Dinner Party in Yarmouth Port

My Mom is one of the most remarkable hostesses and cooks - and I'm not just sayin' so because shes my Mom. She prepares her menu days in advance, so my mouth had been watering ever since our phone conversation this past Thursday evening where she detailed her menu!

Filet Mignon

Alaskan King Crab Legs (shelled by Adam)

Asparagus

All of the above topped with a Bearnaise Sauce

Oven roasted potatoes

and Steamed mushrooms

On the way there we made a stop at Bass Hole (Gray's Beach) in my hometown of Yarmouthport - because sometimes its nice to see the water and take in the salty ocean air.
Back at her house I sipped on some Jasmine tea.

This evenings dinner marked a few birthday celebrations, a belated dinner for myself included! My Mom's boyfriend JJ's birthday was March 9th and Cindy (longtime family friend's) birthday was on March 22nd. Each couple brought a bottle of red wine which lead to tastings and discussions over olives and Gruyere cheese appetizers plates.
This prompted Adam and I to admit where we bought our bottle. Chateau de Moussiè "Les Maritimes" from the Costières de Nimes region of France was purchased on a whim at the local 7-Eleven for $12.99. On our walk to the South Station bus terminal I realized we forgot to grab a bottle before we left. No worries, Adam reassured me the the 7-Eleven on the way would suffice. Suffice being the understatement of the year.
This wine was undoubtedly the hit of the night - maybe even the hit of 2010. The guests could not stop raving about it. It was aged well, for starters. The results of the aging (on the shelves of a city convenience store none the less) have given this 2001 vintage blend a superior taste. The wine was full bodied and complex, with a silky smooth palate and a bold finish. When I say words like complex, palate, and bold finish and try to sound like I'm a regular sommelier, read: this wine went down easy, tasted amazing, and the aftertaste had a spicy kick. That's right - spicy. It was unlike any red I've ever tasted and it paired fabulously with the musty Gruyere cheese.

Here is the table setting (my part in all of this)

And finally, the meal.

We started with a light salad combining peppery arugula with sweet baby tomatoes, pine nuts and shaved Parmesan cheese.

Now onto the main course:

The tender chunks of crab meat, juicy tenderloin and fresh steamed asparagus topped with the creamy Bearnaise sauce were phenomenal.
The savory roasted herb potatoes which I smothered in sour cream and the earthy mushrooms added even more depth to a meal that could have stood alone without them. Mom really outdid herself, per usual.
The Plungerhead Zinfandel wins for best wine bottle label.
Dessert came in the form of a birthday Raspberry Cheesecake which my Mom purchased at Buckies in Dennisport. The chocolate truffles topping the cheesecake are a treat she added herself.
The extra sweet dessert wine was a Francis Ford Coppola Reserve bottle of Petit Sirah, which was excellent. 
The birthday celebrations were fantastic, it was great to catch up with our friends Cindy and John and of course Mom and JJ. Fortunately, the good eats don't end after dessert. Gooood Mornin'A strong cup of coffee to get things started. (That would be Adam's - black.)

My plate:What a gorgeous StrawberryThe star of breakfast: A Breakie on a Bun!

Could these be the leftovers from last nights feast?I was even lucky enough to wake up to an Easter basket (ahem - Easter strainer) a week early since I will be spending it with Adam's family next weekend. How thoughtful of the Easter Bunny!

It was a short and sweet Cape Cod visit; packed full of amazing food and a lovely time spent with my Mom, Adam and friends.