Calle - Tacos & Tequila

To say that Skagit County is lacking in restaurant options is an understatement. So, when I heard the buzz about a new Mexican restaurant in downtown Mount Vernon that wasn't like the other Mexican cuisine in the valley I was excited to check it out.  The buzz was right, the atmosphere here is not like your typical Mexican restaurants.  No sombreros, Mariachi band or chips and salsa on the table.

Meaning "street" in Spanish, Calle offers traditional Mexican cuisine, including small taco truck style tacos on homemade tortillas.  The bar boasts over 60 tequilas.  They offer tequila flights ranging from $15 to $40 for 3 tastes.  I seriously had the best margarita here.  There is not a blender in sight, all their margaritas are on the rocks.  I had their cucumber margarita, made with fresh lime, cucumber infused tequila and agave syrup.  It was excellent.  They also have some spicy margarita concoctions like mango habanero.

With great service, excellent drinks and good authentic food; Calle should stick around for a long time. They are active on their Facebook page, posting updates and specials regularly.  Please support local and check them out!

A Spanish Feast

Spanish was the theme for this year's wine dinner.  We love to eat tapas and have developed a love for Spanish food.  So, this year we decided to tackle this cuisine.  I think we succeeded.

As always we start our guests off with bubbles.  We went with a Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava. Light and  dry, it was a perfect start to our evening.

Cold Tapas

• Tuna belly on toast with capers and preserved lemon
• Anchovy and piquillo pepper suffed green olives
• Iberico jamon (ham)

Wine pairings: 2010 Fillaboa Albarino, 2010 Dusted Valley Ramblin Rose.

Both wines paired exceptionally well with the course.  The Albarino complemented the lemon in the tuna as well as the salty anchovies and olives.

Vegetable Course

• Spaghetti squash, black lentil, chanterelle and golden raisin gratin with a pine nut sauce
• Peas with mint and romesco sauce

Wine pairings: 2006 Cougar Crest Estate Golden Legacy Syrah, 2007 Flying Trout Old Vines Malbec.

The malbec was the winner here.  You may not think malbec for a vegetable course, but the gratin stood up to it with the earthy lentils and mushrooms.

Hot Tapas

Goat cheese croquettes

• Herbed goat cheese croquettes
• Piquillo peppers stuffed with farmers cheese topped with balsamic and toasted pine nuts
• Empanadas x 2 - Ground lamb and pear, blue cheese & walnut
• Potato Bravas with garlic aioli

Wine pairings: 2007 Tero Estates Windrow Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 Wineglass Cellars Les Vignes De Marcoux Cabernet Sauvignon.

Both of these wines sang with this course.  The strong flavors from the goat cheese and the lamb went great with the bold earthy flavors of the Tero Cab.  The smooth silkiness of the Wineglass Cab complemented the piquillo peppers well.

Meat Course

• Baked chorizo and egg with garbanzo beans
• Roast Iberico pork loin with marinated vegetables. Smoked date and fig purees.

Wine pairings: 2008 Walla Walla Vintners Cuvee, 2007 JM Cellars Longevity

Seafood Paella

We got to play with our new paella pan on a large scale.  We prepared this traditional Spanish dish consisting of mussels, prawns, clams, chorizo and vegetables stewed together in saffron rice. It turned out perfectly.

Wine pairings: 2006 LAN Rioja Crianza, 2008 Castillo De Feliciana Rosebud Tempranillo, 2008 Gramercy Cellars Inigo Montoya Tempranillo.

The Gramercy Temp really stole the show for this round.  It was so smooth and well balanced, especially for such a young wine.

We ended the night with fig, chocolate & marsala dessert empanadas and homemade sea salt caramels.

We are so pleased how our wine dinner turned out this year.  It was our best year yet.  Now, they question is how to top it next year?

I have to give a huge shoutout to The Spanish Table in downtown Seattle.  They have an amazing selection of Spanish products and they were very helpful in helping us pick out the Spanish wine we were looking for. Also Ocho in Ballard, where many inspirational meals were had to help us develop our menu this year.

Taste of Tulalip - Are You Ready?

