Mmmmmm... Dinner

Nothing like a little decadence to celebrate your birthday. My parents have come to know a gentleman who owns a really really excellent restaurant in Denver called Mel's Bar and Grill. I've eaten there quite a few times, but this time, decided I wanted to try something new. There are quite a few Mel "alumni" who have gone on to start or work at other restaurants in the area. One of the head chef's from Mel's started a new restaurant ( 2 actually, but you can only eat at one at a time ), where we had dinner tonight. I decided that rather than go with a single course, we were going to have the 'Tasting Menu'. 5 courses, and 5 wines. Here's what we had:

1st Course:

Duck prosciutio w/ figs crostini & piave cheese
Prosecco (sp? an italian sparkling wine )

2nd Course:

Grillled halibut with sauteed grapes and pine nuts, truffle butter sauce
Malavasia Bianca (sp) wine

3rd Course:
Spinach ravioli stuffed with cauliflower, potato, fontina cheese, served w/ a chunky tomato sauce
Dolcetto wine

4th Course:
Veal tenderloins, seared, served w/ smoked tomato veal reduction sauce, fontina fonduta
Chianti Classico wine

5th Course:
Flourless Chocolate/Hazelnut Torte
Ice Wine

Apologies for messing up the names/appelations of the wines, I'm a bit too satiated to care anyway. :) For all the gourmands out there, if you're ever in Denver, I cannot recommend enough eating at Mel's, Mizuna, or Luca D'Italia if you have the opportunity. And by all means, go for the Tasting Menu ( it changes nightly, but is always esquisite ).