Tony Gets All Gourmet After A Blogging Absence

Last night's pre-Valentine day dinner for my sweetie and me--

Course 1: Black bean and bacon flautas, with habanero-tomato sauce and crema, served with a salad of mixed baby greens with a Meyer lemon and honey vinaigrette.

Course 2: Fillet of cod, crusted in cornflakes and fried, served with a strained and pureed tomatillo-serrano chile sauce, garnished with cilantro and bits of roasted red pepper.

Course 3: Free-form apple and cajeta (Mexican caramel) tarts, served with mixed berry "salsa" and whipped cream, drizzled with extra caramel and berry juice.

Drinks: First course, a sprightly Riesling from Willamette Valley Vineyards, 2003. Lush, fruity, just enough acidity to cut through the rich flavors of the beans and bacon.

Second course: Full Sail Pale Ale. A light English-style bitter, very mellow, nice accompaniment to the delicate flavors of the fish.

Third course: I drank a 22 oz bottle of Steel Reserve with my tart while watching "The School of Rock"--perhaps the least gourmet move of the dinner, but I was, as they say, "keeping it real."

Between each course, of course, we s----- the c------.

Overall, a good night.