I’m still full!

Yes, The Grind test kitchen was open for business this week, and magic was happening at 400 degrees. From a series of fondues to hand-made tortellini, the tasting panel – including Lou “Hairpants” Morini – left with full bellies and contented smiles.

We had a crabmeat and brie fondue, veal meatballs stuffed with gorgonzola, tortellini filled with butternut squash and sautéed in brown butter with sage, a champagne and brie fondue, an Italian cheese fondue, a salad with mandarin oranges and spicy Caribbean chicken, and Susan topped it off with her “Oh My God” cakes (molten chocolate cakes with amaretto-whipped cream). I took the leftover butternut squash, added some chopped green apples, and stuffed a couple pork tenderloins. Susan took some leftover mashed potatoes, mixed in some spinach, and made potato cakes to go with the pork.

If that doesn’t get your juices flowing, I’m afraid I can’t help you!

On the wine front, we had a great tasting Thursday, and “2 the Ninez” rocked the house on Friday, to a standing-room-only crowd. A lot of new people, and some motivated regulars, helped us move some wine off the dance floor. The Fugitive, once again, the Monkey Business Zin, the Girls…to name a few.
Saturday was a little slower, but we still had some people in, drinking everything from a fine New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to cleaning us out of the Sacred Stone. Dave was back in business, playing the piano and serenading the audience with his regular repertoire along with some new Steely Dan (thanks, Dave!)

This week, we got a new Willamette Valley Pinot Noir in, from Montinore Estates. The owner took us to lunch when we were out West, and then tasted us on all his varietals. This is a nice one, and at a reasonable price for an Oregon Pinot. Much more sophisticated than the French examples we carry, and a great entry point for the Valley.

Speaking of wine, I will be doing this week’s tasting. We had a cancellation, and, I know I am not as easy on the eyes as Liza or Kristin, but I will try to make up for that with some good wines. I will be showing a terrific Lodi blend (Cab, Merlot, Syrah) and a really nice Petite Sirah, along with two Cabs, an Italian white and an Australian Chardonnay. All of these reds taste well beyond their price points, so it will be worth the trip up the stairs to our tree house.

We have some new members in our exclusive club, to help us build our kitchen, and we certainly appreciate their confidence in our abilities and their willingness to help us take The Grind to the next level. Our wine shop will become a wine bistro, and our selection will become even better once paired with some amazing food (I am not bragging, I’m just sayin’).

Now, I love this place, but how about people falling in love AT this place? We had a young couple in for coffee, and, right there in one of our hammock swings, he asked her t marry him – and she said yes! If that doesn’t make our place that much more special, well, I just don’t know what would. That is pretty cool, and the excitement of young love permeated The Grind long after they took their pictures and went home.

Anyway, a great tasting Thursday, back to business as usual with Jeremy and Dave Friday and Saturday, and some great wine. What more can you ask for? Yes, that is a rhetorical question. But, while you ponder an answer, come on down to 2 Wine Guys @ The Grind, and let us pour you a glass.

Shawn

Post Date: 02/25/2009