SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY!!!

One night only you can experience the CLASH OF THE TITANS. That’s right … Burgundy AND Bordeaux! Both big deals and undefeated in their own worlds – that’s right ladies and gentlemen, with these two titans at the table, it’ll be a CAGE MATCH OF A MEAL!

Kicked off with a Champagne (cuz that’s how we roll!), we’ll crash into some fish with the traditional grapes of each region, Chardonnay and Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc. Then… just when you start breathing again you’ll have to stare down two reds from the massively historic Burgundy and Bordeaux regions, one of them produced by France’s first ever female winemaker of the year – you’ll get nuance and sophistication versus plain old earthiness and power – BOOM!

And we have just the chef to take on this challenge – Kevin Costa of Crested Duck.

Seriously – should be a nice dinner – hope you can join us (sorry for all the yelling).

First Course 
Crimini Mushroom Tartelette
lemon-thyme ricotta, pecorino reggiano, balsamic

Champagne Baron Albert Brut Tradition NV

Second Course
Poisson a la Bordelaise
melted fennel bulb & vidalia onion, seafood broth, fennel fronds

Bourgogne Blanc – Chablis “Cuvee Amandine” Amandine Marchive 2014
AND
Bordeaux Blanc – Chateau Coustaut Graves Blanc 2014

Third Course
Heirloom Salad Nicoise
cherry tomato, boiled fingerlings, butter poached beans,
roasted beets, cucumber, olives, mustard vinaigrette

Fourth Course
Steak au Poivre
bone marrow aioli, vine de pays demi-glace, roasted sprouting broccoli

Bourgogne Rouge – Hautes-Cotes de Nuits “Pinot Noir” Andre Delorme 2011
AND
Bordeaux Rouge – Cotes du Bordeaux Chateau Florestan Bernard Magrez 2010

Fifth Course
Tart Citron
burnt meringue, toasted pistachio, bitter chocolate

Welcome to the third in the 2016 spring dinner series at e2.

Is the state liquor system good or bad for Pennsylvania wine lovers? In a classic David v. Goliath scenario (or as Jack would like it to be viewed – a Clash of the Titans), Jack will take on a $2.4+ billion industry … all in service to the dedicated oenophiles of Off the Grid.

What are we drinking you ask?? What are these interesting finds hiding among the shelves of wine stores across the Commonwealth??  The only way to find out is to join us for the great reveal.  Come see for yourself if Jack has found hidden gems in the system.

With help from Kate Romane and e2, our culinary partners in crime, we will have a memorable evening. Join us Wednesday, May 18th at 6:30pm

• Sparkler – Rose bubbly from Argentina, dry, but full bodied
• White – Pinot Blanc from France, light and juicy
• White – White Burgundy from France, unoaked and minerally with a long finish
• Red – Rioja from Spain, medium bodied with lots of flavor and complexity
• Red – Cabernet from California, dense and dark with dusty tannins

Menu

• assorted crostini
• big fat salad with cucumber, mint, walnuts and sesame Dijon vinaigrette
• grilled asparagus with tarragon aioli
• roasted chicken thighs with rosemary
• porcini capalletti with pancetta, sage, wild mushrooms and peas
• pound cake and berry mess

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 to the second in the 2016 spring dinner series at e2.

Number 1, Numero Uno, Top Dawg… say it any way you like… You’re #1 with us!

And because of that, we hunted high and low to find some of the HIGHLY sought after, difficult to find, 2015 Wine Enthusiast #1 Wine of the year.   Over 19,800 wines from around the globe were reviewed this past year, and this beautiful Chianti Classico outshone all others!

So…. With help from Kate Romane and e2, our culinary partners in crime, we have created an Italian themed dinner to appropriately accentuate the top wine of the year, which will be served alongside a Prosecco, two whites and a kick-butt-Barolo.   Should be fun, instructive and TASTY!

Join us Wednesday, April 20th at 6:30pm

• Sparkler – Carpene Malvotti Prosecco Di Conegliano DOCG Non Vintage
• White – La Battistina Gavi 2015
• White – Inama Soave Classico Vin Soave DOC 2014
• Red – Bersano Barolo Nirvasco Piedmont 2010  (93pts)
• Red – Agricola San Felice Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Il Grigio 2011 (#1 Wine Enthusiast Wine of the Year 95pts)

Menu

• assorted crostini
• mixed green salad with lemon and parmesan
• beans and greens
• banana peppers with goat cheese
• gnocchi bolognese
• surprise dessert!

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE NEXT IN THE SERIES (please note the new date!)

5/18 – Jack v PLCB 

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 to the first in the 2016 spring dinner series at e2.

Bordeaux versus Napa – like titanic heavyweights, this on-going battle is too big to be ignored!

What fun to compare, head to head, a red and white from Bordeaux and from Napa, all four highly regarded.   AND there are no losers, because we WIN for having tried wines from two of the world’s greatest (and most different) wine regions!   YOU are a winner, if you come to dinner with an excellent meal paired to the wines prepared by Kate Romane (chef and owner of e2).

Join us Wednesday, March 30th at 6:30pm sharp to decide for yourself who comes out on top.

