The Bailliage’s “Festive Holiday Dinner” at Ponsaty’s raised $5,000 in endowments for students of culinary schools.

Ponsaty’s is reputed for its French-Mediterranean fare and extensive selection of wines served in chic surroundings.

Executive Chef Patrick Ponsaty (a Master French Chef) and Bailli Dominick Addario planned a traditional French multi-course dinner with special wine pairings for members who hail from Rancho Santa Fe, La Jolla and San Diego, California.

Among the attendees were three national officers: Bailli Délégué Harold Small, Conseiller Gastronomique Ira Falk and Vice-Chargée de Presse Nationale Marie Addario who is Editor-in-chief of the National Bailliage publications “Gastronome” and “Gastronome Extra!”.

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Confit of foie gras with smoked eel
caramelized apple
NV Champagne Paul Gobillard Brut

Tasmanian trout tartare
cucumber rosace, dill aspic, yuzu vinaigrette
NV Champagne Paul Gobillard Brut

Malaspina oysters
pork chipolata, rye bread, beurre d’Échiré, Champagne mignonette
2011 Chablis ‘Val de Mer’ - Patrick Piuze

Maine scallop
baked bone marrow, wild mushroom, chicken balsamic vinaigrette
2009 Silver Mountain Pinot Noir - Santa Lucia Highlands

Venison chop
poached pear, chestnut, celery root puree, poivrade sauce
2000 Château Gruaud-Larose - Saint Julien

Cheese trio
Manchego (Spain) - Pont l’Évêque (Normandy) - Munster (Alsace)
pâté de fruit de coin, fig marmalade, walnut bread
1997 Rabbitt Ridge Grand Reserve Merlot - Sonoma

Chocolate royal, blackcurrant sorbet
almond hazelnut dacquois, praline crunch
Valrhona Manjari chocolate mousse
NV Boston Bual - Madeira Rare Wine Company

A favourite of the night was the trout tartare, upstaged only by the scallops on roasted bone marrow perched on a mélange of wild mushrooms.

The Bailliage of La Jolla began with hotelier Barron Hilton and his cohorts in 1971. It celebrated its 45th anniversary this year and has the distinction of being the third oldest Bailliage in California.

Marie Addario
Vice-Chargée de Presse Nationale

Photos © 2016 Vincent Andrunas