Founders Day Dinner at Table 8 ('08 that night)

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of my beloved sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, me and two other Sorors decided to dine at Table 8. This was not my first visit to Table 8. However, on my previous visit, my focus was solely on the late night menu. On this special occasion, I planned to take full advantage of the delicious offerings. In addition to a wonderful night with my dear Sorors and a deliriously funny run in with a D-list celebrity at the next table, I had one fabulous meal.

Before sitting down and reviewing the menu, I seriously considered the prix fixe menu. However, one dish continued to call me. But, I'll get to that later. We decided to start with the grilled cheese with pulled shortrib, truffled potato chips and parsley salad. Luckily, I decided on that very dish on my previous visit. It was just as delicious then as it was the first time. Possibly, even a little better. I remember thinking that it needed a little more salt. However, paired with the truffled chips, it was perfect. The chips were flavorful, light, and crispy. Simply perfect. The parsley salad was light and crunchy. A nice addition. For my entree, I chose the American kurobuta pork with cheese grits, braised collard greens and bacon glazed turnips. Ok, let me just say this. I may be a California girl, but I am a Southern girl at heart. I have really strong feelings about, and I'm in love with cheese grits. I am really in love with these particular cheese grits. They were spectacular. Familiar and comforting. Made all the more delicious thanks to the drippings from the bacon that accompanied the turnips. Mmmm. Ok, let me calm down. Seriously, I'm getting very excited just thinking about those grits. The greens were good, but not spectacular. Honestly, compared with the the grits and pork, it was a bit of an afterthought for me. Oh, yes. Let's talk about the pork. This was my first experience with kurobuta pork. What is kurobuta pork? Well, it's a type of pork popular in Japan. It's a Japanese black hog. However, it's origin dates back to England almost 300 years ago. However, this kurobuta is raised here in America. The meat is darker, heavily marbled, and tender. The tenderness of the meat was something I noted immediately upon taking my first bite. When the server placed the plate in front of me, I was a bit perturbed. The pork apparently had a dry spice rub and appeared a little dry. However, it was the opposite. To say I was pleasantly surprised was an understatement. It was tender, juicy, and delicious. Yum! I ate every bit of it. The only thing that kept me from licking my plate was the image of Emily Post turning over in her grave. Finally, the dessert. We all ordered different desserts and passed them around. The dulce de leche cake and the panna cotta were delish. With a little encouragement from our server (who was delightful), I selected the lemon almond cake with mascarpone sorbet. Lemon and almond, a wonderful combination. Sweet, light, and moist. I love mascarpone, and the sorbet was delightful. The sorbet paired really nicely with the cake. Serving to cut the sweetness of the cake wonderfully.

In, short...wonderful friends, great wine, delicious food...perfect night.