Arcadian Wine Dinner

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Sage Restaurant, www.sagerestaurant.com, hosted an Arcadian, www.arcadianwinery.com, wine dinner this evening. I was really looking forward to this dinner and was glad to have company.

The dinner got off to a late start as the owner/winemaker got stuck in traffic and he had the wine.

The restaurant a guest chef this evening from Spanish River Grill-Bistro Latino in Florida. Seems like the owner of Sage and the winemaker know the chef of Spanish River Grill. Turns out it was a good combination.

A tray of appetizers was put out and they started pouring the 2005 Arcadian Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay. A tad to much oak for me .

First course was "Skatewing with Brown Butter, Dandelion, Heirloom Tomato & Black Olive Slaw with a Lemon-Thyme Foam. The fish was cooked perfectly and the oaky Chardonnay paired beautifully with the brown butter sauce.

Second Course - "Pan-Seared Wild Alaskan King Salmon with Jaime Farms Radish Slaw, Carmelized Sweet Weiser Farms Bermuda Onions and Parma Ham Jus". The jus cut though all the acidity of the dish and really played well with the salmon. The wine served was 2005 Arcadian Dierberg Vineyard Pinot Noir. Another very well thought out combination.

Next up was "Seared Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast with Blueberry, Shallots, Sage & Demi-Glace. Duck was cooked to perfection, very tender and not overdone. The blueberry sauce really went well. A nice touch and not the same old cherry combination that most restaurants do. This was served with a 2005 Arcadian Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir. A perfect match

Main course was "Chipotle Barbequed Hanger Steak with Pickled Vegetable Salad & Sweet Corn Bread Pudding". This again was a great pairing with the Arcadian 2005 Stolpman Vineyard Syrah.

Dessert was simple which was great for me. Pozo Tomme Chese & Chocolate Chili Truffles. The wine was Arcadian 2004 Westerly Syrah. A nice touch to close the meal.

I was stuffed after the salmon so I took home most of my duck and I had one taste of the Hanger Steak and took that home also.

So far I have had 2 wine dinners at this restaurant and have been ver pleased with both of them. It is a little drive from work but coming home is a breeze.