Thursday, October 17, 2019

Sokol Blosser Wine Dinner at Cafe Pasta (updated after event)

On November 5, I hosted a wine dinner at Cafe Pasta and Grille (305 State Street, 336-272-1308, cafepasta.com), featuring selections from Sokol Blosser, an Oregon winery. This is one of my favorites! Their wines are enjoyable by themselves, but they are especially food friendly, and not expensive. Wines were available to order at the end of the dinner. (PS- at a great VALUE !)

Here is a link to a Sokol Blosser winery video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVK1ihsr0YM

Cost for dinner, including wines, was $50. Watch this space for future such events!


First course- Artichoke and Spinach dip, with Pinot Gris wine.

 


Second course- Chicken Piccatta over linguine, with Evolution white. I love this wine!


We moved on to Seared Salmon and mixed fall vegetables, with Dundee Hills pinot noir. This embodies the unique qualities of Oregon pinot noir.


Dessert was cheesecake, made by Ray Essa's mother. 
My favorite cheesecake with a wine that is really special.

Dinner at Mark's

Shared dinner with a group of Guilford College alums at Mark's (616 Dolley Madison Rd., Greensboro 27410, 336-387-0410, marksgreensboro.com). Among the top-rated in absolute terms for food, this restaurant also gets good grades for value. If you order the most expensive thing on the menu, it's not cheap. But you can do just fine in the mid range, pricewise, as well, with selections from the small plates menu. And this is one of those rare places where you cannot get a bad wine or pay an unfair price.



Tempura Shrimp with Lemon Risotto is  one of my favorite starters. 
(Sorry for the shadow in the photo!)


Scallops with Red Lentils

(Order either of these with a vegetable side and you've got a really good, economical meal!)


Hazelnut Crusted Goat Fried Cheese Salad


Grilled Ostrich
If you like duck, you'll like ostrich, maybe even better.
Don't think you can get this anywhere else.


Crab Cakes entree with haricot vert


Vegetarian/Vegan Pasta
(Again, sorry for the shadow)
Mark's has a vegetarian and vegan and gluten free menu. Plenty of choices