… and my vote for Best Time Spent Eating out on Valentine’s goes to @aaqjr, who ate solo. Bravo!
Salmon at Kiriko is usually excellent 'cuz Ken-san uses only in-season wild-caught salmon, and he has his own smokehouse in his backyard!!!
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Valentine’s Day
This was fun reading everyone’s Valentine’s Day posts. I like them all. Ipse’s just might be the most apropos. 
In a span of 10 days it’s Valentine’s Day, my birthday & our anniversary. That’s a lot for someone who isn’t fond of being celebrated. My girls usually take me out for a fun lunch. But my sweetheart and I don’t have a ritual. It’s whatever strikes our fancy… and doesn’t involve me cooking. Last year we did the full on swankified Vday celebration with dinner at Chef Mori’s bar at Shiki in Beverly Hills. It was a prix fixe Vday menu, but no crowds and we had him all to ourselves. The year before it was late afternoon window shopping on 3rd St and popping in to eat at the least busy restaurant (Oysterette). This year it was…
Valentine’s Day Courtesy of Monsieur Marcel
Chef’s Choice Plate + Caviar Cheese + Duck Mousse
Manchego, Brie w/Black Truffle, Persillé de chèvre
, Bresaola, Calabrese. $25. All very good, even the ubiquitous Manchego had distinction and was perfect with the fig & walnut jam. This duck mousse w/port is better than their chicken liver pâté (of course?). The assorted olives included those small, light green, mushy ones I complained about on the Charcuterie thread, but these were fresh (not jarred) and very good, indeed soft, but on purpose w/a delicate brine and buttery flavor. I’ll pay attention to the name next time. But I reiterate, they should not put this olive in jars on a shelf. 
Oh and the berries were a reminder of what season is around the corner - they’re already sweet & tart.
Side note: The Louis de Sacy is grapey (but not sweet) at first open then smooths into medium-dry, fine bubbles, w/slight hints of wheat & apple. I’m not an expert but I think it has awesome QPR for grand cru ($45 & less in big stores). They didn’t have the Montaudon @attran99, but this is very, very nice.
Mr Marcel is starting to grow on me more. I’ve had some hits and misses, but the more I get to know the store and rely on the help (mostly successful and what you’re paying extra for) the more I’m digging it.
Shout-out to Alejandro & Co. once again. They did a very good job.
Breakfast with Leftovers…
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What’s the dollop in the middle of the eggs? Sour cream? Creme fraiche?
Sour cream… A. likes it on his eggs.