Sunday, June 29, 2008

Short Ribs That Melt Like Butta

The second Memphis Farmers Market Dinner Tour was held at Circa with Chef John Braggs. The dinner series has caught on as there were 60 people at this dinner. Circle is a hip restaurant in downtown Memphis on the Main Street Trolley line. They have one of the most extensive wine lists in Memphis.



Our five courses consisted of:

Mesclun Greens Salad with Curry-Fried Oyster with an Herb Vinaigrette. The greens were from the farmers from Gracious Gardens. This was paired with a 2005 Kuentz-Bas Gewurztraminer from Alsace France. This was a very fresh and delightful salad to start our meal.

Roast Heirloom Tomatoes with Jumbo Lump Crab Salad paired with a 2005 Graville Lacoste from Bordeaux France. I have an allergy to crab and my husband doesn't eat raw tomatoes. That's why our marriage works so well. He said the crab salad was delicious and I loved the heirloom tomatoes. I'm so glad we have local farmers that grow our tomatoes. There's nothing better than a ripe tomato off the vine!

Beef Short Ribs "Chasseur" with Shiitake Mushrooms and French Radishes paired with a 2005 Raymond "R" Collection Merlot from St. Helena California. This was by far the best dish of the night. The short ribs are from Neola Farms, which are fantastic in their own right. Mike Lanigan is the rancher that owns Neola Farms. He grows his own corn and soybean to feed his Angus Steers, and then the beef is aged. Add that magical touch of Chef Braggs and this dish was like butta!

Grilled Cheese of Bonnie Blue Farm Aged Tomme and Arugula on Pumpernickel with local honey cream. This was paired with a 2003 Verget du Sud Rouge Vin De Pays from Southwest France. I could eat this grilled cheese everyday.

Peach and Blackberry Cobbler with Cinnamon Ice Cream. This was paired with a 2005 Banfi "Rosa Regale" Brachetto d'Acqui from Piedmont Italy. The fruit were from Jones Orchard, one of my favorite farmers at the Memphis Farmers Market. Fresh peaches and sweet blackberries are so delightful.

Circa By John Braggs
119 S. Main Street, Suite 100
Memphis, TN 38103
901-522-1488

Memphis Farmers Market
Central Station Pavilion
Memphis, TN 38103

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