Fellow blogging friend Catherine of Albion Cooks and I went to Michael Mina's opening party on Saturday night. It was a late cocktail party with dancing, nibbles and quaffs. We arrived early so were there for the beginning and enjoyed speaking with the staff. It got going in full swing around the time we left at 10:30. An unnamed drink of kaffir kaffir lime, pineapple gum and Beefeater was the evening's favorite, which our waiter dubbed 'Kaffir Collins' and said it wouldn't stick.
I enjoyed the various nibbles; first being lobster corn dog with mustard aioli and tuna tartar on a crisp toast round which came out on a large white rectangular tray with a stylish waiter who encouraged us to try everything. I liked the tuna tartar best, it went down smoothly and had a perfect balance of seasonings.
I next tried the crab cake, which was great and had some green color in the interior which I couldn't identify. It was SO noisy with people enjoying themselves that I couldn't hear what the waiter said the other piece was, a lamb bruchetta? I especially missed the 'lamb' part. The base was made of lamb and perhaps potato for a soft bed for a little cheese tomato and marinated pepper, I think. It was an inventive bite.
There was a peanut butter and jelly sweet and crunchy bite too, the flavors were perfectly layered and made a nice finish after multiple savory hors d'oeuvres. Eater also reported on the evening here. The redone interior with the ironwork and walnut wood was beautiful and I think Michael Mina's will get off to a flying start.
