As you may already know, we will be hosting an Italian Food and Wine Dinner at The Salty Dog next Thursday night (5th March). Since we prefer to try out the food and possible wine matches before the actual event and the fact that Damon Duffy (Owner and Chef Director) will be showcasing his Italian culinary skills rather than his famous fusion style, we asked Damon and his lovely wife Natalie if we could get together for a small tasting session. It is so important to make sure that the food and wine work harmoniously with each other on the night and we try to do a pre tasting session before every dinner. It's a hard job but someone's got to do it!! So we set a date, chose 16 wines that we thought would work with the proposed menu and then Neil, Liz and myself went round to their house.
We were greeted so warmly in their lovely home, complete with a gorgeous Tibetan terrier called Marli (another story, but Neil is extremely allergic to dogs - causes a serious asthma attack. Tibetan terriers however are part of a group of dogs known for their hypo-allergenic qualities - this was going to either be a tasting session where Neil ends up in hospital (usual ending) or where he actually copes for the very first time in his life!) and a table filled with food that Damon had been preparing. This was not going to small tasting session, this was going to be the whole menu in its entirity! How amazing and we couldn't wait to get started!
We don't want to give too much away but it was so beneficial getting together like this, exploring everyone's opinions on the food and the wine matches. There were clear wine winners (this makes it so much easier for us) and so we shall be having two wines with the mixed starter, one red with each of the intermediate courses and 1 dessert wine with the unbelieveable dessert. We decided against having a cheese course and for those attending the events you will realise why. Damon really wanted to showcase 3 desserts, but in the end, one dessert and dessert wine shone through that we have persuaded him to only showcase the one dessert. I have already been pleading with him for the recipe, it is truly outstanding....
So did Neil go to the hospital???? No, in fact he was pleasantly surprised - only a little tight chested. He even held Marli for a short period of time. This was the first time he had ever held a dog let alone be the in same room for 4 hours with one. I even have a picture to prove it and he is totally smitten!
Huge thanks goes to Damon and Natalie for a superb evening. Amazing food, great wines and fabulous hospitality.
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