Welcome to fridgid friggen 2022!   As we write this note, we feel like everyone could use a winter warm-up.

Our incredible community-focused-friend/chef Jen Saffron and her Sprezzatura Team have curated a menu that will surely keep us warm until the spring thaw arrives. To meet the quality of the menu, we’ve curated equally solid wines from one of the world’s great and most historic regions: Bordeaux. Check out the details below for the first Off the Grid of 2022.

Each purchase includes dinner for TWO PEOPLE, and TWO BOTTLES of wine. If you would like to join us – please purchase, and we will send confirmation and pick up directions.

We will have a Zoom gathering at 6:30pm.

Dinner for Two 
Homemade grissini and olive feta mint dip

Italian farro with blistered cherry tomatoes 

Beef, caramelized onion and mushroom stew

Citrus fennel arugula salad

French chocolate espresso mini tart 

BOTTLES – yep – TWO BOTTLES – of wine 
For this round Jack has curated two wines from France (one white – one red).

Please note that all sales are final. If you find you are unable to use your seats, please contact Kate and Jack and they will see if there is someone on the wait list who can use them (although this is not guaranteed).  Thank you.

How can you have dinner from a restaurant that isn’t even open?!? ONLY with Off-the-Grid is the answer! 

We have never been limited by realities of ‘normal’ food experiences, and during Covid, we are thinking outside-the-box by getting restaurant food outside-the-restaurant. This month we’re going even further with a restaurant that isn’t even open yet!

Two time James Beard nominated Executive Chef Jamilka Borges has agreed to make a special OTG dinner for us to share her culinary inspiration. The wines for this dinner are as interesting as the Chef, including a Muller Thurgau (typically found in Switzerland and Austria) and a red blend of Corvina and Merlot (not typically found in Northern Italy).

If the chef, menu, wines and date appeal to you, join us for this “only-OTG” dinner!

Dinner for Two 
Focaccia bread with sage and chanterelle butter

Kabocha squash sformato, pears, walnuts and endive salad 

Tamarind braised lamb, spiced beets, rice polenta

Coffee and caramel flan, sweet cream, coconut granola 

BOTTLES – yep – TWO BOTTLES – of wine 
For this round Jack has curated two wines (one white – one red).

Please note that all sales are final. If you find you are unable to use your seats, please contact Kate and Jack and they will see if there is someone on the wait list who can use them (although this is not guaranteed).  Thank you.

Welcome back to Off the Grid! We hope everyone has enjoyed the summer. OTG is back with some new and different experiences to share starting with a wine tasting.

The short story: Great opportunity to taste and learn about fantastic wines from an up-and-coming French winemaker featured in 11 Michelin starred restaurants!

The long story:  In 2010, Jack met the estate owner of Chateau d’Or et de Gueules who was in Pittsburgh to introduce her wines to the US market. Jack sat next to Diane de Puymorin through an extended lunch where they discussed Diane’s approach to winemaking in her relatively new Southern Rhone (Costieres de Nimes) estate. Since then we have included (when available) Chateau d’Or et de Gueules wines for a number of Off the Grid events. Fast forward to a 2018 trip through Southern France where we visited the estate, met Diane and tasted the full line of current releases. For a time Diane’s wines became unavailable in the US Market – even though Château d’Or et de Gueules was recently elected to the top 100 Best Wineries in the World by Wine and Spirits magazine – UNTIL NOW!!!  Although not available in PLCB stores, the Cleveland-based warehouse operator is permitted to sell directly to consumer – SO we thought it would be fun to coordinate a tasting for our Off the Grid family.

We have selected 3 wines for this event:

• Les Cimels Costieres de Nimes White 
• Les Cimels Costieres de Nimes Rose 
• Trassegum Costieres de Nimes Red

Joining us for this tasting will be Pierre Marcelin (U.S.A. Brand Ambassador) who will be happy to lead us through a tasting and discuss Chateau d’Or et de Gueules.

Details

• What: Virtual wine tasting – 3 bottles (white, rose, red)
• When: Tuesday, September 14 at 6pm
• Where: Zoom
• Cost: $50 gets you 3 bottles of wine and a fabulous presentation by Jack and Pierre Marcelin (U.S.A. Brand Ambassador)
• Can’t attend: You can still order the wine if you want to taste on your own and Jack will share the slides from the live event.
• Deadline: Reserve by Sunday 9/5 to make sure your wine is here before the tasting.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate said of Ch. d’Or et de Gueules
“Proprietor Diane de Puymorin turns out these distinctive wines from Costieres de Nimes, which are all different blends that carry Provencal names nearly impossible for Americans to pronounce. But don’t let that stop you from trying these wines, as they all have loads of character.”

While we wait for the month of May to become legitimately Spring-like, our minds turn to lovely fresh flavors and brightly intense wines. Our good friend and flavor-evocateur Jen Saffron and her Sprezzatura Team offered us a menu we think will resonate with any Spring-Lover in our midst!  The wines are Vegan and Organic, which matches well with the menu. We hope you can join us for our tasty menu and succulent wines.

Each purchase includes dinner for TWO PEOPLE, and TWO BOTTLES of wine. If you would like to join us – please purchase, and we will send confirmation and pick up directions.

We will have a Zoom gathering at 6:30pm.

Dinner for Two 
Crostini with a roasted pepper olive tapenade dip

Roasted pork + golden roasted potatoes with ramps 

Fresh Green Bean, Artichoke and Black Olive salad with preserved lemons

Spring Greens from Tiny Seed Farm with radishes, snap peas and shaved cheese

Strawberry Marsala Cake

BOTTLES – yep – TWO BOTTLES – of wine 
For this round Jack has curated two wines from Spain (one white – one red).

