per se

Clinton and I anticipated this dinner for weeks, and the only word I can use to describe it is perfect.

The restaurant is on the fourth floor of the Time Warner Building, and we sat at a table by the window overlooking Columbus Circle and the southwest corner of Central Park. I had delusions of taking a walk in the park after dinner, but my food coma kicked that day dream out the window.

I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the very first amuse we had, but it was two goat cheese gougeres, like little creme puffs.

Second amuse: CORNETS - Salmon Tartare with Sweet Red Onion Creme Fraiche

"OYSTERS AND PEARLS" - "Sabayon" of Pearl Tapioca with Island Creek Oysters and Sterling White Sturgeon Caviar

Two kinds of butter that they put out with a few different breads that I didn't bother taking pictures of. 

TORCHON OF ELEVAGES PERIGORD MOULARD DUCK FOIE GRAS - Oregon Huckleberries, French Breakfast Radishes, Red Endive Leaves and Balsamic Reduction with Toasted Brioche.

..and proof that I ate every bite. Except for that crust.

"SUCCOTASH" - Sauteed Fillet of Atlantic Halibut, Hobbs Shore's Applewood Smoked Bacon, Okra, Lady Peas, and Sweet Corn Kernels with Red Pepper Syrup

"CAESAR SALAD" - Butter Poached Nova Scotia Lobster, Roasted Heart of Romaine Lettuce, Sweet Garlic Crouton, and Bottarga Emulsion 

(I finally remembered a close-up setting on my camera, so the pictures from the lobster on are much better than the previous ones, which is a shame because all of the dishes were so pretty. I wish I remembered...stupid me!)

LIBERTY FARM'S PEKIN DUCK BREAST - Poached Bing Cherries, Hakurei Turnips, Pea Tendrils, and "Creme de Navet" with Foie Gras "Migonnette"

SNAKE RIVER FARMS' "CALOTTE DE BOEUF GRILLEE" - Crispy Bone Marrow, Hen-of-the-Woods Mushroom, Wilted Arrowleaf Spinach, and Caramelized Cipollini Onion with Hollandaise "Mousseline"

Another angle...

COBB HILL FARM'S "ASCUTNEY MOUNTAIN" - per se Coleslaw, Mustard "Pain Perdu", and Mustard Cress with Violet Mustard

GOOSEBERRY SORBET - Sour Cream "Panna Cotta", Crystallized Gooseberries, and Vanilla "Genoise"

Me forking it. Teehee.

"MUD PIE" - Dark Chocolate Mud Cake, Liquid Caramel, Chocolate "Cremeux," and Caramel Parfait with Sassafras Ice Cream

Another angle...

"LEMON MERINGUE" - Baked Lemon Custard, Victoria Sponge Cake, Macerated Raspberries, and Lemon Jelly with Lemon-Basil Ice Cream

COFFEE & DONUTS - cappuccino semifreddo with Cinnamon-Sugar Doughnuts, per se's "congrats on your engagement" present to us.

And we knew dinner was over, but didn't expect all the other goodies to come out under the umbrella term "Mignardises." Creme brulee and pot au creme with strawberry jam.

It was getting dark so the pictures didn't turn out as clear. We were served an assortment of chocolates (the pink peppercorn/white chocolate was the best), chocolate covered hazelnuts, and hand-pulled candies that were about the size of a flattened out pencil eraser. So tiny!

Finally there was a triple tiered container of sweets: caramel, peanut nougat, and three types of truffles.