Just a reminder that there will be a Wine Education class next Saturday, August 18, at 3pm. The topic will be Italian Red Wines. The class will focus on some unique, exceptional red wines from all over Italy. We'll be taking a look at a handful of different regions and showcasing the red wines of that region: i.e. Piedmont, Sicily, Tuscany, the Veneto, Puglia, to name a few.
This class is another collaboration with OurGlass Wine Co. Brian, one of the owners, was a personable and interesting speaker and will head this class as well. This is a great opportunity to taste some new and different wines and meet other local wine lovers in the area.
The cost is $25 per person, which includes cheese and breads as well as special Tasting discounts. You must call OurGlass to book your reservation. Please do so ASAP as space is very limited. Don't miss it!
OurGlass Wine Co.
124A Broadway (Rt. 1 N)
Saugus, MA
Phone: 781-941-8068
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Friday, August 10, 2007
Sibling Rivalry: Restaurant Week
I visited Sibling Rivalry this evening as part of Restaurant Week. For Restaurant Week, nearly all of the restaurants have special, limited menus available. You often have about three choices for your appetizer and entree. I had previewed the online menu for Sibling Rivalry and they hade four appetizer choices, three entrees and two desserts. The choices intrigued me so I made reservations.
I had visited Sibling Rivalry before, for brunch, and had an enjoyable meal. So, I anticipated that dinner would be good as well.
I was lucky to get a parking spot close to the restaurant. Though they do have valet service available. Our table was immediately available when we arrived. We received the wine list and the menu and were pleasantly surprised when we were told that the Restaurant Week menu was much larger than what I had previously seen. The entire regular menu, or nearly all of it, was available. There were eleven appetizers and eleven entrees available. Looking at their menu online, there are only a couple items that were not there, including the grilled lobster. There were plenty of interesting options available and it took a little time for me to decide what I wanted to order. With all these choices, this makes Sibling Rivalry a great selection.
While waiting for our food, we were given a bread basket with several different choices, including a delicious corn bread and some fruit/grain breads.
I ordered a bottle of wine, the 2004 Trinitas Old Vine Cuvee ($40). This was a California wine, a blend of several varietals, especially Zinfandel, Mataro and Carignane. This was an excellent and flavorful wine with good dark berry flavors as well as a nice spicy finish. Very good choice.
One of our appetizers was the Warm Fig Salad with Pancetta, Grilled Flat Bread, Roquefort Cream and Port Wine Vinaigrette. Presentation was very nice, and everything tasted very good. Our other appetizer was the Pristine Tuna Tartar Served on Warm Sushi Rice, With Sticky Soy Glaze, Pickled Ginger and Spicy Aioli. This was a superb dish with plenty of small cubes of tender tuna. The different sauces were a nice accompaniement. I would definitely order this appetizer again. Again, the presentation was very nice.
Our first entree a Tender Filet of Beef with Tomato Jam, Creamed Onions, and Black Pepper Gnocchi. A wonderful piece of very tender beef, cooked perfectly rare. The gnochhi were also very interesting and delicious, making us desire more of them. The second entree was the Crispy Pressed Half Duck with Grilled Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Medjool Dates, Port Sauce and Watercress Salad. A small part of the duck skin had been a bit overcooked and blackened. Our waitress was quick to offer me a new duck if I wanted but I chose to keep what I had. I did not want to wait for a replacement and it was only a minor issue. But, they earn points for offering to remedy the situation. The duck was a half duck but it certainly was a large half. It had plenty of meat and some nice crispy skin. The meat was tender and juicy, and not greasy at all. And there was almost no fat. The sauce was superb. I very much enjoyed the duck and would order it again.
For dessert, we had three choices though you could also get a cheese plate for an additional cost. We had the Chocolate Mousse Cake with Vanilla Creme Anglaise, Raspberry Coulis and White Chocolate Mousse. A delicious and decadent dessert. We also had a Wild Berry dessert with an Oatmeal drizzle and Vanilla ice cream. This was also a very good dessert with lots of sweet berries.
Service was excellent, attentive without being overbearing.
Overall, this was an excellent dining experience. Especially for Restaurant Week. I would heartily recommend Sibling Rivalry at any time, not just during Restaurant Week. I will definitely return there.
Sibling Rivalry
525 Tremont St.
Boston, MA
Phone: 617-338-5338
I had visited Sibling Rivalry before, for brunch, and had an enjoyable meal. So, I anticipated that dinner would be good as well.
