Oregon Wine Adventure dinner at Bay Wolf
Clockwise from top left: “Oregon finger food”, smoked trout salad, fava bean cannelloni, Liberty Ranch duck. Image courtesy of Nancy Togami.
Hi! I’m Nancy, one of Mai’s intrepid partners in food and tea adventures. I’m guest blogging about a wine dinner that I enjoyed not too long ago…
Baywolf on Piedmont Avenue is well known in the Bay Area for its duck dinners (Nov 2012). An opportunity arose last month to indulge in the duck again, along with some mighty fine Oregon wine. Of course, this is where Mai and I part ways, as I usually enjoy a glass or two of fine wine with a special meal. We agree to disagree 😉 A treat for the evening included appearances from Dick Ponzi from his eponymous winery and Harry Peterson-Nedry of Chehalem Wines.
I called to reserve a spot and was asked if I’d be willing to sit at a ‘community’ or shared table. Of course I would! All my prior experiences with wine dinners have included the convivial memories of shared passions of food and wine with new friends…the more, the merrier! But when I arrived at Baywolf, I found that dinner times were staggered for different parties, even at the same table… bummer! It looked like I would be dining alone after all. As I was finishing my amuse-bouche, Joanne T. was seated opposite me. We hit it off immediately and I gladly waited for her to be served, to be in sync with her courses while I sipped a nice Chehalem sparkling wine. After another 15 minutes, a party of 4 joined us at our table.
Two wines (a dry Riesling and a rosé) accompanied the amuse-bouche plate, which consisted of duck pâté crostini with gherkin slices, prosciutto rolls with arugula, and red radicchio “boats” filled with a creamy goat cheese and nectarine slices. The bitter herbal elements played well opposite the Riesling, bringing out its spicy fruit, and the rosé brought out a nice sweetness in the pâté, prosciutto, and nectarine.
The salad course was paired with a Pinot Gris from each vintner. Arugula made another appearance to give the salad an herbal pungency that underlined the savory meatiness of the smoked trout and the crunch of the hazelnuts. When the pasta course arrived (a fava bean and ricotta-filled cannelloni), it looked so much like the salad that it was slightly confusing. Arugula showed up yet again, this time as a garnish. I think I would have gone with a more typical chiffonade of basil, both for the color and herbal variety. Having said that, the dish was lovely, especially when accompanied by Chardonnays from both wineries. The ricotta filling in the house-made sheet of pasta was creamy and sweet from the fava bean and green garlic. Young cepe mushroom slices added an earthy texture and taste to the dish.
Finally, two Pinot Noirs appeared (the Oregon wineries of Willamette Valley have built their reputations on the Burgundian style of Pinots.) These accompanied a terrific plate of Liberty Ranch duck breast and leg, both nicely done, over a sweet creamed corn and polenta mixture. Berries and a pinot noir sauce provided a counterpoint to the rich bitterness of grilled white radicchio which served as a garnish… notice a theme, here ? 😉
A sweet Zinfandel rosé from Sineann Winery accompanied Point Reyes blue cheese and plump Bing cherries, and a sweet dessert wine from Elk Cove Vineyards arrived with buttery short bread cookies.
The classic duck dinners at Baywolf have some element of duck in every dish. Here, the meal was full of other flavors suited to the Burgundian white wines served and allowed the duck to shine on its own at its most pristine and simple. I have to say, I was hoping for more Pinot Noirs and would have been interested in their pairing with the cannelloni. However, I found myself truly satisfied at the end of the meal with both the progression of courses and the depth of the wine varietes from Oregon’s Willamette Valley. And, of course, the high spirits of the table companions made everything seem even tastier. It was a lovely night!
— Guest blogged by Nancy Togami, undoubtedly one of Berkeley’s most avid and knowledgeable aficionados of the finer things —
There are actually lots of details like that to take into consideration. That is a nice level to carry up. I supply the thoughts above as common inspiration but clearly there are questions just like the one you bring up where an important thing can be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if best practices have emerged around issues like that, but I am positive that your job is clearly identified as a fair game. Both boys and girls really feel the impression of only a moment’s pleasure, for the rest of their lives.
1Good write-up, I am regular visitor of one’s web site, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
2This is a topic close to my heart cheers, where are your contact details though?
3This is a very good tips especially to those new to blogosphere, brief and accurate information… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read article.
4Somebody essentially help to make critically posts I might state. That is the very first time I frequented your web page and to this point? I amazed with the research you made to create this actual put up extraordinary. Excellent activity!
