Date of dining experience: July 12, 2016
Place: Fiddlehead - a soup and salad cafe
Location: 134 W. College Ave. in State College, PA
Salad: Bob Cobb ($10.25) - Romaine iceberg mix, roasted chicken, bacon, hard-boiled egg, red onion, avocado, grape tomatoes, and bleu cheese dressing. Absolutely delicious!
Drink: Cold-brew coffee, very good!
This restaurant is great! The perfect place for a light meal and some cold-brew coffee. Check it out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Cafe 210 West - State College, PA
Date of dining experience: July 11, 2016
Place: Cafe 210 West
Location: 210 W. College Ave. in State College, PA
Monday Deal: We went here for the $2.50 burger basket (which became $3.00 when you add cheese). This was totally worth the price! The burgers are super thin, but the fries are amazing and completely make up for it!
We happened to arrive at 9:00 PM, which is the start of their Happy Hour appetizer, draft beer, and mixed drink specials, so we ordered some of those as well.
Appetizer: Buffalo Chicken Dip ($4.25 at half price for Happy Hour) - Warm and cheesy, blended with buffalo chicken and served with freshly fried tortilla chips. The chips were the best part of this! The actual dip itself was mostly just cream cheese, lacking in both chicken and buffalo flavor.
Beers:
1. Yards Brawler ($2.75 for 16 oz. at half price for Happy Hour)
2. Yuengling Lager ($2.50 for 16 oz. at regular price) - The only draft beer not offered as a Happy Hour special because it is already so cheap!
Cafe 210 West has some great deals, specials, and Happy Hour prices every night of the week. Check this place out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Place: Cafe 210 West
Location: 210 W. College Ave. in State College, PA
Monday Deal: We went here for the $2.50 burger basket (which became $3.00 when you add cheese). This was totally worth the price! The burgers are super thin, but the fries are amazing and completely make up for it!
We happened to arrive at 9:00 PM, which is the start of their Happy Hour appetizer, draft beer, and mixed drink specials, so we ordered some of those as well.
Appetizer: Buffalo Chicken Dip ($4.25 at half price for Happy Hour) - Warm and cheesy, blended with buffalo chicken and served with freshly fried tortilla chips. The chips were the best part of this! The actual dip itself was mostly just cream cheese, lacking in both chicken and buffalo flavor.
Beers:
1. Yards Brawler ($2.75 for 16 oz. at half price for Happy Hour)
2. Yuengling Lager ($2.50 for 16 oz. at regular price) - The only draft beer not offered as a Happy Hour special because it is already so cheap!
Cafe 210 West has some great deals, specials, and Happy Hour prices every night of the week. Check this place out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Home D Pizzeria / Robin Hood Brewing Co. - State College, PA
Date of dining experience: July 10, 2016
Place: Home D Pizzeria / Robin Hood Brewing Co.
Location: 1820 S. Atherton St. in State College, PA
Pizza: I ordered a specialty pizza, Bacon Cheeseburger (12" medium - $14) - Pizza sauce, mozzarella, seasoned ground beef, bacon, and cheddar jack. It was pretty good, but the flavor became boring after a while.
Audry ordered a 12" wood-fired pizza, Margherita ($11) - San Marzano tomato, pulled mozzarella, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil. This pizza was pretty good as well, but they were pretty skimpy on the basil and it had a very strong salt and garlic flavor that became overwhelming the more of it we ate.
