We Dine in Essex

Keeping the non-stop pace up, the day after we got back from Sweden, Joe and I headed to Essex to have dinner at Neil and Dan's house. We'd had, had them over for dinner in May and it was their turn to return the hospitality.

The train ride was nice and gave us a chance to see a part of the country we hadn't been to yet. Neil and Dan have a great house with a really nice garden. It's all very relaxed and welcoming. We had cocktails in the garden before heading inside for dinner. Soup, which was full of Fall was the first course. There were so many courses it's hard to recall them all now, but the centerpiece was the best vegetarian paella I've ever had with a seaweed side (I can't recall the exact name) that was surprisingly sweet and crisp. I'd had it before as a garnish, but never by the fork full. I was disappointed to be so full by the time we got to the entree. For dessert we had dueling chocolate and regular cheesecakes.

Time and conversation flew by and we had to end the evening just to make sure we got the train back in time. Joe and I are up next for Thanksgiving dinner. Dan's sourcing an organic turkey for me.