Wow!
We have had the best past ten years imaginable.
Thank you to all of you who have supported us in our endeavor to bring food to the table that is as clean and honest as possible, long before it became the sheik thing to do. We know we get carried away at times with our passion, but we hope that by sharing our most recent enlightenments, our approach may continue to prove a contagious one.
For ten plus years before it became hip and cool we have been sourcing our food responsibly! That means sustainable fish sources (NO! as of today there is no such thing as sustainable farm raised salmon! Even if it wears a kelt.) chemical and hormone free meats, and organic produce when ever possible. Are we perfect? No. But we work very hard to deliver (regardless of the often higher costs that we incur) a product we can feel good about serving our friends. This means we have forged bonds with a trusted community of like minded purveyors, and a circle that continues to grow.
For Example! McFarland Springs Trout!
McFarland Springs is an environmental dream. The water supply comes from the headwaters of a natural spring, extremely cold and free of the pesticides and contaminates found in other water sources. The spring not only provides for the trout, but also generates all of the electricity for the farm though hydroelectric. It is raised locally, lowering carbon footprint and further promoting regional cuisine. The fish is hand harvested and processed, instead of machine processed as is customary.
Lastly, the flavor and texture is that of wild trout, with a sweet flavor and lighter, firm flesh. The extreme cold created by the natural spring creates slow growth rates, but far better texture.
Tonights Tasty Preparation is Pan Roasted Skin Side Down in organic olive oil infused with thyme, garlic, parsley, served with a sautée of organic beans, wild mushrooms, and our house lemon-shallot preserve!
Viva el vino de España!
Bruno and Andrew barely slept for ten days, three thousand miles, traveling at 1oo mph, stopping only once for “dos monton de guapas” to bring back some valuable, eye-opening lessons about wine and the roll it plays in some of life’s most joyous moments. Friends, loved ones, food! And boy do the people of Spain have it right! Their gracious, laid-back ‘no pasa nada’ (no worries, we’re all good) attitude, hearty and humble food, and brilliant wines made it hard to leave! In the exalted region of Rioja, forward-looking traditionalists such as Bodegas Muga combine old vines, austere terroir and artisanal techniques to produce some of the world’s most food friendly, complex, and seductive wines! Their tool, tempranillo, is a grape perfect for long-aging in oak, creating a harmony of fruit, earth, and vanilla-laden flavors.
Of the thousands of very good wines that we have tasted both at home and in our travels to Europe, those of Spain reign supreme for their unpretentious attitude (price!) considering their world class quality. The clamoring for French and Italian wines (which we love dearly) and the cachet they carry has driven the prices sky high, while in many parts of Spain “Grand and Premier Cru” quality gems can be found, often in minuscule production
, flying just beneath public radar.
The fun thing is, Spain has so many faces! The wines are not always understated and earthy, but are sometimes as powerful, opulent, and bright as California’s. None better of these modern examples comes to mind then Alto Moncayo, old vine Grenache from the winery of the same name. As ripe and plush as it is, though, it retains a sense of gravitás with its brooding, grilled, smoky spices, and is truly the best of both “worlds”. The 2007 release received 94 points from Robert Parker and 93 from International wine cellar, and for a little “stimulus” these days, we’ll offer it at the retail price of $55 if you join us for dinner on a Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday, and ask for Andrew or Bruno when mentioning this newsletter! If the traditional, dusty-toned, sensual elegance of a Rioja wine is more your speed, we’ll extend a similar offer ($65) on the Bodegas Campillo Gran Reserva 1994 which is quite simply an aged masterpiece from a classic vintage. Salúd!
