I was recently treated to an amazing meal at McCormick & Schmick’s as part of a blogger appreciation evening. And I gotta say it’s this blogger who really should be telling Mc & Schmick’s just how much I appreciated that wonderful meal.

Because we were wined and dined on nine amazing courses (plus an amuse bouche!) as well as sake and 7 appropriate and thoughtfully paired wines!

There was so much to enjoy about the evening, including the company of other LA area bloggers – some of whom I had met before as well as several new friends too. So again, my appreciation goes out to the restaurant because meeting my web-based, food-obsessed kindred is always a great way to spend the evening in my opinion.

However what I am most appreciative about is the learning experience the evening presented for me. Yes, I said learning. I doubt they considered that this to be an educational affair, but it certainly was for me. I was introduced to a new fish, one I had never enjoyed before. The fish was part of the second course, which was a trio of creative sashimi tastes.

One of the selections was called Kono Kampachi Sashimi with Avocado and Truffle. It was a luscious fatty fish served with fresh avocado slices simply dressed with a drizzle of soy sauce and a few aromatic drops of truffle oil. I must say– truffles and fish is a new experience for me. So I filed that information away, and made the trek home– fat and happy!