kellybee83

Giaspo · May 2011

How was your tasting? Any words of advice? Did you bring photos of cakes? Michele told us to come prepared. Thx!

kellybee83 · May 2011

The tasting at The Palace was fabulous!!!! The food was amazing, and this may sound silly, but I had the best time! I didn't bring photos of cakes (she didn't mention it to me before hand) but I'm going to email her a few. I think I want to go for a quilted look.

We decided a long time ago that we were going to go with the salad/appetizer combo instead of separate courses. I want more time dancing and less time eating, so it was an easy choice. I love love sea food especially shellfish, but FI doesn't (and we knew we have at least 4 shellfish allergies). We knew we would both love the Buffalo Mozz en Carozza. We were right, it was absolutely delicious. The shoot salad balaced it out perfectly and the tomato vinaigrette was delish.
Since we only tried one app, we tried five entrees. We based our selections on what we thought we would like, our parents would like, and also Michelle's recommendations. The Pan Seared Halibut (description below), Sauteed Porcini Crusted Breast of Chicken, Fettuccini Pasta, Broccoli Rabe, and White Truffle Alfredo Sauce, Grilled Breast of Free Range Chicken (description below), Herb Seared Filed of Beef, but with the sides of the Sirloin (Potato Gratin Gruyere and Rosemary Baby Carrots Demi and Port Wine Reduction), and the Chile Rubbed Filet of Beef (description below).
The halibut was so delicious as was the risotto. It seemed like it melted in my mouth. I let my dad be the judge because he's a big fish person and he loved it. I'm not a big chicken person. When I go out to dinner I almost always order some sort of shell fish and/or pasta and occasionally a good filet/steak. I thought both of the chicken dishes were really good, very tender and flavorful. Our moms were raving about them (everyone loved the sweet potatoes), but liked the grilled free range chicken a little more. I really liked the pasta with the other chicken, but it was definitely a heavier dish and we chose a fairly heavy app. Plus we chose the Farfalle Pasta, Sweet Peas, Grilled Artichokes and a White Truffle Pecorino Sauce as one of our pastas for the cocktail hour. When it came to the "grazing collection" I knew I wanted a filet. We weren't sure about Fingerling Potato ConfitTomato, Parmesan and Eggplant Gateauthat is paired with the Herb Seared Filet, and Michelle said it wasn't her favorite, so we decided to try to sides that are with the Sirloin on the menu. I was trying to figure out what else I wanted to try while I was on the phone with Michelle and asked her how the chile rubbed filet was. She said it was awesome, so I said what the heck and added that. Both filets were amazing, so juicy and tender. However, it was a unanimous decision to go with the chile rubbed. My mom did not think she was going to like it, as she doesn't like anything even remotely spicy, and she was in love with it and will be ordering it at the wedding (as will I, FI, and FMIL). It's not at all spicy but adds the perfect amount of flavor that enhances the taste of the filet, but doesn't overpower it at all. We decided to go with the Potato Gratin Gruyere instead of the Sweet Potato Goat Cheese Gratin because we have sweet potatoes with the chicken and sometimes couples like to share different entrees. I think I just typed a book, and now I'm getting hungry.

So here is our dinner menu. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!!

APPETIZER/SALAD

Buffalo Mozzarella “en Carozza” Prosciutto de Parma and Fresh MozzarellaSmoked Tomato Vinaigrette and Tiny Vegetable Shoot Salad

ENTREES

Pan Seared Halibut Saffron Risotto and Wilted GreensTopped with Cured Olives, Capers, Sundried Tomatoes and Lemon

Grilled Breast of Free Range Chicken, Maple Scented Sweet PotatoesPencil Asparagus with Morel Mushroom and Andouille Sausage Cream Sauce
Chile Rubbed Filet of BeefJicama Slaw, Haricot Vert, Potato Gratin Gruyere Hickory Smoked Tomato Demi

Giaspo · May 2011

This is so, SO helpful. We are thinking of doing the combo app/salad too. Glad to hear you can switch up the sides. We are really looking forward to it. Thanks for taking the time to share!!