We were pleasantly surprised to have Paul serve us that evening, making the night that much more enjoyable. My husband, Jon, and I ordered a bottle of 2003 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, and our friend ordered a glass of St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc. A different vintage, 2004, arrived at the table, but the wine was well balanced and bold and served impeccably with the neck of the bottle peering over the white napkin that was folded over Paul’s arm.

The appetizer portion of the menu offered no surprises; crab cakes, baked goat cheese salad and baby spinach salad, but we knew from experience that everything would taste delicious. Even though it wasn’t too adventurous, we knew it would be prepared perfectly. We purposefully ordered a few items that we hadn’t tried at The Mustard Seed, which meant bypassing the tomato bisque topped with puff pastry, the cheese plate with apples, candied walnuts and Shaft’s bleu cheese, and the Caesar salad with parmesan chip and sundried tomatoes - all which we’ve eaten and highly recommend. Instead, we ordered the Chardonnay-steamed Mediterranean mussels with shallots, creme fraiche and curry, and the portabella mushroom, caramelized onion and fontina bruschettas.

We were delighted with both, but completely blown away by the mussels. The bowl of mussels were