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BYOB THEA – Sophisticated Farm to Table

by Cindy Shingler

1303 Saxton Way, Mechanicsburg, PA  17055   Phone (717)759-4654

 

Thea, which is Greek for aunt, is a beautiful new setting in Arcona Crossroads – a newly built community of homes, shops, fitness center, and this classy restaurant. Chef AnnMarie Nelms is the owner/chef of this wonderful new eating establishment. AnnMarie is a graduate of Pennsylvania Culinary Institute and daughter for one of Harrisburg’s famous restaurateurs – Sophia Nelms.

 

I heard about THEA from my niece, who has been there several times and raved about the food. A group of us decided to try it out last month and made reservations (highly encouraged!). Imagine our surprise when we saw my niece there the same night!

 

It allowed us to sample many of the items on the dinner menu, including appetizers Ricotta Stuffed Meatballs, Crispy Brussel Sprouts, and Fresh Cut Truffle Fries. They were all delicious and I can’t pick a favorite! Some entreés we enjoyed were the Chicken Pie, Pasta Bolognese, Thea Meatloaf and the Duroc Pork Chop. The chicken pie was rich and flavorful with a herbed pastry crust. The meatloaf was served over a leek and gruyere bread pudding and marsala demi glaze that was to die for.  But the pork chop made the most impressive plate. It was a gigantic bone-in chop, cooked perfectly and served over bacon and brussel-laced noodles.

 

What really impressed me was that they do not charge a cork fee, considering the upscale atmosphere. We enjoyed a rosé, a sauvignon blanc and a nice cabernet with our meals. All in all, it was a wonderful experience that I look forward to enjoying again very soon!

 

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President’s Column – April 2018

—by Averill Shepps

I have a lot of wine books, and have written about a couple of them in this column. I have another one to recommend, especially to those of you interested in French wines or who are planning a trip to France. The author is Jacqueline Friedrich; the book is titled, Wine and Food Guide to the Loire. Published in 1996, she is currently updating and expanding it. However there is comprehensive information in the original version about the history, climate, soils, grapes, area food and the winemakers. There are readable maps for each of the areas covered, the Nantais, Anjou and Saumur, Touraine, Sancerre, and the Auvergne. At last the wine labels based on geography make sense. She lists the best producers, rating them in a very understandable way: Leaders, Excellent, To Watch, Highly Recommended, Recommended, and By the Glass. She also reviews the best producers. The book has won many awards, having been named the best wine book of the year by James Beard, IACP(Julia Childe), Veuve Cliquot, Decanter magazine, and Robert Parker. Jancis Robinson has placed it on her list of favorite wine books. I’m in good company!

 

I carried the book on a trip to the Loire with friends about 15 years ago and used it as a guide to finding good wineries to visit. A gem of a discovery was Domaine de L’Ecu where fifth generation winemaker Guy Boussard was producing superb Muscadets. He named them after the rocks that generated the soils in which they were grown, namely Granite, Gneiss, and Orthogenesis. He proudly pointed out the horse in the vineyard, but I didn’t understand its significance until I learned a lot more about organic and biodynamic methods in the vineyard. The horse’s hoofs were easier on the soil than heavy tractors or other machinery. The first volume of Jacquelin’s update is called Earthly Delights from the Gardens of France. By the time you read this, I will have order and read it!

 

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BYOB – Mangia Mangia

Mangia Mangia                                                                                                                                             by Zach Ortenzio

2981 Elizabethtown Road, Hershey, PA                            717-689-3798

Reservations Suggested; closed Mondays                   $5.00 Corkage Fee Per Table

www.mangiamangiaitaliangrill.com

 

Upon entering Mangia you will note that it is divided into two sections. The section on your right is dedicated for takeout orders, while the section on your left is dedicated to sit down meals. This section is inviting, well-lit and capable of seating over 70 people in a relaxed atmosphere. Once that has been determined, menus will be provided and the specials of the day will be revealed. The menu is extensive ranging from appetizers, salads, entrees and other delectable items.

 

We started off our meal with two appetizers and a salad. One of the appetizers, Fried Calamari Fritti, came from the regular menu. The second, a Mozzarella Caprese, was the special of the day. The calamari was lightly breaded and served with a lemon wedge and two sauces, marinara and aioli. The sauces, though very different, were complementary to the calamari. The Mozzarella Caprese consisted of crostini and warm mozzarella slices covered with toasted bread crumbs. The slices were then drizzled with two pesto’s; sun dried tomato and basil. These two pesto’s provided different taste sensations to the appetizer. The salad was a Poached Pear Frisse with field greens, bacon, walnuts and gorgonzola. The last three items were flavor notes in the salad, balancing beautifully with the greens and pears.

