Casbah Benefit Dinner Success!

Written by: Suzan Krauland, Community Relations Director

Each month, Casbah Mediterranean Kitchen & Wine Bar and parent Big Burrito Restaurant Group hold a charity benefit dinner at their 229 S. Highland Avenue restaurant. March 22, EECM was the charity fortunate enough to benefit from their generosity. Thirty-six of our most loyal supporters attended this particular evening and it was amazing.

Those in attendance were able to enjoy a relaxed evening in a comfortable private room, view slides of EECM programs and experience the amazing culinary achievements of Casbah.

The evening started with passed hors’ d’oeuvres that included: wild mushroom bruschetta with melted Juliana goat cheese, lamb belly quince crostini, Moroccan spiced shrimp (with a great little kick), and organic polenta with walnut-roasted red pepper puree. This was accompanied by a fruity glass of Rumball Sparkling Shiraz.

The first seated course was a white bean puree with cubes of rutabaga and butternut squash, garnished with shaved parmesan and fried baby spinach leaves. This soup course was accompanied by Shooting Star “Blue Franc”.

The salad course was winter greens, with beets, pistachios and a sherry vinaigrette. The wine served was a Sauvion Vouray Demi-Sec. Next, red snapper was served on a bed of rapini, mounded on celeriac puree, in a pool of saffron and fennel broth. The fish course came with Pietra Santa Chardonnay.

The lamb loin (yes there was more!) was served alongside two eggplant ravioli, served on a thin slice of grilled zucchini, and dressed with natural jus. This course was served with a full-bodied red, Sipranillo.

And finally, to finish the evening, there was a round cut of Meyer Lemon Custard Cake plated with raspberry sorbet and drizzled with vanilla passion fruit syrup. This came with a cordial of La Casa Narcisi Blueberry Brillante. All this was completed with coffee for those of us who were headed off to watch, sadly, Pitt’s defeat in the Sweet Sixteen—the only blemish on what otherwise was a wonderful evening!

And the best part is, we were able to enjoy this feast knowing our dinner benefited EECM food programs.