Evolution of the Ciaran Crawford Action Figure Doll

People might wonder why I am writing about a tasting and a cookbook here. Normally I write about music and art, but as the name says...

In fact this was very enjoyable, so what am I talking about.... A cookbook called "Evolution of the Ciaran Crawford Action Figure Doll" by Dylan Stott and Ciaran Crawford. Ciaran, the chef, masterminds the various recipies, and Dylan provides the stories.

I had no idea what to expect from the event. A few days ago, I bought a ticket, "a golden ticket" to a six course tasting with a reading from a cookbook... 'a reading from a cookbook?!' I thought to myself. I had been told it would be an exciting, eclectic (which is what I'm looking for), innovative blend of flavours and character, and that was just the readings.

Waiting outside the restaurant, Ukiyo on Exchequer St, was like a scene from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" with the song "I've got a got a golden ticket, I've got a golden ticket!", sneaking out from under the shutter. The excitement was rising, the excitement of the unknown, the unexpected.

Once the doors opened we were escorted inside to be greeted by the very charming and friendly Dylan Stott. Scanning the menu was much like discovering a new language, I didn't know what a lot of it meant, sauces, foams, nages...but it all sounded inviting. From each of the six courses I could recognise the primary ingredients; Oysters, Champagne, Black & White Pudding, Seabass, Ice Cream and Espresso. What may sound as a standard restaurant offering was more than just a normal run of the mill dinner...

For starters...well lets hold on a moment. First we were treated with Sake Mojitos....delish! It complemented the starter, Bloody Mary Oyster Shooter, beautifully. Although there were a few worried faces at the table, this was short lived. One course down and the palate already felt like royalty.

Up next, a few introductions, and a reading from the book. I'm not a literary critic so I'm a little stretched here but, Dylan's writing was funny, crisp and enjoyable, and well presented by the writer himself. It is always a special treat to have a writer read his own work. His enthusiasm, skill and joy in what he was doing shone throughout his narration.

Following the performance we were treated to Mille Feuilles with Black & White Pudding, Apple Crisps and Cider Jus. This course was a hit at my table and was followed by Warm Champagne Jelly with Candied Chili. Dylan entertained again with another reading, "The Waltzing Lobster", a pacy tale of drunken cooking. Then there was the Seabass with Bok Choy, Sweet Potato Puree and Lemon Grass Nage (that's 'poaching' for you and me!). Oh the Seabass! Cooked to perfection with a sea of accompaniments, this course was incredible.

The sweets were next, Mushroom Ice Cream and Earl Grey Caramel! Only one person at our table knew it was mushroom ice cream. We all thought she was nuts till outside later, the chef himself told us that it was. Whether we knew or not, was not important. It was a culinary delight. Chatting to Ciaran Crawford, the excitement and enjoyment he gets from cooking the food he does and from having organised such a night, was evident from his passion for his finished product.

The concept behind the food and the book, the desire to do things their way, slightly avant garde, off beat, underground, but still achieve flavours and stories that everybody enjoyed and would keep coming back for more of, left me and anybody else I talked to that night asking when the next installment was...

So the final course, Espresso Panacotto with Guinness Foam. A strange delight. Two of my favourite things put together, it couldn't go wrong.

There is, I think, two more installments, the next is again in Ukiyo, keep your ear to the ground because tickets to this will be gone in seconds... After that I believe there is one more, I am a little sketchy on details but will add more when I get more details. Then its off to New York for more installments and serialisation in a magazine.

So if you are reading this and are in New York, keep those eyes peeled for Evolution of the Ciaran Crawford Action Figure Doll, or your palate will never forgive you!