Madame Stephanie Levy - c'est moi, at least at the Commanderie de Bordeaux dinner I attended this evening, as a guest of Stu (The Wine Genius) and Debbie Williams. Held at the Minneapolis Club, featuring the wines of Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte and winemaker Daniel Cauthiard, I had a grand old time eating, drinking, and BS-ing with the various Commandeurs. M. Cauthiard himself was a lovely guest-of-honor, charming, handsome, and perfectly French (but of course). Chef John Thompson and his staff did a spectacular turn with the food, menu as follows:

Oyster Souffle with Parmesan "Air" (delicious)
Butter Roasted Breast of Pheasant with Pommes Gratin and Jus Lie (divine)
Crispy Braised Lamb Shank (in phyllo) served over White Asparagus and Spinach (unctuous)
Assorted French Cheeses (spot on)
Warm Mano Pave a la Tatin with Mango Soup, Roasted Raspberries and Vanilla Tuile

And wine:
Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte Blanc 2000 Pessac-Leognan
Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte Blanc 2005 Pessac-Leognan
Les Hauts-de-Smith 2005 Pessac-Leognan
Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte 2000 Pessac-Leognan
Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte 1998 Pessac-Leognan
Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte 1995 Pessac-Leognan
Chateau Suduiraut 2001 Sauterne

And guests:
My dinner partner was Commandeur Ralph Bashioum, MD, who along with table-mate/Commandeur/race-car driver/winemaker Peter Kitchak, just happens to be in the process of producing and introducing a new set of Napa Valley wines. Stay tuned for Kitchak Cellars greatness...

Also chatted with:
Greg Becker, from our lovely dinner at Rudy Maxa's and Ana Scofield's back in December, as a guest of Commandeur Steve Fox. And Commandeur Bill McGuire, who is significantly taller than me, even in my 5-inch kickass anniversary Louboutins (no small feat, no pun intended, ha). Rock on!

So there, my friends, another night of Stu-and-Debbie-sponsored greatness... delicious food, lovely wine, great chat, it's all good. Thanks to them (yet again!), and the Commanderie de Bordeaux (Minnesota Chapter), and winemaker Daniel Cathiard, for a spectacular Tuesday night (Tuesday!).

Oh! Stu hilariously introduced me (as a guest) tonight as follows: "Stephanie writes a blog called The Moderate Epicurean. After traveling, eating, and drinking wiith Stephanie, I can honestly say she is anything but moderate." So true, so true! Although I do subtitle my blog "A Quest for Measured Pleasure." As in, Moderation is an Elusive Goal Which Someday I'll Achieve, Right?

Sleep tight! (And rest in peace Heath Ledger.)