A Late Birthday at Providence

The boy surprised me to a reservation at Providence, a restaurant we could check off our Michelin list.

I'm a sucker for any place that lets me dress up a little and puts my napkin in my lap for me!

We had the 5-course tasting menu (the boy had the wine pairing, I opted for something the waiter called a "fruity delicious," and it was, fruity and delicious!) and then cleansed our palettes with a trip to Diddy Reese with our good friends who are new to L.A. Nothing like a chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich to help wash down veal tenderloin and fish eggs.

Here's a recap of our foodie adventure!

[I'm intrigued by their logo. My guess is that it's supposed to mimic fishing line, since it's a seafood restaurant. Thoughts?]

[These lights were very interesting, I believe the translucent installation is trying to mimic being under water. There were also "barnacles" or sand dollars dotting the walls to add to the theme.]

[Need a shovel for your rock salt? I know who you can call.]

[Our first course! The jelly on the left was gin and tonic, the middle was a spoonful of grapefruit juice (?) and the tasty cup on the right had salmon and fish eggs with gold leaf on top. Sorry, this dish for some reason isn't included on the menu they so kindly folded up for me at the end...but it was good!]

[Japanese kanpachi: crispy rice crackers, coriander, soy creme fraiche. This was delicious, #2 on my list. The fish just melts in your mouth.]

[And this was #1 BY FAR, it was the tastiest scallop ever. Bobby's Block Island Sea Scallop: Japanese eggplant, rhubarb, cashews, reduction of vadouvan and jurancon]

[Halibut that was beautiful, but not as tasty as its friends the sea scallop and kanpachi above. Wild Day Boat Pacific Halibut: summer squash, black olive, dried apricot, basil]

[At this point I was stuffed. I know it doesn't look like much, but these little plates really fill you up, and I can eat a lot. Marcho Farms Veal Tenderloin: bacon, almond, english peas, maitake mushrooms]

[We finished the night with a very posh dessert. Yuzu curd, meringue: blackberry sorbet, jasmine.]

[And then we headed over near UCLA for a very cheap (but filling) dessert.]

[It's almost like it's smiling at you. Hello, ice cream. You're looking handsome tonight.]

The whole night was delicious.

I fully intend to do a few recap posts about our Chinese banquet this week, but unfortunately the American wedding recaps won't take place until I get the photos at the end of August.

I know, I know, the wait is killing me too. But it'll all be worth it in the end.