An Italian Birthday to Remember

We asked at the hotel desk for a nice restaurant to go to for my birthday. They sent us to one named "L'eccellenza" and it lived up to it's name. The restaurant specializes in seafood, and we signed on for the full experience evening where the staff selects the dishes that will come. Settle down for a 2 1/2 hour dinner!

First up was a glass of celebratory Prosecco. They also brought in a bouquet of flowers for me (the hotel concierge told them it was my birthday). Then we began to make our way through our four course meal. The appetizer course included large shavings of pecorino cheese, fresh cooked whole anchovies in a light sauce (I ate them, Phil--no oily, fishy taste at all), salmon in a light lemon sauce and absolutely delicious mussels. Round one!

Next came the pasta course, fettucine with shrimp. That was enough for a complete meal for me at that point. I ate all my shrimp and left most of the pasta.

Course three was filleted turbot that was very delicious served with roasted artichokes. That was followed by a fruit tart that served as my birthday cake, brought out with a candle. And alongside came an large bowl of fresh fruit.

The final step was limoncello, a lemon flavored apertif (Shana will be envious--she loves it).
It was a lovely evening, with wonderful service. It is amazing how thoughtful touches like a bouquet of flowers from people who don't even know you can make you feel (and of course I had family and friends along too). As we left they also brought a rose for Joahnna.

Thank you Guy and Joahnna (and Luc) for a very special evening.