Bistro B and Wine Bar: Australian Wine Pairing Dinner

Location: Bistro B and Wine Bar; 126 South Main Street; Kernersville, North Carolina.

Host(s): Chef Tim Bocholis and Andrew Alley, Area Manager, 17th Street Distributing.

Dinner Price: $50/person.

Comments:

We love going to wine pairing dinners and recently tried the one offered by the Bistro B and Wine Bar located in downtown Kernersville, North Carolina. What a treat! We had been to the Bistro B for dinner and knew the food was great, but Chef Bocholis and his staff really took dinning at the Bistro B to a whole new level. As people arrived and were seated Chef Bocholis came to each table and introduced himself and briefly described the dinner he was preparing. This personal touch immediately set the tone for the gracious dining experience that was to come.



Also prior to serving the first course Andrew Alley, the wine specialist came to each table and introduced himself and briefly described the Ad Lib Winery where the wines for the dinner came from. It is also noteworthy to say that the restaurant is made up of several small rooms that have a mix of two, four and six place tables that provided a quiet, intimate dining experience that is unusual for wine pairing dinners.



The menu was impressive and featured a big variety of food from lobster ceviche to soft-shell crab, grilled salmon, and short ribs. All these tasty treats were beautifully presented with delicious and unique accompaniments in portions that were satisfying but not overwhelming. Generous pours of well chosen wines from Western Australia were served with each course. They were all $15 and a good value at that price. Between each course Andrew Alley, gave a brief and informative talk as each wine was poured. Using the color map of Western Australia’s wine country he provided for each table we followed each of the wines growing locations and their terroir. Our waiter Saih was attentive and really kept things rolling along and facilitated a great dinner without being intrusive.

Bistro B’s wine dinner had it all: great ambience, food, and wine. We go to a lot of wine pairing dinners and Bistro B did an OUTSTANDING job and was clearly one of the best we’ve attended. Just how much did we like it…well the wine pairing dinner was on Wednesday and we went back to the Bistro B on Saturday for lunch!!! TastedOnline.com gives the Bistro B an unqualified recommendation and we can’t wait to go to future wine pairing dinners.

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Menu and Wine Pairing:

Amuse Bouche:
Maine Lobster Ceviche/Mango/Avocado/Citrus/Malanga Chip/Micro Cilantro.
Wine: 2011 Ad Lib Tree Hugger Margaret River Chardonnay.
 
 
First Course:
Pan-Sauteed soft-Shell Crab/Roasted Corn Salsa/Tagliatelle Pasta “Basil-Primavera”.
Wine: 2014 Ad Lib Hen & Chicken Pemberton Chardonnay.
 
 
Second Course
Char-Grilled Salmon/Wild Mushroom Risotto/Spinach/Lemon-Caper Buerre Blanc.
Wine: 2014 Ad Lib Cruel Mistress Pemberton Pinot Noir.
 
 
Third Course
Greek Yogurt Marinated Leg of Lamb/Natural Rosemary Jus/Great Northern Bean Raguot/Arugula Salad.
Wine: 2012 Ad Lib Avant Gardening Frankland River Malbec.
 
 
Fourth Course
Blasck-Angus Braised Short Ribs/Roasted Garlic Natural Jus/Soft Polenta/Rapini.
Wine: 2009 Ad Lib Middle of Everywhere Frankland River Shiraz.
 
 
Fifth Course
Imported Assorted Cheese Plate/dried Fruits/Marcona Almonds/ Truffle Honey
Wine: 2009 Ad Lib Middle of Everywhere Frankland River Shiraz.