Tag Archives: LeAnneuary

I Want to Eat at Bouchon Weekly

Posted on by LeAnne Notabartolo

After my splendid birthday dinner, I have decided that I want to eat at Bouchon weekly. It was everything I wanted and more. For those of you who have been following along for a couple of years, you know I treat my birthday like a national holiday (Moment of Truth – when I was a little girl my Mom told me some day my birthday WOULD be a national holiday because I share it with Elvis). We always go someplace special and Bouchon didn’t disappoint! The dinner was a fantastic kick off to LeAnneuary.*

Mom had never participated in the enjoyment of a shellfish tower

Happily, I had my Mom here with me and because she lives in a, shall we say “food deprived” area of central Florida, she too was thrilled with the special treatment. I love taking out of town friends & family to visit my Chef Friends at their restos. I especially love it when the Chef comes out to chat for a few minutes. Chef Dan Ontiveros and the entire staff at Bouchon made me feel extra special and no one batted an eye when I ordered the Croque Madame for my main course instead of one of the fabulous OTHER great offerings. Croque Madame IS my favorite sandWISH of all time. This dinner was extra fun because Mom had always seen shellfish towers, but had never actually gotten to participate in the enjoyment of one. Her eyes glazed over with bliss at every single mouthful.

When the base was placed on the table, I thought “Oh goodie! We’re having oysters!” Yes, we did. And so much more! Each item was fresh, delicious and flavor packed. After this, all seafood during Mom’s month long visit paled in comparison. And seriously, don’t skip the bread when you visit. Just enjoy the carbs.

If you know me AT ALL, you know I am a charcuterie whore. French country pate is my all time fave and I find it difficult to share. But I did. Mainly because there was so much food to sample and I didn’t want to get too full.

This little beauty is a foie gras gateau. I do not believe it is offered on the regular menu, but if it is available you should definitely have it. It’s a collaboration between Chef Dan and his Sous Chef Peter Bart Clark. And in case you are wondering, YES those are shaved truffles and edible flowers. As if the foie itself wasn’t special enough, those additions knocked it completely off the chart!

Of all entries in the sandWISH category, a Croque Madame is the Queen in my book. A grilled ham and cheese, topped with Mornay sauce and a beautiful runny yolked egg. It’s not the BEST pic…but you get the idea.

One thing Bouchon does better than most is baking

And of course there was dessert, because what celebration doesn’t end with something sweet? These are just a few of the ones we enjoyed.

There is no such thing as too much ice cream and if you are having a chocolate cake as rich as this one, it’s a MUST. If there is one thing Bouchon does better than most, it is baking. If you can’t make time to visit the restaurant, grab a croissant from the Bouchon Bakery.

These lovely profiteroles were filled with ice cream and slathered with chocolate sauce. In the background you can see a lemony chess pie and a homey apple cobbler.

For those of you who have never been to a Thomas Keller restaurant, I am sorry for you and wonder why in the world you are waiting! The service is superb, the décor understated and comfy, and everything is impeccably first rate.

Planning a trip to Vegas? Call Bouchon and make the reservation. Thank me later  702.414.6200.

Many apologies to Chef Dan and the staff of Bouchon for the delay in this post. I am not tech savvy enough to fix my site when shit goes wrong. It seems to be liking me these days.

 

* I celebrate the entire month of January as LeAnneuary.

 

LIFE is a Special Occasion

Posted on by LeAnne Notabartolo

It started Monday with a cup of tea. I had finished the box of tea I was working on and decided to “treat myself” to more expensive tea that I normally save for “special occasions” or company. At the first sip I remembered how much I enjoy PG Tips tea. PG Tips is not terribly expensive, it is only slightly more than my usual cup. So why the hell was I saving it?

Then I started thinking about other things.  Those fancy sugar cubes that aren’t really cubes at all? Why are they still hermetically sealed in the boxes in which they came? That really nice jam? How about those gorgeous olives, spreads and pates? All this fantastic shelf stable food that I store in my pantry…what the hell am I waiting for? MY LIFE is a special occasion dammit! MY FAMILY members are “company”. Each of us deserves to celebrate every fucking day. And so do you.

Why am I reflecting on this now? Is it because of the impending New Year? NOPE! Tomorrow begins my 50th year on this planet. I celebrate the half century mark on LeAnneuary 8th and I celebrate all month long (thanks Friend Deb for encouraging this behavior!).  I have decided to take it one step further inspired by new Friend and fellow blogger McCall Humes (read her blog HERE). I have decided to celebrate the entire year by doing something I have never tried before once each month.

As I thought about this, and shared the idea with Hubby, it occurred to me that this is going to be a tall order! I have done A LOT in my 49 years. So here is the goal: visit someplace new, eat something I haven’t tried before, attempt that recipe that has confounded me, experience something for the first time and stretch my comfort zone.

I would love to have you all comment with suggestions of what I should taste, do, try, attempt! Here are some of things I have already done:

    • Skydiving

  • Snorkeling
  • Zip-lining

    Ziplining in Mexico

    Ziplining in Mexico

  • Rappelling

    Rappelling down a waterfall in Mexico

    Rappelling down a waterfall in Mexico

  • Lived in Europe
  • Culinary school
  • Shaved my head
  • Been on TV
  • Been on the Radio
  • Eaten offal and ALMOST every part of most animals
  • Eaten insects
  • Ridden a horse AND a donkey

My first new thing will be running a 5K for the first time. This will be on LeAnneuary 17th here in Vegas as a fundraiser for Chefs for Kids. I will participate, but my goal is to run the entire thing. I won’t be fast, I won’t win and I don’t care. I simply want to be able to say “I DID IT!” Keep warm thoughts in your head for that day, I don’t do well in the cold.

Happiest of New Years to all of you! Thank you for following along with me. (Moment of Truth – I LOVE it when you SHARE my blog, SUBSCRIBE using the simple fill in the blank on the right of your screen and COMMENT on this site). You can also follow along on FB, Twitter and Instagram.