Barfly
Vino Sexy: This Friday, January 21, Il Fornaio, Rosecrans, MB is hosting a wine dinner featuring varietals from the winery and tasting room of Bianchi, Paso Robles. Chef Vicente Mendoza has created a special, five-course menu pairing his culinary talent with the handcrafted Bianchi wines. The event, which starts at 6 p.m., begins with “antipasti e prosecco,” an assortment of Italian appetizers and traditional sparkling wine and continues on to the “primi” course of “melanzane,” (grilled eggplant, sliced and filled with goat cheese, basil, and sundried tomatoes in an olive oil/balsamic reduction). That will be paired with a red zinfandel. then “risotti al Quattro formaggi,” (carnorolli rice with gorgonzola, mascarpone, parmigiano and provolone cheese finished with truffle oil) will be paired with a chardonnay. The “secondi” choice of grilled pork chop is to paired with a syrah, or the salmon may be paired with cabernet sauvignon. And finally, the “dolce” dessert torta di ricotta, Italian style ricotta cheese cake with chocolate chips, almond flavor and Mandarinello liquor will be accompanied by Limoncello. Tom Lane and winery owner Beau Bianchi will be on hand to tell you about the winery, which was established in 1974, two years after the Il Fornaio chain was born as a baking school outside of Milan. “The baker,” the translation of Il Fornaio, came to the US in 1982 and has since opened some of the most successful restos in America, 20 in total in California, Colorado, Virginia, Nevada and Washington). Three generations of Bianchi’s have poured their souls into Bianchi. The late Joseph Bianchi began experimenting with wine-in-a-can even before it was cool. South Bay sales rep Diane Wachs has nicknamed Bianchi’s syrah, “foreplay,” and petite syrah, “orgasmic,” which follows suit with my description of all wine as “liquid love.” So bring your heart along with your taste buds. $60 per person plus tax & grat. To reserve your spot call Celia Ruiz at (310) 725-9555. For info on the Bianchi family winery go to bianchiwine.com…
He’s Back: The Pit Bull of comedy, my fave and fellow Long Islander, Bobby Slayton blows into town for one night only at the Comedy & Magic Club, Hermosa Ave, HB, this Friday, January 21. Beware and bring your think skin. Everyone and everything is a target for this comic. Call (310) 372-1193 to reserve tickets because he is sure to sell out. Check out comedyandmagicclub.com for more info…
Questions? Comments? Contact DebL at BarflyDebL@aol.com. B