StudioKitchen #3: Game Dinner

‘Tis the season for Game! And Shola decided to concoct a Game Dinner, with his own touch of course.

This time around, there was a party of 14. Quite a large table but we saw some familiar faces from our 2 previous dinners there. (See here and here)

Chestnut Soup (Tray Shot)

To start us off, we are served a shot of Chestnut Soup adorned with some Corned Duck and Yuzu Poached Asian Pear.

Chestnut Soup (Solo Shot)

The smokiness of the Corned Duck was a great pairing with the earthy Chestnut Soup. The Pear was there to cut into this rich combination.

“Commit or Die”… That’s what Shola had to say about his Foie-Chocolate Terrine on his blog. It has to be noted that it is Smoked Chocolate that we are talking about here.

Foie Gras & Smoked Chocolate Terrine

Here’s a close-up of the Terrine. It was served with Cinnamon Toast, Olive Caramel, and Quince Sorbet.

Foie-Chocolate Terrine

Look. At. That. Marbling! Ain’t it beautiful? It sure was popular all around the table but I don’t think it was my favorite. The Smoked Chocolate might have stolen the spotlight in this one and I’m still debating whether I like that or not.

Following the Terrine, we had this Rabbit dish which was a little more in the Game theme.

Braised Rabbit Escabeche

Served with Garlic Buttered Snails, Pimenton, and Smoked Eggplant Puree. Now that’s what I picture when we say “Game Dinner”. I believe Rabbit to be a rather difficult protein to work with (not talking by experience here), but this was one succulent bunny! It doesn’t hurt that there were 3 garlic-laced Snails and the best serving of Eggplant I’ve ever had.

My favorite dish of the night was this beauty:

Scottish Wood Pigeon Croquette

Black Trumpet Mushroom, Meadow Run Egg, Truffle Caramel. What more can I say? Savory at its finest.

Here’s a different take on Pork Belly:

Wild Boar Belly

I actually think that the Miso Caramel Baked Beans and Andouille Sausage served on the side stole the show. Nothing wrong with the boar belly. Very nice char on it too.

Check out this close-up of the belly

Pork Belly Close-Up

Next up is the first dessert:

Pineapple Scarves

Thinly sliced pineapple paired with an incredible Lemon-Brie Ice Cream and some Fennel Salt. Sandy loved it so much she got a second serving of the Ice Cream. Super refreshing but not too sour thanks to the Brie-part of the Ice Cream.

Second Dessert:

Smoked Chocolate Cake

Shola really loves Smoked Chocolate… but who can blame him when it turns out to be this delicious? A moist, rich (but not too rich) Smoked Chocolate Cake with a Roasted Banana Sorbet proudly sitting on top, and Candied Chestnut Powder sprinkled over it. What a treat.

You can’t pick your party when you sit at a communal table like Shola’s, but you make the best of it and this dinner was another wonderful experience.

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