The evening began with a beautiful dusk over the city.
For my birthday present from Ian he wanted to take me to Wink. One of the best restaurants in Austin. And Erica wanted to do the same for Micah. Since he is a February birthday also, we made it an event!
We got all dolled up and went over to Micah and Erica’s place to meet up with Ian and Paula too. The six of us had a few pre-dinner toasts (Micah still didn’t know where we were going.)
Then we headed over to Wink.
We arrived at Wink right at 8:30 for our reservation, but another group was taking their time (enjoying the 7 course tasting menu that I have been dreaming about all day). In fact they were enjoying it so much that they stayed an extra hour and a half. Which means that we were sitting outside at waiting. I have to say – anywhere else this would have totally pissed us off. But Wink did it right. With in fifteen minutes the manager was outside apologizing and explaining the si8tuateion, he then ordered us another bottle of champagne. (Note this would be glass 5 so far for the night – um, any one who knows me knows I was getting a little tipsy).
Then he came back out half hour later with some goat cheese and wild mushroom crostini. Thank goodness for bread! And half an hour later with another bottle of bubbly (6). When the other group left we were brought in and treated like royalty. First the menu was dedicated to Micah and me. And after a nanosecond of consideration we chose to also go for the seven course tasting menu.
I can’t even begin to describe the dishes. tuna tartar, pei mussels with tomatoes and Dijon, dayboat scallops with boars belly, foie gras with turnips, duck breast with mustard greens, hanger steak with alba mushrooms and balsamic syrup….and then an amazing palette cleansing cheese plate. And then, I am not joking, one of every dessert delivered on the house: chocolate cake, chocolate ginger soup, crème brulèe, lemon meringue, chèvre cheesecake, and cranberry-quince tart (my personal favorite). At 1 AM, as we rolled ourselves out to the patio to depart the manager met us out by the tables with another bottle of champagne. (In case you are keeping track, bottle 9 for the evening).
We drove home talking all the way about the service, the wonderful friends, and the wonderful end to the birthday month.
Thanks everyone, it was one I will surly remember for a long time!
3 comments:
Amazing birthday treat. What a menu, I sure could help myself to that. perhaps I will try it out on my birthday this year. Wish you loads of luck.
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Awesome. I think I might do it for French's B-Day next Feb. That would be a sweet treat!
Wow, Wink knows how to treat its customers. I've eaten there once with several girlfriends and loved it. I'll share your review with them.
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