MENU/WINES
Quaffing: Meat & cheese board, French onion tartlets, toasted maracona almonds. Wines: 2011 DONA PAULA Estate Malbec (90); 2012 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier(RP 90)
1st Course: Mushroom Cream Soup/ teleggio crouton/leek; paired with 2012 Dr Lossen Bros Riesling, WS 90
2nd course: Short Braised Black Cod/ gnudi/grape tomato confit/argula/chorizo/quail egg, paired with 2012 Cambria Estatae Pinot Noir (90+)
3rd Course: Seared duck/burnt orange/purple potato/honey poached cranberry. paired with 2009 Frescobaldi Nipozzzano Riserva Chianti Rufina RP 90
4th Course: Corned Wagu Beef/purple caraway cabbage/ pickled red onion/ pastrami oil/ horseradish; paired with 2010 Bodega Norton Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon WE 90
Desert: Chocolate Pave~; paired with 2007 Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Vintage Porto WE 90
23 people attended this event, including 3 guests. All were in for a real treat in this restaurant within the Culinary Arts building on the campus of Metropolitan Community college. The ambience, (including a glowing fireplace, flowers, background music, & crisp linnens in a glass enclosed room allowing a full view of the snowy scenery outdoors) was fitting for this Valentine's Celebration. We received a warm welcome from the staff, which included 3 Culinary Arts Students. The chef introduced each of the courses, and we had a spokes-person from each of the tables evaluate the wine and food pairings for each of the courses. The French onion tartlets & meat & cheese tray accompaning the Malbec & Chenin Blanac were perfect to whet our appetites for what would follow. There were glowing comments for the mushroom soup, and the Dr Lossen Bros Riesling pairing.. The 3rd course was originally to be rabbit, but it was changed to Black Cod (to accomodate guests who were squmish about rabbit). People loved the cod, but found the Pinot (purchased for the rabbit) to be a little overpowering, but not objectionable. The duck recieved rave reviews, and was great with the Chianti Rafina. The Wagu Corned Beef was described as "succulent ", and needed the big Cabernet that was selected for that course. Of course we were not disappointed with the rich chocolate dessert, which was amazing with the Vintage Porto. There was a contest to see who could correctly match the most old pictures to the couples in attendance. Couples chose pictures they thought they would not be recognized, but it was hard to trick our observant members and guests! This created a lot of discussion, interaction, and YES...laughs!