Menu and Wines from Dinner at Cyrus

By: Chris Greacen - 04/05/2009
Amy and I headed north to Healdsburg for an amazing day topped-off with an amazing dinner at Cyrus, one of the best restaurants in the bay area (possibly the country).

I'm reverse-blogging this so please bear with the memories. I recall the service to be top-notch. I witnessed a table of 6 (maybe 8?) served silently, simultaneously, with such grace and precision. Our service was impeccable: every question about preparation or ingredients was met with expert, but friendly answers. I witnessed negotiations between an obviously French patron and a server over the cheese course. The server knew everything about every cheese: climate, preparation, treatments... the patron (and I) was impressed.

Our tasting menu worked like this:

1. Canapés
2. California Select Caviar with Accompaniments.
3. Amuse Bouche
4. Thai Marinated Lobster with Avocado, Mango, and Hearts of Palm.
   Wine: Kerner, Abbazia di Novacella, Alto Adige, Italy 2007
5. Me: Foie Gras "Torchon" with Tamarind and Dates.
   Wine: Riesling Kabinett, Dr. Crusius "Traiser Rotenfels" Nahe, Germany 2007
   Amy had the Gnocchi with Morels and Snap Peas
6. Seared Scallop with Chorizo and Clams.
   Wine: Manzanilla Pasada Sherry, Hidalgo "Pastrana" Jerez, Spain.
7. Duck Breast with Bok Choy and Asparagus, Sesame- Shao Xing Sauce.
   Wine: Pinot Noir, Skewis "Lingenfelder" Russian River Valley 2005.
8. Amy: Wagyu Beef with Burdock and Shiso, Oxtail Umeshu Consommé.
   Me: Lamb roulade with Mélange of Spring Vegetables.
   Wine: "Pian del Ciampolo", Montevertine, Tuscany, Italy, 2005
9. Artisanal and Farmhouse Cheeses presented Tableside.
   Wine: Savigny-les-Beaune, Camus-Bruchon "Vielles Vignes", Burgundy, France 2006
10. Verjus Sorbet, Blood Orange Riesling Soup with Crystalized Picholine Olives.
    Wine: Brachetto D'Acqui, Marenco, Piedmont, Italy 2006
11. Tiramisu, Cappuccino "Spoon", Caramelized Fennel and Espresso Gelato
    Wine: Bual Madeira, Henriques & Henriques "15 Year Old", Portugal
    Amy: Carmelized Walnut Carrot Cake with Yuzu -- Carrot Sorbet
12. Mignardises

Hits: Cocktails were really good: the bar uses seasonal ingredients to create new drinks. The Amuse Bouche was a play on all senses of taste. The Scallop was amazing: the scallop/chorizo/manzanilla pairing was so perfect. The Foie Gras "Torchon" was a play on indian flavors: I think they served it with papadam and maybe even a puri -- lots of fun.

Misses: Very little. The espresso in the desert was too bitter. The Blood Orange Riesling Soup was a little lame. Nothing much else to complain about.

If we win the lottery we'll get back there sometime soon. Untill then, the memories will keep us rolling along.