Restaurant Review

March 4th, 2010

White VS Red The Grape Debate
by lyle e davis

For those souls who forgot Valentine’s Day . . . and for those who just want to shower your loved one with a bit more attention, Temecula Creek Inn and Leonesse Cellars offers the perfect solution.

In a salute to great wine and food, Temecula Creek Inn, located in the heart of Southern California’s wine country, together with Leonesse Cellars in Temecula, presents “White vs. Red – The Grape Debate – An Untraditional Wine Dinner” on Friday, March 19, 2010.

Wine enthusiasts and novices alike can partake in discussion and debate, meet the region’s top winemakers, and dine on the area’s best cuisine.

First off, you and your special someone will be treated to Farmer’s Market Salad of Baby Greens Clementine Tangerine, Crumbled Chevre Cheese, withMolasses-Pecan Vinaigrette. You’ll also enjoy Loch Duart Salmon Crudo, Watermelon Radish, Fennel, Chive Gremolata Crostini and Juniper Berry Mandarin Gastrique

Wait! There’s even more! A Trio of Cracked Tellicherry Pepper, Cocoa Nib and Espresso Bean Crusted Certified Angus Beef Ribeye Medallion, accompanied by Puff Pastry Lace Fried Spanish Onion, Salted Baked Root Vegetables, Crushed Fingerling Potato Horseradish Hash, and Natural Pan Jus.

Each course will be paired with a regional red and white wine, allowing guests to select the better match. For dessert, you’ll be presented with Chocolate Fondant and Passion Fruit Crème Brulee Fresh Berries.

The wine menu will feature Leonesse Cellar’s Melange de Blanc 08’ and Cinsaut ’07, A Viognier ’08 and Melange de Reves ’07, a Chardonnay Vineyard Select ’07 and Syrah Cellar Select ’06, and a Muscat Canelli ’08 and Cinsaut Dessert Wine (Port) ’05.

Priced at $85 per person, the four-course meal excludes tax and gratuity, but includes complimentary wine and cheese reception, where guests can preview wines that will be served during the evening. Beginning with a wine reception on The Plaza at 6:30 p.m., followed by your decadent four-course dinner at 7:30 p.m. in Temet Grill, the resort’s signature restaurant. Reservations are required.

Those who want to make it an overnight event can reserve the “Grape Debate Wine Dinner” package, available for one night only at the resort on Friday, March 19, 2010. Priced from $319 per couple and based on double occupancy, the package includes one night of deluxe guestroom accommodations, “White vs. Red – “Grape Debate Wine Dinner” for two, and two touring/tasting tickets to Leonesse Cellars. The package is not applicable to groups.

To make a reservation for the “White vs. Red – The Grape Debate – An Untraditional Wine Dinner” only, call 951-587-1465. To book the “White vs. Red – The Grape Debate – An Untraditional Wine Dinner” package, call 877-517-1823, e-mail temeculacreekinn@jcresort.com or visit the web at www.temeculacreekinn.com.
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In a related item from Temecuila . . .

This Saturday and Sunday the World of Wine Barrel Tasting Weekend gets underway. Winery cellar doors are open for the 19th annual winter barrel tasting. Participating Member Wineries include Tank and Barrel Tastings of Future Vintages, Finished, Bottled Wine Tastings, and Perfectly Paired Complementing Food Samplings.

Easily maneuverable, the circuitous loop through the Temecula Valley wine country
allows guests to enjoy the wineries of Rancho California Road as well as the De Portola Trail - and all of those in-between - via an effortless, self guided tour.
Guests will receive a winery map with menu listing, a passport ticket which allows a visit to each participating winery and a souvenir logo wine glass.

You can call 800.801.9463 to order your tickets by phone.

The event is limited to guests 21 years and over; valid ID must be presented at time of check-in.
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And, just a reminder, The Balloon and Wine Festival is coming to Temecula from June 4-6. Highly coveted campsite reservations are available online
www.tvbwf.com beginning March 9, 2010. Campsites at Lake Skinner start at $80 for dry camping and range up to $200 for full hookup with power, water and sewer dump. They sell out quicky, so if you want a campsite, better get a move on!