Had my first taste of "Cristal"

I mean, are you really ready?  Are you ready for a weekend filled with extraordinary culinary delights, celebrities of the food world, and live cooking challenges?  All of this along with award winning wines from not only Washington, but California and Italy?  If you are then make sure you are in attendance at the Taste of Tulalip November 11th & 12th.

The weekend kicks off with a tasting reception, celebration dinner and VIP afterparty at the Oasis pool on Friday night. Saturday includes a seminar and demo with celebrity chef Carla Hall, a Private Magnum Tasting hosted by star chef Cathy Kasey and Tulalip Resort sommelier Tommy Thompson and then capped off with the Grand Taste from 2:30-6:30.

Chef Nikol Nakamura making
Nitrogen Ice Cream!

The preview tweet up I attended last week offered a sampling of what to expect at the event.  Believe me, the Tulalip Resort has spared no expense.  At the preview, sommelier Tommy Thompson poured some exclusive wines including 2002 Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne, 2008 Domaine Leflaive Batard Montrachet Burgundy, 2006 Leonetti Reserve Red Blend and ZD Abacus Cabernet Sauvignon XII.  I was also able to taste a some tidbits of the amazing food that will be at this event.  I am constantly blown away by the culinary talent of the chefs at the Tulalip Resort.  Get your tickets now so that you can share in this food and wine extravaganza!

Wineglass Cellars - Pioneers of the Rattlesnake Hills

Wineglass Cellars was founded in 1994 by David & Linda Lowe, with their first release in May of 1995.  Their philosophy of wine making is hands on, keeping production low and quality high.  Their production is 2200 cases a year.  Because of this, they are able to take advantage of smaller parcels of grapes available from some of Washington's premier vineyards, including Red Willow.  I am a huge fan of Wineglass and have been since I first got into wine. Since the late 90s, I have visited them at least a half dozen times and every single time I am blown away by the quality of their wines.

Back in March, we stopped by Wineglass on our way to Walla Walla.  At that time, they were bottling a yet to be named Syrah/Grenache blend.  On our way east this past weekend, I was eager to stop by and see what came about of this wine.  Enter Two Friends, 50% Syrah 50% Grenache blend.  With the perfect balance of fruitiness from the Syrah and the earthy acidity of the Grenache, this wine is drinking so well right now. It isn't being released until October, so definitely keep this one on your radar.

The next time you are on your way to Red Mountain or Walla Walla, I urge you to bail off of I-82 in Zillah, make your way through the dusty farm roads, and stop by Wineglass Cellars.  Sample some amazing wines, talk to some great down to earth people and take it all in.

2011 Auction of Washington Wines Picnic & Barrel Auction

The 24th annual Auction of Washington Wines Picnic and Barrel Auction (#AWW11) has come and gone.  I stand by my opinion that this is one of the best events of the year for Washington wine.  More importantly, this year the entire 3 day event raised 1.5 million dollars for Seattle Children's uncompensated care program.

Rebecca Gunselman of
 Robert Karl Cellars

With the temperature in the mid 70s, I seemed to gravitate towards the white and roses.  Rebecca Gunselman from Robert Karl Cellars offered me a wonderful, crisp Sauv Blanc that was a welcome respite from the heat of the day.
I also loved the big selection of Roses to choose from. Some of my favorites from that table were the Dusted Valley Ramblin Rose and the Kaella Winery Rose of Sangiovese.

This is not to say that I did not sample any reds.  I especially enjoyed chatting with Erica Blue from Adams Bench and tasting their fabulous Red Willow Cabernet Sauvignon.

White Chocolate Cremeux & Passion Fruit
Gelee Golden Eggs

Once again the Tulalip Resort and Casino wowed us with their culinary creations.  They really outdid themselves with dessert this year setting up the "Adult Sugar Ride", which was in a separate dessert tent.  This Willy Wonka-esque escape included homemade supersized Oreos, edible wallpaper, and three huge chocolate fountains.

I thoroughly enjoyed this year's picnic.  I highly encourage both wine and food lovers alike to put this event on your radar next year.  Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the Auction of Washington Wines, so you know it will be special and not to be missed!