It was, by the way, one of those nights when you may wonder – all that food, all that wine? How did you drink and eat all that? The answer is we didn’t make complete gluttons out of ourselves. We were full. We had plenty to drink. But we started our evening around 6pm and ended it about 6 hours later. Perfect small courses made for the right amount of food.

Many years back I was intrigued by Dorothy & John, wine columnists for the Wall Street Journal, I’ve devoured their books & columns and their brainchild, OTBN, officially called Open That Bottle Night. This upcoming Saturday, February 27 is OTBN11, the 11th annual, where you’re encouraged to indeed open that bottle you’ve been saving for many years.

Because I’ll be unable to participate in OTBN this year on the right date, we and the friends picked our own and officially had an evening of wine bliss. Pictures below were endearingly taken in the snow by the recycle bin where sadly they all went the next day. Curious what we ate? What we drank? Join my reminiscing!

None of us in the group had Champagne or even bubbles worth anything in our cellars, so I raided the store for one of my favorite Farmer Fizz selections. Guy Larmandier 1er Cru a Vertus Champagne is on my list of all time favorites and graced us with all its yeasty, slightly lime & apple, seriously fragrant presence. Along with this, a Robiola ~ 2 lattes, a favorite cheese of mine from Italy and also stuffed mushroom caps – goat cheese & apple was the best match for the bubbles.

Our salad course was the best pairing of the evening. The food was mixed greens topped with pears, roasted parsnips, macademia nuts, blue cheese and a very light vinaigrette. The sublime Uroulat Jurancon Sec 2006 is thick and sweet with nuances of ripe pear & pit fruits. It was so good we all could have just stopped there.

But we didn’t.

Mayacamas 2000 Chardonnay. A blast from our past as we had visited Mayacamas winery shortly after this wine’s release. We and the denDulks each bought a bottle. The assigned friends to make the course lived up to Mayacamas wine standards. A stunning acorn squash bisque was pureed to the perfect consistency and topped with perfectly seared scallops of the large variety.

Moving on to a little something Steve and I picked up in a wine shop in Beaune, France a few years back, this wine was in a beautiful place. A 1999 Joseph Drouhin Charmes-Chambertain Grand Cru didn’t need decanting but only a few swirls in the glass to make for a nose full of full, dark dirty cherries. Definitely calmer tannins and easy going with our grilled salmon steaks and mushroom sage risotto.

Our next course proved slightly disastrous as we had an outdoor grill malfunction. Sirloin steaks in the broiler are just not quite as lovely as those on the grill, however, no one complained. No time to complain as we were also drinking a 1994 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges DeLaTour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. This was slightly underwhelming in the scheme of the other things we were drinking. I feel like it probably needed drinking a year or two ago but it was great nonetheless.

Finally it was time for our dessert which was a toffee lace shell filled with chocolate mousse and topped with whipped cream. A nice light crisp end to the evening. Its companion was a 1999 Corte Sant’Alda Amarone della Valpolicella. Both the dessert and wine were amazing!

Because we weren’t quite done sitting around enjoying each other’s company, we ended the evening with one of our cellar favorites, the Lolonis Orpheus, a Petite Syrah from 2000. A decent but ever so slightly over the hill wine was enjoyed by all.

And so you know, I did not make all the food – all eight of us had a hand in it, including our friends Chigger and Buddy. I can’t wait until the next time we get to delight in the old stuff and I encourage you all to do it too!

Tonight I kindly went and picked out colors for Steve’s “project house” with him (and may I add we didn’t argue at all!) and he kindly took me out to dinner at my choice. My choice? Tonight I had a hankerin’ for the Green Well. We hadn’t been to the Green Well in probably – oh – 6 months. No offense to Green Well, I was busy getting ready for Christmas, having the Christmas season and now recuperating from the Christmas season while getting ready for the next 4 major holidays and seasons! (And I still haven’t gotten my taxes ready!)

My other excuses are that there are just so many other great restaurants sprouting up around our fine Uptown area that I’ve had to try them too. Yay for the Winchester and yay for the Electric Cheetah and Yay for Corez. Yum.

Back to the Green Well. It’s comfort food, it’s comfortable and I always get treated well. It’s a happy place!
Tonight Steve had their house brew, Drip-a-licious, made by Shorts Brewery up in Bellaire, MI. It was darker in color but it came off as something so delish that even I could drink it! It tasted of roast coffee and toffee and lasted a long time in the mouth. I was thinking maybe we should start blending our own Shorts brews, I’ll have to come up with a recipe for creativity on that one. I had a decent glass of something white from Australia. Usually I pay attention but I was too enraptured by the beer & food to remember its name.

