We have long held that the special wine dinners various restaurants offer are among the best entertainment values in town.
Chefs try out dishes not on their regular menus that pair best with the range of wines that visiting wine reps offer, along with knowledgeable discussions of vineyards, varietals and vintages.
On Wednesday, April 16, 6:30 p.m., Susie Selby, winemaker at her Sonoma/Russian River Selby Winery, will return to Louisville to present her award-winning wines at a 5-course dinner created by Kathy Cary of Lilly’s, A Kentucky Bistro. 1147 Bardstown Rd.
The evening will start with Selby Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc, served with a Menu Amuse. The first course will be beet Napoleon with fromage blanc and rabbit liver bruschetta, paired with Selby’s Russian River Pinot Noir.
The fish course will be seared halibut over chive risotto with braised leeks, served with
Selby Russian River Chardonnay. The entree will be locally-sourced filet of rib-eye and spinalis (the cap of the rib-eye, a seldom-seen, very tender cut), served with roasted potatoes and Bordeaux spinach, paired with Selby Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon.
The meal will finish with Selby “Old Vines” Zinfandel and a cheese course. The meal, wine pairings, and Susie Selby’s inimitable wine spiel will be $75. Call (502) 451-0447.
On Monday, April 21, 6:30 p.m., Seviche, 1538 Bardstown Road, will host Pam Starr of California’s Crocker & Starr Winery at a 5-course dinner created by owner/chef Anthony Lamas. In a press release, Lamas said of the dinner, “This was the perfect opportunity to showcase a winery from my home state that has an equally strong commitment to responsible and sustainable farming. These wines are very limited in distribution, so we are excited to pair them with our menu.”
The menu will start with lobster tiradito and a sample of Crocker and Starr Sauvignon Blanc, followed by a glass of their Bridesmaid White, paired with sea scallop with sunchoke and truffle.
The third course will be a sous vide hanger steak with chipotle béarnaise, served with Crocker and Starr Cabernet Franc. The main course will be domestic lamb rack with horseradish mustard potatoes, paired with Crocker and Starr Cabernet Sauvignon. Dessert will be cheese and berries and a glass of 2012 Dashe Late Harvest Zinfandel.
The dinner, wine pairings and plenty of wine talk will be $95. Call (502) 473-8560.
