Happy Birthday to Legume

I had the opportunity to dine at Legume (www.legumebistro.com) for the celebration of the restaurant's second birthday on June 28, 2009. It was amazing - fresh, seasonal food, cooked well and seasoned perfectly.

The menu was seven courses:
-American White Sturgeon Caviar with Blini and Butter
-Chilled Beet Soup with Dill, Creme Fraiche, and Croutons
-Seared Scallop with Fava Beans, Jowl Bacon, and Spring Onion Vinaigrette
-Jamison Lamb Rib Chop with Polenta Cake, Peas, and Herbs
-Fresh Fig with Buttermilk-Honey Sorbet and Lavender Shortbread
-Three Cheeses with Apples and Maple Walnuts
-Chocolate Chocolate-Mint Truffle

Besides the indulgent and assumed stars (who doesn't like caviar and butter on a blini?), some of my favorites were sides and sauces. The spring onion vinaigrette was my absolute favorite component of any of the courses. It was delicate and smooth and wonderful! That entire course (the scallop)was my favorite overall, so I may be biased. The polenta cake was another highlight for me. It was crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, and sweet all the way around. The lavender shortbread, which was the size of a quarter, was a bite of heaven - hint of lavender, very short. I wanted more! The cheese course included a cloth bound cheddar by Cabot, a Pleasant Ridge Reserve, and a Couple by Vermont Butter and Cheese Company. They were all special, but the reserve was amazing : sweet and firm with some of those calcium lactate crystals to give it a little crunch at times. Can't say enough about this restaurant and this meal. Here's to many more happy, healthy years!

FYI: Legume is doing some other "special" dinners this summer, including a corn dinner, a tomato dinner, and a lobster dinner.