Professor Gourmand — June 2024

Financial issues. Three restaurants, two twice, one of those, new.

Redbird, of course, on May 31! I started with a drink called the Preakness — Bulliet Rye, sweet vermouth, benedictine, bitters, orange essence, and the avocado salad — little gem lettuces, smoked bacon, and a buttermilk bleu cheese vinaigrette. A perfect pairing. I had brought a bottle from home, the 2019 Amador County Zinfandel by F. Stephen Millier to go with my entrée, but everyone wanted a shot at it after Castro decanted most of the bottle. First, Castro and Maggie, then I sent a glass to Neil who was dining at the other end…