 

After finishing the appetizers and before ordering entrees our waiter provided us with two types of dinner rolls. The first dinner roll can be found at most restaurants. The second type of dinner roll came with Mangia Mangia’s homemade pizza sauce with some parmesan cheese sprinkled over the rolls. We ate the rolls with the pizza sauce and they were outstanding. For our entrees we ordered, Spaghetti Carbonara, Baked Rigatoni and Raviolone. Before going further all of our pastas were done al dente, not over-sauced, nor did they need any additional seasonings or cheese. The Carbonara had a bacon sauce with Pecorino Romano cheese; the Baked Rigatoni included tomato sauce, ricotta and mozzarella cheeses; the house made Raviolone had a pesto sauce with toasted walnuts and pecorino Romano.

 

We spent approximately three hours at Mangia Mangia and we were not rushed. The wait staff was courteous and knowledgeable about the menu. If you wish to have a relaxed dining experience with truly good Italian food, Mangia Mangia is a restaurant well worth considering.

 

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BYOB Seasons on Main

–by Dave Williams–

 

I presume we all like BYOB restaurants for the same two reasons: 1-without good food they won’t be in business long and 2-it enables us to enjoy a good to great bottle of wine without the hefty price of a 200-300% mark up. Many are pleasant experiences and worthy of return, a few are exceptional and cherished, holding high anticipation for a return. Seasons on Main in Bloomsburg falls into the latter category with plenty of elegance, luxury, intimacy and personal touch.

As the name implies, the menu is seasonal with 4 corresponding menu changes a year with many local farm to table components. As a self-trained chef, Gary Vadakin’s passion for food started young at home and transformed into a career around 30 years old having worked in a number of top restaurants in NYC, Philadelphia and Miami. In the end, he wanted his own restaurant and in February 2013 he accomplished that. A key insight, the staff has knowledge and longevity which speaks volumes for the atmosphere and success of the Seasons on Main.

I experienced the Fall menu which had both traditional and creative offerings. The selection was limited with good variety. I started with Pan Seared Lemon Pepper Scallops followed by Harvest Mixed Greens with Pistachio Crusted Goat Cheese Salad. My entrée was Grilled Harvest Game Sausage Trio composed of Wild Boar with cranberry red wine, Venison with blueberry merlot and Elk with pear and port wine sauce. Fresh, excellently prepared, presented and memorable. A St. Veran Macon chardonnay started the meal, followed by Tratori Dry Creek Zin which were great meal partners.

Seasons on Main has limited seating so reservations are highly recommended, if not necessary. Bloomsburg is about an hour North of Harrisburg making it a destination, but well worth it.

Seasons on Main,  10 W. Main St.,  Bloomsburg, PA. 17815   (570) 336-2790   Open: Wed-Sat.  5-9PM   www.seasonsonmainpa.com

 

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President’s Column March 2018

–by Averill Shepps–

The Pennsylvania Wine Excellence Awards Event was outstanding. 92 people had signed up. Five were no-shows, so that our attendance was 87. That is a record for that particular event, as well as for PWS events since the early years of the Society. And the winner was… Waltz Vineyards Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Crow Woods 2014. That is the second year in a row for Waltz!

The Certificate for the top scoring white wine went to Presque Isle Wine Cellars for their Lake Erie Traminette 2016. We had 7 representatives from the wineries who made the top scoring wines to speak to us about how the wines were made, and of their passion for what they are doing, and in one case, love was the secret for the excellent wines. At least four of the winemakers spoke to me after the event to say that they thought the wines poured were all deserving of recognition. That was an accolade for our judging.

I want to thank all of those who worked on PA Excellence XVI. It takes a village of wine lovers to produce. I was again delighted with the expertise and spirit exhibited in how everyone worked together. My thanks to co-host Dave for his many responsibilities; to Lynne and Nicole for handling a double work load with registration; to Brett for helping Dave with wine delivery; to Scott for bringing his super cork remover; to Jacy for posting the event on Facebook as the afternoon proceeded; to Stevie for working outside and inside the room; to pourers (we needed lots) Brenda, Cathy, Cindy, Chris, along with Dave, Brett, Scott; and I even did some. I am not listing the judges but obviously the event could not happen without them. Maybe we can say love is responsible for making PA Excellence what it is!
 

