Wine Girl Wednesday at The Dark Room

Wine Girl Wednesdays are back in 2015 and we kicked off the new year at The Dark Room, a wine bar and art gallery combined. I had been once before for a glass of wine over my birthday weekend, but this finally gave me the chance to try some of their small plates.

This month's pairings matched up a "pizzeta" with a half glass of wine for $10. In addition, there was a wine flight you could pick for $20. Check out the menu by clicking on the image below to see an enlarged version:

Menu

Even before we ordered, we started with the "Welcome White", a dry Muscat from Jumilla, Spain, to help clear the palate. Quite refreshing and dry whites are my favorite because they are so food friendly.

Anyway, the first pairing was the simple Roasted Tomato & Balsamic Glaze pizzeta, which included a four cheese blend and shaved Parmesan. With this much cheese, you know it was my favorite. Even though this was paired with a big jammy red Dolcetto, I found this one went well with the dry Muscat as well as the light and crisp Fiano for the second pairing.

Roasted Tomato & Balsamic Glaze pizzeta

That light and crisp Fiano still went well with the second pairing since the high acid in the wine helped to cut through the richness of the salmon and the goat cheese on this pizzeta. Maybe this one was my favorite because I love smoked salmon so much!

Smoked Salmon & Heartland Goat Cheese pizzeta

While I didn't have too many bites of the last pizzeta, the Prosciutto & Fig rich and meaty flavors demanded a big red, and the Cabernet Franc did it's job.

Prosciutto & Fig pizzeta

Since we didn't know how many pairings we were going to do, I also ordered the house hummus as well.

Smoked Paprika Hummus with Toasted Pita

This is a great place for a late night snack and glass of wine after a theater show!

Resources:

STLwinegirl = http://www.stlwinegirl.com

The Dark Room = http://thedarkroomstl.com/

Photos by Patience Scanlon

STLwinegirl In Home Tasting

After seeing so many pictures and reading the menus on Facebook, I finally had to sign up for an in-home tasting from the STLwinegirl, Angela Ortmann, Let me tell you, having your own personal chef and sommelier in your home, I felt so spoiled and could definitely get used to it.

The toughest part for me was picking out a theme or series of dishes for the STLwinegirl to whip up. (Yes, she cooks quite well too!) Inspired by another friend's dinner, I requested shrimp and grits, which turned into an entire N'Awlins-themed dinner and a wine pairing for each course.

We kicked off the night with an appetizer: Baltimore Crab Cabs with Creole Remoulade

Baltimore Crab Cakes with Creole Remoulade

Since the STLwinegirl knows me well, she made the Shrimp and Cheesy Garlic Grits EXTRA cheesy. (I think she used almost a whole bag of cheese!)

Shrimp & Cheesy Garlic Grits

Most of the heat came in the main course of the night: Duck, Andouille & Langoustine Jambalaya

Duck, Andouille & Langoustine Jambalaya

Since Patience prefers fruitier desserts and I must have everything smothered in chocolate, Angela made us both happy with Bananas Foster with Salted Caramel Sauce over Blondie Bars!

Bananas Foster with Salted Caramel Sauce over Blondie Bars

I almost forgot about the wines! Almost all empty bottles. hehe Since it was so warm we started off with a crisp white wine, a Pinto Blanc from the Alsace region of France. Next came two rose wines, the first, a Chinon from the Loire region of France and the second from Napa Valley, California. Not too sweet, not too dry, but just right to cut through the spice. And the Pedro Ximenez Sherry from Spain stood up to the rich, chocolately dessert.

Pinot Blanc, Chinon Rose, Azur Rose, and a Sherry

What I really appreciated the most was that Angela was able to alter the menu to our desires (more seafood!) and preferences (no piggy!), but the meal was still just as wonderful with the substitutions.

N'awlins-themed courses

Resources:

STLwinegirl = http://www.stlwinegirl.com/

Photos by Patience Scanlon and Angela Ortmann