Happy National Talk like a Pirate Day!

AAArrrrrggghh! I'll tell ye maties a tale o' Charlottesville--the most viscious Southern cultural town there is...

Forget about highways. This trip was all back roads and horse country. This, however, made us an hour late to get to C'ville. We started off Friday night with a late stop to Shebeen where I had lamb kabobs and excellent green lentils and hubby had a version of South African meatloaf with an egg custard top and spicy tomato chutney. Yum! Then, being old as we are, we just perused the downtown area loitered on a Friday night with teens before retiring back to Natahris' house.

As soon as we woke up Saturday we had our eyes on the prize...duck breast. And what a beautiful breast it was. Although we thought we could benefit from a walk around a farmer's market, it ended up that we didn't buy anything but rather used it as a springboard to develop the night's gourmet menu (and thank our lucky stars we found this creperie for a mid-morning snack). Hubby wanted Brie and spinach but we had to remind him that he would die.

Next to the butcher, the baker, the grocer, the clerk. Sorry--got caught up in a Harry Connick song there. As part of a foodie's dream, we went to a gourmet food market to find cheese (a Seal Bay brie and a Vermont cheddar) and baguettes for lunch, and then a butcher for the duck. Then it was off to the Vineyards.



First stop was King's Family Vineyards, home to polo games, beautiful views and overpriced wines. Our tasting person knew where Bowie was although she pronounced it like David Bowie. Although she was pleasant, we were not impressed by the wines as much as the price was, and opted to move on. Since it was such an overcast day, the views were really spectacular here. I learned that Virginia has a couple of grapes somewhat special to the region--the Petite Verdot pictured on the vine here, and the Viognier. There was also this fascinating orange bug. Thank you wine for making that experience a bit more exciting.
Next stop was Veritas Vineyards, which had a beautiful tasting room complete with old world lodge charm. Their Cabernet Franc Premieur 2004 was excellent, without too much tannin and with a wonderful peppery bite. Shocker that I like pepper. We enjoyed the view, the company (including a cat that boxed), and the plentiful amounts of bread and cheese.

Feeling excellent about the world and our day, we returned home to see the worst call of all time in the Auburn/LSU game and then began what would be the greatest meal ever. Well, not really, but actually excellent considering we came up with it ourselves and we were cooking duck for the first time, and we had 2 chefs and 2 highly-qualified sous chefs manning the kitchen, and we said Bam! every time we threw something in the pan (again, not really.) Our menu:

Pan-seared duck breast served with

a reduction of orange, balsamic, tea leaves and star anise

paired with soba noodles and mustard greens in a sesame-sherry vinaigrette

and vermouth-braised leeks

Aaaarrrrggghh. This surly wench of a breast shivered me timbers.

Sunday was a picturesque day with a visit for my first time to Monticello, and a short trip to Carter Mountain Orchards for apple-picking and revelry. It was wonderful to spend such quality time together and enjoy the beauty and views of the area.