Ruth’s Chris Tastemaker Dinner is a wine dinner done right.
I get invited to wine events or wine/dinners a lot. Usually, I politely (and respectfully) decline. I mean, really, how much great food and wine can you reasonably be expected to consume during your lifetime? I know, it’s sounds like a tough problem to have. Admittedly, it’s not.
So, when I was invited to our local, Sarasota Ruth’s Chris Steak House for their March Tastemaker Dinner, I was, well, you know…
Then I did a bit of homework. Every couple of months, though October, Ruth’s Chris is teaming up with some of the finest winemakers and distillers to host a fantastic evening of delicious food and luxurious libations. It’s like a super refined “drink and tell”.
Last month the Tastemaker Dinner featured the wines of Daou Vineyards & Winery. Never heard of Daou? Neither had I. But, by the time I walked out Ruth’s front door at the end of the evening, I was a BIG fan.
Here are the quick Cliff Notes on Daou Vineyards. It was started by two brothers, George and Daniel Dauo. They were techies before techie was trendy (or cool), the early 1980’s. Both armed with engineering degrees from UC San Diego, they started a networking technology company. What comes next? Well, isn’t it obvious? No? What else would two brothers originally from Lebanon do? Start a damn good vineyard and winery of course. And the Adelaida District of Paso Robles was the perfect location.
Readers of this site know that I don’t write traditional food review. And, I won’t be starting with this piece. “They” say a picture is worth a thousand words. So, here’s few thousand words in pictures for you…
This nights Tastemaker experience started with a jerk-marinated pork tenderloin. It’s served with a Jamaican coconut rice cake and a mango chutney. A nice Dauo Chemin de Fleurs was served with this opener.
A honey and soy glazed Atlantic cod with wilted spinach and roasted fingerling sweet potatoes. Everybody knows that Ruth’s Chris is big player in the high-end meat biz. But, what you may not know is they also server a killer fish dish. Without a doubt, this is one of them. Oh, what goes great with Atlantic cod you ask? A refreshing Daou chardonnay more than checks that box.
Is that a molten chocolate cake with Chambord cream? Why yes it is. Nothing goes better with that elegant dessert than Daou’s Pessimist.
Executive Chef Randy Partington and Sous Chef Scott West hit this one out of the park. It’s just everything you would expect from Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Plus, that little bit extra.
Wondering what else was served on the plate and in the glass that evening? Here’s a look.
If you’ve made it this far, I’ve got a little treat for you. Here’s a really well done video that captures the essence and spirit of the whole Ruth’s Chris Tastemaker experience. So, uncork a nice Cabernet, let it breath for a few minutes, then hit PLAY!
Their next Tastemaker Dinner will be held on THURSDAY, APRIL 27TH and features the whisky of Johnnie Walker. Here’s the menu and details.
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