Steve had the “Bowling Alley Sizzler”, much better than anything EVER found in a bowling alley! Verbatim from the menu: “Kobe sirloin•loaded mashed potatoes•beer battered onion rings•roasted mushrooms•grilled broccoli•Green Well steak sauce” and mine? Heavenly I say, heavenly! “Southern Clam Bake” was in my bowl. It was a very flavorful blend of “beer steamed clams•mussels•shrimp•sausages•potatoes•
sweet potatoes•corn•tomatoes•Cajun sweet corn broth” that I sopped up quite literally every last slurp with my sourdough toast served alongside.

Oh how I love food and dwelling on it with others who care about food.
If you ever want to tell us about recent restaurant experiences, we’re here to listen. I absolutely love love to hear about restaurant experiences and what you’ve enjoyed.

Thank you Green Well for another fine meal and
Cheers!
Amy

Under this dollop of whipped cream was the delight of all delights. Not a day has gone by since Thanksgiving without me thinking of this appropriately thick and amazingly heavenly sipper. Seriously when I get to heaven and don’t have to worry about how big my rear is, I think I’ll have a few of these every day!

Thanks, Tante, for making my Thanksgiving Day particularly sweet. She even offered a refill, which I accepted and promptly sipped. I don’t know who ‘owns’ this recipe but I’m hereby borrowing and sharing it, because you won’t be disappointed to liven up your next dinner gathering with it.

Christmas Eve Hot Chocolate
*********************
12oz strong black coffee (can make ahead of time)
8oz chopped dark chocolate (Scharffenberger 70% +)
1/4 cup sugar
****Melt at medium heat in a saucepan on the stove****

Stir in:
3oz coffee liqueur (Tia Maria)
3oz dark creme de cacao (Bols)
2oz brandy (Vendome VSOP)

Serve in tiny espresso cups and top with a dollop of freshly whipped cream.

We have in stock all of these things except the coffee, sugar and whipping cream! Stop by for the fixings and make your guests really really happy.

***************************************

I’m also excited about this holiday punch which was described as “a bowl of traditional punch (that) combines richness and complexity with a frankly dangerous drinkability.”

Admiral Russell’s Christmas Punch
Makes 12-18 servings

6 lemons
1 cup raw sugar
1 – 750mL bottle VSOP grade Cognac (Vendome is inexpensive and should work here too!)
1 cup lightly sweet oloroso or amontillado Sherry
Freshly grated nutmeg

(we’ve got all but the lemons & sugar!)

Having an ice ring/mold is very helpful with this punch – if you don’t have an ice ring, use any metal bowl. Fill with water and freeze into a “lunk” of ice for the bowl in any shape or size.

Remove peel from 4 lemons in strips (need a zester? we have those too!)
Put the peels in a medium bowl.
Add sugar and muddle the mixture. Let stand 30minutes and muddle it again. (need a muddler? look no further!)
Cut peeled and unpeeled lemons in half/ juice enough lemons for 1cup of juice.
Bring 1cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan;
pour over lemon peel mixture & stir until sugar dissolves.
Strain syrup into large bowl; discard peels.
Mix in lemon juice.
Add Cognac, sherry and 4cups cold water.
Cover punch and refrigerate until cold, 2-6hours.

Put in punch bowl and sprinkle with a little nutmeg. Drink. Wow!

The plan is to relax for the evening with a wine & beer & food tasting where you can mingle with and learn from our beer & wine distributor reps and our staff. Walk around, sit around and chat with people who know a lot about what you’re sipping – or noshing – on! Speaking of noshing…

This year, you’ll get a serious taste of Art of the Table with appetizers from Chef Kate Leeder. We’ll give you a chance to taste many of the items we carry on a daily basis ~ from sauces and dips to chips and crackers to cheeses and meats. Then to top the evening off, there will be delightful little cupcakes from Serendipity Cupcakes, chocolates from Patricia’s Chocolate and little cheesecakes from Las Vegas Cheesecake Factory (all locally owned businesses!)

As if this weren’t already enough, we’ll be having entertainment too! We’ll have background music around the place to warm your October soul!

And by attending, you’re helping one of our favorite non-profit entities, Local First, as proceeds from tonight’s event (around $10 per ticket) go to Local First!

