I like sweet things. More than I probably should. Ice cream. Brownies. Cupcakes. Riesling. Moscato...I could go on forever, really. But you get my drift. If it's sweet, most likely, I'll like it.
I was watching good old Fox 8 in the Morning a few weeks ago and I saw a Kickin' it With Kenny spot featuring Fantasy Candies, a chocolate/wine shop within walking distance of my house. Although I'd driven by Fantasy Candies nearly every day, I'd only stopped in once, years ago, when they were in another location. I was immediately impressed by the selection of chocolates that appeared on my screen and I was even more impressed when they mentioned having weekly wine and chocolate tastings in the store for only $10.
And so I went. Well, we went. Me and the new boyfriend. (more on that in another post) He and I joke that we're fat kids at heart, so before heading out to dinner last Saturday, we dropped by Fantasy Candies in the 6:00 hour for some booze and candy. Who says you shouldn't have dessert first?
We were warmly greeted by Joel, the owner and he got us set up with a plate full of some of his amazing candies and equally amazing wines. He took the time to talk to us about the different wines and how they complimented the various chocolates. Clearly, he knows his stuff. And you can tell how passionate he is about his business. I chatted with him for a little bit about other wine tastings in the area and asked him about business and he was more than happy to talk to me for quite awhile.
We were given 4 generous wine samples and 4 different kinds of chocolate, including Fantasy Candies' signature chocolate, SweetDreams 72, a high cocoa chocolate. I can honestly say that I liked all of the pairings. There was a zinfandel with a dark chocolate, a Riesling with a key lime truffle, a sparkling red wine with a milk chocolate truffle, and a milk chocolate caramel with sea salt with a port. I can honestly say that I liked all of the chocolates equally because they were all so rich and good. I'm not much of a red wine drinker, but the wines paired with the chocolates were all really flavorful and completely complemented the candies.
These tastings are held every Saturday from 6-8 p.m. right inside Fantasy Candies. Plus, there are other special events held intermittently that you can find out about if you follow Fantasy Candies' facebook page or sign up for their email list. They also have a really good sized space for holding private tastings or events. (think ladies night out, corporate meeting, or bridal shower!)
So if you're a sweets lover like me, you like supporting local businesses, and you're looking for something fun and unique to do on a Saturday night, drop by Fantasy Candies!
Vegetarian and vegan living, dining, and drinking in greater Cleveland, OH.
Showing posts with label wine tasting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wine tasting. Show all posts
Friday, April 12, 2013
Thursday, May 21, 2009
If you haven't been to Ponte Vecchio, what are you waiting for?
Continuing with the theme of adventurous dining, my meat-a-tarian boyfriend and I went to Ponte Vecchio the other night for their 5 course vegetarian food and wine pairing. My boyfriend went kicking and screaming. I was super excited to check out a new vegetarian friendly restaurant.
When we parked in the free parking lot (a novelty for most downtown-ish restaurants these days), this was the view:
The first course consisted of a cream of asparagus soup with a taleggio and almond panini along with my favorite wine of the evening, Yalumbia Viogner. The soup was really quite delicious and had a little bit of a warm spice to it. The panini was light and airy, despite appearing like it would be a crunchy toast. I generally like Viogner wines, and this one was really quite good.
When we parked in the free parking lot (a novelty for most downtown-ish restaurants these days), this was the view:
Incredible, right? This ended up being our view for the entire evening since we were seated at a large (enormous, actually) table outside with all of the other vegetarian diners. The view got even better as the sun went down and the bridge lit up...but back to the food.
When we were seated at the table, we were presented with a menu of the evening's food and wine pairings. I was a little nervous, as I always am, when my boyfriend is subjected to an all vegetarian meal. I'm not so sure that he's as concerned about me at a steakhouse, but...
I forgot to take a picture of the second course (blame it on the wine), and it was one of the prettiest dishes. It was a cucumber and mango salad with chopped peanuts sprinkled on top with a grapefruit and maple vinegarette. It was served along with my boyfriend's favorite wine of the evening, Frog's Leap Sauvignon Blanc. The fruitiness of the wine matched the salad perfectly.
The third course was my favorite dish. It was roasted wild mushrooms with a slice of sweet potato and corn in a smoky sauce. The chef later told us that it's traditionally made with bacon, to give it a smoky flavor, but used smoked paprika and was able to create a similar flavor. It was paired with Morgan Pinot Noir. Try as I might, I just can't get into red wine. But my boyfriend enjoyed drinking mine.
The fourth course was an edamame and red pepper risotto cake with caramelized onions, plum puree, and grilled pear. I'm pretty "meh" about risotto, but I thought it had good flavor. I especially liked the onions. Again, I wasn't able to enjoy the Paul Dolan Zinfandel red wine, but my boyfriend sure did. (As he reminded me the next day when he wasn't feeling the greatest.)
