Lafayette: Lou Lou’s Club and Ballroom- Gilbert Castellanos and The New Latin Jazz Sextet

“Food is music to the body, music is food to the heart.” - Gregory David Roberts

WOW!!! How else can I start this post? This was such an anticipated event for so many. If you have been lucky enough to experience the newly renovated Lafayette Hotel and Club you already knew the latest addition of Lou Lou’s was going to be outrageously glamorous, gorgeous, sexy and swanky. Having had the extreme pleasure of attending the debut of the Supper Club seated, dinner show events, I was not betrayed by my sky high expectations. Once again, the design team has transported us back in time with luxe textiles, decor and details that surround you from floor to ceiling. The central focal point is the renovation of the magnificent clam shell stage. She is a glowing beauty worthy of birthing Venus herself. This spectacular sight is also a wonderful tool for our listening pleasure as she emits a pure and balanced sound. Such an appropriate match for a clam from the sea to project sound waves of music that travel so gracefully and then robustly powerful in this space of perfect acoustics. Seriously, as a lover of live music, the sound quality was chef’s kiss.

Speaking of chefs, compliments to Chef, Ted Smith for our four course meal, which was delicious and beautifully presented. Dinner choices were pre-selected upon ticket purchase so no need to look over the menu once escorted to our table. More time to wander and discover the latest addition to Lafayette beauty and choose a cocktail at the opulent bar or cozy up to your date and take in the sublime surroundings. First up, our drinks were a Gin & Tonic and a Caiparita followed by a perfect sourdough roll and butter. Next we had a lovely and tangy starter of pickled beet and citrus salad with yuzu vinaigrette and candied pistachios. Our next round consisted of lamb and beef pâté accompanied by apple salad, walnuts and a perfect grainy mustard for me and (we traded dishes for this course) and salt spring mussels and scallop chowder including rockfish, potatoes, leeks, fennel and chili oil. The main courses we chose were truffled chicken roulade on potato purée, with roasted carrots and a chicken demi glacé for me and Brian very much enjoyed the braised wagyu shortrib with a potato pavé, rainbow chard, pearl onions and bordelaise. Lastly, the meal concluded with a sweet treat dessert of ambrosia salad, served in a stemmed cocktail glass with toasted coconut, whipped cream and mini marshmallows.. This was not your grandma’s ambrosia salad. I mean you’re probably too young for a grandma that made ambrosia salad or if you're like me you had an abuela that made flan and arroz con leche and you always thought ambrosia salad was weird but on this night, it was a surprisingly perfect end to a fantastic feast.

Now take a moment to imagine that all the while as you devour this delectable dinner you are witness to jazz sensation, Gilbert Castellanos and the New Latin Jazz Sextet. As a San Diego music fan I am familiar with Castellanos and his talent. A San Diego fixture with somewhat of a residency Jam Sessions at Panama 66, As if his decorated career was not enough, Castellanos is affectionately known by locals for his work with young musicians as the founder of the Young Lions Jazz Conservatory. His generosity is also on display as he performs on stage. Castellanos might be the leader and top name of this booking but he never misses an opportunity to re-introduce each band member and spotlight their individual impressive resume highlights and talents with solos. The list of highlights was impressive and included the writing of some of the original songs, touring with Luis Miguel, impressive education and more. The music was more intoxicating than the liquid libations served and that’s saying something. Again, the sound was perfection and the set list was perfectly curated and included an intermission near the end of the food service. It was hard not to get up and dance for quite a few numbers but the invite was made for the final song and the audience was more than happy to oblige. So many beautiful songs including originals and some classics like ‘Solamente una Vez’ and ‘Nature Boy’, the latter brought a happy tear to my eye as it is a special song I share with my Papi. Just three hours before the concert started I was at my father’s side at the hospital as he woke from major surgery. He is recovering well and the worry has subsided for the most part but it was another one of my jukebox heart moments hearing that song on this particular night. Again, music and food, love and life.

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