Dinner al fresco

Eastside Road, Healdsburg, October 25, 2009—

HERE IT'S ALMOST November, and we ate at outside this evening, watching the fabulous evening light go to black, Jupiter ascendent near the increasing moon, a balmy autumn night in Healdsburg.
And what a delicious dinner, cooked for us by friends. We began with tequila gimlets of a sort, with considerable heat from chile pepper, and extraordinary raw tuna tossed with chiles, scallions, ginger and a little sesame oil; and halved figs warmed with pancetta, I think — I should have paid more attention, but the conversation trumped.
That was in the kitchen, while Jeff finished things at the grill: nice small prawns (though not for me, alas); long red peppers; halibut wrapped in grape leaves with grilled lemon slices as a garnish; and a festive salad with tomatoes and chiffonaded lettuces. Lindsey'd fixed the desserts: butterscotch puddings with sprinkled chopped toasted pecans. A marvelous evening: thanks, Jeff and Ina!

Panilonco, Chardonnay-Viognier blend (Chile), 2008; Merlot, Peju "Province" (Napa), 2000