I was lucky to get a parking spot close to the restaurant. Though they do have valet service available. Our table was immediately available when we arrived. We received the wine list and the menu and were pleasantly surprised when we were told that the Restaurant Week menu was much larger than what I had previously seen. The entire regular menu, or nearly all of it, was available. There were eleven appetizers and eleven entrees available. Looking at their menu online, there are only a couple items that were not there, including the grilled lobster. There were plenty of interesting options available and it took a little time for me to decide what I wanted to order. With all these choices, this makes Sibling Rivalry a great selection.
While waiting for our food, we were given a bread basket with several different choices, including a delicious corn bread and some fruit/grain breads.
I ordered a bottle of wine, the 2004 Trinitas Old Vine Cuvee ($40). This was a California wine, a blend of several varietals, especially Zinfandel, Mataro and Carignane. This was an excellent and flavorful wine with good dark berry flavors as well as a nice spicy finish. Very good choice.
One of our appetizers was the Warm Fig Salad with Pancetta, Grilled Flat Bread, Roquefort Cream and Port Wine Vinaigrette. Presentation was very nice, and everything tasted very good. Our other appetizer was the Pristine Tuna Tartar Served on Warm Sushi Rice, With Sticky Soy Glaze, Pickled Ginger and Spicy Aioli. This was a superb dish with plenty of small cubes of tender tuna. The different sauces were a nice accompaniement. I would definitely order this appetizer again. Again, the presentation was very nice.
Our first entree a Tender Filet of Beef with Tomato Jam, Creamed Onions, and Black Pepper Gnocchi. A wonderful piece of very tender beef, cooked perfectly rare. The gnochhi were also very interesting and delicious, making us desire more of them. The second entree was the Crispy Pressed Half Duck with Grilled Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Medjool Dates, Port Sauce and Watercress Salad. A small part of the duck skin had been a bit overcooked and blackened. Our waitress was quick to offer me a new duck if I wanted but I chose to keep what I had. I did not want to wait for a replacement and it was only a minor issue. But, they earn points for offering to remedy the situation. The duck was a half duck but it certainly was a large half. It had plenty of meat and some nice crispy skin. The meat was tender and juicy, and not greasy at all. And there was almost no fat. The sauce was superb. I very much enjoyed the duck and would order it again.
For dessert, we had three choices though you could also get a cheese plate for an additional cost. We had the Chocolate Mousse Cake with Vanilla Creme Anglaise, Raspberry Coulis and White Chocolate Mousse. A delicious and decadent dessert. We also had a Wild Berry dessert with an Oatmeal drizzle and Vanilla ice cream. This was also a very good dessert with lots of sweet berries.
Service was excellent, attentive without being overbearing.
Overall, this was an excellent dining experience. Especially for Restaurant Week. I would heartily recommend Sibling Rivalry at any time, not just during Restaurant Week. I will definitely return there.
Sibling Rivalry
525 Tremont St.
Boston, MA
Phone: 617-338-5338
Fresh Taste of Asia
For dinner last evening, I stopped at a new place for me, Fresh Taste of Asia in Salem. It is located in the heart of Salem and is a convenient location for those shopping, touring or otherwise in Salem. New Asian restaurants intrigue me, and this place has only been open about a year.
The restaurant is fairly large and even has several tables where you can dine outside. They have a bar with seating as well as a sushi counter. The restaurant was clean and inviting.
The menu is quite extensive with both Chinese and Japanese selections available. You will find much that is familiar as well as some unique dishes. Prices appear average and reasonable for this type of restaurant.
They do have a full bar plus wine and beer. To my pleasure, they also have several sake selections. I ordered a bottle of the Hakushika Junmai Ginjo ($17) which is one of my favorite sakes. The sake was brought in a pail with ice to keep it chilled. A nice touch.
Though so much looked good on the menu, I decided to order a few different items to get a general feel for the restaurant. I started with some sushi, a maguro (tuna-$4.95)) and anago (eel-$5.25). I also ordered the Idaho Maki, a tempura sweet potato ($5.50). The sushi appeared fresh, good sized and was tasty. The Maki contained good sized chunks of sweet potato, actually larger pieces than similar make I have had elsewhere.
I next ordered the Beijing Pavioli, pan fried ($5.95). This consisted of six large ravioli with a pork stuffing. It appeared to contain more meat than veggies. They were cooked well and tasted good.
