Summer Winter in Burlington

Thanks to a Chowhounds post for bringing my attention to a new restaurant opening in Burlington.

Summer Winter, a new American restaurant, will open in October at the Burlington Marriot. It will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant is a culinary collaboration between chefs Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier. Gaier and Fraiser are the chefs/owners of the renowned Arrows Restaurant located in Ogunquit, Maine. The menu is said to be a seasonal, modern American menu with fresh ingredients grown on-site.

With the involvement of Gaier and Fraser, this new restaurant could be excellent. I will post more details when they become available.

Stoneham Sun: Recommended Wine Stores

This week's column of "A Passionate Foodie" can be found in the September 5 issue of the Stoneham Sun newspaper. It may also be in newspapers in Reading, Medford, Saugus and Winchester.

I write a weekly column that concentrates on reviews of local restaurants though it may also touch on a few other food and wine topics. This new column was published today and is available online as well. This column contains five wine store recommendations as well as information about some special wine tastings events that are scheduled for the near future.

I am adding some supplementary information here about some of the wine stores mentioned in my article.

As for OurGlass Wine Co., you can read more about the recent Italian red wine class and the Unusual White wine class. They are also having a special Sicilian wine dinner on September 22, at 6:30pm. Call them to make reservations.

Sicilian Wine Dinner Menu:
Antipasti: Gamberetti ala Finocchio (Pan Roasted Shrimp with Fresh Fennel and Golden Raisins over spiced Polenta)
Primo: Crostini con Fungi (Seasoned bread topped with Tallegio cheese and sautéed wile mushrooms with fried leeks)
Contorno: Insalata di Sareno (Romaine and Baby Arugula tossed in a lemon vinaigrette with Pancetta crisps and Asiago croutons)
Secondi: Pollo Saltimboca ala Marsala (Chicken Breast stuffed with Prosciutto, Fontina and Sage served with Gnocchi al Forno)
Dolce: Zabaglione with Fresh Berries
Courses will be paired with some exceptional Sicilian wines, like Nero D'Avola and Grillo. Cost is $75 per person which inc. tax and gratuity.

As for The Spirited Gourmet, their new Belmont store, which will open this fall, will be located at 448 Common Street, Belmont.

You might also be interested in my articles, Choosing a Wine Store and Recommended Wine Stores.

If you have any questions or comments about my column, feel free to add them here. Next week, my column will be another restaurant review.

Dine with passion!

2006 Vina Abad Godello

I love finding interesting, indigenous varietals. One such varietal is Godello. In the Valdeoarras region of Spain, Godello seems to be making a comeback. It is actually a very old varietal, extending back to the ancient Romans. Valdeoarras is part of Galicia, in northwest Spain, like Rias Baixas. But, Valdeorras is about 100 miles inland and its terrain is mountainous.

Godello makes fruity white wines though with definite minerality and acidity. A good Godello can improve for about five years from its vintage date. Godello is usually paired with shellfish. Godello also grows in Portugal where it is called Gouveio.

The 2006 Vina Abad Godello ($14) is made by Bodegas Cooperativa Jesus Nazareno, S.C.G. It is 100% Godello and has 12.5% alcohol content. It is a golden yellow in color with a bit of a citrus nose. It has a full mouthfeel, with clear apricot and apple flavors on the palate. There is a mild minerality and crisp acidity. This is a very pleasing wine and I enjoyed it very much.

I drank this wine with some Rappie Pie, which has chicken, pork and potatoes. This is different from pairing it with seafood but I do think it went well. Rappie Pie is a mellower dish, not really spicy. I think Godello would pair well with many chicken dishes as well.

A Drink & Buy. A good value at this price, especially if you want to try something new and different.

Midwest Grill: More Details

As I reported before, the Midwest Grill of Inman Square in Cambridge is opening a branch in Saugus. I have now learned that it is likely to open up later this month. It will not be located on Rt.1. It is supposed to be located behind the "Cove" though I am unsure exactly where that is located. A search of Saugus did not turn up any restaurants named the "Cove." I'll keep seeking additional information. And I look forward to their opening.

Spanish Albarino

Spain is known far more for their red wines than their whites. But they do make some excellent white wines as well, from indigenous varietals such as Godello and Albarino. I enjoy many of those white wines. You can find some of my reviews of Spanish Albarinos here and here. They can be deliciously fruity and go very well with seafood.

The region of Rias Baixas makes some excellent Albarinos. You can now learn more about this region and Albarino at a special section of Wines from Spain. There is even a three-part podcast there hosted by Doug Frost, Master of Wine and Master Sommelier.

There is even a contest you can enter, by submitting an original recipe for their wine and food pairing contest. Three top contest entries will each receive a case of Rías Baixas Albariño wines and one grand prize winner will also receive a gift card from Williams-Sonoma valued at $1,000.