Beer Samples - all decent, but nothing special:
1. King Richard Red Ale - A malty, flavorful brew with an alluring garnet hue. Wisps of tropical fruit aroma draw you in for your first sip. Moderate hoppiness is offset by its suptuous body. (ABV 5.7%)
2. Broomhilde Hefeweizen - A favorite style in German beer gardens. This Hefeweizen is a traditional, unfiltered wheat beer with a pale straw color. Mild sweetness is tempered by a refreshing tart note. Banana and clove aromas are contributed by special Bavarian yeast. (ABV 5.0%)
3. Blueboary Wheat - A refreshing, session wheat ale. Light body and delicate sweetness are complimented by the familiar blueberry flavor and wafting aroma of this modern classic. Pale straw in color. (ABV 4.5%)
4. Saint-Hood Cafe - By far my favorite of these beers and also their most popular coffee stout. Brewed with flaked oats and four types of kiln-roasted malt, fermented with Yeast Blend #1, then cold-infused with crushed espresso beans from Saint's Cafe in State College. (ABV 8.0%)
5. Nuttingham Peanut Butter Porter - Honestly, a disappointing peanut butter flavor in this very light porter. Brewed with special de-bittered chocolate malt, this smooth, moderately-sweet porter is, as they say, "packed with peanut butter flavor."
6. Summer Ale - A light, unfiltered wheat ale made with their proprietary yeast and spiced with sweet orange peel, coriander, and lemon zest. When they say "light," they really mean it!
7. Saucony Creek Peach & Ginger Saison - The only beer that was not by Robin Hood Brewing Co. It was okay, but had a very strong ginger flavor that was almost too much. (ABV 5.2%)
This place was pretty good and our waitress was fantastic, but the beers and pizza were mediocre. Still, I'll try anything twice, so I'll probably be back here in the future.
Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Place: Home D Pizzeria / Robin Hood Brewing Co.
Location: 1820 S. Atherton St. in State College, PA
Pizza: I ordered a specialty pizza, Bacon Cheeseburger (12" medium - $14) - Pizza sauce, mozzarella, seasoned ground beef, bacon, and cheddar jack. It was pretty good, but the flavor became boring after a while.
Audry ordered a 12" wood-fired pizza, Margherita ($11) - San Marzano tomato, pulled mozzarella, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil. This pizza was pretty good as well, but they were pretty skimpy on the basil and it had a very strong salt and garlic flavor that became overwhelming the more of it we ate.
Beer Samples - all decent, but nothing special:
1. King Richard Red Ale - A malty, flavorful brew with an alluring garnet hue. Wisps of tropical fruit aroma draw you in for your first sip. Moderate hoppiness is offset by its suptuous body. (ABV 5.7%)
2. Broomhilde Hefeweizen - A favorite style in German beer gardens. This Hefeweizen is a traditional, unfiltered wheat beer with a pale straw color. Mild sweetness is tempered by a refreshing tart note. Banana and clove aromas are contributed by special Bavarian yeast. (ABV 5.0%)
3. Blueboary Wheat - A refreshing, session wheat ale. Light body and delicate sweetness are complimented by the familiar blueberry flavor and wafting aroma of this modern classic. Pale straw in color. (ABV 4.5%)
4. Saint-Hood Cafe - By far my favorite of these beers and also their most popular coffee stout. Brewed with flaked oats and four types of kiln-roasted malt, fermented with Yeast Blend #1, then cold-infused with crushed espresso beans from Saint's Cafe in State College. (ABV 8.0%)
5. Nuttingham Peanut Butter Porter - Honestly, a disappointing peanut butter flavor in this very light porter. Brewed with special de-bittered chocolate malt, this smooth, moderately-sweet porter is, as they say, "packed with peanut butter flavor."
6. Summer Ale - A light, unfiltered wheat ale made with their proprietary yeast and spiced with sweet orange peel, coriander, and lemon zest. When they say "light," they really mean it!
7. Saucony Creek Peach & Ginger Saison - The only beer that was not by Robin Hood Brewing Co. It was okay, but had a very strong ginger flavor that was almost too much. (ABV 5.2%)
This place was pretty good and our waitress was fantastic, but the beers and pizza were mediocre. Still, I'll try anything twice, so I'll probably be back here in the future.
Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Big Spring Spirits - Bellefonte, PA
Date of dining experience: July 7, 2016
Place: Big Spring Spirits
Location: 198 Match Factory Place in Bellefonte, PA
Big Spring Spirits is great. They make all of their own spirits and serve only their own stuff. No wine or beer here!
