STARS, CIGARS AND SCOTCH

The Kauai/Oahu Bailliage of Chaine des Rotisseurs enjoyed a "family" style dinner tonight at the Pacific Club.  It all started with a Scottish welcome:

The cigars were:

• Gran Habano #1 Rothchild
• Gran Habano #3 Vintage 2008 Toro

With Dan, Terry and Maurice, who is the Grand Poobah, or whatever his official title (Bailli, but more than that, is a famous surgeon in town with his Gamma Knife) might be of the Kauai/Oahu Chaine Bailliage.

In tandem came four single malt scotches, led by John, Vice  Echanson (who planned this scotch tasting--they have these great French titles--mine is Chevalier, which is the lowest ranking term they can find), and Mark:

• Glenchie 12 year Lowlands
• Dalwhinnie 15 year Highlands

• Aberlour 12 year  Speyside
• Bowmore 12 year Islay


Interestingly enough, I have all of these scotches. 

The meal featured:

• Maunawili Lettuce and Chef Eric's-style Vinaigrette
• Fingerling Potato Salad with Sundried Tomato
• Tapenade (chopped olives, capers and anchovies)
• Quinoa Kale Bistro Salad
• Lentils and Sicilian Fennel Sausage Herbs Vinaigrette

• Beef Bourguignon and Fresh Fettuccini
• Duck Leg Confit on Salardaise Potatoes (basically, potatoes cooked in duck fat)
• Seafood Paella

Sorry, forgot to take a photo.

• Apple Tart Tatin (upside-down tart)
• Chocolate Mousse
• Strawberry in Win

My table featured Mark (Bailli Honoraire) and Mirella (who is the catalyst of everything Chaine):

Also on the table were Sharon (of Punahou fame) and Bebber (Institute for Astronomy):

Note the wine glasses.  Sitting next to me were Bruce (who is the Bailli Provincial, meaning highest boss of Chaine) and Christel (my favorite dinner companion at these gatherings):

Christel also dropped me off at the end, for she does not drink as much as me, for otherwise, I might have had to walk home.

Yes, this was decadent, and I worry about our carbon footprint, but I'm off to D.C. tomorrow morning, and that is a very long trip.  I will more than make up for these extravagances by continuing to Save Planet Earth and Humanity on my next adventure.

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Out of nowhere  came Typhoon Haiyan, east of the Philippines, already at 75 MPH, to become a Category 4, and overwhelm the country, but south of Manila:

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