It turns out that the Ardbeg Still Young and Almost Young are not available in the US. Blaaaast.
Oh, and I figured out that I have tried about 20 of Scotland's distilleries, including two closed ones (Brora and Port Ellen). Only 60+ to go to fill out the active ones.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
The GOAT
Some of you may know LL Cool J's (that's, Ladies Love Cool James) album, the G.O.A.T. -- Greatest of All Time. Never mind that the album is not his best work. I digress completely, because I am here to write about a different goat entirely -- the Goats do Roam of South Africa. It was recently pointed out to me that I seem to report on the expensive restaurants, but not places like Five Guys (been to the one in Old Town and in Tampa, by the way, and thank you very much Fierce Flores). So, I don't have any cheap restaurants to report on, but the Goats do Roam Wine Company of South Africa (home of the gosh-darn kruggerand -- quote is prettied up from Lethal Weapon Two) does offer a great wine at a fantastic price. I tried the 2006 vintage of this peppery, fruity, deep wine, available for about $12 at Balducci's, which means you can probably find it for a bit cheaper elsewhere. Don't feel ashamed to drink this bottle by yourself on a weeknight -- it's yummy and won't dent your wallet.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
The collection, part deux
This is the collection as it appeared about a month ago. As I said, I finished up a couple of bottles since then. In addition to the two I mentioned in a previous post, I also finished the Bowmore 1989 you see fourth from the left. And some I haven't opened yet -- I'm trying to get some friends together for a scotch tasting, but it's proven very difficult to arrange around everyone's schedule.
The collection
Since I last posted on my scotch collection, I have finished off the Port Ellen and the Compass Box Peat Monster, both excellent malts. I just bought the Ardbeg Uigeadail to the collection. If you recall, I tried this at the scottish restaurant in London. I finally bit the bullet and laid down nearly $100 for a bottle.
Vegas Part 1
I was in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago and took advantage of the opportunity to spend an obscene (for me) amount of money on dinner. I had seen the full-page adds for Restaurant Guy Savoy in Wine Spectator magazine for quite a while, so I ended up making a reservation for one on a Saturday night.
To start, I showed up at about 5:5opm in the secluded part of Caesar's Casino where the restaurant is. The front desk ushered me to the bar as they were not ready to seat just yet. I started with a glass of excellent champagne bottled for Guy Savoy (should be for $23 a glass). After five minutes, I was ushered to my table.
To start with, I can do nothing but rave about the service. It is top-notch and very attentive, without being over-bearing. Frank Savoy, Guy's son and owner of the restaurant, came out to greet me and checked in regularly throughout the meal. When I decided on the TGV menu (a four-course version of the tasting menu), I asked if I could have the venison on offer instead of the normal meat course. But of course!! The chef was delighted to do so.
The food is quite good, but I have a few quibbles (beyond getting too much!). The scallops came on a small pools of parsnip puree that I found overpowered the delicate (and perfectly cooked) scallops. The soup -- an artichoke soup with shaved truffles and parmesan -- had an odd smoked tea (maybe Prince of Wales, or gunpowder) smell to it. The parmesan was evident, but I noted to my server that the truffles didn't come through at all. I've noticed this elsewhere -- perhaps the truffles don't travel very well. In any case, Frank & Co. went above and beyond and whisked away the soup to replace it with a delicate truffle risotto. The venison was amazing -- so tender despite coming from a notoriously tough meat. Dessert started as a chocolate plate, including a sorbet, a form of napoleon, and more. But my espresso also came with petit forts, and after all was said and done, they brought over the dessert cart. I couldn't take much more, but did sample the chocolate mousse, which I found too thick and dense as too many french restaurants want to cater to American tastes (the Sofitel in Philadelphia has the same problem). Your french for god's sake!! Stand up for the chocolate mousse!!!.
My wine with dinner was the 2003 CdP from Vieux Telegraphe. I had a half bottle that went well with the venison. The restaurant also has a bread cart and offers to pair the breads with the courses. There is a malty pain de campaign that is not to be missed, but the lemon bread is not much of an addition to the scallops.
On the way out the door, after more than two hours, I had to turn down a proffered candy from a large jar. Guy Savoy certainly takes care of you, but for the price of a dinner (with wine) for two at Citronelle, it was not the best bargain in dining.
To start, I showed up at about 5:5opm in the secluded part of Caesar's Casino where the restaurant is. The front desk ushered me to the bar as they were not ready to seat just yet. I started with a glass of excellent champagne bottled for Guy Savoy (should be for $23 a glass). After five minutes, I was ushered to my table.
To start with, I can do nothing but rave about the service. It is top-notch and very attentive, without being over-bearing. Frank Savoy, Guy's son and owner of the restaurant, came out to greet me and checked in regularly throughout the meal. When I decided on the TGV menu (a four-course version of the tasting menu), I asked if I could have the venison on offer instead of the normal meat course. But of course!! The chef was delighted to do so.
The food is quite good, but I have a few quibbles (beyond getting too much!). The scallops came on a small pools of parsnip puree that I found overpowered the delicate (and perfectly cooked) scallops. The soup -- an artichoke soup with shaved truffles and parmesan -- had an odd smoked tea (maybe Prince of Wales, or gunpowder) smell to it. The parmesan was evident, but I noted to my server that the truffles didn't come through at all. I've noticed this elsewhere -- perhaps the truffles don't travel very well. In any case, Frank & Co. went above and beyond and whisked away the soup to replace it with a delicate truffle risotto. The venison was amazing -- so tender despite coming from a notoriously tough meat. Dessert started as a chocolate plate, including a sorbet, a form of napoleon, and more. But my espresso also came with petit forts, and after all was said and done, they brought over the dessert cart. I couldn't take much more, but did sample the chocolate mousse, which I found too thick and dense as too many french restaurants want to cater to American tastes (the Sofitel in Philadelphia has the same problem). Your french for god's sake!! Stand up for the chocolate mousse!!!.
My wine with dinner was the 2003 CdP from Vieux Telegraphe. I had a half bottle that went well with the venison. The restaurant also has a bread cart and offers to pair the breads with the courses. There is a malty pain de campaign that is not to be missed, but the lemon bread is not much of an addition to the scallops.
On the way out the door, after more than two hours, I had to turn down a proffered candy from a large jar. Guy Savoy certainly takes care of you, but for the price of a dinner (with wine) for two at Citronelle, it was not the best bargain in dining.
Badia
I found the Antinori Badia wine in one of the Montgomery County liquor stores for $47. Not bad given the exchange rate and shipping. When I get some money, I may pick up a few bottles.
Veritas Wine Bar
I went to Veritas Wine Bar on Florida Avenue tonight after work. I forget where I heard about it, but about a month ago I came across it on the web. It's a small, darkly lit modern bar on Florida Avenue just off Connecticutt (and across from the famous Royal Palace -- thanks Mike). I sat at the bar and ordered a glass of syrah and some rabbit terrine with pate. The syrah was from the Yakima Valley in Washington State -- Elephant Mountain from Yakima Cellars, 2004 vintage. Very strong nose, very pleasant, and held up well against some excellent terrine and pate. I followed this with a berthet-rayne "chateauneuf-du-pape," rhone, france, 2005 that was much more subdued. Rob, the bartender, was friendly and efficient. The charcuterie appeared before me about four minutes after ordering. My only complaint -- for $10 a glass and up, the wine pours are a bit on the meagre side -- certainly not the standard 5oz pour. Would I go back? Probably, given the sizable list of wines by the glass and wine flights, plus hundreds of other bottles. But don't count on filling up -- this is a way-station on the way to bigger and better things.
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