Sandwich: Steak Tartare - very good, but a little heavy on the onions.
We went on a Thursday, so we also got the Cheese Fondue for Two ($18) - Fondue served with fresh fruit, vegetables, and bread. They have different flavor options, so we ordered the Swiss and Gouda with Caraway option. It was delicious! After all, it was just a bunch of melted cheese (which is always great)!
Beverage 1: Cuba Libre! - spiced rum, cola, and lime. Very good, but very strong.
Beverage 2: Mango Highball - rum, lime, and mango juice. Delicious and dangerous!
Beverage 3: Kinda Dark & Stormy - rum, lime, ginger beer, and molasses. Good, but very heavy on the strong flavor of ginger.
Beverage 4: Peanut Butter & Jelly - vodka, peanut butter syrup, berry liqueur, and cream. Extremely tasty.
Try this palce out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Place: Big Spring Spirits
Location: 198 Match Factory Place in Bellefonte, PA
Big Spring Spirits is great. They make all of their own spirits and serve only their own stuff. No wine or beer here!
Sandwich: Steak Tartare - very good, but a little heavy on the onions.
We went on a Thursday, so we also got the Cheese Fondue for Two ($18) - Fondue served with fresh fruit, vegetables, and bread. They have different flavor options, so we ordered the Swiss and Gouda with Caraway option. It was delicious! After all, it was just a bunch of melted cheese (which is always great)!
Beverage 1: Cuba Libre! - spiced rum, cola, and lime. Very good, but very strong.
Beverage 2: Mango Highball - rum, lime, and mango juice. Delicious and dangerous!
Beverage 3: Kinda Dark & Stormy - rum, lime, ginger beer, and molasses. Good, but very heavy on the strong flavor of ginger.
Beverage 4: Peanut Butter & Jelly - vodka, peanut butter syrup, berry liqueur, and cream. Extremely tasty.
Try this palce out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Green Bowl - State College, PA
Date of dining experience: July 5, 2016
Place: Green Bowl
Location: 131 W. Beaver Ave. in State College, PA
This restaurant is simply fantastic! You pay $13 for an all-you-can-eat stir-fry experience. Now, I hate buffet restaurants, but this is not your typical buffet restaurant.
Grab a green bowl, fill it with all kinds of fresh veggies, pick a sauce (or combine some sauces), and choose a meat (or don't). Sit you bowl on the counter with your number in it and have a seat. When your order is ready, which you can watch being made, it will be delivered to your table along with your choice of white or brown rice. It's great!
If you can't decide what you want or what to get, they do have some recipe suggestions written up on a chalk board for you.
I love Green Bowl and will definitely return! Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Place: Green Bowl
Location: 131 W. Beaver Ave. in State College, PA
This restaurant is simply fantastic! You pay $13 for an all-you-can-eat stir-fry experience. Now, I hate buffet restaurants, but this is not your typical buffet restaurant.
Grab a green bowl, fill it with all kinds of fresh veggies, pick a sauce (or combine some sauces), and choose a meat (or don't). Sit you bowl on the counter with your number in it and have a seat. When your order is ready, which you can watch being made, it will be delivered to your table along with your choice of white or brown rice. It's great!
If you can't decide what you want or what to get, they do have some recipe suggestions written up on a chalk board for you.
I love Green Bowl and will definitely return! Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Jersey Mike's - State College, PA
Date of dining experience: July 5, 2016
Place: Jersey Mike's Subs
Location: 2009 N. Atherton St., Suite 100 in State College, PA
Meal: #9 Club Supreme - Roast beef, turkey, Swiss, applewood smoked bacon, and mayo. You can have it made entirely or partially "Mike's Way" with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, spices, and "The Juice" (red wine vinegar and olive oil blend). Delicious!
I absolutely love this place. I would venture to say that this place is better than Jimmy John's! The bread is fantastic and "The Juice" that they use is wonderful! The best thing about Jersey Mike's is that they slice the meat for your sandwich, with the slicer on the counter in front of you, when you order it!
Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Place: Jersey Mike's Subs
Location: 2009 N. Atherton St., Suite 100 in State College, PA
Meal: #9 Club Supreme - Roast beef, turkey, Swiss, applewood smoked bacon, and mayo. You can have it made entirely or partially "Mike's Way" with onions, lettuce, tomatoes, spices, and "The Juice" (red wine vinegar and olive oil blend). Delicious!
I absolutely love this place. I would venture to say that this place is better than Jimmy John's! The bread is fantastic and "The Juice" that they use is wonderful! The best thing about Jersey Mike's is that they slice the meat for your sandwich, with the slicer on the counter in front of you, when you order it!
Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Original Waffle Shop - State College, PA
Date of dining experience: July 4, 2016
Place: Original Waffle Shop
Location: 1229 N. Atherton St. in State College, PA
Meal: Greek Omelette - Feta cheese, fresh spinach, and chopped tomatoes. Simply delicious! All omelettes are prepared with three extra large farm-fresh eggs. Served with choice of two sides - I chose home fries and two buttermilk pancakes. The pancakes here are fantastic!
Coffee: Great coffee here as well!
This place is great, but it closes at 3 PM. If you're in the area, you better get there early! There is generally a line out the door. (Don't worry, it's only about a 20 minute wait at most.)
Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Place: Original Waffle Shop
Location: 1229 N. Atherton St. in State College, PA
Meal: Greek Omelette - Feta cheese, fresh spinach, and chopped tomatoes. Simply delicious! All omelettes are prepared with three extra large farm-fresh eggs. Served with choice of two sides - I chose home fries and two buttermilk pancakes. The pancakes here are fantastic!
Coffee: Great coffee here as well!
This place is great, but it closes at 3 PM. If you're in the area, you better get there early! There is generally a line out the door. (Don't worry, it's only about a 20 minute wait at most.)
Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Otto's - State College, PA
Date of dining experience(s): July 1, 2016 and July 2, 2016
Place: Otto's Pub and Brewery
Location: 2235 N. Atherton St. in State College, PA
Appetizer (July 1): Asian Sesame Boneless Chicken Wings ($7) - 6 oz. of boneless wings tossed in your choice of sauce, served with bleu cheese and celery. The Asian Sesame sauce was on the weekly specials menu. Naturally, I had to try it. The wings themselves were very good, but I didn't care for the sauce. I will be trying other sauces on different visits.
Appetizer (July 2): Scotch Egg ($4) - A hard-boiled egg wrapped in Hogs Galore sage pork sausage, then breaded and fried golden brown; served with a side of Roger's almost-famous sweet-hot mustard. This was a very good Scotch Egg, easily shareable, with the most sausage of any that I've had. Yes, I have had Scotch Egg dishes, two or three other times. Some restaurants call them Scottish Eggs.
Entree (July 1): Weekly Feature - Grilled Arctic Char with Farro Pilaf ($20) - Sustainable Icelandic Arctic char, grilled and served over a farro wheat pilaf with charred tomato vinaigrette and a side of the vegetable of the day (which was a mix of sauteed broccoli, squash, zucchini, and onions). I do love fish dishes and this one was no exception. I have had Arctic Char once before, at one of the Osage Beach restaurants, and I think I paid around $36 for a slightly smaller portion. I guess it pays off to be closer to the coast! Arctic Char is a very good fish. It is light like Tilapia, but much more flavorful.
Entree (July 2): Chicken Breast Mac'n'Cheese ($16) - Fasta radiatori pasta with Amish sharp and smoked cheddar cheeses, bacon, and heavy cream, topped with seasoned bread crumbs. This pasta is great! I absolutely believe this is the best restaurant mac'n'cheese I have ever had. I'm not sure if it's the Amish cheeses or the heavy cream, but it works! Delicious!
