A few weeks ago Paul and I had the delightful opportunity to celebrate our anniversary at Blue Hill Stone Barns. We’ve wanted to check out this temple-to-all-things-local for years, and it didn’t disappoint. In fact, BHSB exceeded our expectations on all accounts. The food was a great reminder that subtle flavors can still be fascinating. My favorite dish was a brioche made with red fife wheat topped with greens “marmalade” and ricotta. Nothing exotic–just beautifully executed food. We went whole hog with the 8-course tasting menu, complete with wine pairings. The 1991 López de Heredia Viña Bosconia Gran Reserva Rioja was stellar, offering earthy complexity and refreshment in equal measure. And mad props to the sommelier for selecting the luscious 2005 Macari Block E Sauvignon Blanc from Long Island to accompany our multiple berry desserts: a kind of blackberry parfait and a pseudo-cœur à la creme topped with raspberries.

One of the highlights of the evening was walking the grounds. We checked out the greenhouses and their neat rows of every leafy thing imaginable, and made some new furry and feathered friends (none of whom were featured on the menu). Here’s a little photographic tour, with pics courtesy of my better half:

Up close and personal with an actual Blue Hill Stone Barns chicken. Bet he’s all like “this backyard urban chicken trend is total BS. Country chicken livin’  is where it’s AT.”

We got into a staring contest with some sheep.

And woke up the sheepdog. Sorry, buddy.

Me, posing awkwardly in front of a greenhouse. Feel like I’m in that scene in Talladega Nights where Will Ferrell doesn’t know what to do with his hands.

Idyllic, no?