La Milpa Organica Farm Dinner: October 1, 2006

I traveled to San Diego last month, and finally have a chance (and the motivation) to write up the Outstanding in the Field farm dinner that I attended with my newlywed friends, Nikky and Koray. The dinner, located at La Milpa Organica Farm in Escondido, held about seventy people.

Farmer Barry Logan had chosen chef Jason Seibert of Cafe Cerise in San Diego to be the guest chef for the meal, and his menu (and diligent staff) was impressive. Links in the menu go to two photos of the course in the Glorious Farm Food album here. Because it was getting dark, getting photos of all the courses was not possible.

Tom King Farms Spicy Watermelon Gazpacho
with Marinated Mano Leon Scallops

Baja Spiny Lobster and Mussel Salad with Heirloom Radish, Field Greens,
Reed Avocados, & Valdivivia Farms Green Beans

Local Dates, Squash Blossoms & Black Kale Stuffed Modesto Quail
on Citron Risotto with Roast Pork Belly, Arugula, & Pickled Torpedo onions

Pomegranate Marinated A & W Farms Emu Brochette with
Pumpkin & Lobster Mushroom Stew, Green Peppercorns,
Braised Milpa Organica Greens, & Pumpkin Seed-Pine Nut Relish

Sweet Corn Flan with Grilled Peaches, Macadamia Nut
Shortbread, Thyme Crème Chantilly, & Popcorn Brittle

That's the chef with his culinary tattoos, at right.

Barry had worked hard to make sure his entire staff was at the table, which is not always the case. Nikki and Koray and I sat at the end of the table with the workers, and it was a very pleasant to be able to converse about farms with the people who love them best.

Barry has been raising some turkeys, and Koray was making them gobble like crazy. I think they look like the Skekses in “The Dark Crystal.”

I didn't get to go on the farm tour: Nikki and I had to make a store run for the OitF team. But the dinner was tremendous: bold flavors, great combinations, really delicious and innovative dishes. I definitely recommend eating at Cafe Cerise if you're in San Diego.

Pictured here are Barry Logan (right) with one of the pair of brothers who work for him. I wish I could remember his name, but I talked to his brother more. There was a lot of laughing at the table.

And lots of clapping. The chef's mother was at the table (he's touching her shoulder in this shot), and oh, was she proud of her son. Rightfully so. He created a wonderful meal.

One of the best parts of this particular farm dinner was that Barry had been motivated to create a space around the already-standing clay oven he had built. So underneath the most beautiful sprawling tree, he had installed sinks, a stove and oven, and countertops, as well as bales of hay for people to sit on, and rest in the shade. It is a beautiful outdoor kitchen, and La Milpa will be hosting monthly events for the public now.  (I'll let you know if something's coming up.)

La Milpa Organica Farm
9988 Protea Gardens Rd.
Escondido, CA 92026

You can read more about my first visit to La Milpa in May here.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: “I need to go outside. I wouldn't say I'm an outdoors person, but I like to go outside.” — Edie Brickell

Works for me.

Thanks for visiting.

Comments

[Angie]

Nice post, Tana. I am so happy you made it down here to our neck of the freeway. Beautiful photos, as usual. Much better than the ones I got, especially my camera fell into my water glass!