Beer Samples (July 1):
1. Pennsylvania Triple Ale - Belgian-style ale brewed with Pennsylvania apples, malt, and honey. (ABV 7.0%)
2. Maibock - An amber-colored Spring bock. Nicely malty character with a good hop flavor. (ABV 6.1%)
3. Arthur's Best Bitter - A British-style ale. This traditional style is served on the hand pump, emphasizing its floral aroma and citrus flavor. Hopped in the kettle and then dry-hopped with Cascade. (ABV 5.1%)
4. Spruce Creek Lager - This refreshing American lager has a malty, smooth character and low hop bitterness. (ABV 4.7%)
5. Apricot Wheat - An American Wheat Ale. Golden amber with the delicate aroma and flavor of Apricot. (ABV 4.7%)
6. Red Mo - An American red ale brewed with Nugget hops for the bittering and then late-hopped with Liberty hops. Very malty and crisp. (ABV 5.0%)
7. Black Mo Stout - A dry Irish stout served via Nitrogen. Black Mo is very smooth and creamy with pleasant roasted malt character. (ABV 5.1%)
8. Mt. Nittany Pale Ale - An American pale ale brewed with Cascade hops and hop-backed with Citra. A real refresher with a spicy, cirtrus aroma and a slightly nutty malt flavor. (ABV 5.0%)
9. Slab Cabin IPA - A classic American IPA with lots of floral punch and assertive hop presence. Brewed with Nugget and Amarillo hops, and colored to a reddish hue thanks to Munich and Aromatic malts. (ABV 6.3%)
Beers (July 2):
1. Pennsylvania Triple Ale (12 oz.) - see above.
2. Maibock (16 oz.) - see above.
If you are ever in State College, whether staying the night or just passing through on your way to somewhere else, I highly recommend you stop and eat at Otto's. You will not be disappointed.
Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Place: Otto's Pub and Brewery
Location: 2235 N. Atherton St. in State College, PA
Appetizer (July 1): Asian Sesame Boneless Chicken Wings ($7) - 6 oz. of boneless wings tossed in your choice of sauce, served with bleu cheese and celery. The Asian Sesame sauce was on the weekly specials menu. Naturally, I had to try it. The wings themselves were very good, but I didn't care for the sauce. I will be trying other sauces on different visits.
Appetizer (July 2): Scotch Egg ($4) - A hard-boiled egg wrapped in Hogs Galore sage pork sausage, then breaded and fried golden brown; served with a side of Roger's almost-famous sweet-hot mustard. This was a very good Scotch Egg, easily shareable, with the most sausage of any that I've had. Yes, I have had Scotch Egg dishes, two or three other times. Some restaurants call them Scottish Eggs.
Entree (July 1): Weekly Feature - Grilled Arctic Char with Farro Pilaf ($20) - Sustainable Icelandic Arctic char, grilled and served over a farro wheat pilaf with charred tomato vinaigrette and a side of the vegetable of the day (which was a mix of sauteed broccoli, squash, zucchini, and onions). I do love fish dishes and this one was no exception. I have had Arctic Char once before, at one of the Osage Beach restaurants, and I think I paid around $36 for a slightly smaller portion. I guess it pays off to be closer to the coast! Arctic Char is a very good fish. It is light like Tilapia, but much more flavorful.
Entree (July 2): Chicken Breast Mac'n'Cheese ($16) - Fasta radiatori pasta with Amish sharp and smoked cheddar cheeses, bacon, and heavy cream, topped with seasoned bread crumbs. This pasta is great! I absolutely believe this is the best restaurant mac'n'cheese I have ever had. I'm not sure if it's the Amish cheeses or the heavy cream, but it works! Delicious!