What should you wear? We think the designation “comfy cocktail attire” will let you dress how you want. Dress up, have fun ~ but don’t feel like you have to go to the nines. Though if you want to? Knock yourself out!

We don’t expect you to drink yourself silly at this event but if you if you are inclined, check out Grand Rapids’ newest taxis for a lift to & from the party at 616.617.8232 or www.greenchauffergr.com

Tickets are $55 per person and are being sold now, please call Art of the Table or Stonesthrow to purchase! Sign up is limited so purchase sooner than later – must purchase by October 19.

In the meantime, I’m in the scene of Art Peers, the secondary art thing in town…With 58 artists at 29 venues throughout Uptown (Wealthy, Eastown, East Fulton and Cherry Business Districts), there’s an art vibe here too! Truly a spectacle all around, if you have time this weekend, you should stop in at many of the participating places – including ours! We’ve got a geisha with a vacuum cleaner done with encaustic. What? you ask? What did you say? The answer is – come in and see for yourself! Artist Susan Mulder will be on hand today (Saturday) from 3-5pm to meet & greet!

Beyond that, I find it fascinating that I get calls (not just one. more!) daily about Art Prize. It’s ironic that just having “Art” at the beginning of your name in Grand Rapids could make one a resource for all that is “art” in this city. We’ll happily answer questions if/when we can. We’re not experts at the kind of art that’s being displayed all about Grand Rapids but we’re happy to be here.

To tell the truth, I’m a little disappointed that Sarah Grant didn’t ask me to set her table…Then again, I’m not that into scaling chairs suspended on top of bridges!

We in the Uptown business district continue to give you fun things to do on the weekends…This weekend, ride the trolley to shop the districts and eat as you go, or relax in one of the many relaxing green spaces…It takes place the third Saturday of the month May-September. It’s completely FREE to you!

You can ride anywhere you want from the farmer’s market to Art of the Table and Eastown’s Streetfair.  Ride it for fun, ride it all day, it’s our treat to you!  Check out the map for details!

It doesn’t make sense because there is a lot of choice for us here in Grand Rapids and surrounds – over what we eat, where we eat, how we eat it…and I know there are opinionated people around!

But it also makes sense to me in that this city of  “doers” we are all far too busy to talk about where we ate or what we cooked AND then blog about it.  But I know we’re cooking and eating out and it would be nice to know more about how people feel about fresh, local, restaurants and such.  From time to time I actually feel inspired to do one but then I can’t even find moments to write on THIS blog and then I don’t.

I have loved reading the skinny on happenings and outings at restaurants and why people will or will not go back.

Enjoy and I’d love to hear your opinion on why there aren’t more blogs ~ and I’d also love to hear it if you have one and I can’t find it!  I’ll update the post as I hear of new things – as I already have!

Crumbles Cupcakery – I haven’t had one of these delicious cupcakes yet but here’s the scoop – and some talk on local products!

Most exciting to me is all the German beer that will abound.  We love great German beers here.  Each time (that is twice) that I have visited Germany I have come away loving certain beers they produce.  Since opening the store, one of the highlights of our beer year is when the Oktoberfest beers arrive.  They will arrive in about 2-3 weeks. 

This year we are hosting (or helping host) two events for Oktoberfest.  The first, the one at the zoo takes place September 25 and 26.  Basically for two days straight we will be sponsoring and volunteering at the “Winestube” at the event…we’ll serve all the German and Austrian wines that people are after when they’re not in the mood for – or in addition to – beer.

This should be a great event – especially since all the beer & wine will be chosen from one of our favorite distributors, Elite Brands.  With names like Hammerschmidt and Heikkenen how could one not have great German finds?

Our second event will fall on Wednesday, September 30 and will be at Graydon’s Crossing on Plainfield.  We are super excited to have a tasting where we sit down and analyze all the great stuff for the season.  Along with that, awesome “warm” foods.  You’ll have to sign up for that one.  Please call us to do so – we’ll need your credit card at the time of sign up and it will be $25 + tax/gratuity.

My hubby, Steve, and I along with two Chicago cousins joined 138 others (I think 98%  also from Chicago) at a dinner hosted by Outstanding in the Field, a Santa Cruz, California venture that started with Jim Denevan, a chef, and his desires to introduce people to fresh food, family style and as close to the source as possible. His dinners are al fresco as weather permits and along with the fantastic fresh foods there are beverages to match, and farmers at your side, as he and his staff strive to prepare and serve a “spectacular yet uncomplicated feast”.

