Tag: French wine

Sips & Bites: News from the Phoenix restaurant community

Events & news about what’s going on around the Phoenix restaurant community, breweries and wineries.

National Coffee Day is this Sunday, September 29th

Need your daily fix of caffeine then head to……

Noble Ground Coffee for any hot or cold drink for just a $1. This includes new Fall flavors such as Pumpkin Pie and Maple Pancake.

Randy’s Donuts if you’re a loyalty member for a free cup of Randy’s Roast or iced coffee. No purchase is necessary, and the free drink will appear in the member’s account. Randy’s Donuts has two locations in Phoenix at 5709 N. 7th Street and 17405 S. 40th Street. Both locations are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Press Coffee is offering 25% off a yearlong coffee subscription all weekend long.

Chula Seafood Uptown celebrates Oktoberfest with schnitzel

For all 31 days in October the Uptown Plaza location celebrates the German festival with a seafood twist. The Swordfish Jägerschnitzel is served with a scrumptious mushroom leek gravy with brown apple butter spaetzle and German braised red cabbage. It’s available for both lunch and dinner for $28++.

Anhelo Restaurant hosts Burgundy wine dinner October 4th

The downtown Phoenix restaurant will welcome guests next Friday to enjoy a six-course dinner featuring the wines of Domaine Anne et Hervé Sigaut that dates to the 19th century. The dinner is $265 per person and for an additional $100 a glass of their coveted Domaine Sigaut’s 2020 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru. is available. Prefer champagne, a glass of Dom Perignon is available for $75. The dinner begins at 6 p.m. with limited seating and seat can be purchased at OpenTable.

Grand opening celebration for 3rd Stemistry location

Saturday, October 5th marks the newest coffee lab & flower shop from Dylan Capshaw at the Roadrunner Apartments at 6601 E. McDowell Rd. Scottsdale 85257. From 9-11 a.m. guests can get a $1 drip coffee, a free stem with purchase, light bites and entertainment. Additionally monthly flower subscriptions will be 20% with a 3-month minimum.

New dishes on the menu at Ling & Louie’s

The Asian bar & grill on Shea Blvd. just east of 92nd St. in Scottsdale has just released new dishes on the menu. New dishes include Almond-Crusted Pork Tenderloin, Louie’s Bao Buns, Louie’s Donut Holes and Loaded Mashed Potatoes.

Wine pairings for your Thanksgiving meal

If a run to the local wine shop is on your “to do” list before Thanksgiving on Thursday these wine pairings may make the trip a little less stressful.

Sommelier Killian Buschetz of Chandler’s Cuisine & Wine Bistro suggests several wines depending on what your meal is.

Turkey- He suggests a Beaujolais (Gamay grape) from France for red. The easy to drink and fruit forward wine is good with the white meat and cranberry sauce. For white wine he suggests a Gruner Veltliner from Austria for its acidity and crisp flavor.

Ham- Whether you’re serving ham it on Thanksgiving or waiting until Christmas he recommends a Cabernet Franc for its robust tasting profile. Riesling from the Alsace region of France or Mosel region of Germany offers the acidity with a hint of sweetness for pairing with food.

Beef- The red meat desires a bold red wine from Bordeaux is his first choice. Specifically from Saint-Emilion known for its Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc blends. If need be a Napa Valley red can do the trick but watch out for high alcohol and big fruit wines.

Lobster- A Chardonnay with a hint of oak & butter is the way to go for this delicate seafood. A Pouilly- Fuisse from Burgundy makes for a nice wine pairing.

Salmon- A red Burgundy from Beaune known for its light body and fruit is always good. If you prefer a California or Oregon Pinot ask for a more earthy wine over a bold and jammie wine.

Pecan or Pumpkin pie- A sweet and nutty Pedro Ximinez sherry from Spain hits the spot for the end of the meal.

Wine pairings with a different perspective

Wine is very subjective therefore choices for wine pairing may differ from person to person. LDV Winery winemaker and co-owner Kurt Dunham offers his suggestions for dinner pairings.

He suggests American wines for this American holiday or even an Arizona wine. His go-to red wine is Grenache or an Oregon Pinot Noir. Chardonnay & sparkling wines from California or a Pinot Noir, Riesling or Gewurztraminer from Washington or Oregon are safe bets for your turkey. Check out his video he prepared for the occasion.

