Roll TIdes

Yesterday, going through the accumulated stack of papers on what passes for a desk , I uncovered the menu for a wine dinner at the Tides. Crap! It’s today! I forgot to sign up! A check with the restaurant resulted in being able to attend, although MFO took the night off.

Long time readers will remember that I have sort of drifted away from attending wine dinners, partially because of the “wine guy/gal” and the cute patter that usually accompanies the wine. “here’s a fun little wine…..”. Last night’s experience might make me more interested in attending (selected) such events more. The Tides is always a pleasant space (with the best rest rooms around), there weren’t many tables filled, so it was quiet which is always a plus, and the wine guy was very laid back. He visited each table at the start, and told a little about the wines, and then more or less retired for the evening. No speech at the start of each course. It was more like you decided to go out for dinner and had a prix fixe meal selected for you. Spanish Wines were featured, and the food selections sort of followed suit.

The tables were set with the menu for the evening, a water glass that had ice a plenty, and a wine glass for each course, mercifully including enough silver so that each course could be consumed with a fresh set. As it should be. Upon being seated, a glass of a NV Cava Brut Reserve was poured. After it warmed a bit it revealed a nice nose, yeasty taste and small bubbles, quite refreshing. Five courses followed, with just a little much time between, although when alone and you only talk to the tablecloth, it might be more apparent. A Quail Escabeche was served first, along with a Verdejo. Any wine would have a problem standing up to the acidic Escabeche, but this didn’t do too badly. The quail was diminutive, and maybe it was due to the Chardonnay Vinegar and wine sauce, but the color of the skin was somewhat pale although the meat was tender and pinkish. There were some very nice carrots and onions in the sauce.

The next course was (as far as I know) Italian, a Braciola with Sauce Espagnole. Although Espagnole is French for Spanish, it really has nothing to do with Spain (why it’s called that is another story), it’s just one of the so called Mother Sauces. Anyway it was a tasty beef roll stuffed with cheese and bread crumbs. Three spears of grilled asparagus were emanating from the beef, giving it a sort of regal appearance. I thought it was the best dish of the night. The rest of the courses consisted of a Seafood Paella, a Savory Bleu Cheese Cake, and finished off with a Strawberry Flan. The Paella was sort of “de-constructed” as it was served with rice in the middle, surrounded by pieces of shrimp, calamari, Mussels, Crayfish, a white fish and chorizo. Personally, I would prefer the classic preparation. It was paired with a Mouvedre. The strawberry flan carried the next honors, fruity and chilled, paired with a dessert wine of which grape i don't recall.

The service was just right, and if I had to gripe (and I always have to gripe) I would ask that either the food speed up from the kitchen, or the wine wait for the food. Pouring the wine and then waiting several minutes more means that when the food arrives, you have sipped your way almost through the wine (speaking for myself). On the plus side, the pours were generous, and seconds were offered on occasion. They were available for purchase although I really didn’t have any reason to increase an already bulging cellar. If I were forced to choose I would have gone for the Cava (at $9.99 I think).

All in all, a proficient Sunday evening. The Tides remains at the top of the Lexington Park (fine) dining options

and i did
DFD