Three Latest and Best

Think this Three Latest and Best is a little disjointed? Hey, that's what I get for staying out drinking with our newest contributors, the Bar Boys. Just wait until you see what we've mixed up! In the meantime, here's the Three Latest and Best!

Mackerel and Miso: What a pleasant lunch at Ocean World Sushi. We skipped the special (only because I don't love the spicy salmon and eel hand roll -- uh, I mean, I like hand rolls, *sushi*.) We opted for the spider roll (mmm, soft shell crab), signature asparagus tempura roll, and yelllow tail and eel nigiri. The best part? They had mackerel -- it's my favorite! And the Lord pronounced it good. (And so did we.)

Creamy Caesar Salad from Meridian: Yes, yes, you know I post about salads all the time, but this might be a new favorite. What might it be, you ask? The Caesar at Meridian with its chopped romaine, oven roasted herbed tomato, and baked Parmesan cheese crisp. The best part? The creamy dressing -- nearly perfect! (And happy birthday to Chef Dunville!)

La Chaine des Rotisseurs Dinner at L'Explorateur: What a night! Escaping the holiday bustle, we found time to sit down to 8 courses of delicious food and wines with quite a few shining stars. My favorites? The elk tartare with just the right amount of acid in the form of capers, cornichon, and a crispy tongue "salad", the consumme with tart apple "caviar" in a lesson in spherification, and the near perfect beet, horseradish, bean, and basil salad. We also loved the butternut squash soup with a spicy white chocolate drizzle (paired perfectly with a Domaine Ehrhart Grand Cru Hangst Riesling 2003) and the Indiana bison osso bucco (although ours wanted salt). But the star of the evening? The dessert -- a study in a cashew with a panna cotta (topped with rich dark chocolate), a frozen custard, cashew brittle and cashew powder. All so good with a nearly perfect dessert wine -- the Chambers Rutherglen Muscadelle NV. Other wines of note? Don't forget the new-to-Indiana Drappier Carte D'Or Brut NV sparkler (about $35.00 at Kahn's).