Yesterday I was treated to lunch by two business friends visiting from Austria. I suggested Kinkead's as one always gets great seafood and since Austria is landlocked, American cuisine, let alone in the seafood style, is something one doesn't find there. We oredered a bottle of crisp refreshing and flavorful 2006 WHITEHALL LANE SAUVIGNON BLANC from Napa which was a great relief in the 90+ degree heat.
I could not resist ordering the appetizer of CRISP CORNMEAL SOFT SHELL CRABS with Housemade PANCETTA, SUNDREID TOMATOES and Lemon Basil Sauce as an entree. After my crabby experience with the soft shell in San Francisco, this was a revelation, with two crispy, if small, crabs perfectly battered and fried and full of flavor. The pancetta added a bite and the sauce was sublime. A pile of crispy fine onion rings were just perfect!
The ladies both went for the signature LOBSTER ROLL which is always a pleaser!
For dessert, I tried a selection of three cheeses which came beautifully arranged with apricot, apple and strawberry as well as berry marmalade that we never did get the specifics on! The cheeses were varied and superb: QUICKE's CHEDDAR from the UK was a tasty piquant cheddar that was very firm, JASPER HILL CONSTANT BLISS from Vermont was a soft cheese with a bit of earthiness and the ALNGRES from France was oozing flavor and taste.
The ladies split the signature (it was a day for signatures) TARTE TATIN with Ice Cream that one can never go wrong with!
It was a wonderful meal and such an improvement since my last lunch in San Francisco on Monday!
