CAVIAR ANYONE?…PETROSSIAN OF COURSE!….

Saturday, December 15, 2012

CAVIAR ANYONE?…PETROSSIAN OF COURSE!….

…….Tomiko and I ventured forth for their ‘Caviar 101 Tasting Class’ held at Petrossian on Robertson Boulevard in West Hollywood.

First a quick peek at all the goodies….sweets to satisfy any sweet tooth. (I brought an assortment of macaroons ….top shelf….. to mom at midnight and we had a ‘late night’ snack of them).

Now on to the serious stuff…….

Oh my………………….

Here’s the room where the class is held. We sat at the table to the right.

Christopher Klapp is the General Manager and ‘teacher’ of the class. He knows more about caviar than almost anyone on planet earth.

Oh boy…………..

First we had North Atlantic Salmon Roe, Trout Roe (from France) and Pike Roe that smells like brie. We were told that the proper way to consume these treasures is to press your tongue against the roof of your mouth….Please, NO CHEWING! Oh, also, take in the fragrance first. I wasn’t very good at that as I couldn’t smell anything while everyone seemed to be able to. Oh well, moving on….

This was my favorite…the ‘Small Bites’.Tsar Cut Salmon & Papierusse, Salmon Rillettes & Caviar Powder (upper left). Creme Fraiche, Red Onion, Capers, Caviar (Deviled Egg on upper right). Special cheese under their ‘cold cured’ salmon topped with caviar AND the ‘Everything Bagel Chip’…smoked salmon, cream cheese & caviar….I could have a dozen of these!!!

O.K., here’s the Caviar Powder…..you grind it like pepper….cute…right???

Just thinking about it..

Royal Ossetra from Bulgaria & Israel to the left and Royal Shassetra farm raised in Florida on the right…..

You have to eat this stuff quickly….and would that be a problem???

Here’s the Roe I mentioned…..

I was a very good student and took notes…..As you can see, you get your choice of drinks….I had the La Marca Prosecco from Italy and Tomiko had the Beluga Vodka from Russia.

Caviar dreaming….

You know what they say….”If you have to ask how much it is….”. At least we got to hold it.

Love sitting across from the kitchen…..

We decided to stay for dinner. Note the Borscht and Bone Marrow…..

I had the Borscht and loved every spoonful!!!

Something wild and crazy in the pasta department…..

This was world class Bone Marrow. So good I’d go back a hundred times. Indescribable….and, Kita got the bones as a very special treat!

Caviar salad no less….

For more information:Petrossian Paris

321 N. Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood

310.271.6300

christopher.klapp@petrossian.com

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Introduction

There is no avoiding the pull of the internet, the blogs, the YouTube imaginings. It's as if we're all 'On the Road' with Jack Kerouac each in our own world of meanderings. When we tell someone to 'get a life' it might be a bit difficult when you're dragged into other people's 24/7.

I've come to realize two foundational principals, there are no accidents and everyone has a purpose. More and more I'm desiring everyone to come into a full realization of their purpose as we all find our way on this little jewel of a planet.

For me, as a professional 'Western style artist', I stumbled into Chinese Brush Painting after a trip in 1980 to Monet's home/garden. Seeing all of his collection of Japanese woodblock prints was an ahh haa moment for me and when I returned to the States I started painting in the Chinese manner and never looked back. The first year was extremely painful for me as I felt that I should be able to master the technique since I was a 'trained' artist. Not a chance ... that just gets in your way.

Now, after teaching close to 3,000 students and having my book 'The Ch'i of the Brush' published by Watson Guptill, I can say that every one of my students does better their first day than I did my first year! Why? Because I insist that they leave their critical parent outside and just enjoy the journey, respecting the work that they do. I never let anyone throw anything away because that just ingrains frustration and defeat.

We really only begin to learn when we stop and figure out how to 'save' a painting. It works every time.I am so proud of my students, their receptivity and eagerness to express themselves is a continuing blessing for me.So, back to finding your purpose. Perhaps it starts with realizing 'it's not about me'. It so easy to want our needs met and to filter everything thru this attitude. When we realize that we're here to be of benefit to every life that we touch the universe really provides the ways and means.

The best part is that it's really exciting to not have yourself on your mind all the time!I'm re-reading a wonderful book about authenticity and in my next meandering I'll tell you about it. In the meantime I'd love to hear about your journey and am here to answer any and all questions about Chinese Brush Painting.