Creating a dinner menu

I received a call yesterday from a prospective client about the possibility of me cooking a special dinner meal for him and his girl. The guy who called me, Jim, told me that he loved what he sees on this blog so if you're reading this, thanks Jim! :)

We were suppose to do something for this weekend, but due to some unforeseen circumstances on my behalf, the dinner was postpone to the week after next. Sigh! BUT it has gotten me thinking about what I could do for Jim and his girl. Something yummy, casual, and sexy!

Anyway, on the top of my head, I've arrange a quick menu for them that might be awesome. We spoke about having Japanese flavors incorporated into the meal. So here's what I have in mind:

Since sushi makes great appetizers, i thought I'd give it a try. I had the most awesome sushi at Miso for Valentine's day so I'm thinking of recreating something of that flavor.

Appetizers:
Maki or temaki rolls - sushi rice lined with grapevine leaves and filled sweet potato tempura, heart of palm, julienned red peppers and bit of mirin mayo.
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Oyster shooters - fresh oysters marinated with chopped radish, tomato juice, chopped fresh parsley, bit of pepper, extra virgin olive oil and a shot of vodka (optional).

Salad:
Beef carpaccio on a bed of mesclun - thinly sliced pan-seared beef carpaccio seasoned with coriander seeds, pepper, salt on a bed of arugula, spinach, ginger, shaves of radishes, red chili and doused with sesame seed oil, ponzu and honey soy sauce.

Mains:
Soba noodles with seafood jus and herbed broth - basically soba noodles topped with a variety of seafood drench in its jus and topped with a herby chicken broth made from cilantro, thai basil, ginger, garlic and cardamom.

Dessert:
Individual berries trifle with crushed amaretto cookies on top - layers of sponge cake, brandy soaked berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries), sweet cream continuous decked till the top and then sprinkled with crushed amaretto cookies. Serve chilled.

Of course, this is just tentative. I thought it'd make a very merry meal not just for two but it can be for a group as well. Hmm...if only I have pictures to show.

*light bulb*