Last night, after our panel, we went up to the third annual Stella Artois dinner at the Stein Erickson Hotel. The Stein Erickson is considered by most to be the nicest hotel in the area and is situated high atop a mountain overlooking the city. The Stella dinner is always my favorite meal of the festival. It is a four course meal with beer pairings instead of wine. It is also a welcome change to escape the bustle of Main St. and disappear up the mountain for a couple of hours.
We were greeted of course with beer, while we mingled with some filmmakers, festival executives, and press. The topic on everyone's lips was Heath Ledger of course, but there was some talk of films as well. Finally we were all seated for our first course.
Stella Steamed Little Neck Clams & Baby Potato Stew. Paired with Stella Artois
Next up: Hoegaarden Braised Monkfish Loin over Lobster & Yuzu Risotto. Paired with Hoegaarden
[The monkfish is notoriously hard to clean so you need to get one already cleaned if possible from your fishmonger. Also their favorite food is Lobster so the chef thought it very cute to serve it in a bead of Lobster. Hoegaarden is the original Belgian White Beer, so it is very light and refreshing, much like you would pair a white wine with fish]
The third course was: Korobuta Pork Tenderloin in Leffe with Roaring Forties Blue Cheese Potato Gratin Leffe Gelee, Root Vegetable Sauce. Paired of course with Leffe
[Leffe tastes almost like champagne it is so sweet, which is why it would also be paired with the desert. It is by far my favorite of the beers. Apparently it also has the highest alcohol content.]
Finally came dessert: Leffe Beer Chocolate Mousse (Flourless Chocolate Cake, Caramelized Honey & Leffe Gelato Caramelized Honey Cream) Paired with Leffe
[The caramelized honey cream in this dish was about the most amazing thing I have ever tasted. I would have bathed in it if it would not have seemed improper in this very upscale dinner.]
After dinner my good friends at Indiewire took us home where I finally got to have a fire.
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