A Champagne Lifestyle

Well I think that's what I'd like to have but unfortunately it doesn't happen everyday.  However today was definitely a champagne day as we went to a gourmet evening with Simon Rimmer at Earle's Restaurant in Hale.  It was in association with Louis Roederer Champagnes - yes they make some of the really good stuff!

It was a fabulous 3 course dinner, although we were treated to fabulous hors d'oveurs first:

Peach & buffalo mozzarella wrapped in parma ham

Ricotta, spinach & sun-blushed tomato roulade

Truffled white onion soup

Served with a glass of Roederer Estate Quartet Anderson Valley - very nice sparkly stuff.

For starters we opted for:

Potted Mushrooms with cheese soldiers

Chicken & wild mushroom ravioli with foie gras cream sauce

For mains it we chose:

Grilled fillet of turbot, chargrilled new potatoes & asparagus with sun blushed tomato & olive tapenade

Pan roasted lamb loin, broad bean & feta cannelloni, creamed spring cabbage with port & shallot sauce

And to follow we had:

Strawberry Plate – Strawberry & cream jelly, strawberry & mint crème brulee & strawberry shortbread

A selection of Lancashire & Cheshire cheeses, carrot chutney & cheese biscuits

What could complete the evening - meeting Simon Rimmer.  He made time after our dessert to come and join us at our table for a chat.  What a thoroughly nice bloke he is.  You have to respect a chef who still talks about an evening meal as having your tea.  It's a northern thing.

We've decided that we should find a fabulous restaurant once a month.  We both have such hectic lives it was nice to chill out and be spoilt on a Wednesday evening.  We'll definitely go back to Earle's, it was splendid.

For those that pop in to see my cards and crafty bits, I'm sorry for the little distraction, but a girl also needs food for her soul.  So now mine is singing I'm hoping my creativity over the next couple of days will too.