September 29-December 8
Recession? What recession? At South Beach's sleek more-than-steakhouse Meat Market, sommelier Gabriel Varela and chef/co-owner Sean Brasel have launched a series of luxe paired wine meals ($150-175 for five courses, including tax and tip) that evoke the elaborately carefree tasting dinners of a decade ago. Upcoming: Trinchero Estates, September 29; Australian winery d'Arenberg in October; a popular (but still secret) Spanish winemaker in November; and a Perrier Jouet "All Bubbles" dinner on December 8. While menus, as well as specific wines, remain to be determined, judge eats from the series' inaugural Duckhorn Vineyards dinner, featuring smoked salmon/mamey crema crostini, hamachi with yuzu-lemon aioli on crispy yuca, and scallop with spicy yellow pepper mousse on taro chip... And that's just the first course. Meat Market, 915 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach, FL 33139, 305-532-0088.
Wednesdays
Sommelier Richard Slutter presides over weekly Cellar Selection Wednesdays at Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue's XIX Nineteen Restaurant. Each Wednesday from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Slutter guides guests through a themed tasting of five to six wines for $20. This event also includes light fare from XIX chef Marc Plessis. Call the restaurant for more information and to reserve a spot. XIX Nineteen Restaurant, Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue, 200 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19102, 215-790-1919.
Fridays
Every Friday from 6 to 8 p.m., explore a flight of special wines at Ristorante Panorama. The cost is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Entry is as space allows. Druing the series, the flights will feature various importers, regions and varietals, along with a menu of cheeses and hors d’oeuvres. Call 215-922-7800 to reserve. Ristorante Panorama, Penn's View Hotel, 14 N. Front St., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 215-922-7800.
Sundays
Filiberto Magnati, the owner of Di Vino Wine Bar. and former sommelier at Savona on the Main Line, has started a wine club---a group that will enjoy tastings in the restaurant on Sundays. Magnati will offer six wines to try (three red and three white) from around the world for $25, including small plates. The 45-seat restaurant offers a global list and more than 35 selections by the glass. Each of chef Antonio Palmente's small plates are designed to bring out flavors in wine, with Magnati pairing wines for each course. Di Vino Wine Bar, 267 S. 19th St., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 215-545-0441.
Tuesdays
Through November 30, The
Pelican Hotel and Restaurant presents “The Glass
is Half Full,” featuring 50% off the entire
wine list. The Pelican Hotel and Restaurant, 826
Ocean Dr., Miami, FL, 33139, 305-673-3373.
Thursdays
Every Thursday from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m., join Tara’s Steak
& Lobster House for its weekly Weekend Wine Down in the Lounge at Tara’s. The notable wine list will be offering three to four
different wines paired with artisanal cheeses and fresh seasonal
fruit. Call for the wine schedule. 1430 SE 17th St., Ft. Lauderdale,
FL, 33316, 954-765-6202.
Thursdays
Forget about being just
plain old happy. Now you can be extra-exuberant and super-psyched
at The
Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove’s Ultra Hour. Featuring Laurent Perrier
Champagne and variations on the caviar-and-cocktail
theme (champagne cocktails cost only $8), the social happening,
every Thursday from 5 p.m.-11 p.m., is a Miami highlight—complete
with DJ. 3300 SW 27th Ave., Coconut Grove, FL, 33133, 305-644-4680.
Fridays
At Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
(2525 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, FL, 33134, 305-569-7995),
“Flight of the Night” is an ongoing,
ever-changing Friday night wine program featuring a sampling
of three whites, three reds or three from the restaurant’s
exclusive reserve list. Prices vary per person, per selection.
Every
Other Saturday
Mama Lila's Bistro hosts
"Saturday Food & Wine Pairings"
featuring different menu items and wines each time. A three-course
meal and wine costs $24 per person and is offered from 6 p.m.-10
p.m. Mama Lila's Bistro, 1915
Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, FL, 33134, 305-461-2424.
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