Tuesday, January 8

 

Such a fantastic day.

I ventured into Philadelphia with Angela, Becca & Kellie

to see Les Miserables

at the Academy of Music

in the front row.

 

It was amazing.

That probably goes without saying.

 

Also amazing was the little cafe we went to before the show:

Tria - Washington Square West

 

The big three of the cafe are beer, wine & cheese.

Since the first 2 don't apply, we made sure to amply sample the third.

 

Our first course was a cheese tray.

That was difficult choice, since there were at least 15 cheese to pick from.

We settled for the Idiazabal cheese

made from Spanish sheep's milk.

(It was on the menu under the list of Approachable cheeses.)

I was most intrigues by the fact that the menu promised

"notes of rich toasted nuts and spice."

The cheese was served with crusty bread and delicious fig jam.

 

Next came appetizers,

which for me were the stars of the meal.

We ordered 2 bruschetta to share:

goat cheese with basil pesto &

pistachio herbed ricotta with lavender honey.

I was a bit worried about that second crostini,

because I don't enjoy the taste of lavender.

But this little bite was delicious.

 

Also delicious was a salad with

mission figs

gorgonzola

pine nuts

balsamic.

This was my first exposure to fresh figs.

I can't believe I've wasted so many years

only thinking of figs in terms of

newtons (not cookies).

The figs added a light sweetness & married perfectly with the

cheese & nuts.

 

The main course was a panini,

and though I so regret it,

It seems that I usually don't find anything especially complimentary

to say about panini when I order them out.

So the panini was just about what you'd expect a panini to be,

 

and then on to dessert.

It was a panna cotta with cranberry & blood orange.

The taste was incredibly clean.

It was a fantastic meal.

then off to the theatre.