When our friend Kevin asked me to plan a Hungry in Brooklyn surprise birthday for his girlfriend, Sara, I was thrilled.  And not just because he specifically requested my famous baked oysters (which have already made appearances at my dinners here and there), but also because Sara is a dear friend who deserved a sweet (and savory) surprise.  

The Courses: 

First: Oysters Rodriguez - baked fanny bays, shallots, criminis, white whine, touch of cream 

Second: Frisee au Lardons - poached egg, champagne shallot vinaigrette

Savory: Baked Whole Brook Trout - thyme and lemon, haricots verts

Sweet: Salted Caramel Glacee - grass-fed organic cream, burnt caramel, fleur de sel

The perfect compliment to this French-inspired meal were the delicious cocktails artfully prepared by Hotel Delmano’s Tim Monaghan.  He stuck with the “local” theme quite well- Tim whipped up the tastiest French 75’s I’ve ever had using the Philadelphia-made Bluecoat Gin. Getting drunk has never been so classy!