A Night Of Pure Enjoyment

Last night, Friday January 23rd was the 64th annual Robert Burns Night at The Brae Loch in Cazenovia.  Robert Burns was a Scottish poet born January 25th, 1759.  He wrote works which entertained farmers and laborers.  People of Scottish heritage gather around the world to celebrate his life and works.  We went to celebrate because I happen to have the same birthday as Robby Burns, January 25th. 

Our dear friends, Bob and Nancy joined us to take in the festivities.  We met at the Brewster Inn where we all stayed.  Bob and Nancy provided pre-RB Night champagne, cheese and crackers. 

Here are the pictures of the night.  Join in the fun!

Jack’s Cake. Delivered on the way to Cazenovia. See FUN PICS page

The Champagne, Cheese, Cracker Pre-Party

Joanne’s Sauvignon Blanc and Ted’s Cabernet to begin the evening at Brae Loch

The Harp and The Northumbria Small Pipes Players

The Celebration Story, Entertainment and Dinner Menu

Nancy, Joanne, Bob…getting into a fun evening

The homemade scone and bread

Bagpipe Entertainment. This went on throughout the evening

The Scotch Broth

The Harp and Small Pipe Player, Fiddling and Drummin

Finnan Haddie. Smoked Haddock in an Onion Cream sauce. Too smoky for me

Steak and Kidney Pie. Another meat eaters course

Ted’s steak and kidny pie. Filled with a rich gravy and chunks of tender steak and kidney

The salad with a cucumber or green goddess dressing

The Address To The Haggis. When Burns saw Haggis being made for the first time, he wrote a poem about it. They drive a knife through it at the end in a violent striking manner.

The Haggis. Nancy, Bob, nor Ted were thrilled with this. Too dry was the concensus. It also had an overwhelming herb taste according to Nancy

Scottish Sword Dance

My Vegetarian course: Salmon topped with Fruit Salsa, Broccoli, Citrus Wild Rice

The Regular RB Menu: Roast Prime Rib of Beef with Heathered Neeps, and Clapshot (pureed parsnips with potato)

Ok. Someones being funny with the dinner presentation flowers or…is he just having TOO much fun!

Performing the Highland Fling

Dessert: Sticky Toffee Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce & Shortbread

There’s that fancy crystallized, colorful sugar bowl again

At this point, we were hoping he was the last of the bag pipers… they were a bit LOUD

Return to The Brewster Inn where we were kindly greeted and taken on a tour which included this extensive wine cellar

Ready for bed after a long, fun filled night of too much food, too much entertainment, and to much fun!

Just a few additional comments:

The first group of bag pipers, we noted, one had a beer bottle hanging on his belt. It was rare to see any of them during the night with out a “refreshment”. 

Bob’s comment on the Finnan Haddie…”Rich but not ostentatious”.  Oh SO Bob! 🙂

Everyone’s favorite it seemed was the steak and kidney pie.

The Haggis comments:  Ted “Dry”. Nancy ” Smells Sagey”.  Bob “Really mealy – Qualifyingly dry.

If you notice while clicking on the pics to get a better view, that some of the kilt wearers have a purse at the front of the kilt. Well…kilts don’t have pockets so this is to hold all their what nots.

A fun filled night for sure.  If you ever have the opportunity to go to a RB Celebration night…same time every year, Jan 25th. please take the opportunity to go and send along your comments.