Exceeded expectations seems to be the theme of the weekend. Didn’t think Foodbuzz could top last year’s Outstanding In The Field event, but they may have…
Tonight’s dinner was held at the Ferry Building. How often do you do get dine in such a famous landmark!?
The theme of the evening was an unplanned “greige.” We all color coordinated by accident – including with the table cloths!
Ashley and I had on such similar dresses
The night started with a glass of Bonny Doon Muscat. All of the evening’s wines were Bonny Doon.
And a few passed apps – like this goat cheese polenta bite that I had
Along with smoked salmon du jour
After an hour of mingling, we sat down to the most gorgeous dinner on the top floor of the ferry building
The tables were set to the nines – complete with moss balls that reminded me of my wedding!
The menu was outstanding –
First Course was a Golden Beet Tart with a beet, feta and currant salad, wild arugula and basil puree
LOVED all the complexities of this!
We had a wine pairing with every course too. I loved that the pours were not too heavy, so I don’t feel like I overdrank. Just enough to enjoy the meal (x 4!)
First was the Bonny Doon Le Cigare Blanc – lite and crisp
Second Course was Seared Scallops with Bonny Boon Verjus Beurre Blanc
I absolutely love scallops and absolutely loved this dish! Although the braised fennel had a few onions in it and I ATE one. Whole. It was unpleasant.
The Entree Course was a Lamb Shank, but I opted for the Pescatarian option of Seared Cod over Local Wild Mushrooms, Pinot Noir Sauce and Butternut Squash Puree.
This dish was absolutely INCREDIBLE and I finished nearly all of it! The fish was perfectly cooked. And the greens added just the right brightness. And the MUSHROOMS were so garlicky and chewy.
The fish was served with a lovely red Le Cigare Volant (which appears to be a red blend?)
A personal shout out to our so very friendly server, Shane, and his willingness to accommodate various food preferences at the table.
I asked him for the name of the caterer for the evening. I was SO impressed with the food (for 350+ people!) and especially the impeccable service. Thank you to Paula Leduc Fine Catering!
The final course of the evening was dessert, of course, poured with the 2008 Bonny Doon Vinferno Vin de Paille Dessert Wine.
It was almost like an ice wine – loved the sweet thickness paired with…
Buttery Almond Cake with Oranges and Spanish Sherry Sabayon
Everything about this dessert was perfect. The almond cake was super moist and very almondy and the fruits and cream went perfectly on top.
Also had half a cup of decaf!
The event was so well coordinated – and the food flavors and portions perfect.
Would you believe two years in a row ended in Manhattans!? We made the mile walk back to the hotel and gathered in a large group in the bar – MamaPea wanted to try a Manhattan!! She didn’t love it as much as I had hoped (although extra cherry juice certainly helped!!)
I had a few sips, but really had had enough booze for one night. We all ended on a happy note.
Already starting to feel sad that the weekend is drawing to a close….tick tock.
Coco @ Opera Girl Cooks says
The dinner was SO GOOD! The beet tart with basil puree and arugula was a big stand-out, I thought. I’d love to recreate something like it at home!
Rachael says
The food looks amazing! I’m so jealous!
Shane says
Thank you guys so much for the shout out!! It was a great evening for us too!! There was a “buzz” in the air that let US know that you all were enjoying YOURselves which makes our work worth it!!
Paula Leduc thanks you also!!!
I hope to be a part of the event next year instead of working it!
You server,
Shane
Kath says
Awww Shane, thanks for the comment!! You guys were so impressive!!
Hannah says
I don’t know what’s more gorgeous – you ladies or that dessert! Phwoar! 😉
Simply Life says
wow, look at all that great food! What an experience!
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
What an amazing event!!! Great pics!
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
that dinner looks amazing and the event looks like so much fun!
Heidi - apples under my bed says
That fish looks so delicious!! I’d like a dessert wine now too, please!
Heidi xo
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations says
Dessert looks great, but I’m still trying to figure out the little “nest” of sugar or almond or whatever on top.
Kath says
It was actually a somewhat sweetened Parmesan crisp!
Alaina @ The Jogging Concierge says
Oooh…loved your dress! And that beet appetizer looks awesome. I loooove beets. 😛
Amy K. @ onehealthypeanut says
WOW what an amazing meal! service like that just makes you feel pampered 🙂 Enjoy the rest of your trip!!
Taylor says
Where did you get your dress? I’m looking for something similar but not having a lot of luck.
Kath says
Forever 21 actually 🙂
christina cadden says
Looks like so much fun!
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun says
You all look so gorgeous. And so does the food! I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a meal that classy with all the special touches. They are treating you all WELL.
Caitlin says
Glad you’re having such an amazing weekend! I’ve been reading the blog for about a month and made my first KERF inspired oats this morning!
1/4 cup oats
1/2 crumbled whole-wheat pumpkin muffin
1 small cut up granny smith apple cooked in
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1 tsp. peanut butter
YUM! Thanks for the inspiration!
Kath says
Pumpkin muffin sounds great right now!
Natalia - a side of simple says
I love your outfit! All you girls look fantastic. Looks like so much fun and some great food.
