kickstart the gibbard block
Nate Box is up to something new. The creator of Elm Café and Little Brick has set his sights on the Gibbard Block in the Highlands (you may remember it as home to the restaurant La Boheme). Nate and his partners plan a neighbourhood burger joint, a Jewish-style deli and a small liquor store in the historic building. It’s a fine idea for a lovely building. Here’s the thing—the group has a Kickstarter which ends in three days. Check it out, then click: Back this project! https://www.kickstarter.com
tuscan winemaker dinner at kitchen
Don’t miss this dinner at Kitchen by Brad. Fattoria la Magia is a relatively new (40 years) certified organic estate in Brunello and new to Alberta. Your introduction to this lovely winery includes small plates and the 2016 Rosato di Sangiovese, 2015 Rosso di Montalcino and 2012 and 2013 Brunello di Montalcino along with special guest Lisa Tinturini from the winery. Tuesday, October 23, 6:30p, tix: $75/p https://app.getoccasion.com
elegant wines, beautiful food
Dinner at the Butternut Tree with Ruinart Champagne exceeded every expectation. Scott Downey’s cooking is precise yet approachable. His coast to coast menu began with east coast oysters and seaweed and carried on with Quebec duck, west coast mushrooms and prairie vegetables. Really fine. I love Ruinart for its elegance and subtlety. The wines are made with a high proportion of Chardonnay (or all Chardonnay in the Blanc de Blanc) and are characterized by a fine bubble, loads of chalky mineral along with a sense of a sea breeze—a briny fresh quality—and citrus in the flavours. Ruinart Brut began the evening, followed by the Blanc de Blanc NV, Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blanc 2004 and the Rosé. The 2004 was a deeper, richer, more savoury expression which paired beautifully with chef Downey’s mushroom dish. The robust Rosé (made with 20 per cent Pinot) was a slam dunk with the tender, juicy and flavourful duck.
wine of the week
Foradori Lezèr (Dolomites, Italy) Juanita from Color de Vino turned us on to this delicious light red which the French call a vin de soif. It’s made from Teroldego the grape that Foradori has brought back to prominence as a serious wine grape. The Lezèr is a great place to start discovering Teroldego—sprightly, fun to drink, refreshing, lowish in tannins, with lovely fruit and acidity. If you like Gamay you’ll love this. $30ish at better wine shops.