These guys have created a literal “roving culinary adventure”.  They have had really interesting dinners all across the U.S. and the world and they try for an outside single table event.  Sometimes, like last night’s (the Sunday event at the same farm) had to be not so pretty with torrential rains in their direction (however, I’m sure they made it all work out, they’re creative and the barn was ready).

Saturday’s rain, happy for us,  subsided in time for us to walk through the orchard, listen to Peter Klein, the farmer & owner of Seedling Farm, give the lowdown on what he grows, how he grows it and where he sells it with a bit of time for harvesting French strawberries for our own dessert.  He of course left the rest of the night to wine & dine (and beer – thanks to Goose Island of Chicago) under the stars and amongst the trees with new and old friends.

Jim and his staff were gracious and laid back hosts.  The food was tremendous and as promised, not hoity, just dang good!  Ah, are you wondering what we had?

Here’s the lowdown on the food:

Appetizers: served with Goose Island Matilda and Esporao Reserva Bruto

Duck Rillette & Seedling Farm plum on baguette

(There was apparently Smoked Trout and Col. Bill Newsom ham & goat butter for the appetizer too.  Sadly didn’t get any of either.)

Salads: served with Goose Island Sophie and Brochelle Rose

Whipple Organic Farm beets & burrata salad (with the best little sprouts on it ever!)

Growing Power cucumber, tomato & hazelnut salad (fresh as fresh can be!)

Nichols Farm corn (on the cob straight from the grill) and aioli

Main: served with Goose Island Harvest beer and Huber Pinot Noir

Farm raised chicken & toulouse sausage with herbs & garlic inside (with a surprise in the bottom of our dish – homemade french fries that didn’t get soggy – yum!)

Becker Lane Organic Farm porchetta (basically a cut of pork wrapped with lots of fat and then slowly cooked for a long time. )

Dessert: served with Porto Barros Colheita 1994

Polenta cake with Seedling Farm peaches and wild strawberries & caramel gelato

Honestly we were all pleasantly full after the dinner, dining for hours and eating small portions is the way to do it.   I didn’t roll away down the orchard because of the full tummy.

I think my only complaint was that – and those of you who know me will find this hilarious.   I missed not having Michigan wines at the table.  I have been practically anti-Michigan wines until recently.  But I’ve noticed that there are some (not a ton, but some) really decent Michigan wines.  And they can be paired with a meal!  We have a world class bubbly producer in Larry Mawby up north and decent Merlot from the Fenn Valley Winery just minutes away.  Instead we had Portugese bubbles that really weren’t all that great and a Pinot from California!…and it’s not that they didn’t taste fine!  It’s just that if we’re at the source, let’s really put it together!!

Overall we were really happy with our evening, hanging out in the field – it felt good.  I’m doing it all again in a few weeks, but next time I have to produce the dinner!  If you’re interested in the concept, there’s a farm dinner in Grand Rapids on August 29.  It will resemble this meal ~ these dinners are not cheap by any means, but at the Grand Rapids dinner, you’ll be able to share in

• a 5 course meal provided by four of Grand Rapids’ top chefs
• glasses of wines & beer selections from all over Michigan
• an amazing time
• new friends and old
• and help a cause too

If you’re interested in joining me and many others for that outing, find out more at

the nacc website.

Photo credits to Janet Mesic Mackie of Chicago and a few to lame photos to Steve and Amy with Blackberry & Lies’ killer camera.

All of our tastings include 6 generous ‘pours’ of wine, we don’t skimp like at some tastings.  We also offer friendly banter, education about the wines and hopefully new found wine friends.  All tastings have crackers, cheese & fruit and also a plated appetizer to pair with one of the wines.

We request that you sign up ahead of time – as soon as possible as some tastings sell out.  Starting this fall, we must ask that when you call you leave a credit card number with us to confirm your reservations.  If you need to cancel, we ask for 24 hours prior notice; we will not charge it unless you’re a no show – in which case the restaurant will charge you for your tasting.

Wednesday, August 12    Spanish Values $25* @ Republic ~ 45 South Division

As Spain continues to make great strides in wine, we continue to make great strides in bringing those delicious Spanish wine values to your table. Our love for Spanish values tonight will cover you in a cloud of joy and will include a cava (bubbly), two whites, a rose and two reds. It’s time to select some of these for your everyday drinkers. Expect wines from $9-16 retail.

