Tenacious Eats -- Opera Tastings

S got us tickets to a really cool Tenacious Eats event last week -- Opera Tastings.  It was a series of (very) small plates inspired by arias, which were performed throughout the evening by members of OTSL  The selections were as follows:

Introduction:
"Votre Toast" from Carmen

Course 1
"Seguidilla" from Carmen, accompany by spiny minos, a chorizo and fig meatball.
"Ach, so fromm" from Martha, accompanied by pecorino shards in a rich Italian balsamic vinegar.
"Voglio dire" from Elixir of Love, accompanied by sparkling sangria.

Course 2
"Serenade" from Student Prince, accompanied by a poached egg yolk voul-au-vent.
"Catalogue Aria" from Don Giovanni, accompanied by a wood-fired oyster.
"The Flower Duet" from Madame Butterfly, accompanied by two pieces of sashimi on jasmine rice.
"The Best Thing of All" from Regina, accompanied by an Alabama Sazerac.

Course 3
"Lullaby" from An American Soldier, accompanied by a Chinese mooncake.
"Quando me'n vo" from La Boheme, accompanied by a Mayan Xocolati cake.
"A Drinking Song" from La Traviata, accompanied by a French 75.

The food was delicious and the opera was wonderful, which were both expected.  The service left a little something to be desired (they seemed to struggle to get everything plated and served in a timely fashion).  I really loved seeing the opera singers up close, getting to really witness them playing the part.  The real winner of the evening, though, was the emcee, who was also our baritone for the evening: Robert Mellon.  Listening to him describe the food and the music together was a real treat!

Other performers included soprano Mary-Hollis Hundley, mezzo-soprano Melody Wilson, and tenor Joshua Blue.