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An enthusiastic group enjoying Kyle’s first Chef’s Table since joining RiverBend. Take a look for Kyle’s Facebook post on the event.

Housemade walnut & whole grain bread with cultured sea salted butter

AMUSE-BOUCHE

Potato crusted hot smoked trout croquette with green pea purée, caper aioli and grilled lemon supreme

SALAD

Beet poached apple with pickled shaved fennel, candied walnuts, Gunn’s Hill handeck cheese crisp, shaved celery, red grape merlot gastrique and organic extra virgin olive oil topped with basil sprouts

Paired with Map Maker Sauvignon Blanc – New Zealand

MAIN

Black sesame veined beef tenderloin with Dijon mustard, buttered crumb, carrot purée, topped with smoked onion demi-glace, gaufrettes and microgreens

Paired with Leaping Horse Merlot – California

DESSERT

Chocolate brownie with torched vanilla bean marshmallow crème, molasses honey streusel and red veined sorrel

Paired with a Coffee Martini – Kahlua and vodka

Final….

Kyle finished the evening introducing the new arrival in his household!!

Intro

24 RiverBend residents were thrilled to share another of Kirk Weiss’ culinary offerings. Unfortunately it is also his last here at RiverBend. Of course we regret the loss of future events but we wish Kirk the best in his future exploits and in his retirement.

Chef started the event off with a little retrospective. He has been at RiverBend for 13 years so expressed 13 years of thank you to Sifton, to the community. He said that this 13-year stint has been the favourite of his experiences so far in the culinary industry. And it gave him the wherewithal to support his family, kids (and now grandkids – 2 of them).

He said that he was given freedom from day one to experiment, to explore. He didn’t take credit for all the successes. He shared that ideas come from all sorts of places. The front of the house servers, the whole kitchen team participate. The have been a well-oiled machine for regular events but Chef reiterated that it is a treat to be invited and be able to create special dishes for special events.

To see how fortunate the regulars of Chef’s events have been, browse the previous postings.

First Course – Fish

Moroccan seabass. Chef described the texture as dense, part way between snapper and pickerel. The bass was pressed into ground pistachio and pine nuts with a little batter. Curried coconut milk was underneath the skewered fish.

The dish had a little heat and lots of crunch.

It was paired with Sandhill Pinot Gris.

Second Course – Asian Flavour

Chef pointed out that this dish looks like a cabbage roll. It is cabbage but rolled around a ginger chicken stuffing and finished with a citrus glaze.

He noted that it was “Tangy to spark up taste buds…”

This dish was paired with warm Sake.

Third Course – Phyllo Pastry/Veal

Now this dish Chef said was kind of special – smiling the whole time he was making it. Veal tenderloin, forest funghi (chanterelles, oyster, shiitake, batwing (denser, black colour), wrapped in phyllo pastry and finished with fresh peppercorn.

It was presented on a truffle demi reduction.

We were encouraged to smell the truffle!

Asked, Chef described the process of creating the phyllo pastry wrap – butter on the layers, prep the filling, chill and straight into a hot oven.

This dish was paired with a red wine, Luigi Righetti Valpolicella

Fourth Course – Shredded Duck, Cranberry, Smoked Cheddar

Chef admitted he had never done this dish before. The kitchen braised duckling for 2 ½ days. then shredded it. The drippings were reduced to a sauce, fused with sautéed cranberry and leek and then smoked cheddar cheese on top. The cheese takes away from the tartness of the cranberry.

Melts in the mouth!

Paired with Wolf Blass Chardonnay

Fifth Course – Dessert

Chef created a mocha chocolate mousse sitting on Kahlua praline sauce.

The pairing with this was really unique – a chocolate coffee martini.

Kitchen Team

Chef emphasized again that the environment created in the kitchen encourages creativity, support, and partnership.

Edgar – long time with RiverBend, preceded Chef.

Eric – a returnee to the team

Andrew – new, from the west coast

Nathan – recently assumed the sous chef position that Chanel had

The front of the house group are an essential part of the team. Chef emphasized that everyone helps wherever needed to keep things operating smoothly.

