Last week, in partnership with Match.com, we tried our hand at match making and while there were no midnight flights to a Vegas chapel, we think the event was quite a success!
With a format similar to our weekend wine tours, guests were invited to join us as we toured three restaurants within Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood –Legal Sea Foods, Maggianos, and Smith & Wollensky.
The evening kicked off at Legal Sea Foods Park Square, a Boston landmark. This location houses the company’s award-winning Wine Cellar, which holds over 10,000 bottles and 800 different labels. A private tour (available by request) shows Roger Berkowitz’s hand selected vintages as well as a bottle of Stag’s Leap autographed by the legendary Chef, Julia Childs. We really do believe that this wine cellar is one of the city’s best kept secrets.
Competition was in the air at Legal. As guests arrived, they were handed an individual trivia sheet, each with one different correct answer. Armed with a glass of Manawa Sauvignon Blanc guests were encouraged to break the ice with one another while searching for all of the correct answers. The winner won two tickets to an upcoming City Wine Tour of their choice.
After a little friendly competition (and two winners), we were treated to samples of local Island Creek Oysters, tuna tacos, DeLoach Pinot Noir (Sonoma County), and the aforementioned Manawa Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand). With zesty tart grapefruit flavors, the Manawa Sauvignon Blanc was the ideal pairing for a warm Summer evening and is a Legal Sea Foods exclusive.
From Legal Sea Foods, we continued to Maggianos, where we were treated as if we were visiting our Italian Grandmother’s house (minus the questions regarding grandkids). Reds were on the menu and guests sampled the Hayman & Hill 2009 Reserve Meritage (Monterey County) and Tamari Reserva Merlot (Mendoza, Argentina).
The full blend of the Meritage was matured in French and American oak barrels for twelve months lending to a medium weight and warm, long finish.
Guests mingled and got to know each other a little better while tasting stuffed mushrooms and crab cakes.
The Smith & Wollensky team welcomed us into the “Chef’s Room”. This intimate space boasts gorgeous exposed wrought iron beams, which formerly were the support beams for the Castle’s mezzanine level. The warm feel of the room setting was the perfect backdrop for our last wines of the evening – the “Lucy” Rose Pinot Noir Rose from the Lucia Vineyards (Saint Lucia Highlands, CA) and the Cochon “Pape Rocks” Rhone Blend (Napa Valley)
With a dense deep ruby color, the “Pape Rocks 2010” is the Vineyard’s inaugural blend, combining Grenache from 90 year old vines, Syrah, and Mourvedre. The result is rich, full and velvety textured wine with intense aromas of black raspberry, boysenberry, lavender and mocha, with hints of licorice and tapenade.
The “Lucy” Rose Pinot Noir shows with a light strawberry color and a refreshing crisp acidity. We were also pleased to learn that one dollar from each bottle sold benefits breast cancer research. As if we needed another excuse to enjoy rose this Summer!
Both selections paired well with the BBQ wild shrimp and coffee & cocoa rubbed beef tenderloin crostini, which were served to the guests.
The level of service and attention to detail at Smith & Wollensky was superb. We look forward to returning.
We are excited to share that we will play host to several more Stir events in the coming months. If you’re a member of Match.com, be sure to view their upcoming event schedule online.
Wine, Singles, Award-Winning Restaurants = The Perfect Match.
