The Restaurant Guys

The Quiet Man: A Staged Radio Play

Sunday, March 26th at 7 PM

Based on the 1952 Oscar winning film by John Ford, our program tells the story of a retired American boxer who returns to the Irish village where he was born. There he finds romance and rivalry, as he struggles to keep quiet his pugilistic past, begging discretion from a priestly fight fan who remembers his athletic achievements (including the brutal bout he hopes to keep hidden).

FEATURING: Laurence Mintz as Michaleen Flynn, Michael Jarmus as Will "Red" Danaher, Danielle Illario as Mary Kate Danaher, and starring Jeff Maschi as Sean Thornton. With Alex Dawson.

PLUS: Theatrical lighting! Period costumes! Golden Age radio equipment! Live music! And extensive sound effects!

We can't think of a better way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day (belatedly) than sipping some uisce beatha while listening to jazz vocalist Danielle Illario's soulful rendition of "Isle of Inisfree" and watching Jeff Maschi's knockout performance as Sean "Trooper Thorn" Thornton!

Have dinner at either Stage Left or Catherine Lombardi before, during or after the performance and the show is complimentary. A limited number of seats will be available for $25 and a two-drink minimum. Show run time is 55 minutes. Make a reservation at 732-828-4444 or [email protected].

Raconteur Radio stages theatrical presentations of vintage radio plays, classic works of literature, and pop culture parodies for live audiences throughout the Tri-State area. They've been called "family friendly guerrilla theater" by the New York Times, one of "the 7 best things to do in NJ" by the Newark Star-Ledger, "innovative and entertaining," by the Home News Tribune, and "a radio show on steroids," by the Courier News, as well as "epic!" by Lev Grossman (of Time Magazine), "amazing!" by Kyle Hartzell (of NPR), "dazzling!" by Megan Ryan (of wNYC), "spellbinding!" by Tom Lynch (of Theatre World), "thrilling!" by Barry Monush (of The Museum of Television & Radio), and "outstanding!" by Lee Pfeiffer (of Cinema Retro Magazine). For more info, visit www.RaconteurRadio.com

Wine Dinner with Byron Kosuge

Wine Dinner with Byron Kosuge

April 27 at 7 PM

$119

 

We first encountered Byron Kosuge's pinot noir a few years back. We were entranced then, and we've been entranced by every vintage since! 

 

Byron grew up in Davis, California. The first fifteen years of his wine making career were spent making his mark, as winemaker at Saintsbury in Carneros. He left Saintsbury in 2001 and has spent the last 16 years making extraordinary Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, both under his own label and as a consultant for others.

 

"I could never be a “rock star” winemaker. I’m most comfortable knocking around in the vineyard or the cellar, trying to improve my craft, and turning out modest amounts of interesting, expressive, and, hopefully, memorable wine. The kind of wine I want to drink myself." 

 

We disagree. Sorry Byron, you're a Rock Star!

 

Come hear the music.  Byron Kosuge will be at Stage Left Thursday, April 27 at 7pm, to host a dinner with his wines and our great food.  If you love Pinot Noir, you should really be here.

 

 

Hors d’Oeuvres

Americano Cocktails

 

 

Crabcakes (All Crab, Very Little Cake) Remoulade

Chardonnay 'Sonoma Coast' 2014

 

 

House Made Pork Roll, Egg and Cheese

Pinot Noir 'Sonoma Coast' 2014

Pinot Noir 'The Shop' 2013

 

 

Lamb Chop with Lamb Shanks and Cannellini Beans & Mint

Pinot Noir 'Hirsch Vineyard' 2014

A Library Selection Pinot Noir From Byron's Cellar (Secret)

 

 

Frozen Peanut Butter Pie with Valrhona Chocolate

Coffee

 

 

 

Vintage Beer (Did you even know that was a thing?)

Well it is a thing, a pretty remarkable thing, and not too many people in the country are doing it. In recent years, it's been getting some press in America but we've been laying down beer for aging for many years. I don't think it is a stretch to say that at this point, we may well have the best beer cellar in the country.

You see, while most beer is meant to be drunk young, there are many beers that age remarkably well. If you go visit a family in Belgium, you might be offered a fresh beer or one that is from an older case down in the cellar. Carefully chosen beers will develop complexity, much like wine. The flavors will integrate and beers with a touch of sweetness can come across drier. Fruit beer, like the Lindeman's Kriek (cherry) magically transform.