I then ordered the Crispy Beef With Sesame ($12.95), which is listed on their menu as a “Must try,” plus some steamed white rice. This dish consisted of a large pile of crispy beef pieces in a brown gravy with sesame seeds. The beef had a very crispy exterior and the inside was fairly tender. I could easily cut the beef with a butter knife. I enjoyed the taste of the beef and the gravy. One of the better crispy beef dishes I have had.
Service was very good and attentive.
Overall, this was an enjoyable dinner. I only tasted a few items from their lengthy menu but it was sufficient for me to want to return there. I would recommend that you check them out. When I return, I will report back with more information.
Fresh Taste of Asia
118 Washington Street
Salem, MA
Phone: (978) 825-1388
The restaurant is fairly large and even has several tables where you can dine outside. They have a bar with seating as well as a sushi counter. The restaurant was clean and inviting.
The menu is quite extensive with both Chinese and Japanese selections available. You will find much that is familiar as well as some unique dishes. Prices appear average and reasonable for this type of restaurant.
They do have a full bar plus wine and beer. To my pleasure, they also have several sake selections. I ordered a bottle of the Hakushika Junmai Ginjo ($17) which is one of my favorite sakes. The sake was brought in a pail with ice to keep it chilled. A nice touch.
Though so much looked good on the menu, I decided to order a few different items to get a general feel for the restaurant. I started with some sushi, a maguro (tuna-$4.95)) and anago (eel-$5.25). I also ordered the Idaho Maki, a tempura sweet potato ($5.50). The sushi appeared fresh, good sized and was tasty. The Maki contained good sized chunks of sweet potato, actually larger pieces than similar make I have had elsewhere.
I next ordered the Beijing Pavioli, pan fried ($5.95). This consisted of six large ravioli with a pork stuffing. It appeared to contain more meat than veggies. They were cooked well and tasted good.
I then ordered the Crispy Beef With Sesame ($12.95), which is listed on their menu as a “Must try,” plus some steamed white rice. This dish consisted of a large pile of crispy beef pieces in a brown gravy with sesame seeds. The beef had a very crispy exterior and the inside was fairly tender. I could easily cut the beef with a butter knife. I enjoyed the taste of the beef and the gravy. One of the better crispy beef dishes I have had.
Service was very good and attentive.
Overall, this was an enjoyable dinner. I only tasted a few items from their lengthy menu but it was sufficient for me to want to return there. I would recommend that you check them out. When I return, I will report back with more information.
Fresh Taste of Asia
118 Washington Street
Salem, MA
Phone: (978) 825-1388
Northshore Mall
There is a lot of construction and renovation currently going on at the Northshore Mall in Peabody. Two new restaurants are going in there, though they are chains. The Salem News had a detailed article about these new restaurants, as well as the cost of a liquor license.
First, The Cheesecake Factory will open around October 18. They bought a liquor license for $135,000, which is the highest price ever paid in Peabody for such. Peabody has no unsold licenses available, which sell for $2200. So, any new restaurant has to buy the license from someone who already possesses one, and the market can be quite expensive. The last license sold in Peabody only garnered $80,000.
Second, P.F. Changs will also be opening at the Mall though the date is unknown right now. They too are seeking a liquor license.
First, The Cheesecake Factory will open around October 18. They bought a liquor license for $135,000, which is the highest price ever paid in Peabody for such. Peabody has no unsold licenses available, which sell for $2200. So, any new restaurant has to buy the license from someone who already possesses one, and the market can be quite expensive. The last license sold in Peabody only garnered $80,000.
Second, P.F. Changs will also be opening at the Mall though the date is unknown right now. They too are seeking a liquor license.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Spanish Treasures
I returned to the Lower Falls Wine Co. this evening to attend their special Spanish wine tasting.
Prior to the tasting, I searched their wine racks, seeking new and interesting wines. First, I was able to find more of the Sutton Cellars Carignane, one of my new favorite wines. I also picked up a bottle of the Sutton Cellars Zinfandel Port, which I have not tasted yet. In addition, I found the 1995 Robert Pecota Cabernet Sauvignon Kara's Vineyard. I ended up with a case of wine.
As for the tasting, it was excellent! The tasting was hosted by European Cellars, an importer of wines primarily from Spain, Portugal and France. Two members of European Cellars were present, Baron Ziegler and Lucas Paya. Lucas previously worked as the wine director at the renowned El Bulli restaurant for the past five years. They were personable and interesting hosts, explaining much about their wines. The wines included seven Spanish wines and one from South Africa.
