~ Crispy Pork Belly ~

My brother Graham and his family started a tradition a while back, of sending My Captain and me a gift certificate at Christmas for a local restaurant called The Comus Inn.  The Comus Inn is known for being a place for special events,and fine, fine, FINE (as in, clean underwear required, and for gosh sake, wash your face.) dining.  It sits near the base of Sugarloaf Mountain, and its view is famous.

‘Course, we were there for the food.

This place has become known for its fantastic, really WELL prepared, creative dishes since its newest chef took over a few years ago.

First of all, I have to promise you that, while I don’t make a habit of it, I had not one, but TWO ice-cold glasses of Chambord Royale, complete with fat, juicy blackberry garnish, without remorse.

Right out of the starting gate.  I’m prettier when I drink, at least that’s what I tell My Captain.

So I was flying pretty high when my soup was served.  Not just any run of the mill pre-dinner soup…..check this out friends:  Watermelon Gazpacho!

Watermelon freaking Gazpacho!

It was amazing!  A chilled puree of Watermelon, tomato, onion, jalapeno, different herbs…I was absolutely in heaven.  The brain child of GENIUS Executive Chef Elise Wendland, this soup made my stomach go, “Huh? What the……YES!!!  For ALL THAT IS GOOD AND HOLY YOU MUST EAT MORE OF THIS!!!”

Look, I know my excitement for creative foods might be a bit excessive, but you have to find joy where you can, folks.  Am I right, or am I right?  Of course I’m right.  Let’s move on.

To what, you ask?  How about the Crispy-freaking-Pork Belly!  Served in a bourbon-cola glaze…I’ll take two, please!

Oh LAWDY yes!  Chef Wendland serves this beautiful piece of pig up with Fried Green Tomatoes (You KNOW I love those. Fat chicks HAVE to.  It’s kind of an unwritten rule.)  It was one of those dishes that you eat, not with abandon, but slowly, making small loving sounds and moans through each bite.  It’s the kind of dish that makes your dining partner uncomfortable, is all I’m saying.

Let’s move on to the Collard Greens.  The Tasso (PORK Butt!) was sweet and salty on these amazing greens.  We slurped up the juices afterwards.  I’ll not lie to you.

And then to the main events.  My Captain likes Lobster, and rarely gets it.  Rarely, as in, has never eaten it in front of me.  Ever.  But he did last night, and while I could never let what amounts to me to be an Ocean Cockroach pass my lips, I do realize that many people LOVE them.  He loved these two tails, and promised me they were cooked exactly they way they ought to be.  He was smacking his lips.  (Which I found ironic since he had been mocking me for moaning just moments before.)  They had been served in a basil butter, with sweet corn and pine nuts.

I chose the Chicken.  This wasn’t just any chicken.  This was pan seared chicken breast stuffed with goat cheese, golden raisins, and sliced country ham, and served on citrus carrot puree and basil vinaigrette.  This was CHICKEN, baby! Oh my was it good.  I needed a moment alone with it.

When we had finished the main course, we couldn’t possibly eat any more.  So we ordered three desserts…..ahem.

Don’t judge.

Pastry Chef Karen Himes wowed us with her summer trifle.  Deliciousness served in the cutest jelly jar.  (And you KNOW how I love jelly jars!)  What was so wonderful about this trifle was that it wasn’t too sugary.  She really is a master in her craft, because Chef Himes allowed the freshness of the berries to shine through on their own.

But let’s talk about Mama Boe’s dessert.  You KNOW that is where the money is.  It was a pyramid of chocolate….but wait, let me explain!  A square of cake, topped with chocolate mousse, iced with a kind of ganache, and then decorated with candied, chocolate covered almonds.  It was served on a swish of chocolate and honey and HOLY CRAP was it good.

You know you’ve eaten a good dessert when it’s described as ‘Holy Crap’ good.

And out of the kindness of her heart, Chef Himes served us this beautiful Galette to take home.  My friends, I think you know me well enough by now to know that the Galette didn’t really make it home, er, WHOLE, as they say.

The Comus Inn….amazingly fresh, local, creative, clean, beautiful….in a word, Charming.  I would go every day if I could!  It’s not cheap…it’s definitely a special occasion kind of place.  But this is why my brother Graham sends us the gift certificate, I think.  And we certainly enjoyed our Christmas in July!

Thanks, Graham and family!  We love you!!!

PS:  We found out last night that The Comus Inn has a Chef’s Tasting Menu.  For $65.00, each guest is treated to several small portions of Executive Chef Wendland’s menu.  See the website for details!  http://thecomusinn.com/default.aspx

PPS: I am in no way affiliated with The Comus Inn.  I just loved the place, friends!