Beer Samples (July 1):
1. Pennsylvania Triple Ale - Belgian-style ale brewed with Pennsylvania apples, malt, and honey. (ABV 7.0%)
2. Maibock - An amber-colored Spring bock. Nicely malty character with a good hop flavor. (ABV 6.1%)
3. Arthur's Best Bitter - A British-style ale. This traditional style is served on the hand pump, emphasizing its floral aroma and citrus flavor. Hopped in the kettle and then dry-hopped with Cascade. (ABV 5.1%)
4. Spruce Creek Lager - This refreshing American lager has a malty, smooth character and low hop bitterness. (ABV 4.7%)
5. Apricot Wheat - An American Wheat Ale. Golden amber with the delicate aroma and flavor of Apricot. (ABV 4.7%)
6. Red Mo - An American red ale brewed with Nugget hops for the bittering and then late-hopped with Liberty hops. Very malty and crisp. (ABV 5.0%)
7. Black Mo Stout - A dry Irish stout served via Nitrogen. Black Mo is very smooth and creamy with pleasant roasted malt character. (ABV 5.1%)
8. Mt. Nittany Pale Ale - An American pale ale brewed with Cascade hops and hop-backed with Citra. A real refresher with a spicy, cirtrus aroma and a slightly nutty malt flavor. (ABV 5.0%)
9. Slab Cabin IPA - A classic American IPA with lots of floral punch and assertive hop presence. Brewed with Nugget and Amarillo hops, and colored to a reddish hue thanks to Munich and Aromatic malts. (ABV 6.3%)
Beers (July 2):
1. Pennsylvania Triple Ale (12 oz.) - see above.
2. Maibock (16 oz.) - see above.
If you are ever in State College, whether staying the night or just passing through on your way to somewhere else, I highly recommend you stop and eat at Otto's. You will not be disappointed.
Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Robust - St. Louis, MO
Date of dining experience: June 25, 2016
Place: Robust Wine Bar
Location: 227 West Lockwood Ave. in Webster Groves, MO
Meal: Bresaola "Carpaccio" Style ($8) - Dry-aged, salt-cured Beef, very lean, seasoned with traditional herbs and spices; topped with Parmesan Cheese, Arugula, and a touch of Truffle Oil. This dish was very delicate, aromatic, and flavorful. I was not terribly hungry on this visit, so I went with something a little lighter and less filling. This dish is listed on the dinner menu as a starter.
Dessert: Chef's Selection of 2 Robust Dessert-Style Cheeses ($12) - Apples, Dates, and Spanish Marcona Almonds. If you know me, you know I love cheese, especially good cheese! These two cheeses were exquisite. The flavors seemed to morph slightly with each different accompaniment. Along those same lines, a different wine pairing will bring out varying flavors.
Those of you who know my preferences, know that my favorite red wine is the Cabernet Franc. Well, Robust had two the night of my visit, so I had to have them both. They were both very good. So good, in fact, that I bought two bottles of each once I learned they were no longer going to carry either of them when their stock ran out! Well...
Wine 1: 2012 Ricci Curbastro "Curtafranca" Cabernet Franc Blend from Lumbardy, Italy (6 oz. pour - $10; bottle - around $20) - Amazingly balanced, this Italian Bordeaux blend adds a touch of Barbera and Nebbiolo, giving the wine a pleasant, round mouthfeel with cherry, rose petal, and a touch of cedar and spice. Though dry, this is a very light-bodied and smooth red.
Wine 2: 2012 Vin Ver'ray Reserve Cabernet Franc from Napa Valley, CA (6 oz. pour - $12; bottle - around $20) - Black cherry, vanilla, and baking spices emerge from the glass, along with undertones of smoke and earth. Bright expressions of cherry and blackberry on the palate. The tannins are balanced, making this wine approachable, yet sturdy. This wine is not a blend as the first one was, so it is much more full-bodied. This is probably the best Cabernet Franc I've ever tried.
Wine 3: If you didn't notice the other ingredients in the Curtafranca, they were Barbera and Nebbiolo. I have had a Barbera wine before, but I had never heard of Nebbiolo. So, naturally, when I saw they had a Nebbiolo on the wine list, I had to try it as well. It was good, so I bought a bottle of it as well.
