I want to go where its warm! Some thoughts from the first two weeks of January...

Here a few random food and wine notes from the past few weeks.

Bertolini’s at the King of Prussia Mall
by the Foodie Girl

The Foodie Hub was patient enough to be dragged through the King of Prussia Mall a few days after Christmas while I hunted for post-holiday bargains. When the growling in his stomach became audible I had mercy and we walked over to “Bertolini's Authentic Trattoria.” The place was packed but Hub used his charm and Jedi Mind Tricks to get the three of us seated in less than five minutes. The folks there use their head when seating those of us with well-behaved pre-schoolers. We were led to a large booth next to the giant window, to which our little girl exclaimed; “I can see the whole world from up here!” (That garnered about a half-dozen laughs from those around us.)

Now, I would describe Bertolini’s as a glorified pizzeria, set inside a huge bustling bistro trying to look like a trattoria in Italy. Make no mistake, we were in a mall in Pennsylvania, but it was a surprisingly good experience considering recent stops at Carraba’s (see November 07 entry) and Bennigan’s which was so bad we up and left. Our server was prompt (yes, she said her name and asked if she could start us out with a beverage) and certainly understood dining with a 3-year-old with limited patience. For that matter, she understood a 41-year-old with limited patience too. Little girl had a thin crust brick-oven pizza, which she enjoyed while gazing out the window. I went for the Tuscan Tuna Salad, served with Cannellini beans, kalamata olives, and sun-dried tomatoes. The salad was interesting and tasty. Hub is definitely an Italian boy as for the second night in a row he had a big dish of penne in bolognaise sauce (aka macaroni and gravy).

We don’t think anyone will confuse Bertolini’s with a fine Italian bistro, or their brick oven pizza with a place like Rembrandt’s in Philly. But if you need a relatively fast mall stop to get you back to Old Navy in no time, I say go for it!

Havana Daydreaming
by the Foodie Hub

Let me first say you could not hear my stomach growling that night in the K of P mall. The growling she heard was, “If you want me to stand and wait for you outside the candle store or Victoria’s Secret, you better feed me and give me a cocktail.”

OK, that said let’s talk about how much I hate winter. I hate it. Can’t stand it. I like it warm.

So when the opportunity presents itself to enjoy an unseasonably warm 67 degrees in January, you better believe I’ll figure out a way to take advantage of it! I lucked out and found myself in the charming village of New Hope on that warm Tuesday afternoon during the second week of January. With my business done I had time to stroll along Main Street and marvel at the mild temps and the crowded streets on a Tuesday. Don’t all of these people with the motorcycles have a job? Anyway, I was seduced by the open outdoor restaurant and bar at Havana. Moments after I was seated at the bar, overlooking the cars trying to parallel park next to Harleys, I quickly learned from the adorable bartender that Tuesday was Half-Price Day! This was getting better by the minute. It’s rare that I get to slow down for a real lunch, let alone outdoors on a sunny and warm day. Over the course of an hour I had two cocktails (shhhhh) and a very large bowl of Papardelle pasta with meat sauce for the low, low price of $13.45. You can’t beat it with a stick. The only negative about the place is the cigarette smoke. If smokers would only be a little more considerate and make an attempt not to blow smoke my way we could all get along. Come spring when it warms up again I will certainly make the hour drive to Bucks County and check Havana out again.


Wine Report
By Him

“Where the juke box is blasting, and the liquor is flowing… an occasional bottle of wine. That’s why everyone here is just more than contented, to be livin’ and dyin’ in three-quarters time.” – Jimmy Buffet

For the fellow wine lovers and wine drinkers please let me share a few thought about some recent wines we have enjoyed.

Copain L’haver Syrah Mendocino County 2006
A great party wine. We served this one at a birthday party for non-wine snobs and everyone commented positively on it. I think it’s a bit overripe and grapey but pleasant still with plum and cherry notes. Copain makes some real knock-out wines like the ’05 “Les Copains” James Berry Vineyard Blend (A Rhone blend featuring mainly Grenache and Syrah, what a surprise) or the single-vineyard ’05 Thompson Syrah. I’ve also mentioned the ’06 Katie’s Corner Vioginer on this blog which is another go-to white for my money.

Magenta Brut Champagne NV
Wow! Even non-champer drinkers will love this one! It has just a hint of dryness with some apricot and a hit of citrus. We popped this one at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve and finished it off the next morning with OJ. It’s a real value at $35.00.

Jerome Quiot Gigondas 2004
This wine is not as big as the ’03 but the tannins are much softer and it’s generally more food friendly. The finish is long and dry. We love Gigondas as our ‘house wine’ when dining on lamb at home.

Fournier Les Belle Vignes Sancere 2005
This was the white served at the same party as the Copain Syrah. It went quickly. It always amazes me how much more character there is in the Sauvignon Blanc grape from the Loire Valley than anywhere else in the world. This wine has so much more sweetness while maintaining its acidity. I still have a 2004 old vines “Grand Cuvee” on my rack that will be finding its way to a dinner out soon.

Domaine Coteau Pinot Noir– Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon 2006
It’s really hard to beat the Burgundian ’04 Coteau Pinot. (Spectator gave it a 91) The previous vintages came from Yamhill County, Oregon and you can taste the difference. The ’06 is a bit muddy at times and herbal but still blows the pants off other young Pinots. I’m sure it’s still in its youth and will benefit from more time on its back. I also own two bottles of the Coteau ’06 ‘Reserve’ for which I have high hopes. We had this Pinot at a Greek restaurant in West Chester. I'm urging the Foodie Girl to start writing!

Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
If you can still find this at a Pennsylvania Wine and Spirits shop I suggest you grab what you can. This is a straight-forward Napa Cab that rated a 91 from Spectator that sells for $12.99 for a half bottle. In the over-inflated world of California wines this is a real bargain. I think the halves rock.

Final thoughts
1) I have two 1999 Cote Roties that call my name every night. I think it might be time to pop the cork on one.

2) The Foodie Girl even looks sexy in her blue snowflake PJs and fuzzy bunny slippers.

3) I really enjoy peppermint tea.


xoxoxo,
The Philly Foodie Girl