Wednesday, September 9    Zinfandel Rocks the World! $30* @ Republic ~ 45 South Division

Still I can’t figure out the ratio of Zin vs. Zin-no-way people in this world. For me, I enjoy a zin for sipping in the nighttime. People tend to love it or laugh at it. We’re talking about red colored Zinfandels. Zinfandels tend to be big in the berry department – more jammy, velvety and sometimes total sugar bombs! Zinfandels also tend to be higher in alcohol and overstated (and that could be an understatement!) Then again, Zins can be big yet elegant and regal. Tonight we’ll try a Primitivo or two from Italy (aka Zin) and some of our favorite Zins from the west coast as well. Be prepared to fall in love!

Wednesday, September 30    Oktoberfest Beer Tasting $25* @ Graydon’s Crossing ~ 1223 Plainfield NE

Feel the fall in the air? It’s going to force you into a whole new plane of beer. Try out this years coolest new fall finds for the cooler and features at Graydon’s Crossing. 7 beers in your face along with some foods of fantastic fall folly.

Wednesday, October 7    Mystery Winemaker Tasting!                                 $TBA

@ TBA

Keep your eyes peeled for details on this evening.  We are hosting a winemaker, one of those true ‘garragistas’ (yes, those who make wine basically in a garage, they’re that small!) We can’t yet tell you the details but when we can, oh you’ll know!

Friday, October 23     Anniversary Tasting  $TBA @ TBA

It’s hard to believe but it’s going to be six years in October that we have been in existence…and we are throwing a party! This party will be unlike our ‘regular’ tastings in that we will have tables set up with our beer & wine distributor reps and their (and our) favorite beers & wines amongst them. You’ll be able to walk around and peruse different selections and chat with people who know a lot about what you’re sipping – or noshing – on! Normally we have the restaurant make tons of food but this year, in addition, you’ll be having a taste of Art of the Table foods!  Appetizers & desserts from Chef Kate Leeder (also Art of the Table gal) will give you a chance to taste SO many of the items we carry on our shelves on a daily basis. From sauces and dips to chips and crackers to cheeses and meats and delightful little chocolates & such. Tickets will be sold to this event and must be prepaid.   Please contact us via phone to purchase after September 1.

Wednesday, November 18    How do you spell T-U-R-K-E-Y? $25* @ TBA

When you think turkey, do you think about white wines like Riesling and Gewurtztraminer? Or do you think red wines like Beaujolais and Pinot Noir? Are you ready to test your taste buds with some turkey and six wines we choose? We’re thinking about doing this one ‘blind’ (wine in bags, analysis by vision and taste – but not vision of the label.) This way the turkey and the wine will refine your ideas for what to serve on that day, the day we will all indulge in food and give thanks.

Wednesday, December 2     BFR (aka Big Fat Reds) $35* @ TBA

It’s kind of a Bradford/Art of the Table tradition. Big Fat Reds, first Wednesday in December. Can’t be messed with. Once it was messed with and it fell flat. A few times we picked the wrong restaurant where it was loud. Another time someone picked all old world wines. This year, we are hoping for perfection. First Wednesday, a quieter locale, some wines from the old world, but mostly from the new. The rule always is that they have to be red. And big. And fat. And they will be delicious.

Wednesday, December 9     Bubbles of the World $35* @ University Club

Champagne is a place, they make bubbles that you may call Champagne. All others are bubbly – made either in the “methode Champenoise” or not. Bubbles can be called cava, prosecco or sparkling wines. They are also available in clear, a yellowish hue, pink or red. Join us as we venture around the world with bubbles and some fine bubble pairings.

Wednesday, December 16     Bubbles from True Farmers of the World $50* @ University Club

Champagne is a place, they make bubbles that you may call Champagne. All of the bubbles tonight are from French farmers. The French farmers that make these bubbles really care about their bubbles in a serious way. That’s why they are all impressive and well, just lovely. You’ll never spend the Dom Perignon dollars yet you’ll get twice the bang for your buck. If you haven’t tried the real deal, tonight is for you. We will honor you with super special stuff and great food pairings as well.

Wednesday, January 13     Values for Fireside Chats $20* @ TBA

For our first tasting of the year, we thought we’d give you value and cozy all wrapped up in one. Stunning wines for their price, we will focus in on things that make your January a happier, cozier one.

Monday, Feb 15     Do you still love me? (Monday after Valentines tasting) $45* @ TBA

It’s a dinner. And a tasting. A pairing of sorts. And it WILL be romantic. Or at least sort of. You may come on your own too, no kissy face here. More details will be arriving shortly.