Tavola Rosso » In the Moment

(not) petite

Sean O'Connor — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:49:10 +0000

I’m always amazed at how different a petit sirah is than the mainstream average single varietal reds. Tonight we opened up an 04 from Luna Vineyards and are really enjoying it as a change of pace perfectly suited for a dark rainy evening.
Not an everyday wine, pv is inky, dry, bold and per usual for Luna, very hot.

Chianti Classico – Firenze – Memories

Mark Stoltz — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:40:58 +0000

The birthdays of me and my wife fall sixteen days apart; mine the fifteenth of August and her’s the thirty-first. Instead of celebrating only on our actual birthdays we have declared a two week long celebration. What does this mean in terms of wine? It means we have a great excuse to pull out some special bottles.

With a nice little Italian dinner made and my mom in attendance we opened a wine we bought at a wonderful enoteca in Florence a year and a half ago: a 2003 Monterponi Chianti Classico riserva.

Twenty months ago we drank the non-reserve from Monterponi at dinner with our good friends the McIntyres. The manager of the restaurant and wine shop recommended the reserve when we asked him about a good bottle to bring home with us. The wine was excellent: perfectly Italian, just enough dryness but full of deep berry flavors that Sangiovese gives. This was not a simple wine, as I would have a drink, continue in conversation, then stop to have another drink thinking ‘wow, this is really good.’

Like many of the great wines from our memory the Monterponi brought us back to a place and a time – Florence at Christmas, with friends and a table full of great Tuscan food. Therein lies the beauty and charm of wine: it helps us remember truly joyful times.

European Chardonnay

Sean O'Connor — Sat, 16 May 2009 01:21:43 +0000

no oak monsters here
one of the main reasons to really get into white burgundy.
Domaine Pascal Berthier Macon Chaintre White Burgundy Vielles Vignes 07 is perfect for a sunny spring day!

Pizza, pizza

Elizabeth O'Connor — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 01:24:28 +0000

Another tasty meal at the O’Connor household. Sean crafted pizza with Alfredo sauce topped with spicey andouille sausage and mozzerella and parm.

Sweet Cakes

Elizabeth O'Connor — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 01:15:21 +0000

Posting live from Sweet Cakes (Sweet Cakes in Kirkland on my last day. If you are in the mood for something sweet, you should make a stop in sometime. Or if you have a special occasion coming up, Sweet Cakes is a must- from wedding cakes to custom sugar cookies. They offer wonderful gluten free cupcakes too!

Susanne Park, store owner, has been baking goodies for over 10 years professionally and opened her first store front in December 2008.

I recommend the coconut or red velvet cupcakes, two of my favorites.

The Harvest Vine

Sean O'Connor — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 01:04:46 +0000

enjoying a delicious and entertaining dinner with Liz at the Harvest Vine bar.

The Harvest Vine Top 10

1. ambiance is A+
2. sitting at the bar is like taking a cooking class
3. wine list is unique
4. parking was easy
5. staff was friendly and very knowledgable
6. basque food is damn good
7. they know how to cook the basque food
8. its not confused
9. the dungeon is a great place for groups
10. i’m still thinking about the pork tenderloin

2005 Bella Dry Creek Valley Syrah Lily Hill Estate

Mark Stoltz — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 21:46:06 +0000

Isabell has been cooking some short ribs all day and it smells amazing. Great food calls for great wine! I just opened a wine we got on our honeymoon in Sonoma: a 2005 Bella Syrah. The wine has a meaty aroma and nice cherry vanilla tasting notes. This winery stores in a wine cave built into the hill on the property – very cool. This is a Dry Creek wine and the taste is a dead give away. Terroir, I love it. Should be a great dinner.

2006 Rochford Latitude Pinot Noir

Mark Stoltz — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 18:13:59 +0000

Dinner for me and Bell: sauteed salmon with a pea and mint purée.

Setting: at the house with baby Jacque (jack) watching intently as I cook

Wine: we wanted a pinot with the salmon, but wanted a wine under $20. The result was a nice and soft, berry and currant infused Pinot from Australia – Rochford Latitude. We picked it up at Central Market here in San Antonio, so it should be relatively available around the country.

Molly Moon’s: Much more than a double scoop

Elizabeth O'Connor — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 03:32:20 +0000

Despite the dreary Seattle rain today, ice cream sounded good and we just so happened to be in the Wallingford neighborhood- home to Molly Moon’s homemade ice cream shop. I have been wanting to check this place out for months and what better time than now, as I am 8 months pregnant and always in the mood for a sweet treat.

The shop was cute and smelled of freshly made waffle cones. They take pride in offering unique flavors, including Ginger, salted Carmel and Honey Lavendar. I convinced myself that both the baby and I needed a scoop so A double scoop was in order. I was pleased with my selection of Maple Walnut and Balsamic Strawberry.

If you are in the mood for a scoop of pure goodness, Molly Moon’s is a must.

Robb’s Ribs

Sean O'Connor — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 06:44:25 +0000

the best ribs the aloha state has ever seen consumed.