Swirl Wine Bar & Market

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

La Sardegna Wine Dinner at the Italian Barrel




Join us Tuesday, March 6th with Antonio Molesini for an intimate wine dinner featuring the wines of one of Italy's most diverse islands.  A beautiful menu to pair with the wines created Chef/owner Samantha Castignetti, incredible atmosphere in a true Italian style trattoria and Antonio's informative and comedic presentation make this a don't miss event.  Reservations made through Swirl at 504.304.0635, $75 all inclusive.  The event is limited to 25 participants and prepayment is required.

Italian Barrel
430 Barracks Street
New Orleans, LA 70116

6:30pm Cash Bar
7:00pm Dinner

Antipasti
Insalata del Mare
paired with Santadi Villa Solais Vermentino di Sardegna

Insalata
Fresh greens with strawberries, goats cheese and balsamic vinaigrette
 paired with Santadi Grotta Rossa Carignano del Sulcis and Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva


Primi
Pasta Arribiata 
paired with Sella & Mosca Terre Rare

Secondi
Veal Chop with sauteed vegetables
paired with Agricola Punica Barrua Isola Dei Nuraghi

Dolce
Cappuccino Gelato and coffee




Monday, February 27, 2012

This Week at Swirl Wine Bar + Market


Happenings

Hold on to Your Wine Glass, March is Packed with Great Events!
 

With everyone distracted by parades, parties and costume making, I tend to keep the month of Mardi Gras a little on the lighter side in terms of events.  However, I have made up for that with a vengeance for the month of March and am not sure how I'll still be standing at the end of it!  But when great opportunities knock, you have to go for it! 

This week we'll have our regularly scheduled Wednesday Nite Flites with Kimi and Mike at the bar pouring a beautiful flite of Pinot Noirs from around the world.  Our Free Friday tasting this week will feature a special evening of French wine, food and art as we dedicate the night our to our friends and neighbors at Cafe Degas.  Jacques Soulas and Jerry Edgar, owners of one of New Orleans' best French restaurants will be in the house doing a book signing of their cookbook released late last year.  This evening will also be an opening art reception for Jacques Soulas' work which will be one display at Swirl through mid April.  And don't forget our Saturday Happy Hour from 4-6pm with Hollygrove Market, see details below! 

Next week join us with Antonio Molesini for an intimate wine dinner at the Italian Barrel in the French Quarter featuring the wines of Sardinia, one of Italy's most diverse islands.  A beautiful 5 course menu to pair with the wines created by chef/owner Samantha Castiglione, incredible atmosphere in a true Italian style trattoria and Antonio's informative and comedic presentation make this a don't miss event. Check out the details below and I'll be posting the menu and pairings later today on our facebook page and blog. We limit this event to 25 participants and spots are going quickly! 

Hollygrove Market at Swirl                                          
Saturday afternoons are heating up at Swirl as we pair up with Hollygrove Market to be THE place to pick up your box of fresh, local produce.  The infamous $25 Hollygrove box contains roughly 12 items at the peak of their season and can be picked up at Swirl on Saturdays from 4-6pm during our 1/2 priced Happy Hour. How to sign up for a Hollygrove Box pick up at Swirl:   
    visit hollygrovemarket.com
    click on: Order box now
    click on: Order Here for Pickup at our Satellite Locations
    add a box to your shopping cart and any other items listed
    at check out, choose *swirl as your location to pick up your box!
*To get your box delivered at swirl you need to order before 8am on Saturday

Events
 
Wednesday Nite Flites, February 29, 6-8pmJoin Mike and Kimi at the bar a flite of Pinot Noirs from around the world! Flites are $12-$15 and feature 3-2oz pours of really amazing juice.  No reservations required, just pull up a seat at the bar and get your boarding pass! 

