In the best and worst of times, always count on the bottle to make things better. It's no exception with the current economic drought, and thanks to a hospitality industry over-eager to nurse us through it, it's cheaper and easier to cope! Dive head first into these just-announced juicy opportunities to soak in the nectar of the gods.
Drink Out
Step up to the trough at El Gran Inka and wash down the Peruvian joint's tasty $15 ceviches with a complimentary Cusqueña beer or pisco sour at its new "Ceviche & Cocktail Happy Hour" (Thursday and Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m at 3155 NE 163rd Street.) If you're feeling hungry, one glass of Santa Ema Selected Terroir Chile Cabernet Sauvignon will be delivered to your table if you order a special 3-course menu for $31.95 per person, any night of the week. Call 305-940-4910 for details.
If economically-priced menus that pair wine and food are your wish, they are the command of the fine folks at the South Florida Chapter of the American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF.) The Recessionista Wine Dinner series (yes, you read correctly) kicks off Wednesday, May 27, 2009, 7:30 p.m. at Wish for just $65 per person; $55 per person for AIWF members, including tax and gratuity. A different restaurant will be highlighted each month, from May - September 2009. 10% of the proceeds will benefit AIWF culinary scholarships. Call 305-663-9641 for menu details and reservations.
Drink In
Thank god for crises. Sunset Corners Fine Wines & Spirits has a wine deal to whet your recessionary whistle that they even admit would be crazy to offer any other time. When you purchase the newly-arrived Schloss Gobelsburger Riesling 2006 (Kamptal, Austria) for $22.99 a bottle, you get a second bottle for a penny! That means, for those of you who can handle a case of this perfumed, elegant dry white, you buy one at $275.88 and get a second case for 12 cents! Maddness, I tell you! Owner Michael Bittel can tell you more himself at 305-271-8492 or visit the shop for its free tasting from noon - 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.
The perfect italian dinner night wine for all of us hit hard by these trying times landed today at Wolfe's Wine Shoppe, Strada Montepulciano d' Abruzzo 2007. With amazing fruit, it's a match made in pasta and pizza heaven. Invite some friends over and grab a couple of the $8.00 bottles. Or have a party with a case of 12 and only pay $7.20 each. It doesn't get much better than that, except that owners Jeffrey and Christie open up both of their locations, in the Gables (Fridays) and newly launched on Dixie between Davis and Ludlam (Saturdays,) for tastings. $20 gets you a glass and a $10 credit towards a purchase in the Gables and $10 gets you a glass on Dixie. Follow them on Twitter at WolfesWines.