Please note that all sales are final. If you find you are unable to use your seats, please contact Kate and Jack and they will see if there is someone on the wait list who can use them (although this is not guaranteed).  Thank you.

We will have a Zoom gathering at 6:30pm.

Dinner for Two 
Potato and Ramp Hand Pie

Wild Greens Soup (with chive crème fraîche and croutons)

Lamb With Rhubarb Chutney (shank and spring alliums ragout, Palestinian couscous)

Goose Egg Flan 

BOTTLES – yep – TWO BOTTLES – of wine 
For this round Jack has curated two wines (one white – one red).

Please note that all sales are final. If you find you are unable to use your seats, please contact Kate and Jack and they will see if there is someone on the wait list who can use them (although this is not guaranteed).  Thank you.

That’s right – we are going Back to Black Radish for some of Kate Romane and her team’s best flavors combined with tasty Italian wines.

For those new to OTG, we shared a neighborhood with Kate Romane’s E2 restaurant for many years. Between E2 and Black Radish they have endured countless wine dinners and wine tastings and all manner of Jack’s wine geekiness. They are still game to adventure into new OTG territory and we hope you are too.

We will have a Zoom gathering at 6:30pm.

Dinner for Two 
spinach and cici bean fritter with lemon caper aioli

joddo’s bitter greens with lemon, focaccia crumb and shaved etrusco

ricotta gnocchi, lamb bolognese with rosemary and feta

tiramisu 

BOTTLES – yep – TWO BOTTLES – of wine 
For this round Jack has curated two wines from Italy (one white – one red).

Please note that all sales are final. If you find you are unable to use your seats, please contact Kate and Jack and they will see if there is someone on the wait list who can use them (although this is not guaranteed).  Thank you.

Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food. — Hippocrates, father of medicine, 431 B.C.

January is always one of the most difficult months; too little sun, cold weather and post-holiday-let-down.  But we know that food, wine and interaction with friends can provide some of the most sought-after feelings of well-being…  SO LET’S HAVE DINNER!!!

This month friends from Italy will join us for the Zoom call to talk about their beautiful Sicilian wine, AND we are super fortunate to have Jen Saffron and her Sprezzatura team offer a warm and hearty winter menu to match the equally warm and hearty Italian wines.   When these food-and-friends-and-wine elements combine, we believe our need for well-being will be fulfilled! 

Each purchase includes dinner for TWO PEOPLE, and TWO BOTTLES of wine. If you would like to join us – please purchase, and we will send confirmation and pick up directions.

We will have a Zoom gathering at 6:30pm.

Dinner for Two 
Citrus fennel salad over arugula with oil and black pepper

Chicken cacciatore with homemade pasta in butter herb dressing

Roasted carrots and cauliflower contorni

Almond cake 

BOTTLES – yep – TWO BOTTLES – of wine 
For this round Jack has curated two wines from Italy (one white – one red).

Please note that all sales are final. If you find you are unable to use your seats, please contact Kate and Jack and they will see if there is someone on the wait list who can use them (although this is not guaranteed).  Thank you.

Even in the darkest days there are reasons to celebrate. And while our celebrations will look different this year – one thing remains the same – the joy of food and wine with great people. To close out Off the Grid for 2020 our good friends at Sprezzatura have just what we need: comfort food with Northern Italian Flavors!   And of course, we know that “what grows together goes together” so we have two Northern Italian wines to complete the meal – should be fun, and, hopefully, comforting!

Each purchase includes dinner for TWO PEOPLE, and TWO BOTTLES of wine. If you would like to join us – please purchase, and we will send confirmation and pick up directions.

We will have a Zoom gathering at 6:30pm.

Dinner for Two 
Baccala whipped with the finest olive oil, fresh herbs and lemon into a delicious toast-topper, with baguette crostini

Organic arugula with shaved cheese and pears, homemade lemon dijon vinaigrette

Pork ragu over marscapone polenta

Roasted fall root vegetables in a cumin tumeric glaze

Flourless chocolate cake 

BOTTLES – yep – TWO BOTTLES – of wine 
For this round Jack has curated two wines from Northern Italy (one white – one red).

Please note that all sales are final. If you find you are unable to use your seats, please contact Kate and Jack and they will see if there is someone on the wait list who can use them (although this is not guaranteed).  Thank you.

Change of Seasons

Eight months into the world of COVID and we continue to seek local businesses to promote and support. As the weather turns cooler and the autumn colors emerge our thoughts turned to Prohibition Pastries with their combination of savory flavors and lovely flakey pastry. The menu calls for rustic French wines and we found two great examples to share. 

Each purchase includes dinner for TWO PEOPLE, and TWO BOTTLES of wine. If you would like to join us – please purchase, and we will send confirmation and pick up directions.

We will have a Zoom gathering at 6:30pm.

Logistics 
We will send an email confirmation with pick up details. Dinners (with the wine) can be picked up on Sunday, November 8 between 4:00 – 5:00pm a Prohibition Pastry in Point Breeze. Just pop the trunk and food and wine will be gently placed for travel.

Dinner for Two 
Feta, sundried tomato and pancetta puffs

Spinach salad with candied pecans, cranberry, blue cheese 

THREE (that’s right – 3) savory pies

• French Onion – 3 kinds of onions cooked down with vegetable bouillon and red wine, topped with rosemary sourdough croutons and swiss cheese
• Beouf Bourguignon – slow roasted top round roast (from Clarion Farms Beef) carrots, mushroom and onions in red wine sauce
• Veggie Coconut Curry – carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, green beans in coconut milk green curry (contains fish sauce and shrimp paste)

Salted caramel nests 

BOTTLES – yep – TWO BOTTLES – of wine 
For this round Jack has curated two wines from France (one white – one red).