Special Event! Friday Free For All, March 2, 6-8pm
Join us for a special evening of French wine, food and art as we dedicate our Friday tasting to our friends and neighbors at Cafe Degas.  Jacques Soulas and Jerry Edgar, owners of one of New Orleans' best French restaurants will be in the house doing a book signing of their cookbook released late last year.  This evening will also be an opening art reception for Jacques Soulas' work which will be one display at Swirl through mid April.  The event is free and open to the public.
 

1/2 Priced Happy Hour w/Hollygrove Market & Chef Richard Papier!!! March 3, 4-6pm
Saturday afternoons are heating at Swirl as we are THE place to pick up your
Hollygrove Market box of fresh, local produce.  The infamous $25 Hollygrove box contains roughly 12 items at the peak of their season and can be picked up at Swirl on Saturdays from 4-6pm during our 1/2 priced Happy Hour.  And to make this afternoon even more enticing, Chef Richard Papier will be in the store cooking up his delicious tapas using ingredients from the box!  See instructions above on how to order your box!

Special Event! La Sardinia Wine Dinner at the Italian Barrel, Tuesday March 6, 6:30pm
Join us with Antonio Molesini for an intimate wine dinner featuring the wines of one of Italy's most diverse islands. 
A beautiful menu to pair with the wines created Chef/owner Samantha Castiglione, incredible atmosphere in a true Italian style trattoria and Antonio's informative and comedic presentation make this a don't miss event.  Look for the menu and pairings in next week's email!  $75 all inclusive, reservations made through Swirl at 504.304.0635.  The event is limited to 25 participants and prepayment is required. 

Special Event!  Sherry Flites, Wednesday, March 7, 6-8pm
George Brown joins us for a new, highly rated, nicely priced lineup of Spanish Sherry.  Taste 3 sherries of very different styles and learn about the production process while you sample some Spanish cheeses, nuts and olives!  Flites are 3-2oz pours for $15.

Special Event! Book Reading and Signing with Local Author Constance Adler, Thursday March 8, 6pm
We're pairing up with Maple Street Books and one of our neighborhood authors to celebrate the release of Constance Adler's book, "My Bayou", a vividly described memoir that charts a personal and spiritual transformation along the fabled banks of Bayou Saint John.
  As a special treat, the reading will be an excerpt from the book that took place while Constance was at a Swirl in 2006.  For more information on Constance and her book go to her website at constanceadler.com 

Friday Free For All, March 9, 6-8pmJuan Hernandez from Domaine Select Wine Estates and Jared Breaux from International will join us for a tasting of 4 great wines from his portfolio, plus delicious tapas by Chef Richard Papier!  

1/2 Priced Happy Hour w/Hollygrove Market & Chef Richard Papier!!! March 10, 4-6pm
Saturday afternoons are heating at Swirl as we are THE place to pick up your
Hollygrove Market box of fresh, local produce.  The infamous $25 Hollygrove box contains roughly 12 items at the peak of their season and can be picked up at Swirl on Saturdays from 4-6pm during our 1/2 priced Happy Hour.  And to make this afternoon even more enticing, Chef Richard Papier will be in the store cooking up his delicious tapas using ingredients from the box!  See instructions above on how to order your box! 

Louis Dressner Selections Tasting, Tuesday March 13, 6:30pm
Join Greg Knaps from Lirette Selections for a tasting of six of our favorite wines from the Louis Dressner portfolio.  The Dressner portfolio specializes in naturally made wines that speak to a sense of place, wines that are soulful and are never over-processed. These are wines from vignerons with no aspirations of fame, glory and ‘monster’ scores. They only strive to farm their land with respect and provide pure drinking pleasure!  The tasting is $12 and reservations are recommended.  Call 504.304.0635 to hold your spot. 

Special Event! Champagne Flites with Gilles Dumangin of J.Dumangin & Fils Champagne, Wednesday March 14, 6-8pm
Producer of one of our favorite Champagnes, Gilles Dumangin, will join us for our very special flite nite as her pours 3 of his gorgeous Champagnes, including his Premier Cru, Rose, and Brut Cuvee 17!  This will be an unforgettable evening with some truly wonderful wines!  Flites are 3-2oz pours for $15.  More details TBA, I may need to take reservations for this one! 

