When we were at dinner at Le Bistro in Vienna, VA. earlier this month we found out about this fab wine dinner and could not resist. Chef Roberto Donna and his team cooked up a storm and the wondrous wines were served by Laurent Lala of Elite Wines!
Champagne arrived at our special table as we were celebrating the arrival of Will's cousin visiting from the UK and then the yummy warm French bread came with a yummy herb butter.
The first course was a perfectly Butter-Poached Halibut with Leek Confit, Roasted Heirloom Carrots in a Lime-Vanilla Beurre Blanc with thyme and garlic. There was a superb sear on the fish and the 2022 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc that was served with it was ideal (I was not crazy about the wine on its own!).
Venison Ossobuco was a Gremolata topped shank in a red wine sauce with a Celery Root Puree, orange/lemon/garlic/parsley!! The dish had a delicious peppery taste and was ideal with the 100% Grenache Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 2021 "Elixir des Papes."
More meat was in store(many of us took home doggie bags!) with the Flat-Iron Beef Paleron and a Potato Foie Gras Torte that was amazing. The meat was stuffed with veggie and carrots in a sauce Bourguignon. The 50% Grenache/50% Mouvedre Chateauneuf du Pape 2020 "Cuvee Cadiac" was wonderful but could use more time in the bottle for sure.
Dessert was another revelation of Lemon-Raspberry Mille-Feuille with whipped cream in lemon curd sauce and served with an unctuous and sweet Mas Amiel Muscat de Rivesaltes 2021 from Roussillon. The pastry was excellent and while not a dessert fiend, this was super duper amazing.
Looking forward to more wine dinners at Bistro and Roberto's from Roberto Donna!
