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Got a medical release… Going to Bottega Cafe!
By Jan Walsh
It has been a long couple of months. Leaving the medical office today, with an “all clear” report.
Kev’s suggests Bottega for impromptu late lunch. My eyes are too dilated to read the menu, so Kev reads it for me and our server shares today’s specials. We toast my blessed news with glasses of Sancerre as we nibble on olives and bread. Kev orders the Grilled Beef Paillard, and I have the Fish of the Day, Gulf Flounder. His tender beef is accompanied by earthy chanterelles, charred onion, crispy potatoes, horseradish cream, and arugula. My succulent fish floats atop a bed of spinach and polenta, surrounded by cipollini onions and castelvetrano olives. It tastes so good that I wish I had my Leica, but then realize I cannot see to shoot photos anyway.
For dessert, we share Pumpkin Cheesecake. And I pair with Graham’s 20-Year Tawny Port. Highly recommend this pairing! The cheesecake is adorned with Chantilly cream and candied pecans. The first bite brings memories of how my friend Jim Wise loved this cake, and thus memories of all the times he and I shared it. I even snuck a piece into the hospital before he died. Life is literally too short not to eat this divine autumn dessert. So, we order a whole one for Thanksgiving. Bottega is now taking orders for both this cake and their famous Coconut Pecan Cake. View Details. Call to order 205-939-1000.
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