A Night at Manresa

I’ve realized that I have had some pretty crazy, abnormal experiences in my life. One such experience was when I won a food and wine tour with the Executive VP of Professional Services. This was a pretty ironic event. First, I don’t ever win raffles, auctions, sweepstakes, etc. Second, it was the most envied prize and the intern won it. And third, I don’t drink.

So the prize was altered a bit to accommodate my circumstances. Basically, less wine more food. Really expensive famous food. We decided to go to Manresa, a 2 michelin star, 5 regular star restaurant in Los Gatos, CA.

And we went there in a stretch limo—complete with disco lights and a bar.

The meal was absolutely fascinating. We did a tasting menu which essentially means you have no idea what you are going to be eating until it is directly before you. Portions are small, but then again it was a 12 course meal complete with bread basket. By the time the eighth course had come, I was feeling pretty full. But I stuck around for the dessert courses.

Speaking of dessert, I’m sure you want to know all about the food. Some of my favorite dishes include olive oil icecream with kale and squid with peas and fermented plums. There was a gorgeous salad complete with foam dressing. But there were some weird things I had. There was the chocolate and olive oil macaron. The first bite was like a brownie. And then I took and second bite and it was wet. Then there was the dessert that looked like a beautiful mint ice cream chocolate wonder. But it definitely didn’t taste that way. It was more like dirt and herbs.

Overall, my dinner at Manresa was an intellectual experience. My taste buds were definitely intrigued. But I still think I’d take Din Tai Fung’s one Michelin star xiao long bao any day.