The Lady Olive

The cool thing about the New Year falling on a Wednesday is that if you’re lucky enough to work in an office that’s closed on New Year’s Day, you essentially get a “Sunday” in the middle of your week.  My New Year’s day was spent napping and eating leftovers from The Fig Tree.  No shame in taking home a doggie bag here!  I’ve got to tell you about this restaurant!

The Fig Tree was offering a champagne toast at midnight, so our reservations were not until 9:45.  Talk about working up an appetite…I felt like I had gone on a 24 hour fast (or what I would imagine this would feel like…)  Since I had some time to kill after work, I paid a visit to Blo  and decided to experiment with the Martha Stewart assorted glitter box I bought at Michael’s on a whim. You can never have enough glitter! Yeah, I said it.

I have seen glitter nails and the like everywhere but hadn’t tried it out myself. I followed this tutorial and instead of doing a fade (which I didn’t have much patience for at the time) I just did an all over glitter look. I really like how it turned out.  Very galactic. Cue the Beastie Boys. Channeling my inner alien!

I used Essie No More Film as my base and mixed black and purple glitters with clear polish.

I purchased this French Connection dress from The Pink Hanger in early December with the intention of wearing it to a Christmas party but saved it for NYE instead.  I thought the crazy spaceship nails would complement the conservative edginess of this dress.

On to the feast!

First thing’s first…the wine. We shared a bottle of 2009 Domaine Santa Duc-a Grenache varietal from the Rhone valley of France.  The wine list was extensive and the fact that they have a whole Rhone section made me so happy!

I really enjoyed this full-bodied wine!

To share: The grilled Mediterranean octopus with haricot verts, chick peas, olives, oven roasted tomatoes and a lemon vinaigrette.  The octopus was perfectly prepared. So tender!

AND

The Apple Beggar’s Purse. Delicious decadence in a cute little puff pastry pouch!

Sautéed Apples, Onions, Gorgonzola Cheese and Walnuts in Pastry with Thyme Butter Sauce

Main course:

For Her:

Grilled Filet Mignon topped with Stilton Cheese and Mushroom Duxelles over Sweet Corn Polenta Cake with Veal Demi-Glace and Asparagus

I ate 2/3 of this steak.  Got to save room for dessert peeps. It was one of the best filets I have ever had, and that Stilton on top, OH MY!!

For Him:

The NY strip special with lobster tail.  I have one lobster loving man!

For Dessert:

Butterscotch Crème Brulee topped with Scotch Chantilly Cream and Butterscotch Cookie.  I wasn’t always such a fan of crème brulee, (texture thing) but in my old age, I have grown to adore this dessert. The butterscotch flavor was outstanding.

AND

A glass of Inniskilllin Icewine Vidal for ME! I love dessert wine. Read all about Icewine here.

After this plethora of food and drink, I was full, happy, let’s be honest moderately tipsy (understatement) and feeling so lucky to share it with John Paul in such an intimate and memorable way. If you are in Charlotte, I can’t recommend The Fig Tree enough for any special occasion!

I hope you all enjoyed your New Year’s Eve no matter if it was at home, a party or a restaurant!

Cheers! Have a great weekend.

The Lady Olive