La Bastide w/ Al

A mere thirteen months after the actual event, I've finally gotten around to posting photos from my 2024 annual dinner with Al. Though we normally look to reserve somewhere in New York City, this time Al suggested La Bastide, a modern fine dining restaurant in Salem, a few towns over from him in Katonah. La Bastide had just one its first Michelin star, so it was great timing for us. 

Dinner was absolutely fabulous and I was both surprised and delighted to find a restaurant of this caliber outside the city. 

La Bastide
721 Titicus Rd, North Salem, NY

Two happy guys!

We purposefully arrived early so we could sit at the bar and enjoy a couple drinks, which were very good. 

A view of the well-stocked wine room. I don't want to call it a "cellar", as it was actually visible through glass panels from our seats in the main dining room. 

They proudly had their Michelin star on display for all to see in the dining room. They deserved it!

The main dining room is below ground level from where you walk in, but the restaurant itself is built into the side of a hill, so there's still plenty of openness from the back doors which open out to a lovely patio (or so I'm told - it was too dark to see anything). 

Another pair of drinks were enjoyed as we took in the ambiance and perused the menu. 

The tableware and cutlery were especially nice. 

The menu! We opted for the full tasting menu as always, though an abbreviated version could also be ordered. Rather than go for the pre-set wine pairing, Al selected a couple bottles for us. 

L'Apéro

Seasonal Selection of Canapés

Unfortunately, since I'm writing this post more than a year after the actual dinner, I don't remember all the details. However, I do recall these snacks being outstanding. I know the middle bit was shaved truffle on brioche, and the last I believe had a crab filling with passion fruit sauce on top. 

Amuse - Bouille

Bouillabaisse Quintessence

Wild Spot Prawn

Sudachi, Sunchokes

Bread & Butter Service

Champignons

Wild Mushrooms, Brown Butter Sabayon, Laminated Brioche

Charcoal Grilled Black Sea Bass

Caviar Osciètre Prestige, Cauliflower, Sake & Razor Clams Marinière

Millbrook Venison

Choux Farci, Huckleberry Sauce Grand Veneur

Fromage

Selection of French & Local Artisan Cheeses

Pre-Dessert

Lemon, Lavender, Paolina Limoncello

Honeycrisp Apple

Poached Apple, Hard Cider Sorbet, Apple Surette

Andoa Noire Grands Cru Chocolate

Fresh Hudson Valley Goat Cheese, Domaine de Trevallon Olive Oil

Petit Fours