Recently, post-class, I snagged a friend and off we went to Blue Ribbon. It wasn’t quite late enough to catch the chefs as they came off shift, but it was late enough but still packed, so we sat at the bar right in front of this lovely sight: the yummy seafood display. We even watched as the guy put together a seafood tower that looked awesome, but alas, two people cannot justify eating all that. (Well… we could… but I had eaten dinner and just wanted a light bite.)
CL opted to get the shrimp remoulade; I believe happy with the choice. I don’t remember trying any (maybe I did?), but I am not a big fan of shrimp in general, so…
The whole reason I really wanted to go was for the beef marrow appetizer. OMG. Oxtail marmalade – I’m not sure you can get beefier flavor than this combined; I spread some of the marrow over a piece of toasted bread, then scooped some of the onion & oxtail marmalade atop it and happily munched myself into bliss. PURE. BLISS. I think a return visit just for this dish is in order… SOON. (I’m literally drooling a little right now. Doesn’t help that it’s lunchtime right now, but still. It was that good.) Oh, and sprinkled with a bit of crunchy sea salt… transcendental. But you know, so many people have raved over this dish before, it’s nothing new that I’m saying. Just go get it. Because it’s wonderful. Sigh.
Sweetbreads. I like sweetbreads, I really do, but I didn’t like these. Not a good example of sweetbreads, sadface. Thusfar, the only place I’ve had amazing sweetbreads was at Regate, which is now closed, ugh. These were also a bit chalky, and just not flavored well. I was sad because I’ve really enjoyed the vast majority of things I’ve eaten at Blue Ribbon (having only been there twice, that’s pretty easy, though). I wanted to like this dish, but much of it remained untouched.
Yvo says: Blue Ribbon takes normal dishes to another level. But it’s also at a price point that might not be the most comfortable for everyone – for the above, plus a few drinks, tax and tip, the total was $91. I’m not going to say that was expensive (although it was the sweetbreads that boosted the price the most – $30!)… but considering this was just an after school snack, it definitely wasn’t cheap. Definitely yummy though.
recommended
Aimee S. says
This looks fantastic!
skippymom says
I just came over to wish you a Merry Christmas.
And then I read this review. [As I read all your reviews.]
Transcendental? Puhleeeese.
G’bye.
Jenn says
Interesting review Yvo. I’ve never had any type of marrow. It’s on my list of foods that I’m too afraid to try (you know that list we’ve mentioned before, and my food phobias). But your description and enthusiasm for the food shine through and bring me closer to marking this on my to-try list in my own culinary adventures and pursuits.
It’s so much fun to read about someone else’s tastes that are so different than mine. It helps me keep an open mind on the food front. (Though, I might be tempted to try bahn mi first).