2009 Holiday Party Revisited

Thank you for your generosity!!! Once again, you have contributed $1,395 to local non-profit organizations:Clothes That Work $770Humane Society of Greater Dayton $625No one was scared off by the threat of snow, we had 112 attendees this year. While there were dire warnings about running out of food, there was a lot of salads left over. However, there was little left of the 9 lbs of pork and the 7 lbs of steak. The big surprise of the evening was when we had gone through ALL 14 bottles of red wine that I had on hand by 9:30pm.Total Beverage Consumption Liquor 7870 ml Beer 55 bottles Red Wine 21 bottles Champagne 12 bottles White Wine 11 bottles Pop 33 cans Water 48 bottles Special thanks to Becky, Dan, and...

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2009 Holiday Party Menu

Finally feeling well enough to finalize the holiday party menu. You'll see some of your old favorites and hopefully a few new ones to keep it interesting.Baked Crab, Brie and Artichoke DipCheddar Cayenne ChipsChutney Cheese SpreadCurried Chickpea DipFig and Walnut Tapenade with Goat CheeseGorgozonla TrufflesMediterranean Spinach BitesMushroom PuffsSpiced Lamb BitesSundried-Tomato Sausage DipMeatballs in Tomato SauceSweet Potato Salad with Orange-Maple DressingWild Rice and Roasted Vegetable Salad with Sherry-Thyme VinaigretteBrussels Sprout, Blue Cheese, and Glazed-Pecan SaladGlazed Pork Loin with Cilantro and GarlicMiso Marinated Skirt SteakSomething sweet for dessert...

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2009 Thanksgiving Menu

Yes, we've finally settled on a menu...Roasted Turkey Breast with Orange and Rosemary (John is marrying 2 recipes...it will be fine...really!)Potato and Mushroom Gratin (I'm not brave enough to attempt mashed potatoes for 20 people)Polenta and Sausage StuffingWild Rice, Apple and Dried-Cranberry StuffingGreen Beans with Pancetta, Mushrooms and ShallotsRoasted Brussels SproutsGrandma made the Pumpkin and Pecan piesNow...what wine to serve...

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Dry Creek Kitchen Chef's Tasting Menu

Once again, our meal at Dry Creek Kitchen was spectacular. The down side was that we felt like we were being rushed through our meal. Courses practically came out on top of each other barely giving us a chance to finish the wine from the previous course.Smoked Salmon and Caviar TartsPreserved Lemon, Dry Creek Olive Oil, Toasted Long PeppercornsJ Sparkling Wine, Russian River Valley, Cuvee 20, Brut NVFlash Seared HamachiPurslane-Radish Salad, Avocado Mousseline, Pickled Local Melons, Kaffir Lime VinaigretteMaurison Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley, 2007Toasted Farro "Risotto"Arugula Pistou, Summer Squash, Pecorino Grand CruMahoney Vineyards Albarino, Carneros, Las Brisas 2007Crispy Skin Thai SnapperWhite Corn Fondue, Olive Oil Poached Sweet 100's, Basil Puree, Heirloom Tomato ConsummeInternational...

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Wine Tasting Sunday

We started the day at Mill Creek Winery. We first found Mill Creek thanks to a write up in the Wall Street Journal on Zinfandels. Last time we were here, we tasted all their wines and didn't find one that we didn't like....so we joined their Wine Club. This trip was no different. They are holding 6 bottles to send with your next wine club shipment.2004 Merlot Reserve, Alexander Valley (only 115 cases produced)2006 Zinfandel, Beacham-Downey, Dry Creek (the owners are serving this beauty at their son's wedding TODAY!)2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Alexander ValleyWe found Sapphire Hill because of a write up in the wine map. It said that if you liked Zinfandel and Pinot Noir that you should check out Sapphire Hill. And the wine map was right! Again, we joined their wine club....what can I...

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Wine Tasting Saturday

Who knew wine tasting could be sooooo much work! We started the day at A. Rafanelli. We were first introduced to Rafanelli Zinfandels in the late 80s. Yes, think big bold Zins. Rafanelli is a relatively small producer and requires an appointment to taste their wines. We were lucky enough to get one Saturday at 10:15 am. We added some great selections to our cellar:2006 Rafanelli Merlot2007 Rafanelli Zinfandel2006 Rafanelli Cabernet SauvignonNext stop...Lambert Bridge. While we've driven past this winery many times we had never stopped. Our friends Randy and Debby told us it was their favorite winery and we now know why. We tasted some great wines:2007 Viognier, Sonoma County2007 Viognier, Knights Valley2007 Zinfandel Maple Vineyards2006 Petite Sirah2006 Cabernet FrancI don't remember what...

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Bistro Ralph, Healdsburg, CA

First Friday in Healdsburg! We visited several galleries featuring a variety of interesting artists. It is a surprisingly early event...4 to 7pm...so we went to the Healdsburg Hotel for wine and jazz to kill time before our dinner reservations. I had a glass of the 2006 A. Rafanelli Merlot and I don't remember what John had. A Syrah I think. We then shared a 1/2 bottle of the 2007 A. Rafanelli Zinfandel. Yummy!! A great precursor to our first winery trip on Saturday morning.Dinner at Bistro Ralph was as good as we remember.Beef Carpaccio with lemon, capers, and olive oilDuck breast with polentaCheese course for dessertWith dinner we had an Unti Grenache.Fabulo...

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Cafe Claude, San Francisco

Had a great dinner with our friends Randy and Debbie at this great little cafe, Cafe Claude. Made friends with the restaurant's wine buyer...always a good thing to do.Tartare de Thon Rouge ahi tuna, goat cheese, quail egg,garlic croutonsAgneau roasted lamb sirloin with garlic,bread crumbs and emergo beansTarte Tatin upside-down apple tart with caramel sauce and whipped creamPlus a couple of bottles of Chinon “Les Tireaux,” Domaine Olek-Mery, Val de Loire 2001 and a taste of the Chinon “Cuvée Terroir,” Charles Joguet , Val de Loire 2006. Both were excelle...

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