Page 15 - Boca Club News - December '24

Boca Club News, Page 15

Dining Out from page 14 demi-glace. This stock reduction is not an easy process and I The Panna Cotta was also excellent but an understatement
was fortunate to have chef friends who would give me some compared to the Tiramisu. If you like this kind of dessert I
Remember those delicious chicken meatballs bathing in a well- to freeze. will state the texture was correctly well set and lightly sweet
seasoned broth? Well, it doesn’t have to be a distant memory Now, rather than cooking at home I have Casalina to offer in taste.
because they resurrected it to an even better version of itself. up this correctly prepared dish. Wild mushrooms and the thick Check Please: As food writers we are appreciative of
Hungry M and I also shared the Vongole Oreganata ($22) wine-sweetened sauce made for a perfect bite without the work. these establishments allowing us a free pass to taste and enjoy
and we couldn’t decide if we liked the baby clams with the The sautéed spinach side was amazingly flavorful with only their offerings. And in return we hope that our evaluations
bread crumbed oregano crust or the garlic buttery sauce we a hint of garlic and perfectly cooked for a guy who does not reflect exactly the foods we have experienced to be consistent
kept sopping up as though we were in fencing competition like spinach. with their regular menu for valuable patrons to appreciate.
with bread sticks. As an add-on I had requested the Spaghetti Carbonara As you know, Hungry Al likes to call it the way it is
Straight From the Kitchen: Hungry M, is one who ($24), one of my all-time favorites. Here the chef excelled and, thankfully, I was able to wipe away the sweat from my
gravitates to the basics and a Chicken Parmigiana ($38) was with perfect al dente cooked pasta, the proper rendered use forehead because Casalina was excellent.
his selection. To Hungry Al this dish has a few requirements of guanciale, and the blend of egg yolk with Pecorino grated Hopefully, nothing changes just because they were going
that are not excusable. One is the chicken has to be tender and cheese to make a silky creamy sauce. Loved it! out of their way to impress us. I even quizzed the management
not burnt on its bottom side. Secondly, the cheese needs to be From The Dessert Tray: Our choices for a bit of sugar on the size of the portion and quality to reassure myself
of high quality and not burnt on its upside. Fortunately, they tonight were the Tiramisu and the Panna Cotta ($12). For a guy that it will remain the same for you. They assured me what
didn’t miss the mark on any of these demands. Certainly worth who’s not overly excited about Tiramisu I relied on our excellent I saw is what you get...so I have my
having again! waiter to twist my arm in trying their version of the very popular fingers crossed you will be in for a real
Hungry Al decided on the Scaloppine Marsala ($37) for his Italian dessert. I have to confess I might be a convert. They treat. Therefore, the Hungry Squad of
entrée of the night. Thankfully, the veal was tender and could masterfully combined the whipped mixture of egg yolks, sugar two gives Casalina four golden small
be easily sliced with a butter knife! I have cooked this at home and mascarpone layered between coffee-dipped lady finger houses and a welcome mat to our
many times and the secret is in the sauce. You have to have pastries with a touch of cocoa powder. If I could send you a neighborhood!
fresh Marsala wine and, hopefully, a source for much needed picture you’ll be ordering your next dessert to go home.
Grape Expectations: Reflections and Celebration!

