Valentine's Day Dinner

For Valentine's day, Boo and I went to Public on Elizabeth Street in New York City.  Public shares a striking resemblance to Fore Street (the restaurant where Boo and I celebrated our engagement) in Portland, Maine. They  both have that urban-chic, industrial look (not my unlike my wedding venue). 

And to add interest - there were candles everywhere. I don't think I need to remind you about my love for candles (remember this DIY project?). But, I was in heaven...pillar candles everywhere!   Just look at these beauties strewn about the restaurant:

We were seated in the dimly lit, back room (so romantic!) at a sweet table for two. When you sit at a a table, do you choose the banquette or the chair? Literally each of the 8 tables in our section had ladies on one the outside (facing the bar and the restaurant), men on the other (facing the wall). There's a study in sociology if I've ever seen one...

The menu was a five-course prix fixe offering options for both me (pescatarian) and Boo (a meat eater). Here's what we had:

Started with bread - red chili and parley focaccia and cranberry and paprika roll:

Both were excellent, but the cranberry and paprika roll was my favorite. And not in that kind of way when you just haven't really been eating a lot of bread recently (wedding). It was so good. Good bread and butter - what is better?

Grape and almond gazpacho with curried creme fraiche and candied ginger:

Crispy baby artichoke salad 'alla guida' with roasted king oyster mushroom, salsify ribbons and chili caramel sauce:

Grilled Spanish octopus with carrot harissa, crispy duck skin, thumbelina carrots and edamame vinaigrette:

Ora king salmon with spiced cauliflower, ash roasted leeks, toasted pepitas, grapefruit and whipped cauliflower puree for me:

The crispy (!!) skin was excellent

Australian lamb loin with black baba ghanoush, braised swiss chard,  za'tar roasted cippolini onion, goat's milk feta, and pistachio vinaigrette for Boo:

This babaganoush was ridiculous. Like seriously the smokiest, most flavorful burst of eggplant I have ever eaten. Like literally ever. Need to recreate this. Now.

For dessert we shared the cheese plate and chocolate mousse...

Cana de Cabra with membrillo and marcona almonds + Roncal with pear and black pepper jam + La Peral with dulce de leche and pomegranate seeds:

Milk chocolate mousse with white chocolate cardamom foam and red wine granita:

Upon leaving we were presented with this:

It was filled with lemon vanilla vodka and chocolate truffles:

Dinner was excellent!  Also, don't fear, I took a menu for the menu wall. It's growing slowly...

What did you do for Valentine's day?

xx,
The Future Mrs. Wolf