Rhubarb "Bacon"

Today was the 11th annual Dine out for Maple Alley Inn --an all day event that raises money for Maple Alley Inn,? an Opportunity Council program that provides? hot meals for people in need. Participating restaurants donate 20% of their sales to the program.

C and I went to Ciao Thyme in the Kitchen, one of those restaurants, with friends A and C. We always enjoy spending time with them, especially when we share good food.

Ciao Thyme never has the same menu twice, and they're always original and outstanding. Here's tonight's offering:

APPETIZER/STARTER: Prosecco, with a crostino topped with warmed Taleggio cheese and Limoncello marmalade

SOUP: Rhubarb bisque with wilted local spinach, BreadFarm croutons, and rhubarb "bacon"

SALAD: Arugula and parsley with "burnt" carrots, goat cheese vinaigrette, and garlic chips

FISH: Venetian Petrale sole with agrodolce of sweet onion, raisins, and pinenuts.

VEGETABLES: Spring vegetables en papillote: rosemary-scented turnips, radishes, asparagus, beans, and oyster mushrooms

FIRST SWEET: Walnut biscotti with espresso sorbet

SECOND SWEET: Nettle and fennel gelato in a handmade pizzelle

C had a glass of raspberry sipping vinegar (the out of focus glass in the photo), in addition to her usual glass of wine. It didn't sound very appealing, but we all tasted it and were pleasantly surprised.

It was great to to be able to help a good cause by enjoying a superb meal.