Business Becomes Pleasure When Good Company Abounds, and the Food is Latoque

So the recent hiatus I've taken from writing was due not to a lack of great food in our fair cities, even given this economic crisis, but due to my exciting and all-consuming new job. I became fully aware of this fact, ashamedly so, by a recent (and hilarious) dinner companion. But when business takes me to the land of the grape, it's hard not to itch for the pen/ or keyboard once again. Only in Napa, CA, LA or NY is it this hard to find a restaurant, purely for the fact that there are far too many to choose from. So without too many gruesome-work details we were having a board retreat, and needed the ideal location for a formal "hi, how are you dinner" so outside of REDD, Bouchon, and French Laundry...there was of course La Toque. Ken Frank is known for his participation in the Mustard Festival and of course his Black Truffle Tasting menu. So when we sat down for this formal dinner I had directly planned with Ken Frank myself I had some high expectations. To start the meal we began with a Sunchoke Artichoke Bisque made with Vanilla bean oil. OUTSTANDING. Next, we moved on to a succulent scallop with lobster crusted potatoes, once again ---only the best from Ken Frank. Finally the piece de resistance was the Fillet Mignon with red wine sauce and what tasted like fingerling potatoes. ok mmmmmm, now the fillet was cooked perfectly --for me Rare! but with all the wonders of the meals before I expected more from the entree, and was disappointed, I mean the executation was there, but not the excitement, and I was not having it! On to the desert, and we enjoyed the Chocolate hazelnut "pot du creme" ----velvety! so for a meal with both highs and lows it was a great experience at La Toque and not to be the last! This most recent post is dedicated to the inspirational force igniting me to write once again, and you know who you are, thank you Ms. Truck drivers association with awesome hair and the Legislative powerhouse mom! you made my meal!