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© 2008 Dan Perlman
Casa SaltShaker
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Chef: Dan Perlman
Host: Henry Tapia
June 4, 2008
Last night we hosted a half dozen gentlemen “of a certain age” as they expressed it when they contacted me. They’re in visiting from South Africa and wanted a place to just relax, have good food, and… camp it up a bit. Following on having read about our various centenary birthday dinners, the host had suggested that it was Rosalind Russell’s 100th, though it turned out to be her 101st. No restrictions on the menu, and with no particular food related theme to Ms. R, we just played with movie quotes and such that led to ideas.
"At last: my report back. Had quite a job coraling the troops in one place at any one time. The final verdict is that you did us proud. We all enjoyed ourselves and consider this was one of the highlights of a very memorable first experience in BA. We had all done some research and decided unanimously to come to Salt Shaker where our expectations were exceeded. After perusing your archives, we decided to leave the menu up to you and were pleased with the results. Besides we couldn't find any food references in the movies either. You are innovative and imaginative in your use of ingredients. The Bombay Pomfret was quite a surprise and we wish that we were able to source duck as succulent as The Governor provided. We are all part of a small wine tasting group run by my husband, David, and were all very impressed with your wine pairings: my own personal favourite was the Intimayu Syrah which we were not able to find in restaurants in BA. The reservation was so easy and the response and friendliness put us at ease immediately in your charming home. Your reception was warm and welcoming and and we will not hesitate to recommend Casa Salt Shaker to friends and visitors. We would be very happy to answer queries you may get from hesitant first-timers. Would it be useful to add this as a comment to the piece you wrote in your blog just after the dinner? Let me know. And once again thank you and Henry so much for a very special and memorable dining experience. Warm Greetings from mid-winter, but sunny Stellenbosh. For the Group of a certain age." - W.R.
