Saturday, January 20, 2007

4th wedding anniversary

God, has it been four years already?

Fourth anniversary is "linen" but I didn't think I would get away with giving Sandy a tea towel so found her a chunky Swarovski ring instead.



We've been meaning to try Da Paolo Il Giardino at Cluny Court for some time so decided to have dinner there to celebrate. A path lined by bamboo plants lead to a private garden with half a dozen tables. Sandy started with a mixed seafood soup and helped me finish a huge plate of beef carpaccio with shaved parmesan and salad. For mains, Sandy had a delicious handmade spinach pasta with scallops and prawns in a cream sauce while I took roast venison with porcini mushrooms in a brandy and red wine sauce with ratatouille and potatoes. Coffee and Italian chocolate cake for dessert. The selection of wines by the glass was pretty limited, but I had a fairly decent chardonnay from Victoria, Australia, and a sangiovese then a sangiovese/merlot blend from Italy. The biggest surprise was the price! We'd forgotten how reasonable Da Paolo's is. Simple yet delicious food and very unpredictable service.



As I'm writing this, wonderful aromas are wafting in from the kitchen. Sandy is cooking roast lamb with rosemary, roast potatoes and a spicy courgette dish with oregano, coriander and tomatoes. She's the best! Time to open a bottle of vino ...

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