Friday Free For All, March 16, 6-8pmGeorge Brown joins us for a tasting of 4 great new Spanish wines from his portfolio, plus delicious tapas by Chef Richard Papier!  

1/2 Priced Happy Hour w/Hollygrove Market & Chef Richard Papier!!! March 17, 4-6pm
Saturday afternoons are heating at Swirl as we are THE place to pick up your
Hollygrove Market box of fresh, local produce.  The infamous $25 Hollygrove box contains roughly 12 items at the peak of their season and can be picked up at Swirl on Saturdays from 4-6pm during our 1/2 priced Happy Hour.  And to make this afternoon even more enticing, Chef Richard Papier will be in the store cooking up his delicious tapas using ingredients from the box!  See instructions above on how to order your box! 

Special Event!  A Saint Joseph's Day Altar and Celebration at Swirl, Sunday March 18th from 3-5pm
Join us for an afternoon of Sicilian wine and food commemorating the relief St. Joseph provided during a famine in Sicily. Traditional food will be lovingly prepared by our Sicilian patrons and we will feature a selection of wines from the island by the glass at the bar. 
 

Wednesday Nite Flites, March 7, 6-8pmJoin Mike and Kimi at the bar for our weekly flite nite! Flites are $12-$15 and feature 3-2oz pours of really amazing juice.  No reservations required, just pull up a seat at the bar and get your boarding pass!

Friday Free For All, March 23, 6-8pmBeth Kehn joins us for a tasting of elegant, beautiful wines from Evening Land, plus delicious tapas by Chef Richard Papier!   

1/2 Priced Happy Hour w/Hollygrove Market & Chef Richard Papier!!! March 24, 4-6pm
Saturday afternoons are heating at Swirl as we are THE place to pick up your
Hollygrove Market box of fresh, local produce.  The infamous $25 Hollygrove box contains roughly 12 items at the peak of their season and can be picked up at Swirl on Saturdays from 4-6pm during our 1/2 priced Happy Hour.  And to make this afternoon even more enticing, Chef Richard Papier will be in the store cooking up his delicious tapas using ingredients from the box!  See instructions above on how to order your box! 

Wednesday Nite Flites, March 28, 6-8pmJoin Mike and Kimi at the bar for our weekly flite nite! Flites are $12-$15 and feature 3-2oz pours of really amazing juice.  No reservations required, just pull up a seat at the bar and get your boarding pass! 

Friday Free For All, March 30, 6-8pm
Join us for our regularly scheduled tasting of 4 free wines
, plus delicious tapas by Chef Richard Papier!   

1/2 Priced Happy Hour w/Hollygrove Market & Chef Richard Papier!!! March 31, 4-6pm
Saturday afternoons are heating at Swirl as we are THE place to pick up your
Hollygrove Market box of fresh, local produce.  The infamous $25 Hollygrove box contains roughly 12 items at the peak of their season and can be picked up at Swirl on Saturdays from 4-6pm during our 1/2 priced Happy Hour.  And to make this afternoon even more enticing, Chef Richard Papier will be in the store cooking up his delicious tapas using ingredients from the box!  See instructions above on how to order your box! 

Antonio's Italy, May 26-June 2
Sorry, this trip is full! Copies of our itinerary and pricing can be viewed here:  Antonio's Italy


Swirl and Savor
Our wine and food blog...here are a few from the past 2 weeks, but there are lots more at swirlandsavor.

