Da Vinci's Wine and Dine Part 2: Red White and Blue Meets Italy

I was honored and pleased to be invited by one of the most influential lifestyle bloggers in Dubai for a night of gastronomic indulgence and tasting luxurious wines from America at Da Vinci's Wine and Dine Part 2 at Millennium Airport Hotel last Thursday. I am completely elated to meet Grace of Sandier Pastures and Ms. Farah - the Hotel Marketing Director. It was a night of fun interaction with remarkable people.

Grace and I were an hour early from the expected time of the dinner and I am really glad because we had enough time to chat and get to know each other. We were offered Cook's Sparking Brut, NV for a welcome drink paired with a variety of canapes while waiting for the dinner to start. I had two glasses and became a little tipsy already (not a heavy drinker here), already thought SMS-ing hubby to come and get me later on. 

We were joined by the very bubbly Ms. Farah and the chatting is unstoppable. It is so overwhelming to meet such lovely people.

Moments later, the host introduced us to the entree of rich asparagus timbale with parmesan cheese cream sauce (Flan d' asparagi con cream di parmigiano) perfectly paired with fresh and citrussy Blossom Hill, Sauvignon Blanc. Asparagus is a veg that is hard to pair with wine due to its asparagusic acid which is an organosulfur carboxylic acid that makes the wine taste metallic and harsh. To counter that, Chef Maurizio Pisoni slathers the asparagus timbale with parmesan cheese cream sauce which makes the asparagus entree a wine friendly dish, a commendable daring act. 

The night is young and Da Vinci is buzzing, tables occupied mostly by families who probably favor a quiet dining experience than a Halloween party.

Our second course is an indulging Lobster risotto blended with herbs and extra virgin olive oil (Risotto all'aragosta mantecato alle erbe e olio extra vergine d'oliva) paired with Cook's Sparking Brut, NV. Grace, on the other hand, is allergic to prawn and another crustacean, instead she opted for the risotto sans the seafood. I find the risotto a little salty for my palate but the wine balanced it well and my plate was empty even before I know it.

closer...

A medium rare Filetto di manzo al pepe nero con purea di patate e carote pan fried beef fillet coated in black pepper with brown gravy, mashed potatoes and carrots matched with Stonehedge, Merlot. The main course was my favorite, the meat is succulent, juicy and tender and cooked just the way I like it, the freshly cracked pepper and mashed potatoes and carrots just simply compliment it further. Stonehedge, Merlot is rich and deeply flavored, the aroma and flavors of black plums and dark berries are so enticing. I can still smell the scent of it while I am writing this.

Chef Maurizio has designed and created Delizia al cioccolato con gelato alla nocciola chocolate mouse served with hazelnut ice-cream especially for Da Vinci's Wine and Dine: America meets Italy. Our sweet ending was paired with Elysium, Black Muscat. 

It was a wonderful evening spent with good company, good food, good wine from America. This trilogy started with Chile meets Italy and the last leg will be on November 28 when Australia meets Italy, something you don't want to miss so mark your calendars.

My overall experience of that night was engaging. It was a perfect night and I left the Da Vinci with a happy heart. Of course, I wouldn't leave without having a photo with Grace.

Millennium Airport Hotel
Airport Road, Casablanca Street,
Al Garhoud, PO Box 13018 Dubai, 13018
The United Arab Emirates
T. +971 4 702 8888