For the next month or so, the $35 fixed price, three course menu at Sly's in Carpinteria will be featuring the the wonderful flavors of Provence, in the south of France. I worked in Monte Carlo, Monaco for a couple of seasons, and spent many delightful days wandering through the magic hills, beachs, and lavender fields of the South of France.
In visits and vacations with Annie years later, Provence was as magical as ever. The area is not unlike Santa Barbara, with arid hills running into a bright blue ocean, red tiled roofs, and scented fields.
Naturally, we're using local farmer's market ingredients - you've noticed the terrific zucchini, and so have we. They're in the ratatouille that garnishes our dinners. Locally caught red snapper from Santa Barbara Fish Market is the focus for our little Bouillbaisse. (Don't forget that James and Fredy are Champion Bouillabaise makers, winners several times over of the Santa Barbara Bouillabaisse Contest! As for the aromatic herbes de Provence on the grilled filet of pork, well, they're really "herbes de Carpinteria", from local farmer Tom Shepherd's fields. And boy are they good ones: lavender (not so traditional, but great), savory, thyme, basil,rosemary, and more.
We haven't forgotten desserts, either. Our pastry team has cooked up what may be the best lemon tart you ever had, with a warm, crisp crust and tart filling aromatic with fresh local lemons. The frozen Nougat Terrine is a play on the flavors of one of Provence's specialties, perfumed with caramelized local honey, toasted almonds, candied orange peel, with a delightful orange sauce. Of course, there's always our bittersweet chocolate mousse, with a specialty chocolate from the Santa Barbara Chocolate Company, Cognac, and a touch of whipped cream.
If cheese if more your style, mavens Michael and Kathyrine Graham of Santa Barbara's C'est Cheese have helped us pick out a dense, rich Provençal goat cheese called Rove de Garrigues as a finish for your meal.
Sly's: Celebrating the Cuisine of Provence.
- Great with a glass of Rosé or two, and Sly's has a terrific one from local vintners Frank Ostini and Gray Hartley at the Hitching Post Wines.
First Courses
Mixed Green Salad traditional mustard vinaigrette
-or- Pissaladiére “Onion Pizza” with olives
-or- Mussels “Mariniére” steamed in white wine with shallots
Main Courses
The Niçoise Salad with tiny green beans
-or- a little Bouillabaisse of local Snapper fillet with Rouille
-or- Grilled Filet of Pork “aux Herbs de Provençe”
Pilaf Rice • Ratatouille
Desserts
Frozen Nougat Terrine
-or- Mousse au Chocolat
-or- Menton’s Lemon Tart
-or- Rove des Garrigues goat cheese from C'est Cheese
Sly's three-course menu is priced at $35. per person, plus tip and tax.
Only $55. per person with three glasses of wine.
Our next menu will feature dishes from the Pays Basque - The Basque Country in the South West of France. We hope you'll enjoy it as much as we do.
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