Each year we have two anniversaries, and often celebrate them together as they are 2 days apart, this year we headed to KINGBIRD at the Watergate and had a truly memorable and delicious meal created by Chef Noah Poses who took over at the helm earlier this year. We dined in the upstairs Library, which is part of the hotel but can also be used for a private dining room or even good-sized reception; classy and elegant, it overlooks the Potomac and makes you feel really grand to boot. Nial is the sommelier at Kingbird and was also our main man explaining al the wines and pouring them to perfectly coincide with all 7 courses. I was more than impressed with the variety of wines available here, but even moreso with their age, as older vintages can be quite hard to find; here they are revered!
Argyle 2012 Rose Sparkling from Oregon's Willamette Valley was poured from a magnum(all served in DiRona crystal) as we arrived and sat down and has an intense effervescence that might be a bit over the top for me, but I still managed three glasses!
Two Toasts was the first course, which if ever presented as a pair of amuses would indeed have you amused and on the edge of your seat for what's to come. On one side the small toast(FB fotos are available) was smeared with fried egg sauce and topped with Hackleback Caviar, pickled shallot(I am going to start making this at home as a garnish) and fresh dill. On the second toast was Uni, a beautiful slice of fresh Burgundy black truffle and sea salt. The pairing was divine and the oohs and ahs didn't stop with each bite.
Roasted Pumpkin Soup with Candied Hazelnuts, Warm spices(thyme,ginger) was poured tableside and was paired with the first vintage ever of Argyle 2007 :extended Tirage" Sparkling which was sigorged in 2017 then cellared for 6 months before release. The wine was less effervescent due to its age, but also had more of a French yeastiness to it; what a treat. The soup had a residual ginger taste that turned sweet which our friend Mel said, "whatever, it's delicious."
Cauliflower & King Crab followed with toasted almonds, slow roasted shellfish butter and shellfish vinagrette, golden raisins & cauliflower puree. It was an ingenious creation that oozed so many flvors in each bite depending on how you matched the ingredients. Domaine Larue 2008 Puligny Montrachet "Le Trezin" was another magnificently aged wine, but a 10-year old chardonnay of this quality is very rarely found in US restaurants these days.
Black Truffle Risotto was by far the most decadent dish of the evening as well as the most popular as the risotto was covered with a mound of truffle oil sabayon and then Chef Noah shaved tons of those beautiful black Burgundy truffles over the dish with what seemed like wild wantonness. We were all in heaven and the earthly Tempranillo Monte Real 1998 Rioja was another rare treat so seldom seen today when dining out. I was complementing Nial every two seconds and I think as he is 1/2 Spanish, he was most proud of this wine as he is also the buyer for Kingbird.
Brazilian Rouget or red mullet(snapper family) was cooked to perfection in fish head broth with celery root, rutabaga and turnip all harboring the coming of fall and was matched with the acidity of the Mount Eden 2018 Chardonnay. The 6th or meat course was a perfectly Aged 910 days) Duck Breast from Crescent Farm on Long Island that oozed smokiness. Prepared with caramelized Gala Apple, Purple Cabbage puree, duck jus and baby kale(I hope I got it all) and declared beyond brilliant by me for it's salted crunchy crust. Cain Concept Cabernet 2008, another wonderfully aged wine that is drinking better than ever after 10 years in the bottle.
There was no dessert listed on the menu and we were in shock when Pastry Chef Kieu-linh arrived with the most magnificent of white cakes that she explained was Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Mousse, Praline, fondant and cocoa nibs. The marzipan white frosting was rich, but the ideal foil to the rich chocolate and mousse. You know I am not a cake person, but I was truly impressed, as we all were, and this was a true work of art and love.
Blandy's Malmsey Madeira was a great dessert wine to cut the sweetness and enjoy before we all headed up to the rooftop bar on this most perfect of nights. We all enjoyed the lights of Washington twinkling all around as we celebrated our 8th of 24th anniversary(whichever you care to choose!).
Many thanks to the amazing team at the Watergate's Kingbird for making this one of the best meals ever.
