A rainy day dampened our enthusiasm for a drive to the ocean yesterday, but it was the hubby's birthday so I resisted the urge to go back to bed, and considered our options. Antiques shopping in quaint small towns is not really his thing, but a nice meal out is something we both enjoy. The answer: lunch at Gramercy Bistro and a wander through MASS MoCA, which share a campus in North Adams, Mass.
Despite nearly constant precipitation, our ride through the Berkshires wrapped us in watery splendor - the hills reduced to overlapping shades of gray-green, lush, and sanctified to a higher purpose by fingers of cloud reaching down from the sky. It goes without saying that iPhone photos don't begin to do justice to the scene before us. For a couple of recent transplants from the flat though equally blessed corn and soybean fields of the Midwest, it was breathtaking.
The peaceful quiet of the as yet unfilled dining room at Gramercy Bistro suited our lingering awe of the natural beauty of the drive, but it didn't last, and it was nice to see the space fill with a diverse crowd.
We took our time with the menu. I considered the soup du jour, which was leek and potato, but selected the smoked trout pâté - a spread, really - served with crostini, tarragon sauce, mustard and cornichons. I am a somewhat late arrival to the smoked trout fan club, but I'd like to be its president. My brother has a smoker and has tried all kinds of fish, meats and cheese and I am his grateful convert. The delicate smokey flavor of the trout in the pâté held its own with the other spread ingredients and the well-suited accompaniments. I enjoyed it with a glass of Domaine du Tariquet chardonnay from France.
The birthday boy had the shrimp and pork spring rolls served with a sweet and spicy chili sauce that he declared "tasty" with just the right amount of tang and heat and a nice crunch to the roll. I agree. The flavors were nicely balanced and the heat was pleasant. He selected a cabernet sauvignon and seemed happy with the pairing.
The cab was especially nice with his steak frites, a slightly over done grilled marinated flank steak and quite satisfying - I know because I had one several - hand cut fries.
I chose the lobster mac and cheese over the goat cheese quiche and briefly regretted my decision because the quiche came with roasted carrot and fennel and dressed greens, and the mac and cheese came with, well, lobster. I always feel a little bad when my entrée does not include a side of veg. But I soldiered through most it before I threw in the towel and declared myself stuffed. I recovered nicely when the server brought the dessert menu.
The chocolate hazelnut dacquoise cake with candied hazelnuts did not come with a flaming candle, but it was consumed until there was nothing left but plate. I have made dacquoise - lovely nutty meringue - and really should dust off the recipe I used many years ago. The Gramercy Bistro dessert by pastry chef Lindsay Bleau featured the dacquoise in a little crunchy/melt-in-the-mouth Stonehenge around a satisfying chocolate and hazelnut cake. Much to his credit, the celebrant did not once utter the word Nutella.
I didn't need a doggie bag for my dessert either. The fleur de sel caramel tart comprised a lot of lovely caramel and salt on a wafer thin chocolate cookie crust. The little spoon decoration was of the same cookie dough.
We walked off our decadent lunch at MASS MoCA next door, spending quite a bit of time in the mind-boggling Sol Lewitt "A Wall Drawing Restrospective." It was as inspiring an exhibit as the scenery on our drive to the museum.
