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| Photo Credit: Seminole Hard Rock Tampa |
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| Photo Credit: Seminole Hard Rock Tampa |
Sugar Cane Smoked ShrimpCinnamon-Molasses Glazed Pork CheeksPistachio Crusted Scallop LollipopFountain of Youth – Mount Gay Eclipse Silver
We were running a little late to Cocktail hour and barely made it in time to get these delicious bites. I missed the shrimp but the cinnamon molasses glazed pork cheeks were incredible. The first drink served was the Fountain of Youth with Mount Gay Eclipse Silver which was my favorite of the evening.
SeafoodRum-Vanilla Poached LobsterSpaghetti Squash, Cavatelli, Spinach, Salmon Caviar, Bacon Crumbs, Citrus-Tarragon ButterBlack Pearl – Mount Gay Black Barrel
Friends - I will go down saying, this was my favorite lobster dish I have ever had. If you know me personally, you're aware of how serious of a statement that is coming from me (I LOVE Lobster). The lobster was 8oz and perfectly poached in a rum vanilla sauce. I am trying to bribe Chef Michael to give me the recipe. Fun fact - my husband proposed to me after cooking me dinner for the first time....that dinner was poached lobster. I had high standards for this dish and it blew me and everyone else at the table away. An 8oz lobster to start your 4 course meal meant for a very full night. I couldn't leave any on the plate. The cocktail served with this dish was a Black Pearl made with Mount Gay Black Barrel. It was their take on a rum punch!
Poultry
Roasted Squab, House Cured Bacon, Foie Gras, Heirloom Carrots, Peruvian Purple Potato, Cognac-Truffle Butter SauceCouncil Oaks XO Sidecar – Mount Gay XO
Have you ever tried Squab? This was my first experience. Squab is a 4 week old pigeon. I will honestly say if I knew what Squab was before trying it, I would have never tried it. Squab tastes a lot like chicken. It's served more on the medium/pink side than you would find most poultry. The Squab was topped with a piece of Foie Gras and over purple potatoes with a truffle butter sauce. The overall flavor of this dish was great and the truffle butter sauce was to die for. Since I ate the entire lobster dish and knew what was coming next, I only had a few bites of course two. The Side Car served with course 2 was Gabe's favorite of the night and he has tried to remake it at home with the bottle of Mount Gay XO we received at the end of this meal!
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| Photo Credit: Seminole Hard Rock Tampa |
Main
Japanese Wagyu Filet, Yukon Gold Potato Pave, Caramelized Shallot, Rum Braised Fennel, Sweet Plantain Brule
Mount Gay 1703
This dish is everything a meat lover could dream about. The Wagyu was seared to perfection and served over a potato pave and sweet plantain brule. Authentic Wagyu is rare to find and when you do, it's not cheap. This dish was devoured in seconds and I selfishly ask Council Oak to have it on the menu at all times. Please and thank you. The drink served with course 3 was a shot of Mount Gay 1703.
Dessert
Caramelized Banana Rum Cheesecake, Citrus Crumble, Coconut Salted Caramel, Crystallized Macadamia Nuts, Brown Butter Gelato
Hot Buttered Rum – Mount Gay Eclipse Gold
I have been to quite a few pairing dinners at Council Oak and can state without hesitation that this dessert has been my favorite to date. Although I was so full I could barely look at this beautiful dish, I still ate most of it. The combination of the brown butter gelato, crystallized macadamia nuts and banana rum cheesecake - mean, come on. It was the perfect salty sweet combination. The dessert was served with Hot Buttered Rum and I stole my husbands glass. SO GOOD.
The Gasparilla Rum Dinner was yet another successful event at Council Oak, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa. Be sure to follow them on Twitter, Blog, Facebook, Instagram to find out about upcoming special events. However, here is the next one for you....drum roll please.........
FEBRUARY WINE DINNER AT COUNCIL OAK
The February Dinner at Council Oak may be the best ever. Obviously I am a huge fan of wine. My favorite all-time wine is Cakebread. It is my special occasion wine of choice. At the end of the Hard Rock Gasparilla dinner, they announced Council Oak's first wine dinner will be in February. Of course I started listening intently. Then they said those magic words - Cakebread Cellars. I almost fell out of my chair. In fact, I screamed. Be sure to stay tuned for more details!
Council Oak Lounge in Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa will host a Cakebread Cellars wine pairing dinner on Thursday, February 18.
The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with a Cakebread Cellars wine-themed cocktail reception, followed by an innovative four-course meal at 7 p.m. featuring the following Cakebread Cellars wines – Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay Reserve, Pinot Noir Two Creeks Vineyard, Benchland Select Cabernet Sauvignon and Napa Valley Merlot.
Each guest who attends will receive a bottle of Cakebread Pinot Noir Two Creeks Vineyard
There will also be a special performance by singer/musician Justin Rhodes.
Tickets (at $155 per person) are available for sale by calling (813-627-6630). Space is limited.
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