Sunday brought me to Dallas where I got to see numerous clients and friends in a wonderful performance of Puccini's Manon Lescaut. After the show, nine of us headed to dinner at nearby GEMMA which had been recommended to me as one of th best fine dining spots open on a Sunday night; the recommendation was spot on! We arrived to warm welcomes and of course many of the diners came over to congratulate the performers as we sat at a large round table right in the front of the not so large dining area.
Drinks were called for and I loved my Texas Heat of jalapeno infused tequila with Kemon, lime and a dash of cilantro, but it was the wonderful wines that followed on the recommendation of sommelier Yuri. We started with a Domaine Phillippe Tessier 2015 Romortin from Cour-Cheverny (Loire) which was brilliant with the several trays of raw oysters that arrived to start us off. They were Aunt Dotty & Cold Bottoms from Massachusetts and Mookie Blues from Maine...all were superb, briny and full of flavor. In addition an order of the Spanish Style Clams with nduja, white wine, tomato garlic broth and sherry which were fone in mere seconds! Our sever Ashley was excellent allowing us to order as we proceeded to pace ourselves and helping us choose from the wide and varied menu. We moved on to a delicious "La Porte Doree Chateauneuf de Pape Blanc 2017 from Domaine Paul Autard which was so good we had multiple bottles of the creamy Rhone blend. My Veal Sweetbreads were simply perfect with Meyer Lemon Butter, Crispy capers and mustard crema for a bite with each bite.
Appetizers were varied and many from the Charred Cauliflower with Spicy Calabrian Chile Sauce & Blue Cheese to Mushroom Bouchee with cognac demi-glace, herb salad and parmesan crisp.
The red wine we started with was a light but balanced Georges Vernay Collines Rhodanienne 2016 Sainte Agathe and this was followed by a yummy intense Chateau Vannieres 2012 Bandol that was simply divine.
Main courses ranged from pasta (I forgot which) to the huge portion(well it is Texas) of Pork Chop with creamy polenta, bacon, roasted cipollini onions and trumpet mushrooms cooked superbly, full of flavor and so moist with a polenta dotted with mushrooms for a variety. My Grilled Texas Quail, also large in size, came with French lentils, Brussels Sprouts, roasted shallot and mustard jus and was one of the best quail dishes I remember in a while. Of course, Texas is known for its quail farms and their quality poultry!
Desserts were the Pear & Citron Sorbet while we all shared my Cheese plate of Kentucky Blue, Sofia blue ash and Greenhill Brie from Texas all of which were top notch with great variety. Gemma is indeed a gem and a great sport for excellent flavors, great service and lots of fun which the nine of us indeed had. Bravi tutti! I think I might have to go back again to try more of the excellent dishes!
