Sunday, June 7, 2009

RAVE - Cyrus

Aside from Raffles in Singapore, Cyrus (Healdsburg) is probably the most luxurious dining experience we've ever enjoyed.

The scene was set by spending the weekend at Hotel Healdsburg, in the main square of this Sonoma wine region capital, and being able to stroll a couple blocks to Cyrus for our 9.30pm reservation.

We didn't leave until 1am, and there were still diners lapping up the decadent 5 or 7 course tasting menus.

We had the latter, but would probably have just 5 courses next time. Not for budgetary reasons - although it was far from cheap at around $750 for the 2 of us, including wine pairing - but because there was just so much food, so many flavors. With the 3 or 4 amuses bouches, our 7 courses became 10 or 11, and although we remembered how much we'd marveled at courses 1, 2, 3 and 4, towards the end of the meal it all became a bit of a blur.

Service was p.e.r.f.e.c.t, with the best organized dining room I've seen anywhere in the world. Without seeming to clutter the room, or hang around waiting to spot something that needed doing, the staff not only made sure our every need was anticipated, but whenever a course was ready, each of our meals was delivered simultaneously by two waiters. Big deal, you might think, but when this done by six waiters to a table of six, eight waiters to a table of eight, without interfering with the impeccable service we were getting, you realized how much effort went into the organization.

Each course was a joy, and the whole experience didn't feel over-priced.

Definitely one for very special occasions.

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