To celebrate our 25th year and yet one more thing that we've been doing since well before anyone and that we still do better, we're going to offer our vintage beer cellar at 50% off list price on Fridays. This is valid in both Stage Left and Catherine Lombardi. Bottles are not available for package sale and must be consumed in the restaurant. All bottles are 750 ml unless otherwise specified...so bring a friend!

Get ready to have your beer world "roc-ed". (like the "Brasserie des Rocs 2012?I guess if you have to explain a joke, it's not funny.)

Vintage Beer
50% off these prices Fridays

Brasserie Dupont
Brasserie Dupont 'Posca Rustica (8%)' 2014, Belgium $36
Brasserie Dupont 'Speciale Belge (5.75%)' 2012; Belgium $39
Brasserie Dupont 'Les Bons Voeux (9.5%)' 2013, Belgium $38

Chimay
Chimay 'Blue Label - Oak Aged (10.5%)' 2015, Belgium $79
Chimay 'Red Label (7%)' Trappist 2014, Belgium $39
Chimay 'Red Label (7%)' Trappist 2013 $42
Chimay 'Red Label (7%)' Trappist 2012 $45
Chimay 'Red Label (7%)' Trappist 2011 $50
Chimay 'Blue Label (9%)' Trappist 2014, Belgium $42
Chimay 'Blue Label (9%)' Trappist 2013 $45
Chimay 'Blue Label (9%)' Trappist 2012 $47
Chimay 'Speciale Cent Cinquante (12%)' 2012; Belgium $129

Huyghe
Huyghe 'Delerium Tremens (8.5%)' 2015, Belgium $36
Huyghe 'Delerium Tremens (8.5%)' 2013 $39
Huyghe 'Delerium Tremens (8.5%)' 2012 $43
Huyghe 'Delerium Tremens 'Red' (8%)' 2014, Belgium $38

Koningshoeven
Koningshoeven 'La Trappe Tripel (8%)' Trappist 2015, Belgium $37
Koningshoeven 'La Trappe Tripel (8%)' Trappist 2010 $50
Koningshoeven 'La Trappe Dubbel (7%)' 2011; Belgium $45

Scaldis
Scaldis 'Refermentee (12%)' 2014, Belgium $40
Scaldis 'Refermentee (12%)' 2013 $45
Scaldis 'Refermentee (12%)' 2012 $47
Scaldis 'Prestige Nuits (12%)' 2012; Belgium $140
Scaldis 'Noel Premium (13%)' 2014, Belgium $64
Scaldis 'Noel Premium (13%)' 2012 $69
Scaldis 'Tripel (10.5%)' 2014, Belgium $41

Westmalle
Westmalle 'Tripel (9.5%)' Trappist 2014, Belgium $42
Westmalle 'Dubbel (7%)' Trappist 2014, Belgium $38
Westmalle 'Dubbel (7%)' Trappist 2012 $40

Baledin
Birrifico Baledin 'Isaac - Belgian Witte Style (4.8%)' 2014, Italy $55
Birrifico Baledin 'Isaac - Belgian Witte Style (4.8%)' 2013 (187 ml) $29
Birrifico Baledin 'Al-Iksir - Strong Pale Ale (10%)' 2011; Italy $59
Birrifico Baledin 'Nora - Ancient Herbed Ale (6.8%)' 2012; Italy $59
Birrifico Baledin 'Super - Pale Ale (8%)' 2011; Italy (187 ml) $35

Allagash
Allagash 'Tripel (9%)' 2014 Maine, USA $36
Allagash 'Tripel (9%)' 2010 Maine, USA $49
Allagash 'Interlude (9.5%)' 2011 Maine, USA $49

Anchor Brewery
Anchor Brewery 'Merry Christmas (5.5%)' 2013; California, USA (375 ml) $11
Anchor Brewery 'Merry Christmas (5.5%)' 2012 (375 ml) $12
Anchor Brewery 'Merry Christmas (5.5%)' 2011 (Magnum/1.5L) $65

Brooklyn Brewery 'Sorachi Ace (7.6%)' 2012; New York, USA $55
Stone 'Vertical Epic 12.12.12. (9%)' 2012 California, USA $40
Meantime Brewing Co. 'Naval College Old Porter (8.0%)' 2013, United Kingdom $42
Brasserie Caracole 'Nostradamus Brown Ale (9.5%)' 2012; Belgium $42
Brasserie de Rochefort 'Rochefort 8 (9.2%)' Trappist 2013, Belgium (Mag/1.5L) $99
Brasserie des Rocs 'Brown Ale (9%)' 2012; Belgium $39
Lindemans 'Kriek (4%)' Lambic 2012 Belgium $49

