by Shane Campbell » Wed Oct 31, 2012 10:05 am
I sat in the cozy, well-appointed dining room at Majid's and wondered how I ever got so lucky! At the table with me were three beautiful and engaging women and I didn't have to share them with anyone. Good times never seemed so good (for once the appropriate sentiment) and they could have served me a cold hotdog on day old bread and called it “essence of animal residue with croquette de ordure” and I wouldn't have minded. They did not.
Holy shite (also not served) was this ever a cool event! I'm gonna be honest now and say that the wine, which may or may not have been the focus of this event, priced from $13 to $130 a bottle was fine and pretty much indistinguishable to this philistine's palate. With the exception of the Umami Sangria, which was sweet, salty, and the final course, all were what I would characterize as on the dry side and all together fine by me. The girls made informed sounding comments about them but, I'm no judge of le vin.
In fact, I didn't want to approach this evening on an empty stomach so I arrived at the nearby BBC an hour early to get something non-French on my stomach. I ordered the Saison. After an interminable period the man there (Katie) said that music wouldn't play. A pint of bitter would though and I quaffed it in the company of occasional bar buddies Jean and David. As a bonus, I engaged in a lengthy conversation with a local news reporter who bought my beer (sweet!). That's what going to the pub is all about. I'd just finished my pint and checked the time (egads!) time to go when a youngish fellow walked up and asked Katie about a beer. She said it was 6.5% abv. “Don't you have anything stronger?” the fellow asked. Definitely time to go!
With a few moments to spare I arrived at Majid's in time to see a petite brunette walk in just in front of me. This turned out to be none other than Margie. What timing! In fact, Margie and I seemed to be in sync all evening. She was as cool as a mountain stream and I was fascinated by her conversation which ranged from horses to architecture to construction law. Margie was sophistication without pretension and I pretended to understand her even though I was in well over my head. I must have done alright as she rewarded me with her number (score!). Funny thing about that card Margie. You said you're a lawyer but the card says “Jimmie's Stall Cleaning.” I will be be pestering Margie to spend some more time with me soon.
Gayle was already seated at a table when we walked in and I immediately requested that we be allowed to join her. She looked quite startled by my boldness and cast a panicked look about the room in quiet desperation seeking some polite reason to deny me. Gayle is an elegant woman from North Dakota where manners are served all day long and she was no more going to to start pimpin me about than order her first Pimm's cup before five (Mountain Time even). Gayle was almost certainly the one most versed in the complex world of food and fine wine at our table and she off-handedly related experiences one would expect only from the most seasoned world traveler. She also frequently confused me with her formidable terminology regarding the cuisine and I struggled to take her meaning at times. I'm almost certain she was speaking to me in some Scandinavian tongue at one point. I was already in rare company when the fourth member of our dinner party arrived.
Jackie R is a Hot Bytes A-lister regardless of assertions by this site's progenitor that such a hierarchy does not exist. She has been an industry insider in this town at every level so if she doesn't know about it, it's probably not worth knowing. I've sat in restaurants and watched in amazement as owner's and staff fawned over her like a rock star. If you haven't been lucky enough to have a meal with Jackie at a Louisville restaurant by now, put it on your bucket list and send her a PM request immediately. She can provide you with insights and the behind the scenes back story that will elevate your experience to another level. At six foot two and a Red Lobster cheese biscuit under 200lbs I was certainly the least of us in all import respects. Oh well, I'd do my best.
Our master of ceremonies, Stephen D began our evening with a flourish. If you haven't seen Stephen's flaming sword swallowing act, you must stop what you are doing and make a reservation now. Things got a little exciting when flames shot out his nose quite close to table 4. Thank god that lady's purse dog was a Mexican hairless. Jackie said she was sure it was actually a cat when she came in.
Each course came with perfect timing and the enhancement of Stephen's accompanying dialog. I've long since stopped trying to understand Stephen's discourse regarding his profession and now I just soak it in as the passionate poetry that it is. I think he must be quite mad to go to such lengths to honor and enlighten his audience. I only wish there were more like him. Stephen and Majid not only conceived this superlative feast but Stephen even prepared some of the dishes himself. The first course was the tartare.
I was able to consume most of this generous dollop of raw flesh minced to the consistency of soggy Play-Doh with its tiny raw egg on top by thinly spreading it on the accompanying garlic crostini. My diner mate's get a big assist from me on this one for their generous contributions of additional crostini's. It took no more than nine or ten pieces to dispose of this delicious – substance!
The wilted salad consisted of spinach, roasted cipollini (sweet italian onion), and pulled lamb shank. I thought this dish the least impactful of the evening. The onion was quite interesting but the spinach was just spinach and the lamb for some reason failed to make much impression on me. Perhaps because it was cooked. Margie noted that the wine selected for this course was a particularly good choice as it is difficult to get wine to pair well with salad. Too true I said! (I said companionable stuff like that all evening)
The Peking duck (Moo-Shu style) was a flavor riot. The other members at the table all remarked on the spectacular oriental barbecue sauce. I don't recall what it was called (honshue?) but it was sweet and tangy. Not my normal preference but completely appropriate in this instance. I would order this from an app menu any time.
The Surf-n-turf was the star for me. The lobster mashed potatoes and the prime rib were spectacular! There was also some green stuff smeared on the side of the plate but it was entirely unnecessary as far as I was concerned. I was the last one served during this course. Margie and Gayle became so concerned they started shoveling spoons full of potatoes onto my saucer. Margie finally made eye contact with one of our excellent servers and I think I saw him recoil slightly in fear. Whether prompted by Margie's wrath or not, my plate was delivered immediately. It should be noted that Jackie offered not the slightest morsel to me from her own plate. A plate she did not touch herself but rather ordered placed in a take away container perhaps to eventually find its way to her kitchen floor to be supped with obvious disdain by her kittens (wink)
Bread Pudding: Bacon Lardon, Shitake Mushroom, Thyme, Umami Sangria.
There is far to much sophomoric entendre for even me to mine here. Perhaps someone else can have a go. I'm feeling a bit weak from hunger just now so I'll play this one straight.
The bread pudding was a highlight for sure and I want to order it again and again. I asked for and received a pot of bold black coffee delivered to the table in a French press. It was the perfect ending as far as I'm concerned. Thank you Stephen, Majid, and my delightful diner companions for such an unforgettable evening.
PS – I'm sure Jackie will not be feeding lobster mashed potatoes/prime rib to her cats. Right Jacqueline?
PPS - It is possible that one thing did not actually happen as described. You figure it out! Cheers
I'm a bitter drinker....I just prefer it that way
