Dinner At Melanie’s

(Tuesday & Wednesday, October 25 & 26, 2016) — Our first dinner this season will be at a well established local restaurant, Melanie’s Bistro and Patisserie. It is convientlently located on the Danforth, midway between the Coxwell and Woodbine subway stops. It is owned and operated by a husband and wife team. Arul Chettiar is a classicaly trained chef with an extensive resume of top restaurants in his native India, New York and Toronto. Melanie Ferriera is in charge of the desserts.

Melanie and Arul have fashioned for us a fine menu. We have arranged a selection of wines to match each course, dipping into the club’s extensive cellar where appropriate. To start the evening we will, as usual serve a sparkling wine. In this instance it is Chateau d’Avrillé Crémant de Loire to match Arul’s Bean Buttered Crostini and Duck Breast.

With the Crispy Crab Cakes and Mango Aioli we will have from the cellar the 2002 Yattarna Bin 144 Chardonnay from Penfolds one night and 1997 Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay the other. For mushrooms you need Pinot Noir and so to go with the Soft Cheese Polenta and Mushroom Ragu we have retrieved Ontario Jordanne Pinot Noir Le Clos Vineyard from the cellar, 2004 one night and 2005 the other.

To match the slow braised venison we have a couple of classic game accompaniements: the 1998 Gromis Barolo by Gaja and a different Chateauneuf-du-Pape , La Crau – Vieux Télégraphe each night, all from the cellar. To finish the evening we have Chateau Doisy-Védrines 2003 Sauternes, currently available at Vintages.

As usual, a bottle of each wine will be placed on tables of eight guests. The exception is the Sauternes where a 45 ml (1.5 oz) portion will be served. Maybe the wine will influence your selection of evening or maybe you will come both nights.

A vegetarian meal is available. You may not mix and match dishes from each please.

As always with our events, this will be strictly non-smoking, and we request your cooperation in not wearing any scented after-shave or perfume. Please don’t drink & drive. The restaurant is 300 meters from both the Coxwell and Woodbine subway stops on the north side of Danforth (taxis also available).

Date: Tuesday, Oct 25, 2016 OR Wednesday, Oct 26, 2016
Where: Melanie’s Bistro and Patisserie, 1879 Danforth Avenue (between Coxwell and Woodbine)
Time: 6:30 p.m
Limit: 24 people per evening

Members: $125
Guests: $135

Cancellations accepted up to Oct 21 — Jennifer Curran 905-829-4675. No bookings by phone, please.

No mail confirmations will be issued — you will be contacted only if we are sold out. Strictly ‘First Come’ basis.

You can register online using a credit card at winetasters.ca, or send in this form with a cheque.

GST/HST account: 844742619RT0001; Business name: Winetasters Society of Toronto

MENU

Dinner at Melanie’s Bistro, October 25 and 26, 2016

White bean buttered crostini with smoked duck breast and house made cranberry relish
Château d’Avrillé Crémant de Loire Sparkling

Crispy crab cakes with mango aioli
2002 Yattarna Bin 144 Chardonnay – Penfolds (Tuesday)
1997 Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay (Wednesday)

Soft cheese polenta with mixed mushroom ragu
2004 Le Clos Vineyard Pinot Noir – Le Clos Jordanne (Tuesday)
2005 Le Clos Vineyard Pinot Noir – Le Clos Jordanne (Wednesday)

Red wine infused, slow braised Venison with seasonal root veg and truffle scented oven roasted potato
1998 Gromis Barolo – Gaja
1999 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, La Crau – Vieux Télégraphe (Tuesday)
2000 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, La Crau – Vieux Télégraphe (Wednesday)

Classic Mini creme brûlée
Mini Warm apple strudel
Château Doisy-Védrines 2003 Sauternes

Tea or Coffee

A Vegetarian Menu is also available, as follows:

White bean and piperade Crostini

Roasted corn Hush Puppies. With herb Remoulade

Polenta and Mushroom Ragu

Grilled Portabello and roasted root Veg tower with goat cheese and Tomato Basil Coulis

Desserts as Above