It has been well over a week since

- and I just couldn’t get myself to write about it. How do you write about the perfect experience? Are there words that will do it justice? Will my writing cheapen the experience? Many questions have clouded my mind but one thought prevailed at the end: I need to do whatever I can to make sure that everyone who reads this article feels compelled to visit Blue Hill at Stone Barns at least once in their lifetime!

It took me a long time to muster the courage to visit Blue Hill, because a meal here is not cheap. It can easily cost over $300 or lot more per person with drinks. But when you are there and in that moment - it becomes absolutely clear what kind of a special experience that money is buying you.

Stone Barns is a Center for Food and Agriculture. Situated in idyllic Pocantico Hills New York, this is a great place to visit just to walk around, take in the nature and nurture in all its glory. There are greenhouses to walk around and chickens, pigs and baby lambs to visit.

How perfect that amidst this perfect setting, one of the greatest chefs of our times has decided to set up his “workshop”.

, taking care of our land, of our environment, repurposing and reusing everything to avoid mindless waste, loving the generous bounty of nature while possessing a deep understanding and humility about it … and then using all these ideals to create a dining experience like none other! I am in absolute awe of this man… and I may be willing to follow him to the ends of the earth if he asks me to.

We opted for the Grazing, Pecking and Rooting Menu option that day… and the next 4.5 hours were among the most memorable ones of our lives. Everything…. I mean EVERYTHING was beautifully choreographed, planned, prepared and presented. As diners, we felt like the most important people in the room. The service was impeccable. Our needs were foremost. To the point that, half way between the meal when we felt like taking a break from all the eating, our server suggested we take our time, stroll around the property for as long as we want …. our next course will be ready when we are! In a world where having a high turn-around in a restaurant is highly desirable and the profit margins drive restaurant staff and owners to rush diners like cattle…. this experience rendered me speechless!

The timing and planning behind each course was so thoughtful. The meal made me feel one with nature and appreciate just how lucky I am to be living in this part of the world with so many amazing edible treats all around. We started our meal tasting baby vegetables, freshly picked - bursting with freshness and their inherent flavors. We tasted all kinds of baby greens that the chef and his team foraged on the property. We even ate tree moss! Its edible! It was amazing to really taste these things in their natural state and to appreciate the wonderful flavor profiles they naturally bring to any dish. As the meal progressed, each of those raw vegetables and greens made into our plates in one form or another.

A twelve course meal can get tiresome and tedious - if you think about it. Folks at Blue Hill are quite mindful of that. For our main course, I LOVED that we were invited to leave our table in the main dining room and settle into a very special private space overlooking the vineyards- just the two of us with our own table, a white table cloth, flowers and plants surrounding us and even a space heater in case we feel chilly. We were served our main course in this very special space and it was ours to enjoy for as long as we wish. Priceless!

I am not going to cheapen this experience by analyzing how the meats were cooked or if the dishes were seasoned properly etc etc.

. There was a profound thought process behind each course as well as the entire meal and I just don’t have the right words to explain it. It is a feeling. One that you have to experience for yourself.

Blue Hill at Stone Barns | http://www.bluehillfarm.com/food/blue-hill-stone-barns