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President’s Column February 2018

by Averill Shepps–

I have come across a new book on wine that is full of information on sipping, smelling, tasting wine, our favorite drink if not our favorite subject. It is “Cork Dork” written by Bianca Bosker. No, I had never heard of her either, but she is a professional journalist who has taken a journey deep into the world of wine and especially that of sommeliers, so deep in that particular world she became one! The book is about her discoveries. She writes of going through the various taste and knowledge tests that are needed to become a somm, of working in restaurants, and only the best, to study what the sommelier must learn about how to treat customers (who are rated according to how much they spend), practicing the art of presenting the wine properly, as well as how to present oneself in dress and manner. She speaks to scientists who have studied the brain, particularly the senses of taste and smell. She undergoes an fMRI examination so that a neuroscientist can note her brain’s reactions. She gets advice on how to improve her sense of smell by training her brain, and undergoes her own regimen at home to do so. She visits a sensory scientist who analyzes what regular humans enjoy about wine. The information is used by such labels as Sutter Home, Woodbridge and Yellow Tail. Randall Graham is quoted as having called Yellow Tail ”raspberry motor oil”. It is fascinating reading as she endeavors to answer the question, “What’s the big deal about wine anyway?” Another reviewer calls it “A marvelous journey through the MAD, MANIC, SEDUCTIVE subculture of wine and wine lovers.” Use your Christmas money, your stock market profits, or even cut your utility bills to buy this book. You’ll enjoy her journey, and you will learn a lot!!

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Going Rogue!

by Scott Casper–

As you read in my article in last month’s newsletter, our Napa Valley-Sonoma Valley October wine vacation that I spent months putting together, didn’t happen. Driven by 50 MPH winds across very dry terrain, huge wildfires were sweeping down the mountains destroying tens of thousands of acres and thousands of homes and other structures in Napa and Sonoma Counties. For the first time in California’s history, a wild fire swept into a sizable city. Most of Santa Rosa’s northside was completely devastated. Upon arriving at the Phoenix airport, we saw that our flight and all flights to Santa Rosa were cancelled so we had to stay in Phoenix overnight. The Santa Rosa airport was closed with heavy smoke across the runway and no electricity or water. It was going to be closed for a week or more. One nearby Hilton hotel burned to the ground. The Hilton where we were supposed to stay was evacuated. Santa Rosa and the Napa-Sonoma wine country were gone from our travel plans.

 

The next morning, my wife and I knew we had to come up with another location. My wife said, “why don’t we fly to Medford, Oregon and see the wine country there.” We decided to run and catch the afternoon flight (only one a day) to Medford in southern Oregon. Medford is the largest city and the center of the Rogue Valley; make that Rogue Valley AVA. Also, right next door is the Applegate Valley AVA. American Airlines changed our Santa Rosa tickets for Medford and we got there that afternoon.

 

The Rogue and Applegate Valleys are warm weather appellations, so unlike the cool climate north Willamette Valley where you will be sipping huge amounts of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, we had lots of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Riesling, Roussanne, Viognier, Sangiovese and Tempranillo, as well as some Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. With no tasting room reservations required in this area, we were able to visit twenty-seven different wineries there with two visits to two wineries making the final visits’ tally twenty-nine. They were all great! Our favorites were Eden Vale and Dancin in the Medford area (Rogue Valley AVA) and Troon in Grants Pass (Applegate Valley AVA).

 

The Rogue Valley and Applegate Valley AVAs saved our wine vacation!!

 

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President’s Column January 2018

by Averill Shepps

 

The election for board members and Officers of PWS was held at our December meeting. The composition of the Board and all the Officers will remain the same, insuring stability for the organization.

We will continue to bring you interesting, educational and enjoyable events. Some of the subjects we will be looking at for the future include a tasting of the always popular Italian wines followed by one with that ubiquitous grape Chardonnay in its many expressions, and also a Rosé tasting as Summer approaches when most people look forward to Rosés although some of us enjoy them all year round. During the Summer we will have a visit to a nearby winery or two, and as Fall approaches, Cabernet Franc, another grape that has many expressions according to where it is grown and how it is vinified. We will contact one of the most respected importers, Vineyard Brands Inc., to lead us in a tasting of      Alsace wines or another subject that we could agree upon. We would like to have a High-End Burgundy tasting in   November, and plan to contact Peter Weygandt to lead that one. Rounding out the year we have penciled in New   Zealand wines for December. You can see that my language gets a little more vague as the year progresses. This is because we hope to have the described events but have not made definite plans as yet.

