Wink

Yes, it's true, yours truly turned one year older...and naturally, wanted a good b-day dinner.

A few of my friends, my brother, and Italianini went to Wink.
Off to a good start when I saw the menu said "Happy Birthday Epicurean Vixen" at the very top. Great touch. Kudos.

We began with the sweet breads (don't cringe) and the foie gras. The sweet breads were really good, but the consistency is tricky... I guess you could say the same about the foie gras. The foie gras was grilled, but still very slimy with a slighty harder outside, but a gushy inside.
This is the best foie gras I've had in ages!
Foie Gras

My brother had the roasted halibut on potato with oyster mushrooms and bull's blood beet emulsion. It was perfectly seasoned and it went so well with the blood sauce. Although, at the end I could tell the thought of the blood was getting to him. Still, cleaned the plate.

The Austinite had grilled quail breast on gnocchi with okra, sweet corn, and cubanelle peppers. The quail perfect...but give me anything with gnocchi and I'm a goner.

The Persian had grilled hanger steak on red lasoda potatoes with wink sauerkraut (yuuuuummmyyy) and grain mustard demi. ----By far the most interesting plate at the table and with the strongest flavors. Steak cooked to perfection (although she likes it reeeally well done) and the sauerkraut kicked butt. Pretty girl, pretty plate!

The Italianini had Cervena venison on semolina cake with shiitakes, charred red onion, and blackberry malmalata. It was so good that he only gave me one bite :(

Last, but not least, I had the lamb on celeriac puree with grilled daesene eggplant and king trumpets. I'm a really big fan of the clean taste of celeriac. It was fresh and it went so well with my super delicious lamb... Here's my thing with king trumpets, I realize that mushrooms are pretty much like fungus... but, these actually look like they could be growing out of a college freshman's dirty shower, you know? I feel the same way about Hen of the Woods (eewww) (Yes, I saw on the menu that my dish had king trumpets, but I'm not about to miss out on the delicious goodness of lamb for some measly mushrooms! ok?).


Now for dessert. The Italianini and I were the only piggies that had any. He went for the wink trio: lemon meringue pot, creme brulee, and El Rey chocolate cake (I have an emotional attachment to El Rey chocolates...thank you, Turners!).

I had the foie gras bombe: mission figs, honey gastrique, and demarara tuile.
I was pretty excited, but could really only eat two bites... it was so rich and intense. My poor mouth couldn't take it!
See the birthday candle? Cute...

Overall, a truly great experience.

They take reservations---but for parties of 6 or more, they make you give them a card number... and if anyone in your party is missing at the time of your reservation, they'll charge you $50/head. So, make your friends RSVP and be punctual! ha!