Hamilton

We recently had dinner for the first time at Rats [on The Grounds for Sculpture]. We occasionally go to Rats for brunch. We have always enjoyed it and we intended to try their dinner, but just never suceeded. We tended to try for reservations at the last minute on busy days. This time we tried for the day after St. Valentine's day.

We had seared escalope of foie gras with pain d’epices with winter fruit chutney and pomegranate as well as escargot and wild mushroom pot pie as appetizers; roulade of organic salmon and horseradish with smoked Portobello hash & tuscan black cabbage and with an herbed hollandaise as well as wok braised cod with lobster potstickers, braised daikon, yu choy, mushroom caramel and yuzu glaze for our entrees; chocolate rum terrine with fried chocolate pasta and hot chocolate ice cream, and a french kiss [chocolate meringue filled with chocolate mousse and raspberry mousse] for dessert. We began with a glass of champagne [Perrier Jouёt, Grand Brut] and had a Volnay, "Caillerets," 1er Cru, Bouley, 2000 with dinner. As we waited for our appetisers, we received an amuse bouche consisting of chicken liver pate on a toast. We also received wonderful popovers and breads [a raisin fennel and a sourdough] throughout the meal. After desser, we received an assortment of 4 delightful chocolate truffles.