• Sparkler – Saint Hilaire Limoux Brut
• White Bordeaux – Chateau Graville Lacoste Blanc Graves 2014
• White Napa – Solace Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2014
• Red Bordeaux – Chateau Malartic-Lagraviere Grand Cru Classe 2012
• Red Napa – Clos du Val Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Menu

• crostini with egg salad and capers / crostini with gorgonzola mess and onion
• haricot vert with lemon and spring herbs
• mixed greens with hard egg, bleu cheese and olives
• red potatoes with parsley and saffron mayonnaise
• roast beef with porcini butter and peppercorn
• croissant bread pudding

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE NEXT IN THE SERIES

4/20 – Italian Blowout
5/11 – Jack v PLCB 

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!

Eat your veggies!

If you love food and wine, then you must also love vegetables. So we were happy to present an organic, vegan food and wine dinner at Randita’s – a restaurant known for special vegan preparations (AND great live guitar music).

First Course
Baked Polenta with Pesto: Cheesy polenta squares baked crispy and topped with basil walnut pesto
AND
Lentil Bites: Lentil and brown rice bites served with a selection of dipping sauces

Poema Reserva Brut Nature Cava NV (90 pts)

Second Course 
Creamy Squash Soup

World’s End Chardonnay Napa Valley Reserve 2013 (92 pts)

Third Course
Stuffed Peppers: Green bell peppers stuffed with brown rice and mixed vegetables simmered in tomato sauce. Baked and topped with house-made vegan cheese

La Mitre 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape (93 pts)
AND
Castelli del Grevepesa ‘Castelgreve’ Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2009 (93 pts)

Fourth Course
Seitan Stroganoff: Tender seitan beef sautéed with crimini mushrooms and served in a creamy gravy over parsley-garlic pasta

duo of wines continued….

Fifth Course
Coconut Cream Pie

Robert Mondavi Winery Moscato d’Oro Napa Valley 2013

Happy Australia Day!

(OR – for us in North America who aren’t enjoying Aussie summer weather: Happy January 26^th…  Which doesn’t sound nearly as fun shouted into bracing winds and sub-freezing temperatures…)

Despite our location and cold temps, we STILL wanted to celebrate Australia day with a fantastic Aussie-focused meal with true blue Australian juice. Thanks to all who were able to join us at Café Zinho for this tasty menu.

Amuse
demitasse of shrimp bisque

Jansz Rose Tasmania Sparkling NV
Decanter Magazine World’s #2 non-Champagne Sparkler

First Course 
filet of salmon with macadamia butter sauce

Leeuwin Estates Prelude Chardonnay Australia 2013
Little brother to the Wine Spectator #5 wine in the world – 94 pts

Second Course
seasonal greens with st. agur blue cheese, walnuts, grapefruit segments, & citrus vinaigrette

Third Course
rack of spring lamb with shiraz/cabernet sauce

Ederton Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon E Series 2013
Family owned Barossa producer – Cameron Ashmead loves Pittsburgh and brings great wines!

AND

Hay Shed Hill Cabernet-Merlot Margaret River 2012
West Australian Bordeaux-style – 95 pts

Fourth Course
granny smith apple tart

Elderton Golden Semillon 2013
Liquid gold… ‘nuff said

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!

Is there art in flavor?  Taste?  Smell?  What does it mean to appreciate art? (Or eat it and drink it?)

A precise answer to these questions eludes us… what we DO know is that a great blend of food and wine and friends is ALWAYS worthwhile – even more so when surrounded by art!

We partnered with Garnett Livingston of La Maison for this challenge. Our food collaborator is highly musically capable (seriously, he trained at Juilliard) and uses the same artistic approach when producing his dinners. Stylistically informed by famous American restaurant, The French Laundry, we added some French-ness to the mix by pairing all French wines!

The evening was hosted at Panza Gallery in Millvale.

Amuse
Hudson Valley Foie Gras, Brioche, Roast Fig, Pedro Ximinez, Micro

Château Richard Saussignac Tradition 2010

First Course 
Tuna Tartare, Avocado, Frisee Salad, Toasted Pine Nut, Basil Oil

Baron Albert Brut Champagne Tradition NV

Second Course
Autumn Squash Veloute, Roast Pear, Hazelnut Crumble, Watercress, Brown Butter

Domaine de Nalys Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc 2012

Third Course
Barely Cooked Scottish Salmon, Braised Leek, White Wine Beurre Blanc, Vegetable Brunoise, Endive

Domaine Michelot Meursault, Cote de Beaune, France 2013

Fourth Course
Slow Braised Domestic Beef Short Rib, Yukon Potato Emulsion, Glazed Root Vegetables, Veal Reduction

Chateau Haut Bernat Puisseguin Saint Emilion Bordeaux 2009

Fifth Course
Chocolate Bouchon Cake, Vanilla Creme Anglaise, Dark Chocolate Mousse, Pistachio Crumble, Blackberry, Beet-Dusted Chocolate Truffle

De Perriere Rose Brut, France NV

We continued to enjoy Italian foods with wines of the region with a serious Italian dinner each course paired to some tasty Italian wines.

Chef Kate Romane of e2 in Highland Park spent time in Italy last autumn and, with help from our friends, we been spent time prospecting for representative wines to match to her culinary adventures.  If you care about points, we included a 95 AND a 100 point wine – but hey, we think the wine and the food experience will be worth all the points in the world if we get to spend the evening with friends!

Wines listed below – stay posted for more on the menu.

• Albino Armani 1607 Prosecco DOC
• Domus Pinot Grigio Friuli Latisana 2013
• Fattoria Scopone ‘Olivare’ Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010
• Casanova di Neri Tenut Nuova Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2006
• Prosecco – Tesoro della Regina Prosecco