Anatomy Of A 19-Course Tasting Slideshow

Bread and Butter and Prosciutto

House-cured and homemade, including the butter. With a bottle of wine, I could make a meal of this.

"Changes" — David Bowie

Stracciatella, Apple, Caviar, Nasturtium

Answering the question, how much flavor can you produce with the smallest amount of food?

"She's Gone" and "I Can't Go for That" — Hall & Oates

Sweetbread, Smoky Mayo, Lime

Tender, meaty intensity. I could do a dozen of these gland McNuggets.

"She's Not There" — The Zombies

Polenta, Sea Urchin (San Diego), White Truffle

Who would think to deploy sea urchin and white truffle in the same dish? It works.

"Just What I Needed" — The Cars

Cuttlefish, Bosc Pear, Purple Basil, Jalapeño

An inspired amalgam.

"The Heart of Rock 'n' Roll" — Huey Lewis and The News

Beef Carpaccio, Caviar, Arugula, Gooseberry

Happiness on a plate.

"You're My Best Friend" — Queen

Octopus, Black Garlic, Treviso, Sea Beans

"Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "God Only Knows" — The Beach Boys

Abalone, Porcini Mushroom, Pumpkin Juice, Olive Oil

"Looking Out My Window" and "Proud Mary" — Creedence Clearwater Revival

“Soft Scramble,” Nduja, Pumpernickel

Looks like the top of a pizza, tastes like a spicy breakfast treat.

"You May Ask Yourself" — Talking Heads

Trudici, Razor Clam, Matsutake, Bottarga

Wonderful new version of pasta with clams, joined by tuna roe.

"I Can't Help Falling in Love with You" — Elvis Presley

Radish, Squash, Porcini, Red Vein Sorrel, Gouda

Vegetarian delight. 

"Dancing in the Dark" — Bruce Springsteen

Tongue, Celery Root, Husk Cherry

Not to worry, it doesn't bite back.

"Ruby Tuesday" — The Rolling Stones

Ginger Sorbet

To cleanse the palate. 

A moment of silence. 

“Strip Steak”: 90-Day Aged Wagyu, Porcini, Burgundy Truffle, Scallion

Aging a steak for that long produces a depth of flavor that borders on funky. In a really good way.

"Pinball Wizard" — The Who

Pizza

Can we actually devour a whole pizza 16 courses into the meal? Gladly and unapologetically. Even better than it looks.

"Jumping Jack Flash" — The Rolling Stones

Kabocha Squash Gelato

A pre-dessert. 

"Only the Good Die Young" and "You May Be Right" — Billy Joel

The Pizza Oven at Work

A perfect nod to the chef.

"Magic Man" — Heart

Seared Foie Gras, Almond, Black Pepper, Winesap and Agnolotti, Nasturtium, Tallegio, White Truffle

Too good.

"You Can Call Me Al" and "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" — Paul Simon

Nothing wrong with that.

"Bang a Gong" — T-Rex

Pumpkin Doughnut, Apple Granita, Crème Fraîche, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds and Molasses Gingerbread, Quince Purée, Miticrema gelato, Streusel

Coffee, anyone? Maybe a Grappa?

"Baby Hold On" — Eddie Money

Righteous. 

"Jump" — Van Halen