest. The menu changes frequently and is always 9-courses paired with 5-6 wines. It was an entire experience of lavish decor, delicious and thoughtful food, perfectly matched wines with unlimited pours, and live music. The dinner lasted 4.5 hours! We had so much fun. I’ll let the photos speak for this.
An almost overwhelming number of silverware and glasses, but the excitement of the foreshadowed feasting and drinking helped me look past that. The interior was decorated so festively for Christmas!
Patricio Contreras on guitar. They also had carolers come to each table to sing a couple Christmas songs of our choice, which was a cute touch.
The 1st course paired with the aforementioned brut. The following photos go into more detail about each of the three.
Poached scallop with Yellowstone River Paddlefish caviar, dill, and scallop crema. The light preparation didn’t manipulate the scallop much so it just melted in my mouth, and its natural creaminess was enhanced by the savory caviar.
Chilled poached oyster on salsify panna cotta, pickled wild Chicken of the Woods mushroom, and fried leek. Having just come back from Italy, I was stoked to see panna cotta, but I’ve never had it in this savory way. It added a smoothness that drew out the briny flavor of the ocean from the juicy oyster.
Alaska Spot prawn in Jerusalem artichokes and local saffron.
Seeded rye loaf and sweet milk buns with house-churned Holstein cow butter. And our pet rock bulldog.
2nd course: Albacore tuna confit from the St. Jude fishing vessel on Washington coast, tuna tartar with crushed celery root, fresh radish, fennel bulb, and Klipsun Vineyard Verjus vinaigrette. Wine paired: 2010 Efeste Sauvignon Blanc, “Feral” Wild Yeast, Evergreen Vineyard, Washington. I’m not usually a big fan of white but this went so well with the tuna, and aren’t the colors presented so beautifully?
3rd course: Oregon hazelnut-fed pork belly, schnitzel, and hazelnut-smoked loin with mustard-braised turnips, lemon thyme spaetzle, vinegar-red cabbage puree, and live mustard greens. Wine: 2010 Dowsett Gewürztraminer, Celilo Vineyard, 1982 Old Vines Block. Considering the wine is older than I am, I had to have another glass.. and frying pork belly is genius.
 A shot of the open kitchen with the staff working under Chef Chris Weber (not pictured).

4th course: Rotisserie Moulard duck breast with pumpkin-farro risotto, seared local foie gras with caramelized onion and lavender-quince jam and Oregon winter black truffle duck jus. Wine: 2008 Westrey Pinot Noir, Oracle Vineyard, Dundee Hills, Oregon. To experience the duck and foie gras together was sensational.. plus, I’m obsessed with truffle.

5th course: Whole-roasted prime rib of wagyu beef, confit of Ozette Native potatoes, wild winter mushrooms, Brussels sprouts in horseradish cream, woodoven-roasted carrots, roasted garlic clove, and bone marrow sauce bordelaise. Wine: 2007 DeLille Cellars Chaleur “D2,” Meritage Red, Yakima Valley. We later chatted with Chef Weber who explained the process of this dish. They roast the entire prime rib starting at 10am for 8-minute segments so the juices flow to the edge, then pull it out for 8-minutes so the juices run back in, and on and on. All that meticulous labor paid off in the most juicy, tender, and flavorful slab of prime rib.

6th course: Fried wrapped parcel of Larkhaven Farmstead blue sheep cheese, roasted chestnuts, sheep cheese dust, sitka spruce syrup, and spicy cress to transition from savory foods to desserts.

7th course: Douglas Fir and Szechuan peppercorn sorbet with cranberry espuma.

8th course: Terrine of chocolate, marbled chocolate-brioche bread pudding with sugar plum jam, parsnip ice cream, salted chocolate tuille, and bay leaf eggnog sauce.

Finally, the last course, I ended the spectacular meal with a wild native brew of Madrone bark. The calming earthy hot liquid felt so good after the feast. Can’t wait to come back!

Herbfarm on Urbanspoon

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23 Comments

  1. DSK Steph
    December 22, 2011 / 1:40 am

    Everything looks amazing! 🙂 Happy holidays Carolyn!

    Reply
  2. Farrah Abigaelle
    December 22, 2011 / 1:44 am

    Wow everything looks so good, looks like you had fun!
    -Farrah

    Reply
  3. Yeji
    December 22, 2011 / 1:46 am

    WOW! What a feast!!!! Everything looks amazing..but I'd probably only end up eating the desserts haha..

    Reply
  4. Julie Khuu
    December 22, 2011 / 2:01 am

    Looks like the MOST deliciously decadent dinner ever! I don't remember the last time I sat at a restaurant for over 2 hours let alone 4! All the better to sober up after finishing endless bottles of wine…Incredible post, will DEF look them up next time I'm in town!

    xo-Julie
    Peace. Love. LOL!

    Haute Khuuture Blog: WIN A FREE PAIR OF SHOES!!!

    Reply
  5. Leah @ L4L
    December 22, 2011 / 2:05 am

    Um, I know where I want Huz to take me on our anniversary!

    Reply
  7. Audrey
    December 22, 2011 / 3:32 am

    I definitely wouldn't have been conservative with the wine either =) Looks like an amazing dinner

    Reply
  8. Rebeka
    December 22, 2011 / 5:06 am

    Wow!! That's some serious food porn. I don't think I've ever had a meal even close to as amazing as this looks. What a fun, special night for you and your BF! And p.s. I would have drank a ton of wine of I were you (endless pours? Heck yeah!)!

    Reply
  11. Aney Mei
    December 22, 2011 / 7:26 am

    This seems like so much fun! Wish we had this here in Canada .. I'd love to sit and relax for a good few hours over lots and lots of food haha.

    P.S. The look on your face after a few glasses of fine is totally adorable! haha 😛

    Reply
  12. Katie
    December 22, 2011 / 10:09 am

    looks SO so good! i think my favourite courses would be the beef & the desserts, that beef looks just amazing! hehe good job making best use of the unlimited wine refills 🙂

    Katie x

    Reply
  14. rolala
    December 22, 2011 / 4:31 pm

    What a sweet tradition! That looks like quite an amazing holiday feast!

    Reply
  16. Alison
    December 23, 2011 / 5:14 pm

    that is the most ridiculously amazing dinner I have ever seen! and such an adorable tradition

    <3 Alison
    alisonscampusfashion.blogspot.com

    Reply
  18. piapia
    December 26, 2011 / 2:33 pm

    nice post 🙂 such amazing place ! the food looks so delicious..

    Reply
  19. LifestyleBohemia
    December 26, 2011 / 4:01 pm

    Wow, what an amazing dinner!
    Merry Christmas sweetie & cheers to an amazing 2012!
    xoxo
    Joanna

    Reply
  22. Cinz
    December 28, 2011 / 8:26 am

    OMG! The food looks delish and the place is soo festive/cosy/and warm:D Good choice to your BF:D

    I love that vessel and for H2O? quite posh,hehe

    What x'mas songs did u guys request then?:)

    You look gorgeous in the pics!

    Belated Merry Christmas Caroyln!!!

    Reply
  23. Carolyn
    December 28, 2011 / 4:10 pm

    Hi! I just came across your blog today. My name is Carolyn too- and I also lived in Seattle for over 7 years. Seeing a lot of the places that you visit is a pleasant trip down memory lane for me- plus you have great style. Can't wait to see more!

    Reply

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