Recent Posts 

Tips for Your Hollygrove Box
"This is the second time we've ordered the Hollygrove Box and I am really excited by the contents this week!  One of the things that is great about this box, besides the fact that the produce is about as fresh as it can be and that we are supporting local farmers, is that it makes us be creative with fruits and veggies that we may not normally purchase.  Kerry has coined it as "thinking inside the box" and I just love experimenting, looking up recipes online and talking to others about what they've done with the contents of their box."  Click here to see what was in the box and recipes to try,  Hollygrove Tips

Simple Lemon and Garlic Pasta

Often working until 8 or 9pm, dinner during the week is usually a late night affair.  Needless to say we keep our cooking simple on those nights, things we can quickly throw together for a healthy, balanced meal.  Standard fare is Kerry's simply fried, fresh Gulf fish, or my Gambas al Ajillo (Shrimp with Garlic) with a big salad and pasta.  The other night I made one of my favorite, quick pasta dishes with lots of lemon and garlic..."  Click here for the recipes, Pasta. 

A Little Cup of Italy
"I'll never forget the first time I had an affogato.  Simultaneously exhausted and invigorated after a long flight to Roma and a puddle jumper to Catania, we had just arrived in Sicily.  It was October and our first try at organizing a wine and food tour in Italy.  As one of our partners in crime, Cynthia Nicholson, went to the rental place to start the long process of Americans renting cars in Sicily, she sent us across the street for a shot of caffeine..."  Click here for the post:  Affogato

Hope to See You Soon!

Beth, Kerry, Matt, Mike, Kimi and Sangi

Swirl Wine Bar & Market
3143 Ponce de Leon Street
New Orleans, LA 70119
504.304.0635
swirlandsavor.blogspot.com


Simple Lemon and Garlic Pasta


 Often working until 8 or 9pm, dinner during the week is usually a late night affair.  Needless to say we keep our cooking simple on those nights, things we can quickly throw together for a healthy, balanced meal.  Standard fare is Kerry's simply fried, fresh Gulf fish, or my Gambas al Ajillo (Shrimp with Garlic) with a big salad and pasta.  The other night I made one of my favorite, quick pasta dishes with lots of lemon and garlic.  It is so simple yet so good, I think I need to make it again this week!  I paired it with the 2010 Paco & Lola Albarino, wonderful!

Serves 2
Ingredients:
3 T. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 T. Butter
2-3 Cloves of garlic
Big pinch of pepperincino
Zest of one lemon ( I used a small meyer lemon)
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 - 1/3 cup of dry white wine (I used whatever remained in my glass...)
2-3 T. Fresh chopped parsley (we got beautiful parsley in our Hollygrove Box)
1/2 lb. angel hair pasta (I like angel hair best with this recipe, but was out so I used spaghetti)
1/2 Cup grated Piave Cheese (can sub parmigiano)

Salt and pepper to taste

-Put a large pot of water on to boil.  Just before it reaches it's boiling point, take a large skillet and put on medium high heat.  Once skillet is warm, and olive oil and butter and heat until they begin to bubble.  Throw in garlic, lower heat to medium.  When garlic begins to sizzle, add pepperincino; stir to keep garlic from burning.
-Put pasta in boiling water and start timer. Angel hair pasta cooks quickly, in 3-4 minutes
-As garlic softens and begins to turn golden, add lemon zest, lemon juice and wine.  Bring sauce to a fast simmer for a minute or two to cook off the alcohol.  Add chopped parsley and a few pinches of salt.
-Pasta should be ready to drain and then immediately add to skillet with sauce.  Mix to allow sauce to coat the pasta, add a little of the cheese and then salt and pepper to taste.
-Plate, top with a little more cheese and smile :)

Tips for Your Hollygrove Box


This is the second time we've ordered the Hollygrove Box and I am really excited by the contents this week!  One of the things that is great about this box, besides the fact that the produce is about as fresh as it can be and that we are supporting local farmers, is that it makes us be creative with fruits and veggies that we may not normally purchase.  Kerry has coined it as "thinking inside the box" and I just love experimenting, looking up recipes online and talking to others about what they've done with the contents of their box. 