2014 Giacomo Fenocchio Nebbiolo from Langhe, Piedmont, Italy (bottle - around $20) - The color is a deep, ruby red with garnet reflections and an intense and fruity bouquet of plum and cherry. The flavor is dry with good body, well-balanced tannins and harmonious with hints of liquorice, rose, and gudron. Though this wine was very good, I don't think it quite compares to the Cabernet Franc.
Our sommelier, Augustus Nanos (Gus), was extremely knowledgeable. I would never have thought to try a 10-year-aged Port with the cheeses, but it was great. The one thing he told me that I will never forget: A Port aged 10 years goes with dessert; a Port aged 20 years is dessert.
This is my second post about Robust. I absolutely love this place and highly recommend it for anyone who is going on a date, has a special event like a birthday or anniversary coming up, or just simply loves wine!
Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think! You won't be disappointed. Enjoy!
Place: Robust Wine Bar
Location: 227 West Lockwood Ave. in Webster Groves, MO
Meal: Bresaola "Carpaccio" Style ($8) - Dry-aged, salt-cured Beef, very lean, seasoned with traditional herbs and spices; topped with Parmesan Cheese, Arugula, and a touch of Truffle Oil. This dish was very delicate, aromatic, and flavorful. I was not terribly hungry on this visit, so I went with something a little lighter and less filling. This dish is listed on the dinner menu as a starter.
Dessert: Chef's Selection of 2 Robust Dessert-Style Cheeses ($12) - Apples, Dates, and Spanish Marcona Almonds. If you know me, you know I love cheese, especially good cheese! These two cheeses were exquisite. The flavors seemed to morph slightly with each different accompaniment. Along those same lines, a different wine pairing will bring out varying flavors.
Those of you who know my preferences, know that my favorite red wine is the Cabernet Franc. Well, Robust had two the night of my visit, so I had to have them both. They were both very good. So good, in fact, that I bought two bottles of each once I learned they were no longer going to carry either of them when their stock ran out! Well...
Wine 1: 2012 Ricci Curbastro "Curtafranca" Cabernet Franc Blend from Lumbardy, Italy (6 oz. pour - $10; bottle - around $20) - Amazingly balanced, this Italian Bordeaux blend adds a touch of Barbera and Nebbiolo, giving the wine a pleasant, round mouthfeel with cherry, rose petal, and a touch of cedar and spice. Though dry, this is a very light-bodied and smooth red.
Wine 2: 2012 Vin Ver'ray Reserve Cabernet Franc from Napa Valley, CA (6 oz. pour - $12; bottle - around $20) - Black cherry, vanilla, and baking spices emerge from the glass, along with undertones of smoke and earth. Bright expressions of cherry and blackberry on the palate. The tannins are balanced, making this wine approachable, yet sturdy. This wine is not a blend as the first one was, so it is much more full-bodied. This is probably the best Cabernet Franc I've ever tried.
Wine 3: If you didn't notice the other ingredients in the Curtafranca, they were Barbera and Nebbiolo. I have had a Barbera wine before, but I had never heard of Nebbiolo. So, naturally, when I saw they had a Nebbiolo on the wine list, I had to try it as well. It was good, so I bought a bottle of it as well.
2014 Giacomo Fenocchio Nebbiolo from Langhe, Piedmont, Italy (bottle - around $20) - The color is a deep, ruby red with garnet reflections and an intense and fruity bouquet of plum and cherry. The flavor is dry with good body, well-balanced tannins and harmonious with hints of liquorice, rose, and gudron. Though this wine was very good, I don't think it quite compares to the Cabernet Franc.
Our sommelier, Augustus Nanos (Gus), was extremely knowledgeable. I would never have thought to try a 10-year-aged Port with the cheeses, but it was great. The one thing he told me that I will never forget: A Port aged 10 years goes with dessert; a Port aged 20 years is dessert.
This is my second post about Robust. I absolutely love this place and highly recommend it for anyone who is going on a date, has a special event like a birthday or anniversary coming up, or just simply loves wine!
Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think! You won't be disappointed. Enjoy!
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