The final course included fresh berries - blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, in a creme anglaise sauce with minty tasting garnish. It wasn't mint, but it was really too dark to see or take a picture of. It came with St. Supery Moscato. I love Moscato wines for their sweetness, and this wine went so well with dessert.
All in all, it was a great evening. The staff was very attentive, and the general manager, Brittany, was constantly checking on guests to make sure they were enjoying themselves. I think that's a staple of this restaurant. It seems to have a sophisticated, yet homey feel where everyone who works there really cares about making sure you have a great experience. Even my meat-a-tarian was impressed with the food and wine served. Although he hopes that we can go back sometime soon so he can try one of their meaty entrees. This restaurant is really a hidden gem. Forget the hype about the trendy restaurants around town - this is a restaurant that provides a great atmosphere, fantastic service, and even better food. They need the support of Clevelanders to stay afloat in this awful economy. Won't you help them?
The final course included fresh berries - blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, in a creme anglaise sauce with minty tasting garnish. It wasn't mint, but it was really too dark to see or take a picture of. It came with St. Supery Moscato. I love Moscato wines for their sweetness, and this wine went so well with dessert.
All in all, it was a great evening. The staff was very attentive, and the general manager, Brittany, was constantly checking on guests to make sure they were enjoying themselves. I think that's a staple of this restaurant. It seems to have a sophisticated, yet homey feel where everyone who works there really cares about making sure you have a great experience. Even my meat-a-tarian was impressed with the food and wine served. Although he hopes that we can go back sometime soon so he can try one of their meaty entrees. This restaurant is really a hidden gem. Forget the hype about the trendy restaurants around town - this is a restaurant that provides a great atmosphere, fantastic service, and even better food. They need the support of Clevelanders to stay afloat in this awful economy. Won't you help them?
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Whole Foods 5x7 Update
I had the opportunity to celebrate Uno De Mayo this past Friday with a few friends at Whole Foods in University Heights. As I mentioned on Friday, 5X7 is a promotion Whole Foods runs every Friday from 5:00 - 7:00 pm, where for $5, you can get 5 food and wine (or beer) pairings that fit into a certain theme.
I honestly didn't know what to expect. I've been to plenty of wine tastings where you get one tiny ounce and move onto the next sampling station feeling unfulfilled. As I circled the parking lot, I saw many people with wine glasses in tow (Once you pay the $5 admission for 5x7, you get to keep a really nice wine glass with the Whole Foods logo and information about the 5x7 events printed on it. If you go back to a future event and bring your glass, admission is only $4.). I figured that was a good sign. After parking as far away as possible, I trudged my way to the store and was greeted with a line of people waiting to pay $5 to get into the event. Another good sign. I paid the cashier my $5 and was presented with a punch card and a menu for the evening's pairings.
My friends arrived a few minutes later and we hit the first stop on the 5X7 tour - a table with salsa and chips and sangria. Although I expected it to be the other way around, I got a tiny sample of salsa, and nearly half a glass of 365 (Whole Food's brand) sangria. And really good sangria, at that. I'm typically not a fan of anything made with red wine, but this stuff was great - very fruity and sweet.
Next, we hit the salmon burger station. (After we passed by some salsa dancers and a live band.) I obviously skipped the burgers (another comically small sample), but my friends said they were good, mainly because of the chipotle mayo they were being served with. I did sample the Rosemount Pino Grigio served at the station. It had a nice dry, fruity flavor. It wasn't my favorite, but it wasn't horrible. And again, it was nearly half a glass sample.
After that we went to the black bean quesadilla station with Tiamo Sangiovese. Maybe it's because I'm a vegetarian and so few red wines go with non-meat dishes, but I just can't get into red wine. I had a sip and had to dump the rest. The quesadilla was really good, though, and is sold in the prepared foods section.
Then we hit the Toasted Head Viognier and jalapeno wings stand. I couldn't tell you how the wings were, but the wine was just ok. I drank the huge sample, but I can't say I'd ever buy the wine.
Out last stop was the Great Lakes Grassroots Ale and Spicy Feta salsa stand. I skipped the beer - because I don't drink beer - but I did partake in the salsa. (Which was a good thing, apparently. It seemed like people really weren't fans of the beer.) It was the best food I had all night - including the meal I made for myself once I got home. It was a mixture of feta cheese, sundried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and olive oil. It's prepared foods item that's sold in the cheese section. I liked it so much that I used one of my unused punches from the meat table to go back and get seconds. And the booze in me told me to lick my little sample cup but I refrained from doing that. I would have brought some home but they only had huge portions. Little old me can't (and shouldn't) eat all that much cheese by myself. But the next time I need an appetizer for a party, that's what I'm going to pick up.