This week for our $25 we got Baby Purple Cabbage, Beets, Green Onions, Strawberries (from Fekete Farm-Hungarian Settlement),  Sweet Potatoes (from MS), Popcorn Rice (from Campbell Farms-Gueydan), Organic Grapefruit (from Shwars Citrus- Braithwaite), Organic Naval Orange (from L’Hoste Citrus-Braithwaite), Natural Arugula, Natural Kale (from HM&F-NOLA), White Button Mushrooms (from Red Hill Mushroom-Independence), Roma Tomatoes (from Barrilleaux Farm-Cut Off), Natural Microgreens (from Good Food Farm-NOLA) plus I ordered a dozen Farm Fresh Eggs to be delivered with my box.  You can add a few other things as well to your online shopping cart before you check out, like milk, polenta, grits and more, that will be delivered to the shop with your box.

So as we experiment with new things and recreate some familiar favorites, I just wanted to share some ideas on what to do with whats in the box...


As I was on my run this morning I decided we had to have omelets for breakfast as there is nothing better than fresh eggs!  So I stir fried some of those green onions with the button mushrooms in a little olive oil seasoned with salt and pepper until soft. I then whisked three eggs and put them in another skillet on a low to medium heat skillet with olive oil and butter.  I slowly cooked the eggs, added the mushroom and onion mixture and added shredded aged Gruyere cheese, folded it over and topped with some of the fresh tomatoes and micro greens.  Dish it out with a sprouted grain English muffin and some sliced grapefruit and you have one delicious meal!


Kale can be hard to get right but I've found that blanching first takes the bitterness out, makes the tough greens super tender, and somehow locks in a beautiful, deep green color that’s better than what you started with! It is chock full of vitamin A, and has respectable amounts of calcium, iron, protein, potassium, and vitamin C, not to mention all the phyto-nutrients in that dark green pigment! Try this, I've even had two teenagers tell me they never knew kale could taste so good!click here for my Tender and Delicious Kale post!


Kerry used golden beets for this Beet and Arugula Salad, but any beet will do!  You've got all the veggies in the box, arugula, micro greens, beets and onions so it will be easy to recreate!  Click for the recipe, Sundays are Best.

Photo from Williams Sonoma


During one of our summer beach trips, our friend Rachel made broiled grapefruit.  I'll never forget how the crunchy sugar top gave way to the cool tangy citrus center.  This is not her recipe, but something similar that will get you hooked! Check out the Williams Sonoma recipe here for Broiled Grapefruit.

Now we're trying to find something different to do with that beautiful head of purple cabbage besides slaw!  I'll let you know what I come up and feel free to give suggestions...and if you haven't ordered a Hollygrove box yet, you really should, it's good for your body and your soul!  For directions on how to order a Hollygrove box of fresh local produce, check out my post, Think Inside the Box.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Hollygrove Box Pick Up at Swirl

Think Inside the Box!

Starting February 11, Saturday afternoons are about to heat up at Swirl as we are "pairing" up with Hollygrove Market to be THE place in Mid City to pick up your box of fresh, local produce.  Swirl's Mike Fabianski, who also happens to be the restaurant sales manager at Hollygrove, is coordinating with us to bring the infamous Hollygrove box to the shop on Saturdays.

The $25 Hollygrove box contains roughly 12 items at the peak of their season and can be picked up at Swirl on Saturdays from 4-6pm during our 1/2 priced Happy Hour.  To make this afternoon even more enticing, Chef Richard Papier will be in the store cooking up his delicious tapas using ingredients from the box!

But you have to order your box so Mike can bring it to the shop.  Just follow a few easy steps on Hollygrove's website to sign up for a Box pick up at Swirl:  
    visit hollygrovemarket.com
    click on: Order box now
    click on: Order Here for Pickup at our Satellite Locations
    add a box to your shopping cart and any other items listed
    at check out, choose swirl as your location to pick up your box!


See you on Saturday!


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