NORTH BAY BOHEMIAN | DECEMBER 21–27, 2011 | BOHEMIAN.COM
Champagne ( 13
Happy New Year
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December 31, 2011 MENU Caramelized Apple, Bermuda Onion & Spring Hill Cheese Tart
( of fer valid (offer v a li d o on n aany ny w wine ine by by the the glass, glass, aatt M endocino location) location ) Mendocino
NO NORTH ORTH BA BAY’S AY’S Y BEST BE ST INDIAN FOOD, FO OD, 21 YEARS
O n li n e m Online menu enu SSizzlingTandoor.com izzlingTandoor.com
arugula salad with basil oil ĂŠtoile RosĂŠ
Maine Lobster Thermidor golden chanterelle mushrooms, bourbon cream sauce 2009 Acacia Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyard
INTERMEZZO Passion Fruit Sorbet
409 Mendocino Ave, Downtown Sa Santa anta Rosa Rosa 707.579.5999 70 7.579.5999 ccross ros s sstreet t re et 5th 5t h
Breast of Pheasant ragoĂťt of artichoke, brandy sauce 2008 Domaine Chandon Carneros Pinot Noir
Mustard-Crusted Rack of Lamb cauliflower tempura, glazed root vegetables, lamb jus 2007 Beaulieu Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Royal Whisky Chocolate Mousse Cake whisky ganache, chocolate glaze Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label Demi-Sec Midnight Toast ~ Dancing (DJ) Party Favors No-Host Bar: 7pm Dinner: 8pm ~ Music to 1am $
125 per person, plus tax and gratuity
reservations: 707.875.2751 or email: reservations@innatthetides.com
Superb Sushi Creations WEWLMQM ˆ YHSR WYWLM ˆ XIVM]EOM VEQIR ˆ XIQTYVE
800 Hwy 1, Bodega Bay 707.875.2751 www.InnattheTides.com
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Surprisingly, many scored it lower on the second go-around, although several increased their scores and compliments: “Tastes like Champagne should taste.� ++++
Iron Horse Classic Vintage Brut 2006 ($33) Among the most dynamic bottles of this lineup, the Iron Horse has lively top-palate bubble action, while thirstquenching acidity dives deep down on the back end. The austere avors are hard to pin down, but it sports classic, vintage aromas of autolyzed yeast or, as one Bohemian put it, “monkey ďŹ zz.â€? ++++ J Vineyards Late Disgorged Vintage Brut 2001 ($90) Something of a surprise in contrast to what I remember of previous vintages that I made a staple of holiday entertaining last year, this lean, assertive brut has an integrated, nutty, creamy aroma with overtones of lemony custard and a vibrant core of very bright acidity. An excellent brut that could go up against champagne-from-Champagne champagne; but be advised that the searing acidity was too much for some, one taster going so far as to describe it as “sour and cruel.â€? ++++ Domaine Carneros Brut CuvĂŠe 2007 ($26) Fine bubbles, lively and gentle, aromas of lemon custard and cider, with a hint of fresh-baked sourdough and sweet, glazed almonds on the dry, ďŹ rm ďŹ nish. In general, it didn’t leave much of an impression one way or the other
on the group, except for inspiring several non sequiturs: “hand-walled Stilton caveâ€? and “liquid mummy.â€? On a second tasting, I liked this quite a bit. ++++ Korbel Natural NV ($13.99) “Natural,â€? in this case, refers not to the wine’s organic provenance, but to a dry style of brut. It’s a misnomer, anyway, as this bronze-hued, full-bodied sparkling has a healthy dosage. Apples and apple brandy showed up in most tasters’ notes—apple bottom jeans in another’s; Belgian beer, in mine. The aroma is fruity, a little herbal and hoppy, and the ďŹ nish nicely balanced. Unusual among the California Champagne giant’s offerings, this Korbel is grown locally, and has been served at presidential inaugurations for the past thirty years +++ Gloria Ferrer Brut NV ($20) A pale yellow hue, with faint strawberry scent and essential bubbly “brutiness.â€? One taster cryptically noted, “Fuzzy, like a petulant kitten.â€? This brut has no defect but for its fresh simplicity and anonymity; it’s got a zippy core of pink grapefruit, a clean and roiling mousse, so save this one for midnight on New Year’s Eve, when everyone who’s drunk already needs something to zap their palate awake, and anyone who drinks only a little will ďŹ nd that a half bottle still has adequate effervescence for Sundaymorning mimosas. +++