JERSEYDISFAN
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2004
- Messages
- 166
And now, for something different. . . .
Most reviews deal with restaurant lunches/dinners or maybe noshing "around the world" at the IF&WF food booths. One of the IF&WF events we found well worth the cost ($45 per person) were the wine pairings held in the mid-afternoons at various restaurants. Generally there are three courses (in one case it was four) paired with three different wines. In attendance is usually the chef who created the menu and the vintner who produced the wines. They table hop and visit with you throughout the event. The tasting is usually a convivial group of about 40 people who have done this before, some many times. There is a lot of good conversation and discussion as both the chef and vintner lead you through each course as it is served. Wine pairings may be held weekly at the same venue however, it doesn't mean you will have the same food and/or wines as each week the menu changes. Don't go looking for what your neighbor raved about having last week, it's most likely been changed. Also remember, wine pairings are held in the mid-afternoon, generally starting between 2 to 3:30 PM. So, a word of caution. . . it's a substantial amount of food. . . don't go scheduling any ADRs for TS lunch or an early TS dinner. We generally had a light dinner or snack much later in the evening.
First up is a wine pairing held at the Coral Reef restaurant last October 27th. The event began with everyone gathering in a private reception room and served sparkling cider. Once everyone arrived we moved en masse to the restaurant where an entire upper section had been reserved for the event. There were still luncheon diners in the restaurant and as we finished up early dinner guests were arriving. At each place was a specially printed menu signed by both the chef and vintner with that pairings offerings, first the food:
Next, the wine pairings for the event. The featured vineyard was Benziger, no, not Beringer. Benziger is a small, family owned vineyard in Napa. I won't go any further in describing the wines except to say they were excellent and exactly as described (a word or two about the Cab with the dessert later):
First pairing - Cashew Crusted Halibut over Jasmine Rice, Baby Bok Choy and Pineapple Rum Butter Sauce with a little sea foam decoration - incredibly good!!
Second pairing - Grilled Wild Boar with Shallot Mashed Potatoes, Broccolini and a Pearl Onion Reduction Sauce. By the way, don't think the portions are small, they were served on those oversized platters so en vogue with restaurants these days. We left feeling well sated.
OK, now I catch some flame, we were so into the event that I missed taking a photo of the Oreo Cheesecake with Chocolate Sauce. However, I can account for the distraction since the wine pairing with dessert was a wonderfully deep, rich Cabernet Sauvignon that one would not ordinarily think to drink with dessert. . . but it was excellent and just set the event off with a high note. All in all, wine pairings at just $45 (at least last year) are a great investment of your time and taste buds at the IF&WF.
Next up (in a day or so), a review of the wine pairing at Marrakesh. I know, a wine pairing in a Morrocan restaurant? That's just why we had to try it and you won't believe what we found. . . stay tuned!
Most reviews deal with restaurant lunches/dinners or maybe noshing "around the world" at the IF&WF food booths. One of the IF&WF events we found well worth the cost ($45 per person) were the wine pairings held in the mid-afternoons at various restaurants. Generally there are three courses (in one case it was four) paired with three different wines. In attendance is usually the chef who created the menu and the vintner who produced the wines. They table hop and visit with you throughout the event. The tasting is usually a convivial group of about 40 people who have done this before, some many times. There is a lot of good conversation and discussion as both the chef and vintner lead you through each course as it is served. Wine pairings may be held weekly at the same venue however, it doesn't mean you will have the same food and/or wines as each week the menu changes. Don't go looking for what your neighbor raved about having last week, it's most likely been changed. Also remember, wine pairings are held in the mid-afternoon, generally starting between 2 to 3:30 PM. So, a word of caution. . . it's a substantial amount of food. . . don't go scheduling any ADRs for TS lunch or an early TS dinner. We generally had a light dinner or snack much later in the evening.
First up is a wine pairing held at the Coral Reef restaurant last October 27th. The event began with everyone gathering in a private reception room and served sparkling cider. Once everyone arrived we moved en masse to the restaurant where an entire upper section had been reserved for the event. There were still luncheon diners in the restaurant and as we finished up early dinner guests were arriving. At each place was a specially printed menu signed by both the chef and vintner with that pairings offerings, first the food:
Next, the wine pairings for the event. The featured vineyard was Benziger, no, not Beringer. Benziger is a small, family owned vineyard in Napa. I won't go any further in describing the wines except to say they were excellent and exactly as described (a word or two about the Cab with the dessert later):
First pairing - Cashew Crusted Halibut over Jasmine Rice, Baby Bok Choy and Pineapple Rum Butter Sauce with a little sea foam decoration - incredibly good!!
Second pairing - Grilled Wild Boar with Shallot Mashed Potatoes, Broccolini and a Pearl Onion Reduction Sauce. By the way, don't think the portions are small, they were served on those oversized platters so en vogue with restaurants these days. We left feeling well sated.
OK, now I catch some flame, we were so into the event that I missed taking a photo of the Oreo Cheesecake with Chocolate Sauce. However, I can account for the distraction since the wine pairing with dessert was a wonderfully deep, rich Cabernet Sauvignon that one would not ordinarily think to drink with dessert. . . but it was excellent and just set the event off with a high note. All in all, wine pairings at just $45 (at least last year) are a great investment of your time and taste buds at the IF&WF.
Next up (in a day or so), a review of the wine pairing at Marrakesh. I know, a wine pairing in a Morrocan restaurant? That's just why we had to try it and you won't believe what we found. . . stay tuned!
