Food & Beverage Intl. — A Feast Fpr All Senses - 1st Annual Cabo Wine & Food Festival

INTERNATIONAL

Celebrity Chef Winemaker;s Dinner At Lafrida Restaurant

Story and Photos by Mary Buttaro

My final Festival evening was enjoyed at this very special Winemaker's Dinner, set in the elegant, authentic Mexican 1920s-style dining room of LaFrida Restaurant at Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach.

Three acclaimed chefs collaborating to produce it created the dinner. These chefs, long-time friends who worked together in the past, understand the outstanding potential of each other's cooking.

Nationally celebrated Chef Michael Schlow, a James Beard Award winner, and Chef Seth Raynor of Boardinghouse-Pearl fame, joined Pueblo Bonito's own award-winning celebrity chef, Antonio de Livier, in creating an event of culinary delight.

Chef Raynor created an Amuse Bouche, Tomato Infusion, the recipe for which he has shared with us. Salt Cod Goditas with Avocado, Cilantro and Tomatillo were tender, flaky, perfect and creatively presented. Panko Crusted Sea Bass served with corn, shrimp, saffron, and zucchini was paired with Chardonnay from two different vineyards.

Mushrooms, bacon, lentils and smoked tomatoes were the base for Ancho Dusted Tuna.

Again, the preparation was perfect, delicious, with picture perfect presentation. Each course was more wonderful, more flavorful than the last. Five courses, each served with two wine pairings totaled ten wines tasted at this dinner. Quite a challenge for a Festival participant!
The final dish, Pineapple Mille Feulli, was delightful with Gewurztraminer. That's 11 wines at one dinner! Wine pairings were chosen from the Pueblo Bonito's international cellar, selected by National Champion Sommelier Juan Carlos Flores.

During dinner, to piano accompaniment, enchanting chanteuse Luna Itzel entertained. It was an evening of creative flair in the food, the wine and the music.

Wine List for dinner at La Frida Restaurant:

Chateau Ste Michelle Blanc de Blancs Sparkling

Lindemans Bin 75 Riesling 2007, South Eastern (Australia)

Roganto Sauvignon Blanc 2007, San Vicente Valley (Mexico)

Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay 2006 Columbia Valley WA (USA)

Keller Estate Oro de Plata Chardonnay 2006, Sonoma Coast CA (USA)

Lindemans Bin 99 Pinot Noir, South Eastern (Australia)

L.A. Cetto Reserva Privada Nebbiolo 2003, Guadalupe Valley (Mexico)

Palmaz Vineyards Gaston Cabernet Sauvignon 2001, Napa Valley CA (USA)

Atalayas de Golban Crianza 2005, Ribera del Duero (Spain)

Roganto Selección Especial Tempranillo 2005, San Vicente Valley (Mexico)

Altos las Hormigas Reserva Malbec 2006, Mendoza (Argentina)