Rest assured we will, as we continue to bring you interesting and knowledgeable speakers on a whole variety of vinous subjects, while we strive to help you learn more about our favorite ensure you enjoy the process! As always, if you have any suggestions, we are open to hearing them.  Please contact any Board member.

 

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Our Sonoma-Napa Valley Wine Vacation…October 2017

by Scott Casper

 

My wife and I were really looking forward to our Sonoma-Napa wine vacation; nine days of tasting some of the finest wines our country has to offer. We had our tickets to fly out of HIA on Tuesday, October 10 and get to Santa Rosa, California late that night. I could imagine walking past the huge figure of Snoopy going into the Charles M. Schulz Airport. He was the creator of the world-famous cartoon “Peanuts” and was the most famous resident in Santa Rosa’s history.

 

The morning before our flight I went online to see the day’s news. I couldn’t believe what I was reading. An extremely large wild fire came down the mountain and struck the north side of Santa Rosa. I said to my wife, “the airport and the Hilton where we were going to stay are on the north end of Santa Rosa.” Then, I saw the headlines for the next news story, “Hilton in Santa Rosa burns to the ground.”  Whoa!! I read the story and it was the Wine Country Hilton. I was going to make a reservation there but changed my mind. We were staying at the Airport Hilton Garden Inn instead. But our hotel was only one mile from the one that was completely destroyed. The raging wild fire was out of control and ravaged much of northern Santa Rosa. The fire was fed by very dry terrain and strong winds gusting up to 50 MPH. Tens of thousands of residents evacuated and were literally running for their lives; some were not successful.

 

We left HIA, got to Charlotte for Phoenix and then on to Santa Rosa and lots of great winery tastings. Well, that was our plan but it didn’t happen.  We got out to Phoenix with no problem. But our flight to Santa Rosa was cancelled. The Charles M. Schultz Airport was closed. It had no electricity, no water and heavy smoke covered its runway. It’s reopening was nowhere in sight. Our hotel in Santa Rosa was evacuated. We were spending an unplanned night in Phoenix. The next morning, we had to decide what to do.

 

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BYOB Himalayan fusion

by Bill Beeson

Himalayan fusion in Patton Place off Linglestown Road – 2308 Patton Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110

Web: www.himalayanfusiononline.com Phone: 717-412-4907

Hours: Tu-Th 11A-2:30P/ 4P-9P; Fr 11A-2:30P / 4P-10P; Sa: 11:30A-3P/4P-10P Su:11:30A-3P/ 4PM-9P. Lunch buffet daily during regular hours.

A new international cuisine venue with friendly and attentive service, reasonable pricing, and great food just emerged on the East Shore! Offering Indian and Nepalese dishes, Himalayan fusion opened two weeks ago. Seeing the signs for this specialty restaurant “coming soon”, we drove by almost daily until finally, on a Tuesday, we heard from a neighbor – “It’s open, and food’s great!” The first Friday evening, we were there! We found it delightful. Vegetables were exceptionally fresh and crisp; nothing exhibited the soggy texture of food prepared and held in the kitchen. My entrée took a bit longer than others’ but these short minutes were worth the wait, as we quickly realized upon presentation, that the dumplings were being prepared to order on site, real time.

The traditional samosas (no nuts) were delicious, as were the Chili Mo-Mo (beware if you don’t well-tolerate hot peppers). The garlic naan was light, airy, and well… perfect – not over garlicky. The bhagan bharta (slow cooked eggplant) and shrimp pakora (made with chick pea flour) were favorably reviewed by their consumer. The mango chicken ordered by another was also rated thumbs up. Our spicier dishes paired well with a 2008 Allegro Cadenza (Bordeaux style blend) and the lighter dishes nicely with a 2016 Fabre Rosé from Provence. Riesling would also be a good varietal to grab on your way to dinner here. Wine glasses available if you forget to pack your Riedel.

This establishment seems VERY allergy-aware and careful – menu items are coded (V) vegan; (N) contains nuts; and (GF) gluten free – very much appreciated by our team! There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan-friendly entrees. Any dish can be prepared to your preferred level of heat as well. We plan to catch Sunday brunch there at our next opportunity!