The first wine was the 1997 Gramona Cellar Battle Brut Cava ($87). This is from the Penedes region and is a rare and special Cava. Gramona is one of the last family-owned Cava wineries in Penedes. This Cava is made of 70% Xarello and 30% Macabeo. It is aged on the cork for 6-8 years and is even hand riddled. It is considered one of the top Cavas in Spain. This Cava is far more similar to a French Champagne. It has more of a yeasty flavor though it is not overpowering. It is a creamy wine, with much complexity. This could well compete with some of the top French Champagnes, and you would probably never guess it was from Spain.
The next wine was the 2006 Pazo Senorans Albarino ($25). This wine is from the Rias Baixas D.O. and made from 100% Albarino. This is a superb wine, with a fruity nose though you can detect some minerality as well. There are citrus notes on the palate with a nice crispness. It is a well balanced wine which would go well with seafood, especially shellfish. One of the finest Albarinos I have ever had.
The third wine was the 2005 Conreria d'Scala Dei, Les Brugueres Blanco ($28). This Priorat wine is made of white Garnacha, and is one of the few white wines made in this region. Priorate is far more famous for their fine red wines. The grapes for this wine come from old vines, over 100 years old. The wine sees no oak. This is a very interesting wine, with strong citrus fruits on the front palate and a more minerally finish. It has nice concentrated flavors and definitely should please.
For our fourth wine, we took a little respite from Spain and moved on to South Africa. The 2004 Sadie Family Palladius ($53) is from the Swartland region. This is the only South African wine in the European Cellars portfolio. The Sadie Family though does produce a fine Priorat wine as well. The Palladius is made primarily of Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay. This is a biodynamic wine and is aged for over two years in oak. Only 300 cases of this wine were produced. Another intriguing wine. Despite the oak, the wine lacks an oaky taste. It is far more subtle and you might not even realize any oak was used. Minerality, complexity, balance. So much to love about this wine. It is a unique white wine that will seem familiar in some respects but will also feel like nothing else you have tasted before. Expensive but worth it for a special occasion.
Then we go back to Spain for the 2004 Capcanes Mas Donis ($12) from the Montsant region. This is one of Spain's value wines from the less known but excellent D.O. of Montsant. The Mas Donis is 80% old vine Garnacha and 20% Syrah. It is mostly aged in American oak. I thought this was a little powerhouse of a wine, packing a lot in flavor and spice. There was vanilla tones and a decent finish. A great value for this price.
The sixth wine was the 2005 Celler Tomas Cusine Geol ($28) from the Costers del Segre D.O. This wine is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and is aged in French oak. The wine has strong berry flavors with a bit of prune notes. I was not overjoyed with this wine. It was interesting but just not my type of wine.
But we moved onto a wine that is far more what I like, the 2004 El Seque ($36) from Alicante. This wine is 100% Monastrell, from very old vines, and is aged in French oak. This wine is everything I love about Monastrell wines. It nice dark berry flavors, a bit of earthiness, spicy notes and a long finish. It is a well balanced wine with some tannins though they do not overwhelm. This wine would be great with wild game. An excellent wine!
Lastly, we tasted the 2003 Bodegas Aalto, Aalto ($56) from the Ribera del Deuro. This wine is 100% Tinto Fino from 60 year old vines and aged in French oak. I have actually tasted this wine before. And the first time I tasted it, it wowed me. This time was no different. This is a superb wine, just a phenomenal example of the best of Spain. The perfect balance of fruit and spice. Such a smooth wine with a very long and satisfying finish. Pure bliss. If you are looking for something special, find this wine!
Overall, this was an exceptional tasting with many interesting and unique wines. European Cellars has an excellent portfolio of wines. Check out their website to see what other wines they import. Special tastings like these are also one reason to sign up for the Lower Falls Wine Co. mailing list.
Lower Falls Wine Co.
2366 Washington Street (Rt. 16)
Newton Lower Falls, MA
Phone: (617) 332-3000
Prior to the tasting, I searched their wine racks, seeking new and interesting wines. First, I was able to find more of the Sutton Cellars Carignane, one of my new favorite wines. I also picked up a bottle of the Sutton Cellars Zinfandel Port, which I have not tasted yet. In addition, I found the 1995 Robert Pecota Cabernet Sauvignon Kara's Vineyard. I ended up with a case of wine.