By Ed Wolfarth, who recently on the market today for you to quaff on New Year’s Eve Champagne – Veuve Clicquot NV can be found for
moved to South Florida after or for any celebratory occasion. $35. NV sparklers are simply grapes from many harvests
retiring with his wife, Vicki, as Champagne – There are many myths as to how and can save you a bit of money as opposed to vintage
Professor of Sports Sciences & sparkling wine came about. The most common, however, wines. Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut for $40 is another
Physical Education at both Queens involves Dom Perignon, a French Monk. In the 1600s, reasonable value in Champagne. Comtesse Gerin Grand
College and Hofstra University. He Dom was making white wine and decided to bottle the Reserve Brut is another “bargain” French Champagne for
is a nationally ranked senior tennis wine, thinking the fermentation was done. Actually, the $40. Remember, Dom Perignon will set you back around
player and long-time USPTA Elite yeast had gone to sleep because of the cold weather. What $175 a bottle, and Cristal close to $300 per! It’s always
Teaching Professional. Ed has then happened was that the yeast woke up, ate all the advisable to ask your local merchant about a level of
written many educational and tennis articles in the past. sugar and formed CO2. The CO2 had nowhere to go and sweetness and price that you prefer.
Over the past few years, Ed has turned his hobby of wine was absorbed in to the wine. When he went to check his Spanish Cava – My personal choice for an affordable
collecting into a way of continuing his passion for writing, wine, he found corks popping everywhere, and he loved alternative to Champagne. Most can be found for under
and has written on the subject for publications. As a self- the results. Voila, champagne! $20 a bottle. Look for Segura Viudas, Campo Viejo, and
proclaimed “wine snob,” he has collaborated on many While we are pretty sure the French invented the my favorite Freixenet Brut or Freixenet Cordon Negro
wine lists for private clubs and a few restaurants. Ed can “Methode Champenoise,” it became so popular that other Brut. All for under $20.
be reached at wolfarthe@msn.com. countries copied it using the same method. Spain calls their Italian Prosecco – When searching for a good Prosecco,
Some believe a person is identified by his or her beliefs, sparkling wines Cava. The Italians call theirs Prosecco. look on the label for Valdobbiadene and, to a lesser extent,
ideologies and opinions. I prefer to identify my friends by Sparkling wines have four levels of Sweetness: Conegliano. These are the two finest Prosecco producing
their character, their compassion, their smarts, and their Extra Brut: The yeast has devoured all the sugar. The regions in Italy. Prosecco is made from the Glera grape,
tolerance and sense of humor. Because you like California driest version. often referred to, but not accurately, as the Prosecco grape.
Cabs and I prefer old world reds doesn’t make you a bad Brut: The most common, with a hint of residual sugar. The Unlike Champagne, Prosecco is fermented in stainless
person. We should be able to agree to disagree, don’t you winemaker stops the fermentation at just the right time to steel tanks, making it much less costly than Champagne.
think? leave a pleasant sweetness. Good Prosecco will cost you $15 to $20 a bottle. If it’s
In today’s climate of divisiveness, where friends Extra Dry: This label can be confusing to many since it is less, you probably won’t find the name Valdobbiadene or
often become enemies because of their beliefs, I am so not as dry as Brut or Extra Brut. It’s not cloyingly sweet Conegliano on the label, but it will probably be quaffable.
disheartened and disappointed. Okay, enough of this rant. either, but is noticeably sweeter than Brut wines. Prosecco American Sparkling Wines – In the Napa Valley
Just had to get it off my chest. On to the important stuff. is most often made in this style. of California, many producers are making world-class
The holidays are coming! Demi Sec: This is very sweet and often referred to as sparkling wines. Mumm, Domain Chandon, Roederer Estes
What could be more celebratory than the bubbly stuff? dessert wine. and Korbel, to name a few. My personal favorite, however,
Sparkling wines are not only a fixture in holiday times, Now let’s see what’s available and what you might is Domaine Ste. Michelle Lux, from Washington State. It’s
but terrific food wines as well. Let’s take a look at what’s have to spend. bright, jazzy with a hint of tangerine and fine bubbles, and
a bit of sweetness. It sells for around $20 and outscored
more expensive Champagnes in many blind tastings.
Many “bubblies” are affordable and are terrific with
Asian cuisine. You don’t have to wait for New Year’s Eve
or the next birthday party to enjoy a sparkling wine.
I look forward to next year and more “normal” times.
Enjoy the holidays, stay safe and healthy, and have a drink
on me!

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