PS. Nice shoes 🙂
Kath says
Heh. Shoe comments are always appreciated 😉
holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
All of you ladies look great! I think you looked a lot like Meghann too — with the black tights.
How nice to have a great server — I swear sometimes even if the food isn’t THAT good, if the service is good it makes all the difference in the world!
Shannon (A Better Me) says
All you ladies looked beautiful! The food looked amazing too!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Wow, what a beautiful event!
lisasfoods says
Sounds like an incredible time, and an incredible event.
Are you given much time at the Foodbuzz Fest for mingling and meeting other bloggers? And did you get to go to any workshops?
Kath says
Yes and briefly
Amanda says
What a beautiful event, and even more stunning ladies! It looks like a spectacular night!
alana (at) the food says
that beet tart looks unreeal!
and manhattans are excellent!
Grocery Goddess Jen says
Wow, that food and location look amazing. I can’t believe you guys got to eat in the Ferry Building! What a treat.
MonsteRawr says
Holy hell, that food looks amazing! Suddenly I am much less excited about my chocolate cheerios…
Maddie (Healthy Maddie) says
Wow, your dinner looks beautiful and well put together. I love your dress. You guys all look so pretty 🙂
Claire (Low Impact Fashionista) says
The waffley thing they stuck on top of the dessert looks really neat, and don’t be sad the weekend is ending! You still have time left 🙂
stacey-healthylife says
Everything looks gorgeous. I really wish I would have been able attend, so sad.
arlene says
The dinner and venue look fab, Kath! ‘Le cigare volant’ red is a wine of great repute, made with syrah, grenache, carignan, mourvedre and cinsault (in the style of world-renowned chateauneuf-du-pape). Bonny Doon’s Muscat is gorgeous, too… Bon appetit et sante!
Laura says
WOW! My mouth is watering – everything looks so amazing. Beautiful building too! I didn’t realize there was an event space upstairs.
P.S. LOVE your dress! Where did you get it?
Kath says
Forev 21!
Sana says
I love how well your pics turn out indoors! I need to work on my picture taking skills!
Christin L. says
Love all those dresses! Too cute!
Camille says
So much amazing food!
You look lovely, by the way!
Dee says
HOLY COW! OH MY GOSH! Ummmm… YUM! Look at all of that YUMMY food!
ps. you all looked SO fab and gorgeous!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i thought the catering was incredible as well! wish i had gotten the fish option (i didn’t know about it) – i wound up with the vegan one instead, which was just okay.
A Teenage Gourmet (Sami) says
I can’t wait to join you at these events someday. 😉
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Beautiful!! Perfect evening 🙂
Kiran says
OMG! Great food, especially the cod! Looks so yummy!!
thetreadmilldiaries says
What a great eating experience. The mood and the food look wonderful. Can I come?? 🙂
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Wow I’m really impressed with that catering too. The whole meal looks amazing!
Namaste Gurl says
Fun! All you girls are so cute, love seeing your events picture by picture– almost feel like i’m there! 🙂
Maren says
I love the pictures of glasses! They are always so surprisingly photogenic. 😀
Caitlyn (A Spoonful of Life) says
That looked like an extravagent meal! Wonderful pictures!!
Nicole, RD says
I wish I would’ve gone! That meal looks OUT of this WORLD! Stunning!
hungryforbalance.wordpress.com says
The food looks good but you ladies look even better! Isn’t it fun to play dress-up?!
Mads says
Wow, looks incredible!
I think it’s so funny that you don’t like onions. I seriously can’t imagine my life without them!
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says
I was at the Festival too this weekend…so much fun! I saw you but was too shy to come up and ask for a picture with you 🙂
Shannon @ Philadelphia Phitness Pharmacy says
Everything looks so delicious and beautiful! I definitely am jealous! Glad you enjoyed yourself!!!
Allie (Nutty FlexitALLIEan) says
This looks insanely awesome! Glad you had a good time 🙂
Virginia @ YtotheUmmy says
all that food looks amazing…wahh i want some!
Kim says
I just flew home from San Francisco this morning and was in the ferry building 2 days ago. Just so happens my husband and daughter have been in Charlottesville all week. (we live in Portland, OR)
Small world. It sure would have been fun to run into you.
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
That meal keeps looking more and more fabulous with every post I see!
hemp jogger says
kath, you looked amazing! great dress…incredibly flattering and unique 🙂 what an awesome spread, too.
have fun w/ matt tomorrow!
Elle says
And all those cameras popping at the same time!! Fun.
Ron Merlin says
Allright, I’m going next year, and it’s your fault. I’m convinced it would be incredible. Thanks for the great post.
Besides, I think all you female Foodbuzz Bloggers need a guy there too….. Ya know?
Ron Merlin
TheMerlinMenu
Caree says
Looks like you had a great time! I just started a blog myself and was wondering how you ladies got to this point?!
Emily (Foodie/Nutritionist) says
The scallops were SO delicious… probably my favorite course! Although, it is really hard to choose. Such a wonderful dinner!
Lisa says
Everyone looks great all dressed up!