Apothecary Shed

Executive Chef Arjan Speelman at Ciel Bleu is a great guy. Not only is he running one of the best of 417 two star restaurants (in 26 countries), but his kitchen exhibits a relaxed intensity that only comes from years of practice and absolute top notch management skille. The restaurant is a machine. Not the kind of machine that grinds you up…the kind that nurtures you and teaches you and sets you up to make something out there like it. You can feel this when you are present. And, damn can you taste it.

Mastery of the highest order. Watch out waterside, here they come.

Anyway, we were just damn lucky enough to have my 60th birthday dinner of note with Chef Speelman. Not in the gorgeous dining room, but in the kitchen itself at the chef’s table. And not just drive by chef, but engaged and fun chef who plays along, talks to us about things, and even allows us to interject some Florence and the Machine into the soundtrack. An experience of a lifetime to be sure.

Every minute was a delight. Every bite was worth talking about. Even the butter was better. The people creating this experience were so genuine and so psyched that we were having so much fun.

Thank you chef.

Madou is hitting on my wife. He’s single you know.

The chef’s table is IN the kitchen at the cold station side.

Presentation in a tuna bone.

A wall of stars. We think three is in order.

Did someone forget to serve Madou his wine?

Butter delivery by our German hostess. This young woman was outstanding in all respects. Her repartee was unmatched and hilarious.

The uni mouse is exquisite. For a long time this was best in our book.

Red mullet with skin so delicious

OMG pidgeon has no picture but so amazing.

Roe buck.

Pre dessert

Cocoa nut husk delivery with dry ice. This was as delicious as it was ridiculous.

Sadly the women had to retreat, but we finished up without them.

Once again, thank you chef.

Hey wait, who is that??!

A fitting birthday celebration.

So much laughter makes your life longer.