ad hoc

Went to Thomas Keller's ad hoc for dinner tonight. This is the restaurant that was only supposed to be open for a few months -- sort of an interim place while Keller was working on a "burgers and half bottles" concept. But everyone loved ad hoc so much that now the restaurant is permanent. (The burgers and half bottles thing is still going to happen, but in another location in Yountville.)

Our marketing team went tonight after work to celebrate (surviving) the last few weeks, which have been absolutely nuts. The menu at ad hoc changes daily, and you don't get to choose what you're going to eat. Everyone comes in, pays $45 per person (or $75 if you're part of a group of 10 or more) and eats four courses family style. Fried chicken night is supposed to be mind-blowing, but unfortunately, no chicken on the menu this time around -- tonight was all about the Texas-style barbecue. So we started with a string bean salad, then had the barbecue (ribs, brisket, sausage) with crème fraîche-topped baked potatoes and corn on the cob, then a cheese plate (with figs and honey) and a dessert of vanilla bean ice cream with peaches and blackberries.

Portions were gigantic. There were five of us, and we had so much food leftover that we'll probably all be eating Texas-style barbecue for lunch tomorrow at the winery. My stomach feels like it has been stretched to the limit. I want to lie down. And not wear pants.

So what does all of this have to do with the cat in the egg box?

Absolutely nothing. My camera just somehow automatically deleted the photos I took of my ad hoc cheese plate (and I had drizzled the honey so beautifully!), so now all you get is a picture of Meep in his new favorite spot.