5Hello! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay. I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
6You made some good points there. I looked on the internet for the topic and found most persons will agree with your site.
7My brother suggested I might like this blog. He used to be totally right. This submit truly made my day. You cann’t believe just how so much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
8Good blog! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I could be notified when a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a great day!
9I’m often to blogging and i really respect your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.
10I’ll immediately take hold of your rss as I can not find your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please permit me realize so that I may just subscribe. Thanks.
11Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your weblog. You have some really good articles and I think I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like to write some content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please send me an e-mail if interested. Thank you!
12This website is mostly a walk-via for the entire data you wished about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse right here, and you’ll undoubtedly uncover it.
13I have recently started a site, the information you offer on this website has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.
14Good post. I learn something tougher on different blogs everyday. It would at all times be stimulating to read content material from different writers and practice just a little something from their store. I’d want to make use of some with the content on my weblog whether or not you don’t mind. Natually I’ll provide you with a hyperlink on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
15Enjoyed examining this, very good stuff, thanks. “A man does not die of love or his liver or even of old age he dies of being a man.” by Percival Arland Ussher.
16I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.
17Normally I do not read article on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, quite nice article.
18Good write-up, I am regular visitor of one’s site, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
19Great write-up, I’m regular visitor of one’s website, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
20There may be noticeably a bundle to find out about this. I assume you made sure nice factors in features also.
21Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing.
22I want to show my love for your generosity giving support to folks that have the need for assistance with this one theme. Your personal dedication to getting the solution throughout came to be particularly valuable and have surely encouraged somebody like me to reach their goals. Your personal interesting guideline entails a whole lot to me and somewhat more to my fellow workers. Thanks a ton; from all of us.
23Very fantastic information can be found on site.
24It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
25I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz answer back as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. cheers
26What i don’t understood is actually how you’re no longer actually much more smartly-liked than you may be right now. You’re so intelligent. You already know therefore significantly in terms of this matter, made me personally consider it from a lot of various angles. Its like men and women don’t seem to be involved until it’s something to do with Woman gaga! Your individual stuffs outstanding. At all times care for it up!
27Thank you for another wonderful article. Where else could anybody get that kind of info in such a perfect way of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I’m on the look for such information.
28Thanx for the effort, keep up the good work Great work, I am going to start a small Blog Engine course work using your site I hope you enjoy blogging with the popular BlogEngine.net.Thethoughts you express are really awesome. Hope you will right some more posts.
29I have recently started a site, the info you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work.
30I am really inspired together with your writing skills as smartly as with the format in your weblog. Is this a paid topic or did you modify it yourself? Either way stay up the nice quality writing, it is uncommon to look a great blog like this one these days..
31Hi, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam remarks? If so how do you reduce it, any plugin or anything you can recommend? I get so much lately it’s driving me insane so any support is very much appreciated.
32Have you ever thought about publishing an ebook or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog based on the same topics you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my readers would enjoy your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e mail.
33You made some clear points there. I did a search on the issue and found most individuals will approve with your website.
34Great line up. We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the good writing.
35It’s actually a nice and useful piece of information. I am happy that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
36Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you are a great author.I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and will come back someday. I want to encourage one to continue your great posts, have a nice morning!
37Good day! This is kind of off topic but I need some advice from an established blog. Is it very difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Thanks
38Helpful information. Lucky me I found your site by accident, and I’m shocked why this accident did not took place earlier! I bookmarked it.
39Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. Many people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
40I’ve been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or weblog posts on this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this website. Reading this info So i am happy to exhibit that I have an incredibly excellent uncanny feeling I came upon just what I needed. I so much without a doubt will make certain to do not forget this web site and provides it a look on a continuing basis.
41Great line up. We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the good writing.
42When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get several e-mails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove people from that service? Cheers!
43Thank you for sharing with us, I think this website really stands out :D.
44It’s the best time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you some interesting things or advice. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things about it!
45Do you have a spam problem on this site; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have created some nice procedures and we are looking to swap strategies with others, why not shoot me an email if interested.
46That is very interesting, You’re an overly skilled blogger. I have joined your feed and stay up for looking for more of your great post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
47After examine a number of of the weblog posts on your web site now, and I actually like your means of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website checklist and might be checking again soon. Pls try my site as nicely and let me know what you think.
48Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I to find It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I am hoping to present one thing back and aid others like you helped me.
49Very good visual appeal on this web site, I’d value it 10 10.
50