I have the privilege of being able to dine out quite a bit for work.  I get to go to places I wouldn’t generally go to and indulge in something more than the everyday dining experience.  So, it goes without saying that on occasion my day job and my passionate blogger’s world can collide in a very fortuitous way. 

Chef’s Tasting Dinner Table

After an invite from the folks at the Westin to enjoy a Chef’s Tasting in their kitchens at Copley Place I felt compelled to write a post about this incredible experience.

My table setting

Before heading down to the kitchen, we first got a preview of what they are planning to do with each of their 800+ guest rooms by getting a sneak peak of their show room.  Have you ever actually sat in one of those chairs that just sit in the corner of a hotel room?  I most definitely haven’t.  Instead, I just throw my bag on it.  Well, the first thing I noticed about what they are doing is creating an actual seating area made up of a truly cozy cream corner sofa with a contrasting splash of color ottoman.  I would absolutely sit in that area and work rather than sitting on the bed with my laptop on my lap!  The room is decorated with the iconic Citgo sign and photographs of the neighborhoods of Boston.  No bathtub but instead a stylishly spacious walk-in shower.  Altogether this is a really welcoming room for the business traveler. 

Westin Copley’s new Room Design

After the tour, we were escorted downstairs to the enormous kitchens of the Westin.  This is a place that can effortlessly put together a 4-course menu for a 500 person wedding and I got to be right in the center of it at a elegantly designed dinner table for 12 people. 

Westin Copley – photo provided by the Westin

I was seated at a corner of the table all set for a 4-course dinner and wine pairing with my name cursively written on a piece of slate and the menu we were about to embark framed in front of me. 

Before sitting our evening started with mingling with the other guests over Veuve Cliquot and passed appetizers of baked oysters with parmesan and sushi grade salmon. 

Once seated our first course of delicate tuna crudo complemented perfectly with sea salt was served. 

Tuna Crudo – Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Blistered Capers, Sea Salt paired with Donnafugata Anthilia, Zibbibo Grape – Sicily

The salad was the dish our Chef was the most passionate about and of course the one dish I dont seem to have a photo of!  He hand-picked everything on our plate at their very own gardens on the roof of the hotel that very evening.  You don’t get any fresher than their juicy heirloom tomatoes with pickled radishes and a sweet treat of figs.

My colleague and friend is currently a vegan so Chef Dan made her a plate if crispy fresh vegetables with sweet beets

Our main dish of fragrant rosemary pork tenderloin with a cabernet sauce was simply perfect.  Paired with peas and grilled peaches, this dish was one to ruminate over with its impeccable wine pairing of Andre Brunel, Sabrine, Cote du Provence.  I had to have a sneaky second glass of this wine. 

Cabernet Sauvignon & Rosemary Pork Tenderloin, Vanilla Spring Peas, Grilled Whit Saturn Peaches paired with Andre Brunel, Sabrine, Cote du Rhone

Our evening ended with a surprise.  I say surprise because I honestly would never pick a jello for my dessert but this just worked!  It was a refreshing strawberry gelatin with a tang of rhubarb and a crisp chip of nutella tuile. 

Strawberry Gelatin, St. Germain Macerated Rhubarb, Nutella Tuile paired with Procesco Cocktail

Even with having to sit in the Chef’s office (thank you Chef!) to do a work conference call for 30 minutes, with the fun conversation, the passions of Chef Dan and his tasty creations, I could not have asked for a better evening. 

While the Westin is not top of mind to go for dining as there really isn’t a restaurant, I would absolutely consider it for an event. 

Thank you to the Westin, Copley Place.