Between my great company and the free flowing booze, I had a great time at the 5x7 event and hope to go back. The line up for the rest of this month's 5x7 events includes:
I honestly didn't know what to expect. I've been to plenty of wine tastings where you get one tiny ounce and move onto the next sampling station feeling unfulfilled. As I circled the parking lot, I saw many people with wine glasses in tow (Once you pay the $5 admission for 5x7, you get to keep a really nice wine glass with the Whole Foods logo and information about the 5x7 events printed on it. If you go back to a future event and bring your glass, admission is only $4.). I figured that was a good sign. After parking as far away as possible, I trudged my way to the store and was greeted with a line of people waiting to pay $5 to get into the event. Another good sign. I paid the cashier my $5 and was presented with a punch card and a menu for the evening's pairings.
My friends arrived a few minutes later and we hit the first stop on the 5X7 tour - a table with salsa and chips and sangria. Although I expected it to be the other way around, I got a tiny sample of salsa, and nearly half a glass of 365 (Whole Food's brand) sangria. And really good sangria, at that. I'm typically not a fan of anything made with red wine, but this stuff was great - very fruity and sweet.
Next, we hit the salmon burger station. (After we passed by some salsa dancers and a live band.) I obviously skipped the burgers (another comically small sample), but my friends said they were good, mainly because of the chipotle mayo they were being served with. I did sample the Rosemount Pino Grigio served at the station. It had a nice dry, fruity flavor. It wasn't my favorite, but it wasn't horrible. And again, it was nearly half a glass sample.
After that we went to the black bean quesadilla station with Tiamo Sangiovese. Maybe it's because I'm a vegetarian and so few red wines go with non-meat dishes, but I just can't get into red wine. I had a sip and had to dump the rest. The quesadilla was really good, though, and is sold in the prepared foods section.
Then we hit the Toasted Head Viognier and jalapeno wings stand. I couldn't tell you how the wings were, but the wine was just ok. I drank the huge sample, but I can't say I'd ever buy the wine.
Out last stop was the Great Lakes Grassroots Ale and Spicy Feta salsa stand. I skipped the beer - because I don't drink beer - but I did partake in the salsa. (Which was a good thing, apparently. It seemed like people really weren't fans of the beer.) It was the best food I had all night - including the meal I made for myself once I got home. It was a mixture of feta cheese, sundried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and olive oil. It's prepared foods item that's sold in the cheese section. I liked it so much that I used one of my unused punches from the meat table to go back and get seconds. And the booze in me told me to lick my little sample cup but I refrained from doing that. I would have brought some home but they only had huge portions. Little old me can't (and shouldn't) eat all that much cheese by myself. But the next time I need an appetizer for a party, that's what I'm going to pick up.
Between my great company and the free flowing booze, I had a great time at the 5x7 event and hope to go back. The line up for the rest of this month's 5x7 events includes:
- May 8: "Finger Foods," easy to handle, even easier to enjoy! Music by Ariel Clayton (violin).
- May 15: "Organics: Spring," check out what spring and summer bring with organic highlights from throughout the store! Music by Randy Martin (guitar/accordion).
- May 22: "Local: Spring," the change of seasons brings fresh new products from local farmers and producers to our shelves - check out five of the tastiest Local pairings now available! Music by Madeline Lucas (flute).
- May 29: "All-American," a Memorial Day celebration of popular and traditional American fare! Music by Roots of American Music (acoustic).
I can guarantee that I'll be back. I normally shop at Whole Foods once a week anyway, and why not experience some new products and live entertainment in the process.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Uno de Mayo
How are you celebrating Uno de Mayo? That's right. Uno de Mayo. I'll be celebrating Cinco de Mayo at Lopez, but I'm headed to Whole Foods tonight for some Friday 5x7/Uno de Mayo action.
5X7 is a promotion that Whole Foods runs on Fridays where from 5:00 - 7:00 pm, for $5, you can get 5 food and wine (or beer) pairings that fit into a certain theme. Tonight's theme is obviously "Uno de Mayo" and is supposed to feature a "festive Mexican spread." According to the Whole Foods - University Heights calendar/website, the $5 cover grants you an all-access punch card listing the evening's pairings and you get a a free reusable wine glass which you can bring back for a $1 discount off admission on a later date. They claim they have vegetarian "options" at each 5X7 event. I messaged the store through Twitter to see if that means one or many but haven't heard anything back just yet. Even if there's just one little niblet for me, it's worth it. I like trying new wines, and this seems like a fun random thing to do on a Friday night. And afterwards, I can get my grocery shopping done!
5X7 is a promotion that Whole Foods runs on Fridays where from 5:00 - 7:00 pm, for $5, you can get 5 food and wine (or beer) pairings that fit into a certain theme. Tonight's theme is obviously "Uno de Mayo" and is supposed to feature a "festive Mexican spread." According to the Whole Foods - University Heights calendar/website, the $5 cover grants you an all-access punch card listing the evening's pairings and you get a a free reusable wine glass which you can bring back for a $1 discount off admission on a later date. They claim they have vegetarian "options" at each 5X7 event. I messaged the store through Twitter to see if that means one or many but haven't heard anything back just yet. Even if there's just one little niblet for me, it's worth it. I like trying new wines, and this seems like a fun random thing to do on a Friday night. And afterwards, I can get my grocery shopping done!
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