3/12/04 Rich finishes some Panna Cotta with Blackberries and 2 Concierges try:

Shitake Mushrooms and Vidalia Onions in a lemon butter sauce.

Salmon with cucumbers and lemon zest in a sweet vinegar citrus reduction.

Richard is trying to get his coconut panna cotta (means "cooked cream" and it is) out of the custard dishes in which they hardened overnight in the fridge. He uses hot water to accomplish this. He says it's simple to make but its hard to find because of the few places that make it, most screw it up, using eggs, when there should be none. With eggs, he says, it comes out more like flan.

He made a few, with the intention of giving tastes to those who have been inquiring. This evening, Rich was headed down to the lobby to test it out on Richard the Concierge.

After some trouble, Rich gets it out of the custard dish in one piece.

Blackberries are to be served with the panna cotta.

To finish off the presentation: Some powdered sugar.

Richard applies by banging one spoon on another.

Ready to go.

Richard practices presenting it.

Heading down in the elevator, Richard explains something to me about plating it.

Someone gets on the elevator, and we're giggling because it's really bizarre that he's holding a decoratively plated dessert like he's in the middle of a restaurant.

Victor was at the desk, but Richard the Concierge was in the building getting changed at the end of his shift. Victor got a nameplate, but not a metal one yet.

Rich gets ready to try it.

Meanwhile, Victor handles the business of the building.

Richard thinks its quite good.

So does Victor! A success.