This Italian Piedmont Wine Dinner features the wines of Michele Chiarlo, a modernist in a very traditional region. Gino Catalano, a Chicago native and an Italian wine importer of Kobrand Corp., will be speaking about the wines during the evening as well. This five-course meal is $65 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.
The meal starts with Ostrica Crudo, Kumamodo oysters with pear, lemon and basil paired with a 2010 Michele Chiarlo Gavi. This is followed by Polpo Grigliato, grilled octopus with fagioli gigantic, marinated sundried tomatoes and lemon vinaigrette. This pairs excellently with a 2009 Barbera d’ Asti “Le Orme.” The third course features Coniglio Cacciatore, braised rabbit with crushed San Marzano tomato sauce, cipollini onions and herbs. A 2008 Barbaresco makes a great pair for this course. Filetto e Tartufo, grilled filet mignon with truffled risotto follows this course and makes a superb pair for a 2007 Barolo “Tortoniano.” The evening ends with Chiacchera al Limone, fried dough with ricotta dolce, lemon curd and acacia honey. This is the perfect companion for a 2010 Moscato “Nivole.”