Upcoming Winemaker Dinners

Byron Kosuge (4/27)	Cathy Corison (5/19)	George Hendry (6/9)

[email protected] or 732-828-4444

March 27: Domaine J.A. Ferret & Chateau Des Jacques Wine Dinner

Ferret is one of the most magical domaines in all of Burgundy and a very important wine. The appellation of Pouilly-Fuissé was once one of the most respected regions in Burgundy. It is the noblest of the Macon sub region. Before WWII, it was a tiny appellation surrounding just the villages of Fuissé and Pouilly. After the war, cash starved France needed money and Pouilly-Fuissé had great name recognition. The borders of the region were re-drawn to include vastly more acreage and not all of it great. Thus began the slide into mediocrity. The newly included winemakers, on less-than-stellar land made a product that was not quite as good but much cheaper. The old producers could not hold the line in quality because Pouilly-Fuissé no longer demanded a price that would allow the best practices. The decline in quality and reputation was precipitous...except Ferret.

Ferret was founded in 1840 and was kept in the family for 166 years. The Ferrets only bottled wines from their own vineyards (Les Perrieres, Tournant de Pouilly and Les Clos) located entirely within the old appellation and indeed within the village of Fuissé. These vineyard-specific wines are like nothing I've ever tasted. They have distinctive honey and beeswax notes, with an incredible richness on the palate. While Pouilly-Fuissé does not have a reputation for age-worthy wines, I've had Ferrets at 10 - 13 years that remain stunning. Mark and I pulled the last bottle of Colette's wine in our cellar (2003) and drank it with some friends in the cafe last summer.

We started buying Ferret wines from Jeanne Ferret in 1992. When she passed, we bought from her daughter Colette Ferret until her untimely death in 2006. (Side note: The Domaine Ferret has always been run by a woman since 1840.) There was no family to take over the property. The workers stayed on and worked for no pay for two years until Jadot acquired the property in 2008. That brings a tear to my eye. Jadot paid them upon acquiring the domaine.

When I heard that the estate had passed to a large company, my heart sank. I had heard early reports that the wines were coming out bland and unremarkable. Those reports were wrong. Jadot put Audrey Braccini in charge. He wanted a woman to be in charge and he wanted to keep Ferret - Ferret. Audrey grew up in nearby Beaujolais and was the perfect choice. I'm glad to report...no, I'm overjoyed to report that the wines remain solidly Ferret and as exceptional as ever.

Audrey Braccini will be here with her wines and the Triumphal Return of Ferret wines to our list on March 27. She will also be presenting some of the best wines EVER to come out of Beaujolais (very serious dry wines, not fruit bombs or simple Beaujolais), which are made by her husband, the equally talented Cyril Chirouze. I would go on, but the email is already too long.

Ferret Wine Dinner
March 27, 2017 - Monday ($99)
Tasting 6:30 Dinner 7

Tasting with Hors d’Oeuvres
Domaine Ferret Pouilly Fuisse 2015
Domaine Ferret Pouilly Fuisse Les Perriers 2012
Domaine Ferret Pouilly Fuisse Les Clos 2014
Chateau Des Jacques Morgon 2015
Chateau Des Jacques Moulin A Vent 2015
Chateau Des Jacques Morgon Cote du Py 2015

Brook Trout with Thyme and Lemon
Domaine J. A. Ferret
Domaine Ferret Pouilly Fuisse 2014
Domaine Ferret Pouilly Fuisse Les Perriers 2014

Loin and Sausage of Rabbit with Spaetzle
Domaine Ferret Pouilly Fuisse Les Clos 2012
Domaine Ferret Pouilly Fuisse Les Menetrieres 2012

Slow cooked spice rubbed Iberico de Bellota Ribs with Quail
Chateau Des Jacques Morgan Cote du Py 2013
Chateau Des Jacques Moulin-a-Vent Clos de Rochegres 2013

Lemon Layer Cake with Lemon Curd

$99

[email protected] or 732-828-4444

The Spirits Project: Scotch - Invergordon 27 Year (1988)

Making the experience of super-luxury spirits crazily affordable and accessible!
Read more about the Spirits project.

