Showing posts with label wine bar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wine bar. Show all posts

3/30/2013

Mima Vinoteca - March 30, 2013

A great way to spend a Saturday evening.

We started with the mozzarella special of the day which was very tasty.  The arugula and prosciutto balanced well with the cheese.  Also, of course, we indulged with the Mima olives, which were plentiful and well priced at four dollars.

For our mains, we both went with pasta as there are several excellent options.  Chris liked the wild boar ragu and whole wheat pappardelle.  I had my old favorite orecchiette with smoked bacon and a sunny side up egg.  The food is consistent and extremely tasty.  Everything is fresh and well-proportioned.


For dessert, we shared the blueberry panna cotta with fresh fruit and a honey peach sauce. The consistency was great, as was the taste. As for wine, Mima has a very accessible list and has something by the glass to meet most tastes.

Mima is always a great meal with fresh ingredients and well served. 

Irvington, NY

3/29/2013

A Tale of Two Purveyors of Fine Alcohols and Spirits (a.k.a. Bars)

First stop...Thursday: Pour - Mount Kisco, NY

We are consistently pleased every time we're here.  The clientele is laid back, the music never disappoints, and both the food and drink leave you very happy.  Pour is always worth the trip!

Knowing that we were going to get a charcuterie board, building it is the challenge - there are several options that are often rotated; keeping it fresh.  If you're not sure what to get, you can ask for recommendations.  After narrowing down the options we went for three meats and two cheeses.  Although we didn't go for the goat cheese, it was getting rave reviews.  There are often specials, so you may want to inquire.  In addition to our meat and cheese feast, we had the meatball flatbread.  I cannot say enough how much I love it! We normally would have the excellent hummus, but decided to skip it this trip.

As far as drinks, I'd like to meet the person who cannot find the perfect glass of wine, beer, our cocktail here.  (And, then slap them, but that's just me.)  Everything is great and you can try a taste of many things before going all in.  If you need recommendations just ask, James, often found behind the bar, is a master at making something you will enjoy.  With the wine, they will not always have the particular grape you may be looking for, however they will always be able to give you something close that you will probably enjoy even more!   There is also an ever changing selection of beer by the bottle or can.  Nothing on tap here, and nothing that would not be considered craft beer.  

While it is a bit of a drive up to Mt. Kisco, it is always an wonderful time where you never know what you might have, but you always enjoy it.  The place is great and everyone here is welcoming, but know it can get a bit crowded on weekends. 

Second stop...Friday: The Tapp - Tarrytown, NY

The space is nice and provides a good location to drink and eat at when in Tarrytown.  Granted, if there is a show at the Music Hall, you're better off skipping local spots as the theater patrons take up most of the area's limited parking spots.

I'd like to point out that when we went it was Good Friday; therefore, we were not eating meat.  To start we had hummus to make up for the fact that we didn't have it the night before at Pour. The hummus tasted good, but was a bit grainy.  Chris had the lobster roll which was great while I had a grown-up grilled cheese (made with Halloumi).  The food was really good and the menu offers a decent variety of items.  The specials change regularly and the different dishes are normally well presented.

The waitress was nice and efficient, providing plenty of space when we were still indecisive.  The hostess seemed a little overwhelmed as it got crowded, but had to manage a limited seating area which can be a challenge. Chef Alexa does a good job with the menu and the beers on tap change often and normally have a local brew on tap.  There is also an extensive bottle and can menu that does not seem to rotate as frequently.  The wine selection is a bit limited, but a strong collection of spirits helps to balance out the offerings.  

It's a nice addition to Tarrytown, especially during the week with some good happy hour specials from 5 - 7.

Overall, theses two places are solely being grouped because of when we went...it is not at all to indicate that they are the same type of place or the same level of experience.  The Tapp has a much more youthful vibe but could pick up a few pointers from Pour in regards to spirits and how to make the most of an odd floor plan, but both places will be visited often.  The new guy and the experienced guy!

Pour Cafe and Wine Bar, Mt. Kisco, NY

The Tapp, Tarrytown, NY

7/31/2012

Barcelona - Muddled Drink Class - July 24, 2012


Before I even begin to write about our fantastic experience in the “Cocktail Classroom,” I want to send a shout out to Summer Street in Stamford, CT. This little stretch of road is home to so many restaurants that are worth a look. Fortunately, to entertain ourselves before class, we could grab gorditas and mojitos at bartaco right next door.

The class was held in a private room. Gretchen Thomas was her usual great combination of charisma and knowledge. The first cocktail demo was Caipirinha (made in the classic style). The class was interactive – having three volunteers work on each drink. The Aye Cukarumba was very crisp tasting, as long as you like the taste of cucumber. It was a refreshing second drink. We closed with the Hot Dahlia. The habanero-infused tequila added so much spice that it was an interesting close to the night. The drink was spicy and flavorful.


Aye Cukarumba
Chef Scott Quis took us on a tour of Brazil/Portugal with the food accompaniments. The Conch Ceviche was very tasty. Honestly, I added a bit of salt, but that was my personal preference. The Marinated Shrimp was excellent. I liked the flavor, since I like cilantro. The Churrasquinho was extremely tender and flavorful. The Tapioca Olinda was an amazing surprise. I was not expecting a chorizo/cheese final course. This was fantastic. The cough was very tasty and the filling was cooked perfectly. It also paired well with the spicy Hot Dahlia! It is important to note that some of the courses are shared with your neighbors.

Overall, I would highly recommend the class. Gretchen is extremely knowledgeable and gives the class an opportunity to ask questions. The bar staff (at the actual bar and Olivia in the room) were helpful and exhibited skill. The food was very tasty and the cocktails gave us an opportunity to explore flavors that we wouldn't normally opt for at the restaurant.