French restaurant celebrates 4 years in Scottsdale

When Chef Jean- Christophe and Segolene Gros opened their French restaurant, Voila French Bistro four years ago they were fulfilling their American dream. They chose Scottsdale for their restaurant having fallen in love with the desert after only a one day visit in 2007.  On October 20th the couple will be celebrating their 4 year anniversary of their French restaurant with a prie-fixe wine paired dinner.

Chef Jean- Christophe has been a chef in French restaurants for over 30 years working with French master chefs before venturing out on his own. He approaches his French cooking with modern twist as he adapts it for his American audience.

The three-course dinner is $79 per person and goes from 5 – 7p.m. The menu is as follows.

La Chartreuse – lump crab layered with vegetables and wrapped in lettuce leaves. Paired with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc Atlantic 2016

***

Terre et Mer – Pork Surf & Turf, pork filets served with jumbo shrimp and a lobster sauce. Paired with a glass of Château Fongaban 2015 – Bordeaux St Emilion

***

Chocolate Caramélia Valrhona Entremet – A flourless chocolate cake with caramel chocolate mousse. Served with a glass of Mirabelle Plum Kir Royal

To reserve a seat for this special evening go to their website or call 480-614-5600. Voila French Bistro is at 10135 E. Via Linda, Scottsdale 85258.

Ocean Prime offers 1/2 off Veuve Clicquot Rosé every Friday

Happy hour never tasted so good especially when you’re sipping on a cold, crisp and refreshing glass of rosé. Ocean Prime on High Street in northeast Phoenix offers up Veuve Clicquot during happy hour every Friday from 5-7p.m. until August 31st.

“Stop and Sip the Rosé” offers guests the opportunity to sip the Veuve Cliquot along with other rosé a reduced prices good for any rosé drinker.

Choose from sparkling, still, domestic or French                                               Miner Rosé, $16 glass/$64 Bottle                                                                              Chandon Rosé, $13 glass/$58.50 Bottle                                                 Veuve Clicquot Rosé $28 glass/$126 Bottle                                                       Notorious Pink Rosé $11 Glass/$44 Bottle

Oysters make for a perfect pairing with rosé  so the award-winning Ocean Prime offers oysters on the 1/2 shell for 1/2 price by the half-dozen for $11. Other happy hour offerings will also be available.

Ocean Prime is at 5455 E. High St. Phoenix 85054. For more information and to find an Ocean Prime near you visit https://www.ocean-prime.com/

Beaujolais producer Chateau des Jacques wine dinner hosted by J & G Steakhouse

One of the most food friendly wines of the autumn season is the Gamay grape from Beaujolais. The medium bodied, rustic and elegant wines of Chateau des Jacques, one of the prestigious estates in Beaujolais, will be paired alongside a 5- course French inspired meal prepared by J & G Steakhouse executive chef Jacques Qualin on Tuesday, Dec. 6th. at 6:00pm.

Photo courtesy of J & G Steakhouse
Photo courtesy of J & G Steakhouse

Several vintages will be poured so that guests can taste and discover the flavor profiles of each wine. Kobrand Imports French wine specialist Matthew Semancik will be in attendance to discuss how Chateau des Jacques has raised the bar in Beaujolais with its wine making methods used in Burgundy and applying them to the once traditional Beaujolais methods.

The full menu is below and reservations are required for this $75++ dinner and can be made by calling  480-214-8000 http://www.jgsteakhousescottsdale.com

Amuse

Spiced Chicken Samosas, Cilantro Yogurt Sauce

Shrimps Summer Rolls, Sriracha Sauce

Steak Tartare, Baguette

Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages 2015

Second Course

Steamed Shrimp Salad

Tender Greens, Avocado, Champagne Vinaigrette

Chateau Des Jacques Clos Loyse

Beaujolais Blanc 2015

Third Course

Sweet and Sour Beet Risotto

Meyer Lemon

Chateau Des Jacques Fleurie 2013

Fourth Course

Grilled Beef Tenderloin

 Spinach and Potato Gratin, Hot Buttery Hatch Pepper Sauce

Chateau Des Jacques Morgon Cote Du Py 2013

Fifth Course

Sticky Toffee Pudding

 Coconut Sorbet and Toasted Pistachio, Pavlova, Passion Fruit Sorbet

2012 Chateau Des Jacques Moulin A Vent,

Clos Rochegres 2012