Winter Getaway Part 3 of 3

      With candles aglow and logs afire under the hearth... the house was ready for cocktail time!  The invigorating sound of me using Lee's cocktail shaker blended harmoniously with the crackling fire.

     Everyone participated in dinner prep.  Lewis de-veined shrimp, while Lee sautéed mushrooms.  I rinsed/boiled fresh beets for our salad.  Rice soaked in broth, and we sliced the sausage.

Seeing such well-made chorizo prompted Lewis to reminisce of his trip to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula to explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza: a UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes ancient ball-playing courts and warrior temples covered in hieroglyphics, circa the 800s AD.  Lewis also raved about his kayaking there.

  

     Next, Robert used an iron skillet to roast a gorgeous duck breast! 

     While the risotto absorbed grated Asiago, 

     Peeking into the wine refrigerator, I used my Vivino app to scan the labels, and I chose a bottle from France's largest wine region.  I uncorked a highly-rated white Bordeaux, and Robert prepared artichoke hearts for us to share around the kitchen island.

Outside, the snowfall silently stopped.

Inside, Lewis brought food to the table and called us in!

     Our scrumptious meal was sumptuously & gracefully consumed.  Pure candlelight.  Very "Downton Abbey".

Two bottles of reliable Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Cab washed it down.

    For dessert, we enjoyed assorted tarts: chocolate brownie, apple galette, a cannoli-filled St. Joseph's zeppoli, and a Roman ricotta/almond/lemon "Pistichiotti".  
    By then, our mulled wine was done simmering: full of citrus rind, cinnamon sticks and sachets of spices.  

     We played trivia games by the fireplace--its logs snapping brightly.  Well, we played until we got comfortably tipsy.

     A whirlpool soak (with our glasses of wine) was the perfect finish!  (No pictures of that, lol!)

     The next morning, Lewis and I snuggled in our room's adjoining Sitting Room to watch the sparrows and cardinals swerve through the bare-branched trees.

As the sun-drenched room brightened, we anticipated our brunch reservations.

     But first, we enjoyed tangerine tea in the library... just the two of us (in our soft bathrobes).  I played baroque-era classical music.

     For brunch, Lee had originally intended a French chateau (previously owned by J.P. Morgan), but it was out of business.  Doing splendid research, I discovered another charming & historic eatery.  It was quite near, and yet Lee never noticed it before.  (It reminded me of our trip to Japan, where I found an excellent coffee shop 3 blocks from our friend's home--that she never knew of.  Or our trip to Ft. Lauderdale, FL, where I found 2 eateries near our friend's home that she never knew of.  My other good deeds!)  I chose a restaurant named The Arch.  

     It was a candlelit cottage, atop a hill, surrounded by flowerbeds.  A mix of French and German cuisine, it employs the MOST hospitable waitstaff.  Our reservation snagged a table beside the log-burning fireplace!  

We admired the floor-standing torchiere lamps, looking like they belonged to Norma Desmond's palatial 1910s home.

     Before menus were presented, oven-fresh bread arrived alongside housemade duck rillette, creamery-fresh butter, and pâté.

     The staff really wants you to enjoy a nicely-paced, languid meal.  They're also friendly, non-evasively chatty, and observant.  
     The Italian bartender (occupying a bar/seating nook in the other wing of the restaurant) came over to entice us with his "extra spicy" Bloody Marys.  Sold!  The sounds of his cocktail shaker were music to our ears.  He served the piquant beverages with great pride.  Then, he made sure that we were comfy, stoked the fire, and bowed as he left.

     As a departure from typical eggs/sausage/pancakes, we ordered savory dishes.  First course was cauliflower soup, which was delectable (and came correctly with a cream-soup spoon).  In fact, the flatware was all silver.

     Next, I had an endive/bleu cheese salad.  After the table was crumbed, our main courses were presented: a waiter bringing one for each of us.  Calf's liver with crispy onions and thick-cut bacon for me...

Crab/lobster cakes for Lewis...

Wiener Schnitzel for Robert.  Sautéed veal kidney in Dijon-Bourbon sauce for Lee.  It carried the aroma/flavor/plating of the nearby Culinary Institute of America (where Lewis & I have lunched twice).

     Previously tempted by the appearance of amazing soufflés going to other tables, we zeroed in on the Austrian apple strudel on display (above).  A waitress happily brought it over for us to admire.  From it, we ordered slices--heated in the oven and accompanied by ice cream.  A waiter saw Lee peek at the bowl of sabayon on the sideboard, and he smoothly offered to dollop some on Lee's dessert.  Such great service!
     

    We arrived back at Wixon House with enough time to tidy up, pack and accept a bottle of wine (each) from Lee as a parting gift.  We dutifully signed his Guest Book.

     Lee drove us to the local train station, 10-minutes away.  

     After an hour, our slow train completed the 50 miles to Manhattan.  At Grand Central Terminal... 

...we reluctantly switched to the slower subway.

     The tenants will occupy Lee's house for a year--intending for two years.  I suggested that Lee look upon them as "stewards" who will maintain his home in his absence.  He appreciated that viewpoint.  Nevertheless, Lewis and I shall look forward to rendezvousing with Lee in other places.  More adventures await us!