Full of Flavor: A Birthday Dinner for Daddy

I know it has been a MINUTE ... (blame it on my starting a new business) but I am back! 😜

Three years ago Mom and I took Dad to New Orleans (his favorite city) to celebrate his 60th birthday (Laissez les bon temps rouler: Celebrating Dad's 60th Birthday in New Orleans)! Sadly, he passed away on October 8, 2015.

This year as a family (14 of us took over #Blackout17) we decided to return to New Orleans to celebrate what would have been his 63rd birthday! His birthday would have been Sunday November 12th so instead of going out we decided to hire a personal chef and enjoy a meal at the mansion. 

After reading a few bios of chefs in New Orleans, Mom chose Chef Gason Nelson. Chef Gason is a two-time James Beard Scholar, has appeared on Food Network's Chopped and besides that, he is professional, pays small attention to detail in cooking as well as plating the food and is friendly! Read more about Chef Gason on his website: http://www.chefgason.com!

We were NOT disappointed in the four-course meal he prepared:

The first course was a fresh salad with goat cheese, roasted cherry tomatoes, candied pecans and a homemade creole vinaigrette.  It was divine!

Needless to say, we were all ready for the next course! The second course was a Pan Seared Red Fish topped with Lump Crab meat and a light lemon herb cream sauce. It was light and full of flavor. For someone who usually skips the seafood menu, I could not get enough of this dish!

Oh there is more?? Yes, please! The third course was a Sous Vide-Beef Filet cooked perfectly to the preferred temperature with oven baked vegetables and served with a horseradish sauce. It was tender, full of flavor and although I was nearing fullness I finished every bite. Every single bite!

At this point I am full and thinking "Do I take another bite?" Wait ... dessert! Then I must take at least three more bites (Yes, THREE more bites ha)! Dessert was a traditional King Cake filled with cream cheese and it was delicious. Even with the icing and cream cheese, it was not overly sweet, it was the perfect birthday cake for Daddy.

Mom had the baby! Tradition says that she must now buy the next king cake! (That is enough reason for me to return to New Orleans!)

Dinner was amazing and not only did we enjoy every single bite but of course it was a night to remember Aubrey M. Kenney Jr (Nov 12, 1954 - Oct 8, 2015).  We would do this all over again with Chef Gason!

Below are more photos from the wonderful evening! Please enjoy and look forward to more entries from the shenanigans in New Orleans because you could NOT have thought this was it ha XOXO

The table is set

Uncle Brian thanking our Chef and lovely server, Mable.

Aunt Shawntain and BK thanking the Chef

Kim and Mike thanking the Chef

Thank you Chef Gason!

Thank you, Chef! XO from the Kenney family

Lady of Leisure Activity: Jose Andres' Dine N Dash

If you live in DC you already know that Jose Andres has his chef hand in it all! With at least seven culinary destinations in DC and more throughout the DMV, one of his restaurants is bound to be one of your favorite places to dine!  I guarantee it!  Zatinya and Oyamel are two of my favorites in DC!

And every summer culinary goodness happens.  Dine N Dash is the ultimate experience for any foodie!  General admission tickets were $105 and includes an amazing experience of food, cocktails and vibes in over 30 restaurants in Washington DC!  Once you pay for the ticket, you need to not reach for your wallet again throughout the experience! And the best part?  All proceeds go to support World Central Kitchen! This year Dine N Dash raised over $540k for the charity! The organization focuses on Health, Education and Jobs in countries in South America, the Caribbean, Zambia and the US!

Map of Dine N Dash 2017

The event is from 6-10pm and you assume that will be enough to really hit most of the restaurants - wrong! haha ... In those 4 hours we were able to enjoy only six of the restaurants.  We decided to start at Doi Moi and enjoy the restaurants on 14th street.  After Doi Moi we went to Taqueria Nacional, Jubilee Ice Cream, Colada and Lupo Verde. After Lupo Verde we wanted to end the night at Zatinya.

Usually Zatinya is a favorite but as we arrived after 9pm there was not much food left .... but plenty of wine, sangria and live latin band! This being said, my favorites were Doi Moi and Colada! But I cannot wait to return to Colada to sit down and enjoy the full dining experience.

First stop: Doi Moi

The delicious pork and shrimp dumpling

Next stop:  Taqueria Nacional

Tacos!

The margarita was really good!

*I enjoyed the gin and tonic sorbet from Jubilee but um enjoyed it before taking a photo. Ooops*

After Jubilee:  Colada (my fave!)

These chicken empanadas were amazing!

The Cuban and the mojito were the perfect combination!
So delicious!

Cocktail? Yes please! Hello El Juanito
(tamarind, lime, Havana cold brew and tonic)

Drinks only please:  Lupo Verde

Amalafemmina:  if you like tequila, this
cocktail is for you!

Toto: too tart for me.  Add a little agave
nectar and you may have the perfect summer
cocktail!

Lupo Alberto:  my fave of the three cocktails!
Great for sipping after dinner.

Final destination:  Zatinya

Spanakopita.  Always delicious!

My favorite bite of the night:  Bantijan Bil Laben.
It is crispy eggplant but taste like potato and the flavor
is absolutely amazing!

Next year my friend, Kizi, and I plan to enjoy this experience VIP style! Yes, tickets are over $300 but who does not appreciate a pre-party, an after party, being transported via pedicab throughout the night AND contributing even more to such a great organization??? Overall, while we did not get to as many restaurants as we planned, we ended the night full and tipsy! I would say that is a WIN for the evening!

Smiling at the end of a great night!

As always you  could have DINED and DASHED with me!  Follow me on Snapchat (pmkenney79) and never miss out! XOXO