Mediterranean Dinner

Taberna Del Alabadero opened in Washington DC in 1989 and has been serving sophisticated Spanish Cuisine since then. The current chef Javier Romero displayed his culinary talents for our local chapter at the October Mediterranean Dinner. The dinner started out with a bang- well almost. Just before the appetizers were passed, the bomb squad arrived and ordered the builing evacuated. It seems that the Taberna was the not so secret location for the possible Iranian attempt on the Saudi Ambassador's life. After almost an hour of frantic searching by police and sniffing by trained canine teams, the restaurant was deemed safe, the members allowed back in and the dinner began. Dinner Chair Ozgur Karaosmaoglu worked closely with Chef Javier to present to the members a true variety  of classic and new Spanish dishes.

 Sauteed Scallops and Mussels were served over a bed of violet Potato. This dish was cool and refreshing.  Wine Committee Member Mike Polmar paired it with a lovely 2010 Escencia Albarino. The Grilled Duck Foie Gras on a bed of Spinach was interestingly paired with a Chassagne Montrachet. This unusual pairing worked well as the acidity of the spinach brought out the best characteristics of the white wine. A California Chardonnay next accompanied the pleasant Codfish preparation.

The meat course completed the entrees and in this case a slow roasted Iberian Pork dish came off as tasting like a delicious piece of veal. The memberships first experience with the mencia grape was introduced by member Ray Sobrino, who provided the  outstanding 2002 Paixar Mencia to go with the Pork dish. The Mencia was tasted next to a chapter cellar 2005 Letras Rioja and stood toe to toe with this classic Spanish Red.