Chef David Lentz and Chef de Cuisine Kris Longley Showcase Palmina’s Italian Styled Wines with a Menu Inspired by the California Central Coast
WHO: Chef/Owner David Lentz, Chef de Cuisine Kris Longley, The Hungry Cat Santa Monica and Winemaker Steve Clifton of Palmina Wines
WHAT: David Lentz’s seaside restaurant, The Hungry Cat in Santa Monica Canyon, welcomes Winemaker Steve Clifton and Palmina Wines for an exclusive Winemaker Dinner on Tuesday, September, 29, 2015.
Steve Clifton, winemaker and owner, produced the first Palmina wines in the basement of his home in 1995. Steve’s appreciation for Italian wines began while working in Italian restaurants. His career in the wine industry began in 1991 when he left his previous incarnations as a musician and nightclub entrepreneur behind and decided to beg his way into a tasting room position at Rancho Sisquoc winery. In 1995, Steve met Greg Brewer and formed the partnership that has become Brewer-Clifton, a winery solely devoted to vineyard-designated Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Sta. Rita Hills appellation in western Santa Barbara County.
The evening with Palmina Wines begins with a Swordfish Crudo with Crushed Pistachios, Mint, Lemon, Extra Virgin Olive Oil served with the winery’s Malvasia Larner Vineyard 2013. Next courses include Baked Scallop with Sunchoke Velouté, Charred Broccoli, Pine Nuts, Bread Crumbs and House Made Rigatoni with Braised Rabbit Ragout, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Hazelnuts with two Italian style wines – a Tocai Friulano from Honea Vineyard and a rich Dolcetto from Santa Ynez Valley. The culmination is The Hungry Cat’s Wood-Grilled Rib Eye with Romano Beans, Smoked Tomatoes, Gorgonzola served with Palmina’s Nebbiolo from Santa Barbara County. Ending the feast is a Cardamom Panna Cotta with Persimmons, Toasted Walnuts served with a late harvest Tocai from Honea Vineyard.
Cocktails begin at 6 p.m. followed by a seated dinner at 7 p.m. Pricing is $150 per guest for menu and wines. To reserve for this event, call (310) 459-3337 or email infosantamonica@thehungrycat.com.
An Evening with Winemaker Steve Clifton and Palmina Wine
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
COURSE I
SWORDFISH CRUDO
crushed pistachios, mint, lemon, extra virgin olive oil
MALVASIA larner vineyard 2013
COURSE II
BAKED SCALLOP
sunchoke velouté, charred broccoli, pine nuts, bread crumbs
TOCAI FRIULANO honea vineyard 2013
COURSE III
HOUSE MADE RIGATONI
braised rabbit ragout, chanterelle mushrooms, hazelnuts
DOLCETTO santa ynez valley 2013
COURSE IV
GRILLED RIB EYE
romano beans, smoked tomatoes, gorgonzola
NEBBIOLO santa barbara county 2009
DESSERT
CARDAMOM PANNA COTTA
persimmons, toasted walnuts
TOCAI (LATE HARVEST) honea vineyard
$150/person
Winemaker Steve Clifton
WHEN:
One night only, Tuesday, September 29, 2015
6 p.m. cocktails, 7 p.m. dinner
$150 per guest, excluding other beverages, taxes and gratuities
Limited seating for this event
Call (310) 459-3337 or email infosantamonica@thehungrycat.com
WHERE: The Hungry Cat Santa Monica
100 W Channel Rd, Santa Monica, CA 90402
(310) 459-3337
WHY: Chef /Owner David Lentz creates a new American Seafood sensibility inspired by his Maryland roots, incorporating sustainable, seasonal fish, shellfish and produce into his weekly changing menus. Consistently named among the LA Weekly’s 99 Essential Restaurants, critic Besha Rodell states, ”The Hungry Cat has…not has only stood the test of time, in fact, is far better than much of what now qualifies as the new hotness. Lentz delivers menu of beautiful seafood dishes that aren’t built on nostalgia but rather a foundation of creativity and old-school technique.” This Santa Monica outpost brings it all together with its seaside setting, complete with signature raw bar, perfectly mixed craft wines and camaraderie at the bar and tables.
ABOUT PALMINA WINES: Palmina crafts wines can be enjoyed every day, complementing a wide range of food styles. Palmina produces wines from Italian varietals grown in Santa Barbara County, California. The climate and soil types are similar to those in Northern Italy. Each – Piemonte, Friuli and Santa Barbara share particular microclimates that feature cold air pushing warm air to create growing conditions that provide enough sunlight to help fully develop fruit flavors. These regions also enjoy cool night temperatures that maintain the grape’s natural acidity levels, allowing winemakers to create “food wines” with a balance of fruit, tannin and acid. Read more about Palmina Wines at www.palminawines.com
