Mozaic

Light Veloute of Green Asparagus with Lemon-scented Goat Cheese Crostini
Roasted Butternut Squash Ravioli and Grana Padano with Fresh Sage and Sherry Maple Brown Butter
Braised Petite Veal Shank Tagine and Root Vegetables with Spring Peas, Lemon, Oregano, and Garlic
Morel Mushroom dusted Black Angus Rib Eye with Asparagus Risotto, Cipollini and Mustard Sauce
Spicy Merguez Sausage Couscous with Harissa
Strawberry Almond Napoleon a la mode with Tarragon Ice Cream, Amaretto White Chocolate Creme Brulee
Passion fruit Meyer's rum, Monteimar nuts & coconut sorbets, Gianduja Semifreddo and Tarragon Ice Cream
Chocolate Truffles and Biscotti

This modest list doesn't even include the amuse bouche of a lovely yogurt-y custard with a touch of mango sorbet that began the meal, or the individual ciabatta-like breads that came out fresh from the oven that were devoured with the accompanying oil and vinegar.  The veloute was deliciously light, with the lemon scent of the goat cheese providing just the right accent.  The ravioli-of-the-long-title was remarkable; but that's easily explained by the presence of the sage (etc. etc.) butter.  This simply translates as: pure goodness, i.e. Ravioli in Pure Goodness.  This dish is also offered as a full entree, and our Protagonist has already altered his Living Will to include it in his Last Meal.   The lamb shank and couscous dishes were served in individual tagines, which hides and cradles the delicious flavors inside to come bursting forth upon opening.  One dining partner wouldn't deign to share his rib eye, so our Protagonist will take that as meaning it was acceptable, like the rest of the food.  The staff was kind enough to make the merguez sausage couscous off of the Wednesday menu even though it was Thursday, and it was heavenly.  Err, acceptable.  The harissa was delightfully spicy, and the bowl would have been scraped out with a finger if not out in public. Meaning it was pretty good, average, really.  I'm trying, I mean, our Protagonist is trying to pace himself here.  The dining partners were amused watching every plate of food becoming dismantled as soon as it was set before him.  Our Protagonist had wanted to eat here ever since reading the ridiculous dessert choices last winter; the recommendation of the strawberry napoleon surrounded by strawberry soup, AND tarragon ice cream, AND capped by the the white chocolate amaretto creme brulee...the tears well up in our Protagonist's eyes just recalling it, mourning its passing.  Which means it was just ok...Oh, forget it, I can't help it!  Move over, scribe!  The whole meal was [expletive deleted] fantastic!  Or Fantastastic like I tried to write just now.  Then came the truffles and biscotti, which you bit into and thought, oh, that's nice, and then...oh...wowww...the finish was superb.  When have you had biscotti that did that?  Be honest, now.  The presentation was lovely; the napoleon had to clearly be constructed from just above scratch when ordered, so the long wait for it to appear was easily forgiven.  The wines were expertly suggested, and the choices of 3 or 6 oz glasses help you be able to switch between your favorites, or to drink on the cheap if you want.  You'll spend your money worthily on the food, believe me.  Would it be too soon to make reservations for tomorrow?

[The writer has thankfully been allowed to resume his duties, and apologizes for the preceding outburst.  Our Protagonist promises to keep his thoughts more in check and leave the typing to those with more skill.  Fantastastic, indeed!]

Mozaic
1377 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-951-6272