The patrons were warned that the dinner was less a dinner, more a “journey” through the vineyards of France, Argentina, and South Australia.  It would be a long night, but my sister and I and persevered through all the wine and delicious food.  We had a table for two in the middle of the room and shouted our observations to each other through the din of animated chatter.  I’ll try to report her findings as accurately as possible.

The first selection of the evening, the Andeluna Torrontes 2006, from Mendoza, Argentina, was my personal favorite; it’s vibrant, fruity notes and modest weight enlivened what was already a flavorful Smoked Lobster Bisque.  Here I must confess that I am a sucker for lobster, but I maintain that I was not unfairly predisposed to like its pairing with the Torrontes.

My sister on the other hand stiffened when she saw that Sea Scallop with Spaghetti Squash was next to come.  Apprantley she’d run into tough luck of late with rubbery, overcooked scallops.  But this was the Robinhood Meetinghouse, a five-star restaurant celebrated in some of the most prestigous food and wine publications in the country.  Surely a little sea scallop mounted atop a some squash would prove manageable for the esteemed chefs....

My sister was not disappointed.  The scallop, in her estimation, was cooked to perfection, and I concured.  It was served with the Occitane from Languedoc, France (2005), another agreeable choice.  

The next course, a desert, proved somewhat challenging.  The Domaine des Bernardins-Muscat Beaumes des Venise (2005) teamed up with a Foie Gras “Creme Brulee” with Cranberries, Almonds, and Arugula, and while they certainly complimented each other, the rush of sugar was intense.  The rose-colored wine could have been a desert all its own (and it often is), the combination of orange, toffee, and rose petals proving to be nearly overpowering.

Which was why was the “sorbet intermezzo” was an especially thoughtful calculation.  A dollop of berry bitterness went a long way towards cleansing and prepping the palet for the dishes to come, among them an excellent Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Emmental Popovers, Fingerling Potatoes, and Braised Leeks served with Merselean Merlot from the Rhone Valley in France.  Patrons learned that winemaker Christophe DeLorme, one of France’s rising stars, was behind the label.

Coffee Crunch “Capuccinpo” and a chocolate port from South Australia by the name of “Choc-a-Bloc” wisely followed, giving all who were lucky enough to attend a much needed kick out into the foggy night to find their way home and reflect on their long journey through wineland.  

Upon my own reflection, I qualify the dinner a success.