We travelled East again last night to Feast - A Spanish Feast

http://www.feast.je/

Last night we headed East again to Feast for their Spanish Food and Wine Dinner.  Having tried out some of the food with Anne beforehand we were very much looking forward to the evening.  This was the first time that Anne has held an event like this on a Wednesday evening (they are usually on Thursdays) and I am glad to say that it was full again!  Her evenings have become so popular and now have quite a following.  It was nice to see some regulars but also some that had never been to Feast before or indeed eaten in the East of the island for over 2 years....damn those taxi fares from St. Brelade! (Ray and Sue, it was a pleasure to take you out East).

So, the night was all about Spanish Food and Wine and Anne and her brilliant team had devised some gorgeous introductory tapas to get the evening started.  Along with a lovely glass of bubbles from Torre del Gall, the Sardines wrapped in Filo pastry and the Barbacoa chorizo sausage with tomato and piquillos peppers on country toast were stunning.  I usually don't like sardines but I think I may be converted!

These were quickly gobbled up and we were then ready for the next round of tapas.  After Neil's introduction and explanation of the wines to come we were served the first two wines (1 white and 1 red) with the array of six different tapas.  The Castro Martin A20 Albariño 2007 was the hit of the two as it has great acidity and a creamy depth which worked well the abundance of different flavours.  These evenings are always a great opportunity to get people to try new wines and this one was no exception.  Many commented that they would have never thought to buy this wine if they had the choice against more well known grape varieties but they were really impressed with it.  We love it!

Next up, the pork we told you about, rolled and stuffed with prunes and walnuts with a tomato, lemon, herb and olive sauce and saffron rice, again served with two wines.  This time both red.  Both worked brilliantly with our personal favourite being the Abadia Retuerta Rivola 2006.  The other, the Herencia Remondo La Montesa Rioja 2005 (the overall favourite before the food was served) was also excellent, elegant in style but it didn't quite match up to the depth of the Rivola which made it a better match with the food with its mix of flavours.  The dish was devised by Lorraine Falle (co-owner of Feast) and it was great to see her togged up in the kitchen! Well done Lorraine, you created a very authentic Spanish dish as well as decorated the restaurant again in true style!

Next up, the cheese course.  A lovely Manchego with quince jelly (membrillo) and country bread (sorry got stuck in before I could take a picture..oops).  We kept the same two reds through to this course and again the Rivola shone with the dish. But it was the dessert we were all waiting for and the chance to try out the Etim Verema Tardama 2006 which is a delicious sweet wine made from selected late harvest red Grenache grapes.  Beautifully served, the ice-cream with Seville Orange Marmalade was accompanied by a little cup of dark chocolate sauce and homemade Churros (Sugar and cinnamon doughnuts).  The wine was great with it all and very much enjoyed.  We love serving red dessert wines! Something a bit different.

Huge thanks have to go to the brilliant team at Feast as well as to Jamie Racjan from Fungi Delecti for all the authentic Spanish ingredients that were used to create the dishes.  Liz will be hosting the second round of this event on Thursday 12th November along with Jamie himself which I have no doubt will be just as great!

Jane