There are those moments when the proverbial door is opened and in floods the light. Everything until that moment seems like a dark hazy memory of what it was like to exist and sense and enjoy. I had that moment with food. It was December 6, 2006 and I was sitting at a table with my future wife to my left, when the light flooded in. Sure, I had great meals before and had tried new things but nothing like the six course meal that was unfolding in front of me. It was a special occasion, of course, and we had been graciously taken out to one of the nicest restaurants in Central Florida, Victoria and Albert’s restaurant at Disney’s Grand Floridian.
As the night progressed I had my moment of flooding light along with “Fennel Seared Colorado Buffalo Tenderloin, Braised Fennel, Radishes, and Satsuma Tangerine Vinaigrette,” “Colorado Lamb with Wild Mushroom ragout, Porcini Pasta and Truffle Foam,” “Nantucket Scallop with Salsify and Cauliflower, Saffron Emulsion,” “New Zealand Elk with potato Gnocchi and Veal Sweetbreads,” “Rum Rauson Gelato with Micro Garden Mint,” and “Pyramid of Tanzanie Dark Chocolate mousse.” I ate a zillion things that I had never had before and I enjoyed everything I tasted. It was a night to remember not only because of the exquisite dining experience but also because it changed how I viewed and tasted food.
Since that moment, I’ve valued my dining experiences whether it be a AAA Five Diamond restaurant like Victoria and Albert’s (yes, we have been back) or a family owned and operated one-room-diner-in-a-house. Now I will begin my mission to document my food experiences and critique them as I see fit strictly with the qualification that I will try anything once, I eat a lot of food, and I love to take pictures of what I eat.
Enjoy!