And it should be noted that the front of the house team did a great job making this event run smoothly – serving and resetting through all the courses and managing the wine pairings.

Finally, it was touching when Edgar gave Kirk a warm hug and expressed his appreciation for the friendship and support Kirk had given him. It was clear that the emotion was shared.

A lovely way to end the event and to send Chef on his way.

Unlike most of the events captured in this blog the primary focus of this occasion was showcasing the food. Wine pairings recommendations were provided.

The Host

Shawn Greco welcoming the diners. Copies of the menu and the recommended wine pairings were on the tables. It was a u-shaped arrangement allowing for better profiling of the presenters (as can be seen reflected in the window). All of the menu offerings could be/were offered gluten free.

Wine pairings were optional and all wines offered are available.

Introducing Mandy Peters

We were hosted in the dining room as noted. Residents came out to sip some wines and experience a 4 course dinner created by First Cook, Mandy Peters. 

Mandy has been working at Riverbend on and off for the past two years and, after studying culinary at Georgian College, is completing her apprenticeship with guidance from her mentor, Chef Kirk.

Chef’s Showcase

First Course – Sea Scallops

Second Course – Squash Spirals

Third Course – Lamb Loin

Fourth Course – Deconstructed Blueberry Pie

It has been a very long time between our last wine and dine gathering (September 27, 2019 when Nick hosted his last event at RB) and last Thursday’s event. We did have a Zoom Wine and Dine session in April, 2021 hosted by Mike Buck. That was a great stop gap but it was a delight to join fellow RiverBenders and wine and food lovers in person after such a prolonged separation.

Introducing the hosts

Mike Buck, Lifford Wines and Spirits

Mike Buck started the consignment wine business in London in the early 1990’s. He was a former partner in Lifford Wine & Spirits. Degrees in History and Geography fuelled his interest in and passion for wine. He is a supporter of domestic and international wines.

Chef Kirk Weiss

Kirk develop his interest in the culinary arts as a hungry traveller. Those travels have given him a great respect for all types of cuisine and cultures. RiverBenders have certainly benefited from his expertise.

Shawn Greco

Shawn came to RiverBend in February 2016. He has considerable experience in the F&B business particularly in golf clubs. He also had a 10-year career as a competitive flair bartender, resulting in 2 top 5 finishes at the World Bartending Championships.

Locale and Team

Shawn organized the seating in the dining room with a u-shaped set of tables – not as intimate as the library but one step at a time!

Now for the food and wine pairings

First Course

Aromas of grapefruit with a delicate floral overtone, the palate its lively and refreshing with generous white peach flavours and a hint of lime on the finish. A soft yet crisp and aromatic white, it illustrates Laurent’s signature style of clear pure fruit.

Second Course

This wine is from young vines and shows the vitality of the youthfulness. Fresh and fruity, it is a lighter style of red wine perfect for a summer day. It’s light, easy drinking and versatile with some nuanced dried spices and fresh acidity.

Third Course

Bright and juicy, with strawberry and black raspberry supported by savoury notes of briar and slate. Fruity and fresh Zinfandel is given added complexity and length by barrel aged Syrah and Petite Sirah. A touch of Grenache and Barbera add a more complex red fruit character and hint of red licorice and white pepper.

Fourth Course

This is the second vintage of Chardonnay ice wine produced by Tawse, the first being in 2008. Ageing this dessert wine for 12 months in 100% new large oak barrels has resulted in aromas of vanilla, apricot, honey and a touch of oak. On the palate is caramel and a touch of smoke, followed by a surprising tart finish.

To top off the 4th course chef delivered a gluten-free offering for the dessert (the rest of the courses were already gluten free).

Looking forward to the next…

In case any of the RiverBend wine folk are interested in attending.

