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Day 1015
For the last ten years, we have been celebrating the New Year with our close and dear friends, the Northup's. We've taken turns hosting fancy dinners at each other's homes, from back in the day when Mark and I lived on Fairmount and when Julie and Jarrett lived in the haunted house on Old Mill. And while we get all decked out and eat rich, delectable foods to be washed down with sparkling wine and other spirits, Julie and I have always fantasized about a New Year's Eve out on the town. So, since neither one of us was with child this holiday, or nursing, or out of the country as I have been the last two years, we decided to celebrate in style. It was no surprise to us when, back in July, we began scheming this night, and a reservation at Dante was born the very next day--six months in advance! We chose the seven course tasting menu, which looked like this:

Open Strudel of Wild Mushrooms and Machenzie Goat Cheese

Mirabelle, Schramsberg, Napa Valley

Tuna and Salmon Poke

Semillon, Sauvingon Blanc, Chateau, Chantegrive, Graves

Uova da Raviolo

Chardonnay, Bouchard Pere & Fils, Burgundy, France

Roasted Dayboat Scallops and Foie Gras

Voignier, Mcmanis Vineyards, California

Pepper Crusted Duck Breast

Merlot, Atrium, Miguel Torres, Spain

Veal Tenderloin Tonnato

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Riserva, Crociani, Toscana

Citrus Celebration

Chocolate Tasting

And it was heavenly! Everything that Julie and I imagined, and then some. So, Happy New Year, and may your 2012 be filled with love and laughter!