As for the tasting, it was excellent! The tasting was hosted by European Cellars, an importer of wines primarily from Spain, Portugal and France. Two members of European Cellars were present, Baron Ziegler and Lucas Paya. Lucas previously worked as the wine director at the renowned El Bulli restaurant for the past five years. They were personable and interesting hosts, explaining much about their wines. The wines included seven Spanish wines and one from South Africa.
The first wine was the 1997 Gramona Cellar Battle Brut Cava ($87). This is from the Penedes region and is a rare and special Cava. Gramona is one of the last family-owned Cava wineries in Penedes. This Cava is made of 70% Xarello and 30% Macabeo. It is aged on the cork for 6-8 years and is even hand riddled. It is considered one of the top Cavas in Spain. This Cava is far more similar to a French Champagne. It has more of a yeasty flavor though it is not overpowering. It is a creamy wine, with much complexity. This could well compete with some of the top French Champagnes, and you would probably never guess it was from Spain.
The next wine was the 2006 Pazo Senorans Albarino ($25). This wine is from the Rias Baixas D.O. and made from 100% Albarino. This is a superb wine, with a fruity nose though you can detect some minerality as well. There are citrus notes on the palate with a nice crispness. It is a well balanced wine which would go well with seafood, especially shellfish. One of the finest Albarinos I have ever had.
The third wine was the 2005 Conreria d'Scala Dei, Les Brugueres Blanco ($28). This Priorat wine is made of white Garnacha, and is one of the few white wines made in this region. Priorate is far more famous for their fine red wines. The grapes for this wine come from old vines, over 100 years old. The wine sees no oak. This is a very interesting wine, with strong citrus fruits on the front palate and a more minerally finish. It has nice concentrated flavors and definitely should please.
For our fourth wine, we took a little respite from Spain and moved on to South Africa. The 2004 Sadie Family Palladius ($53) is from the Swartland region. This is the only South African wine in the European Cellars portfolio. The Sadie Family though does produce a fine Priorat wine as well. The Palladius is made primarily of Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay. This is a biodynamic wine and is aged for over two years in oak. Only 300 cases of this wine were produced. Another intriguing wine. Despite the oak, the wine lacks an oaky taste. It is far more subtle and you might not even realize any oak was used. Minerality, complexity, balance. So much to love about this wine. It is a unique white wine that will seem familiar in some respects but will also feel like nothing else you have tasted before. Expensive but worth it for a special occasion.
Then we go back to Spain for the 2004 Capcanes Mas Donis ($12) from the Montsant region. This is one of Spain's value wines from the less known but excellent D.O. of Montsant. The Mas Donis is 80% old vine Garnacha and 20% Syrah. It is mostly aged in American oak. I thought this was a little powerhouse of a wine, packing a lot in flavor and spice. There was vanilla tones and a decent finish. A great value for this price.
The sixth wine was the 2005 Celler Tomas Cusine Geol ($28) from the Costers del Segre D.O. This wine is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and is aged in French oak. The wine has strong berry flavors with a bit of prune notes. I was not overjoyed with this wine. It was interesting but just not my type of wine.
But we moved onto a wine that is far more what I like, the 2004 El Seque ($36) from Alicante. This wine is 100% Monastrell, from very old vines, and is aged in French oak. This wine is everything I love about Monastrell wines. It nice dark berry flavors, a bit of earthiness, spicy notes and a long finish. It is a well balanced wine with some tannins though they do not overwhelm. This wine would be great with wild game. An excellent wine!
Lastly, we tasted the 2003 Bodegas Aalto, Aalto ($56) from the Ribera del Deuro. This wine is 100% Tinto Fino from 60 year old vines and aged in French oak. I have actually tasted this wine before. And the first time I tasted it, it wowed me. This time was no different. This is a superb wine, just a phenomenal example of the best of Spain. The perfect balance of fruit and spice. Such a smooth wine with a very long and satisfying finish. Pure bliss. If you are looking for something special, find this wine!
Overall, this was an exceptional tasting with many interesting and unique wines. European Cellars has an excellent portfolio of wines. Check out their website to see what other wines they import. Special tastings like these are also one reason to sign up for the Lower Falls Wine Co. mailing list.
Lower Falls Wine Co.
2366 Washington Street (Rt. 16)
Newton Lower Falls, MA
Phone: (617) 332-3000
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