Link to Facebook Post

Details

A four course, wine-paired dinner on November 13th sponsored by the Niagara-located Foreign Affair Winery! Ed Haddon, Foreign Affair’s Sommelier will introduce you to six separate wines under their portfolio while enjoying a specially designed, and seasonal four course menu:

Amuse-bouche:
Crostini
Bacon jam, cranberry, brie, sorrel
Wine: 2018 Conspiracy Bianco

Appetizer:
Seasonal Soup
Carrot, ginger, parsnip, spice
Wine: 2017 un-oaked Chardonnay & barrel fermented Chardonnay

Entree:
Pork Tenderloin
Prosciutto, squash risotto, pomegranate demi-glace
Wine: 2017 Conspiracy (Cab Merlot ripasso) & 2016 Dream (a partial appassimento blend)

Dessert:
Butter Tart
Fig, pecan, maple, bourbon, dulche de leche, spice
Wine: 2016 Marisa (sweet Recioto)

Only $55/person. Dinner will begin at 6:00pm but request guests arrive a little early.

Call 519-472-3020 to reserve your seat!

We enjoyed yet another Hidden Bench tasting with food pairings.

The event started off with the 2014 Blanc de Blanc sparkling paired with Harald Thiel’s famous Gougères

The Alsatian Tart (top LH corner) was served with the 2019 Estate Riesling – the recipe was included in the handouts

Coq au Vin Blanc (a lighter mushroom version) paired with the 2017 Nuit Blanche – a Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blend.

The next two wines, 2016 Felseck Vineyard Chardonnay and the 2016 Tête de Cuvée Chardonnay complemented Niagara Gold cheese with Niagara Stone Fruit Preserve (plum and apricot).

Now for the reds. 2017 Estate Pinot Noir and Smoke Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry Chutney.

And another pinot, 2016 Locust Lane Pinot Noir, paired successfully with Confit of Lamb Shoulder with Red Wine Glaze.

Lastly, with Braised Lamb Osso Buco, the 2016 Terroir Caché, a blend of Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc.

Great ideas for food pairings as we enjoy these wines over the next months/years.

Unfortunately, we were unable to attend this last wine and dine. Of course, according to attendees, it was the best one yet. Those comments might just have been to make us feel worse about missing the event. However, Nick Attard did deliver a copy of the menu, review the wine pairings (mostly from Italy) and I embarrassed myself on the Trivia Q&A. We are looking forward to September’s event.

Congratulations to Alex Fetterly for a 9 out of 10 score on that trivia exercise.

There are no food pictures to drool over but here is a brief overview of the dishes and the pairings.

First Course

Gazpacho soup paired with J. Bouchon Canto Sur – this wine from Chile is a blend of Carmenere, Carignan and Pais grapes

Second Course

Venison tenderloin carpaccio with caviar, gooseberries and watercress. Nick selected two wines to pair with this course. Feudi San Pio 2016 Ripasso Valpolicella (Nick’s hint for the trivial pursuit that Valpolicella is not a grape) and Alpha Zeta 2013 Valpolicella Ripasso

Third Course

Arborio risotto mixed with red beets, fresh ricotta cheese and fresh thyme sprigs. The review I got on this dish was that it was risotto perfection! Nick paired this with Louis Jadot Pinot Noir Bourgogne – great pairing with beets apparently.

Fourth Course

Poached Icelandic cod, coriander and maitaky mushroom broth, finished with a quail egg. This exotic dish Nick paired with Michele Chiarlo 2014 Barbarescue – the Nebbiolo grape from the Piedmont region of Italy. This may be where Nick dropped the hint to the trivia question on grape varietals versus the names of the regions.

Fifth Course

Braised veal shank Osso Bucco with root vegetables, wine and tomatoes, gremolata. Another dish that got special kudos. The pairing was Tenuta di Martucino Brunello di Montalcino 2009

Sixth Course

Dessert!!! Mini Pavlova, hazelnut cream, chocolate gnash. And paired with a classic Pedro Ximenez sherry.

Absolutely delicious!

Forest mushroom risotto with shaved Romano cheese paired with Pinot Gris (other options were salmon dumplings or charbroiled Roma tomato with individual wine pairings)

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Grilled spring lamb chops with a burnt orange and mint yogurt paired with Cotes du Rhone (other options were scallop and shrimp or turkey schnitzel with individual pairings)

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Cherries jubilee table side paired with Remy Martin Fine Champagne Cognac – thanks to Amanda for the table side – great job!

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