another F&C weekend

so we met CBGB at Forks & Corks in the line out front.  They let us in around 11 AM and we went shopping first (get rid of the vouchers) and left the wine for pickup later.  Then headed in and grabbed a table for use as a home base.  The place was mobbed in almost no time bringing out my crowd phobia.  So we all took turns going for food and various tastes of wine. What I liked best this time in the food was a savory cheesecake from Euphemia Haye - with Gorgonzola and Parmesan cheese with bacon and scallion topping - that was a real winner - along with oysters which were terrific... but I don't know where they were from because one of the table mates brought them...

here are just a few photos because I have done very similar posts at the last F&C grand tasting events at these links where I had a lot of photos which look extremely similar to this event... LOL

http://blog.semifreelife.com/2015/01/the-main-event.html

http://blog.semifreelife.com/2014/01/forks-corks-weekend.html

there were almost ten solid pages of wines on the list and a whole book of participating restaurants... and the 1500 attendee number is the TICKETED number - not the people who come as part of the restaurants (who may or may not work their own booths) and the volunteers and the wine reps who pour etc etc .... this is a big deal around these parts and again this year I said the same as last- too many people - charge more and keep the number down like at the IPNC in Oregon (International Pinot Noir Celebration) limit the number and it can be a lovely time rather than having to fight a path to the food tables or the wine pourers.... to say nothing of those people who just STOP in the middle of the path/sidewalk/terrace.....

so while this event is a huge success - it is not my style...

but here are some really positive things about this year-
1. the weather was good
2. the wines were across the board better than in prior years
3. the food was again really terrific - especially given that they are basically cooking for 2,000...

so I always end up with a begrudging thumbs up on this one- I just wish it were fewer people.  The tickets sold out in three minutes and the organizers I am sure feel like they can't reduce the number since there is so much demand for them...

up next a concert tonight - RUNA - Celtic Roots Music

Quickly gaining recognition as one of Irish music’s new “super-groups”, RUNA has been enchanting audiences by pushing the boundaries of Irish folk music, since their formation in 2008. Interweaving the haunting melodies and exuberant tunes of Ireland and Scotland with the lush harmonies and intoxicating rhythms of bluegrass, flamenco, blues, jazz, they offer a thrilling and redefining take on traditional music. The group has been honored internationally, winning Top Group and Top Traditional Group in the Irish Music Awards and an Independent Music Award for Best World/Traditional Song. INDOOR SEATING AND PATIO SEATING IS SOLD OUT - so I guess we are lucky to have gotten tickets.

and then the Sarasota Ballet tomorrow..... will report back....

we "walk the walk"

LOL- so to speak...  So last night CBGB came down and the four of us headed out to the Wine Walk to Ca d'Zan.  Phil and I had gone last year on a very busy Friday night just after we closed on our condo and really enjoyed ourselves. So this year we invited CBGB and we made a foursome...

the event is simple- wines from many countries/foods from many countries and a lovely setting alongside Sarasota Bay as the sun goes down...

the little passport has all the wines and foods listed in for planning your "trip" around the estate-

so we stopped in for sea bass and empanadas at the Chile/Argentina station and sushi and sake at the Japan station.... terrine and tenderloin pizzas at the California/Oregon one and salumi at the Italy stop--- then topped it all off with tenderloin from a carvery station at the VIP tent- then we walked to the Terrace to sit for a bit to end the evening-

the layout had been altered this year due to very heavy threats of rain and we liked the one from last year a bit better but the rain held off and we enjoyed the evening despite the changes necessitated by the threatening weather...

up next for us- a week of farewell touring for Phil (read - we go to all his favorite restaurants one last time before he heads north)

up next for me- the Sarasota Film Festival where I have tickets for five films.

Also 4000 Miles at the Asolo with Georgia (in the historic Asolo Theater) and lots of cleaning and putting away at the condo- for the summer away. And finally, once it has really actually warmed up - the girls and I will head home for the summer.

we have lots to catch up on at home (Ed's Potsticker House soup dumplings! for one example) and we have theater tickets for four plays and a concert and a Goosefoot dinner - in the first two and a half weeks after I am home.  Then, before we know it, we are off to France with CBGB for our barge trip with our friend Captain Anna! Lots of fun in store for us this summer, including a trip to the Maritime Provinces for an "Epicurean Adventure" LOL- sounds delicious!!! Stay tuned for more details.