David Hammond wrote:David "Can you drop some foie gra on that?" Hammond

David,

Update your Chicago-vocabulary to: Fwah Graa, which will get it for you everywhere!

Regards,

They lost my hat.

I will never dine at S&W again.

David Hammond wrote:They lost my hat.

I will never dine at S&W again.

What a heartbreaking end to a perfect afternoon.

Props to Hammond for organizing. I think the wine and the afternoon were both great, but with all the wine, I don't remember that much ...

David Hammond wrote:They lost my hat.

I will never dine at S&W again.

You've definitely got a legitimate beef with S&W this time, David!

But, cheer up and lose your somber(ero) mood; don't let your hopes be haberdashed--maybe your brim will turn up yet. [sound of (b)rimshot]

And even if it doesn't, remember: with or without a hat on, you are still The Hat among your LTH bretheren.

--Matt "with sympathies to The Hat about the hat" LaSaine

A great afternooon at the Second Annual Convocation of Unabashed Carnivores and Oenophiles. Wonderful food, bottomless wine until three, great bourbon, Cuban cigars, and testosterone laden conversation. What more could a guy ask for? Well, we won't go there. 7 hours in S & W, is the longest time I've spent in a restaurant. I'm sure pictures will follow.

LTH,

Our LTHForum Smith and Wollensky Wine Week lunch was a real treat.



Convivial, interesting company.


Friendly, interactive wine person who was not shy with the pours.


Food, surprisingly for the hectic crowds, near the top of S & W's game including a couple of dozen Kumamotos.


Calamari


Onion Rings


Fried Zucchini


Wonderfully crisp Hash Browns


Green Beans (No spinach for the moment)


Dry-age steaks.


I like a lot of fresh cracked pepper.


Fresh made donuts w/jelly for dessert.


Compared to the last wine week lunch I attended S & W was vastly improved in both wine and food service and ability to hit the mark on what was on the plate.

A really nice time in the company of my fellow LTHers, thanks for setting it up Hammond, sorry about your hat.

A few additional pictures may be found here

Enjoy,
Gary

FLASH: Hat Recovered! A Grateful Nation Rejoices!

David Hammond wrote:FLASH: Hat Recovered! A Grateful Nation Rejoices!

My faith in Smith & Wollenski is restored. Let there be meat!

stevez wrote:My faith in Smith & Wollenski is restored. Let there be meat!

And on the topic of restored faith, S&W, as noted, also redeemed themselves on the seafood front with the kumamoto oysters. I don't think you had any stevez, but they were some of the sweetest, firmest freshest little babies I've ever slurped. These are my favorite kind of oysters, and getting a few dozen was an excellent way to begin an afternoon of excess.

I did record that we had eighteen wines, ranging from the pedestrian to the pretty good. No knock outs, though consensus seemed to be that Talbot Chardonnay was full and flavorful, the Chandon Pinot the best of this kind we had, and the Barnard Griffin Merlot bordered on excellent.

As always, of course, the convivial camaraderie was the most compelling reason to consider doing this again next year...that, plus the magnificent meat.

Wow, that spread looks amazing! I am SO blowing work for this next year.