A Night In

Some nights call for classic combinations. My Friday night was all about a traditional Italian pairing of pizza and red wine. My latest Portland discovery is the gourmet pizza chain Pizzicato. They have some killer toppings such as fennel sausage, local goat cheese, and Oregon's best crimini mushrooms.  As many of you know, I'm a huge fan of mixing salty / sweet flavors, so I draped my personal sized pizza in pineapple and prosciutto. It was perfection. 

To pair with my delectable entree, I went with something a little funky and French. I ventured into my wine "cellar" and plucked out a ruby colored Loire valley Cabernet Franc / Cot blend, Clos Roche Blanche's 2011 Cuvee PIF ($17). Organically farmed, this wine from the Touraine has barnyard earthiness and some serious depth. 

And as you can see in the above picture, instead of sitting on my couch watching mindless television, I dove head first into Alice Feiring's Nake Wine. It is the first person narrative of how Feiring, the head wine critic / writer for Time, ventured into the world of natural winemaking in California and her misadventures throughout the process. Thoroughly enjoyable! 

All in all, it was a lovely Friday night. Hope yours was fabulous too and that you have a great weekend!

Cheers! 

The Happiest Hour

A couple nights ago I made a discovery. I found my spot. My happy hour spot. A place where you can curl up in a worn leather chair in a cozy nook. A place where blues echoes against the subway tiled walls. A place that always has a fire roaring and laughter lingering. A place that pours $5 champagne cocktails every night of the week. 

That place, my friends, is called Cafe Nell.

Located in the NW on Kearney and 20th, this neighborhood bar / restaurant has sophisticated city chic decor with a parisian touch. Think old school bistro with a New York edge. Although the aesthetic is to die for, what really sold me on the place are the killer champagne cocktails. Ranging from traditional (the classic champagne cocktail) to the funky (the portlandia), the bubbly libations are both seriously delicious and instant mood elevators. 

So below are some fun sparklers that you too could use in your next cocktail! 

Cheers! 

German Gilabert Cava, $13

Gruet New Mexico Blanc de Noirs, $15

Pierre Moncuit Blanc de Blancs, $35

Sugar & Spice

On Tuesday night, I ventured over to the Eastside and dined at the Portland institution Pok Pok. The pan-asian restaurant serves up some seriously good food like their infamous vietnamese chicken wings. The finger-lickin' treats are slathered with an array of southeast Asian spices, fish sauce, and a pinch of sugar. The resulting hot yet sweet appetizer pairs perfectly with one of my favorite wines Riesling. 

My go to lately has been Selbach's 2011 Incline Riesling. From Mosel, Germany, this reasonably priced wine ($11) is aged in stainless steel which enhances its minerality and vibrant stone fruit. Not only is this great with spicy food, it's also delicious when used in a wine spritzer on a hot day. Just add a splash of soda or even sparkling water, and you've got a killer thirst quencher. 

Cheers! 

Shine Bright like a Diamond

image via domaine LA

Have you tasted Bow & Arrow Wines yet? Well, if you haven't, you need to get a glass asap! They're awesome. Based in Portland, the urban winery was created by husband and wife duo Dana & Scott Frank. 

image via pdx eater

Focused on Loire varietals such as Gamay, the winery is currently housed in the SE Wine Collective where you can also find such standouts as Division Winemaking Company and Vincent Wine Company. 

image via tais

They just released their Gamay Rosé, the perfect warm weather wine, so the next time you're in the SE, be sure to stop in for sip or two. 

Cheers!