• Suggested retail price: $299
• Thursday, March 9 (for as long as it lasts), we're pouring one ounce for $9

Invergordon is a relatively new player in the game of Scottish whisky. Invergordon Distillers was founded in 1960 to purchase the Invergordon grain distillery, the construction of which had only started the previous year. Its purpose was, and remains, to make fine grain whiskey in exceptional Coffey stills (a special kind of still).

The ownership has changed hands more than a few times and I won’t bore you with those details. Through it all, it became apparent that the particular Coffey stills at Invergorden were consistently turning out some of the best and most interesting grain whisky in Scotland. Grain fell quite out of favor in recent history, owing to the tremendous popularity of single malt.

While it’s true that most grain whisky is best used for blending, independent bottlers have long recognized the exceptional character of Invergordon. The very talented folks at Duncan Taylor (merchant) have been doing a fine job promoting this category in their Rare Auld Grain series.

Here we have a barrel of Invergorden that was distilled in 1988 and bottled in 2015 at 27 years in the barrel. I’m very excited to open a bottle with you this evening.

Next week in The Spirits Project
Red Breast 21 Irish vs Midleton Rare

The Spirits Project: Inchgower 20 Year Scotch (1995)

Making the experience of super-luxury spirits crazily affordable and accessible!
Read more about the Spirits project.

• Suggested retail price: $449
• Thursday, March 2 (for as long as it lasts), we're pouring one ounce for $13

Inchgower 20 Year Scotch (1995)
Blackadder Raw Cask 20th Anniversary

In 1870, the landlord of The Tochineal Distillery doubled the rent. Much to his surprise, distiller Alexander Wilson decided to move rather than pay the new rates. He removed the stills and all the equipment from Tochineal and in 1871, founded "The Great Distillery of Inchgower" nearby. The Tochineal buildings still exist, but they have never made whisky since.

Inchgower is in Banffshire, not far from the mouth of the River Spey and just on the outskirts of the fishing town, charmingly named Buckie. Despite being a relatively small-scale distillery, Inchgower holds up to 60,000 casks, most of which is sold to larger houses for blending. There have been no official releases by the distillery, but there are quite a few merchant bottlings that are quite well received.

This particular bottling was taken from a single barrel, distilled in July 1995 and matured in a sherry butt. It was bottled in September 2015 at natural cask strength of 57.6%, non chill filtered and with no added color. There were 582 bottles made.

Tiny bits of the charred cask settle at the bottom of each bottle: Blackadder's 'Raw Cask' signature. We look forward to opening a bottle with you Thursday evening.

Next week in The Spirits Project
Scotch - Invergordon 27 Year (1988)
Duncan Taylor Rare Auld Grain

A Big Weekend Coming Up

Growing up, this was pretty much my view of March into April. Somehow, in my childish brain, these two were related.

Here's just a reminder that we have two events coming up this weekend that will be a ton of fun: one Irish and one Italian.

• What's more fun that an Irish Whiskey Tasting, led by me this FRIDAY?
• Giorgio Conterno will be here with his wine to host a Barolo Dinner you do not want to miss this MONDAY!
• Also, we'll be hosting another live read of a radio play later in the month. Raconteur Radio will present The Quiet Man on March 19.
• Stage Left will be open for Brunch on Easter Sunday, as is our tradition, and Catherine Lombardi will open early for Dinner. Even if you don't celebrate Easter, the brunch is fantastic!

Easter Sunday: April 16, 2017

Brunch in Stage Left
Dinner in Catherine Lombardi

Easter Dinner at Catherine Lombardi

1-6 PM

In Catherine Lombardi, we celebrate Easter as Catherine Lombardi always did, with a full dinner. In addition to our regular a la carte menu, we will have specials like Spring Vegetable Minestrone, Asparagus and Ricotta Ravioli, Lamb Shank, and of course Easter Pie (aka Pizza Rustica, aka Pizza Gain). Make a reservation here, or call 732-296-9463.

Easter Brunch at Stage Left

11-2:30 PM / $39.95 / Kids 12 and under pay their age

In Stage Left, we celebrate with Easter Brunch. It's not buffet (except for the awesome dessert table). It's a lovely, civilized a la carte, 3-course brunch with an Unlimited Dessert Bar. Check out the menu. Make a reservation here, or call 732-828-4444.

(Brunch menu will be posted next week.)