Like Jean for Chocolate

One of my most memorable experiences dining out was back in 2001, it was my birthday and I had chosen to celebrate at Eleven Madison Park solely because I had heard their chocolate souffle was the best in the city. I had to investigate.

The first time I tasted a chocolate souffle, I was blown away. My exact statement after the first bite was, "I am going to marry the man who could surprise me with a chocolate souffle." This is how seriously I take the cake.

So here we were, in a corner booth with the view of the entire dining room having this beautiful meal. The chef at the time Kerry Heffernan, comes out to greet us and wishes me a Happy Birthday and also to make sure that our experience are up to USHG standards. Secretly, I'm trying to enjoy the meal, (and I do) and eat a little faster than usual in anticipation for the big event. It takes at least 25 minutes for this work of art to bake.

Dessert finally arrives! I am in heaven. Chocolate goodness! I can die in peace. Yes, folks this is how deep my insanity goes. Do you remember that scene from "When Harry Met Sally," the part where Sally fakes an orgasm and the woman next to her says "I'll have what she's having." I think I actually did have a chocolategasm. To add, the woman in the next booth who was in her mid 50's asked what I was having and ordered one for herself. My date was a bit embarrassed that I couldn't stop gushing with the "oh, my God, this is so good" and other bits of exclamations that's not fit to print. :)

I have yet to find a man who will surprise me with a chocolate souffle. So, I decided to take it upon myself to make one. I went straight to the source- a pastry chef at EMP. My dear friend actually made one for me years ago while we working together at another restaurant, it was the same as I remembered. I did tell him he was off the hook and didn't have to marry me. Chef R was kind enough to share the recipe and convert it to measurements that were easier to follow.

Giddy as a school girl; scared as a cat, I went to task and followed the directions. I didn't want to disappoint myself if it didn't turn out right. I am a perfectionist and hard on people in the kitchen who don't know what the hell they are doing. I reread and reread the directions, made sure that all my ingredients were measured out perfectly. Baking is a science, one false move and its a pound cake, worse a deflated souffle. Disaster.

Before the main event, my partner and I made a lovely dinner. Like the experience of 2001, I secretly was dying to bake off those wonderful lovelies. 23 minutes later... It turns out I may be marrying myself but, I did have help whipping those egg whites by hand... Whew, Success. I celebrated and shared in the glory with my love, my best friend.

There is nothing like the comfort of your home, love in your life and a bottle of

Chateau Du Cru Beaucaillou 2000 to make everything right in the world. mmm... Black berries, silky tannins, great body, sexy nose, right hint of minerality, this baby was ready to go! It was the perfect paring and perfect ending to a wonderful day. Chocolate, love and wine.

My photos aren't the best, working on sourcing a camera for the next posts. Trust me, they were wonderful to the last bite.

p.s. The first year of Gary Danko's opening in San Francisco, his chocolate souffle kicked some serious ass. Haven't been back since, hope its still yummy... Let me know if you've been recently.