We were lucky enough to attend the Petit Verdot Reserve Celebration at Palladio Restaurant at Barboursville Vineyards on August 19th. Chef Melissa Close Hart and visiting Chef Diego Gottardo (from Italy) prepared an exquisite menu that was beautifully paired with wines from the vineyard. We had always wanted to go to a “wine dinner” at one of the area’s great wineries and when some friends said let’s go to this one, we replied with OK! And are we glad we did.
We recommend Palladio as a special occasion restaurant for guests staying at Foxfield Inn even though it is approximately a 35 minute drive from here because the food served there is known to be excellent. And now I personally know why it has it’s reputation.
Our meal started with a Tuna & Vegetable Mosaic served with a Sicilian olive caper sauce. This was not only visually appealing it tasted as good as it looked. This was paired with the Sauvignon Blanc 2011. A Barley “Risotto” with Robiola Cheese & Toasted Piedmontese Hazelnuts served with Viognier Reserve 2010 followed. (This dish inspired us to prepare an oatmeal risotto with toasted almonds for our breakfast menu here at Foxfield Inn.)
After the risotto came the most delicious and succulent pork tenderloin that I have had in a long time. It was crusted with finely chopped pistachio and served with a bitter chocolate sauce that complemented the pork and salty pistachios perfectly (Pistachio Crusted Suckling Pig Tenderloin, Bitter Cocoa Sauce & Farm Grown Malabar Spinach, Cauliflower & Dried tomato Ragu). Paired with Nebbiolo Reserve 2009 and Petit Verdot Reserve 2009 we could not have asked for anything more.
But wait – there was Chef Diego’s “Strawberry Pleasure” and Phileo dessert wine to end the meal. And talk about a surprise – the dessert was similar to a frozen strawberry mousse but it was served in a white chocolate souffle cup that looked so real we at first didn’t realize it was an edible”cup”.
Good food, good wine, good friends – who ask for more from one meal?
The next time you are in the area or staying with us at Foxfield Inn ask to see if there is a wine dinner at one of our many vineyards. You won’t be disappointed!
Dan and Kathryn Bundy, your hosts at Foxfield Inn, our bed & breakfast in Charlottesville VA.
