Hedges Family Estates Wine Dinner at Tannin Wine Bar

Hedges Family Estates Wine Dinner at Tannin Wine Bar

 

Hedges Family Estates Winery recently hosted a dinner at Tannin Wine Bar and Kitchen. The pairings of the amazing wines and dishes created by chef Brian made for a memorable evening and I will be enjoying both again soon.

Tannin is located in the Crossroads Art District and boast an eclectic wine list. Whether you are a wine novice or expert, Tannin offers wines by the taste, glass or bottle, to satisfy everyone’s palate. Their knowledgeable staff can assist you in selecting the perfect wine to pair with your meal.

Tannin serves both lunch and dinner and the menu boasts a seasonal, contemporary American menu that includes a unique selection of small bites, gourmet sandwiches and eclectic entrees.With the diverse menu offerings, Tannin is the perfect place to go if you are in the mood to share a selection of small plates and a bottle of wine with friends, want a romantic dinner for two or just need a great place for lunch.

 

Hedges Family Estate, owned by Tom and Ann-Marie Hedges located on Red Mountain, is the largest family-owned winery in Washington State. Tom was born in Richland, Washington, while Anne-Marie was born in Champagne, France. Both of their upbringings have influenced what Hedges Family Estate is today. Read more about the family and winery here.

The dinner featured their signature Red Mountain as well as blends from their Columbia Valley Line.

I have recapped the menu below. Warning it will leave you wanting good wine and good food and Tannin Wine Bar and Kitchen where you can enjoy Hedges Family Estates wine and great food will curb that craving!

Warm Brioche with Cherry and Brie with Independent Producers Chardonnay Dionysus Vineyard, Columbia Valley

Parmesan Encrusted Trout, Frisée Salad, Warm Bacon Vinaigrette with CMS Sauvignon Blanc Columbia Valley

Black Pepper Seared Beef Carpaccio, Local Micro Greens, Truffle Aioli with Independent Producers “The Bourgeoisie” Merlot Sagemoor Farm, ColumbiaValley

Herb Roasted Squab, Buttered Basmati Rice, Red Beets, Orange Reduction Hedges Family Estate “CMS” Columbia Valley

Slow Braised Spring Lamb, Wild Mushroom and Baby Vegetable Ragout Hedges Family Estate Red Mountain

Chocolate Covered Blackberries

All of the wines and food were phenomenal. I wish to thank Tannin and Hedges for inviting me to this event. I already knew Tannin is a great place to go to and I am now thrilled to have found some new great wines! Hedges Wines are available throughout the metro.  Visit the Hedges Family Estates website for additional information on wine including tasting notes and ordering online and more.

Address Info:
Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen
1526 Walnut Street
Kansas City, MO

Telephone:
816.842.2660

Chipotle Catering

Chipotle Catering

Chichipotle caterpotle is our families favorite fast casual restaurant and I would say we frequent it at least once a week and sometimes more.  So when I got word that they now offer catering and then an email asking if I would like to try it out, I was ecstatic.

The timing was perfect as we had some family coming in town for the weekend.

Chipotle sent me a coupon to try out the “Big Spread” which feeds 20 people. It includes 3 meats of your choosing and all the accompaniments just like at the restaurant which includes; white and brown chilantro-lime rice, vegetarian black beans, pinto beans, fajita vegetables, salsas ranging from mild to hot, sour cream, guacamole, cheese and lettuce.

Then to wrap all that goodness up in, crispy taco shells, soft flour tortillas and a huge bag of their amazing tortilla chips are included as well. Chipotle also supplies all of serving supplies that include bowls, utensils, napkins, serving spoons and tongs. Also included are stands, chafing dishes, fuel and matches to keep it all warm!

chipotle spread covered

Placing the order was super easy! I just called 1-800-Chipotle and the operator on the other end took care of everything.  Knowing that most of  the family would not eat the hot salsa but that we love the corn salsa, I asked if they would sub out the  hot salsa for corn salsa and of course they were happy to do so.

1chipotle salsas2

2chipotle big spread

Picking up the order was a breeze as well and everything is packaged up in awesome reusable tote bags.

2chipotle cater bag

There were 14 of us that ate and all though we finished off the guacamole and sour cream there were plenty of leftovers that we broke out the next day. There were still beans left so I made a yummy black bean and pinto bean soup in my handy dandy Vita- Mix!

Although, I was able to try this spread out courtesy of Chipotle, I am hooked and will definitely be using Chipolte catering again using my own dime, because everything you need is included, the food is delicious and clean up is a breeze!

If you don’t have a group quite large enough to put on the “Big Spread”, Chipotle catering packages also offers a two meat spread, burritos by the box and a chips and salsa package that comes with chips, guacamole and 4 kinds of salsa.

1chipoltle brochure

I have yet to return my catering stands but will be doing it soon because if you choose to return the catering stands back to the location where you picked up your catering order, Chipotle will give a coupon for a free burrito! Currently, Chipotle Catering is only in the following areas*, but are expanding, so keep an eye out for your area. Visit Chipotle.com for further information on all catering and menu items Chipotle offers.

• Colorado • New Mexico
• Delaware • Oklahoma
• Idaho • Utah
• Iowa** • Wisconsin***
• Kansas • Wyoming
• Missouri • Nashville Area
• Nebraska • Philadelphia Area
• Nevada
*Burritos By The Box is available everywhere.
**Excludes Davenport, IA.
***Excludes Eau Claire and Hudson, WI.

 

 

 

 

 

Chipotle Catering

Chipotle Catering

Chichipotle caterpotle is our families favorite fast casual restaurant and I would say we frequent it at least once a week and sometimes more.  So when I got word that they now offer catering and then an email asking if I would like to try it out, I was ecstatic.

The timing was perfect as we had some family coming in town for the weekend.

Chipotle sent me a coupon to try out the “Big Spread” which feeds 20 people. It includes 3 meats of your choosing and all the accompaniments just like at the restaurant which includes; white and brown chilantro-lime rice, vegetarian black beans, pinto beans, fajita vegetables, salsas ranging from mild to hot, sour cream, guacamole, cheese and lettuce.

Then to wrap all that goodness up in, crispy taco shells, soft flour tortillas and a huge bag of their amazing tortilla chips are included as well. Chipotle also supplies all of serving supplies that include bowls, utensils, napkins, serving spoons and tongs. Also included are stands, chafing dishes, fuel and matches to keep it all warm!

chipotle spread covered

Placing the order was super easy! I just called 1-800-Chipotle and the operator on the other end took care of everything.  Knowing that most of  the family would not eat the hot salsa but that we love the corn salsa, I asked if they would sub out the  hot salsa for corn salsa and of course they were happy to do so.

1chipotle salsas2

2chipotle big spread

Picking up the order was a breeze as well and everything is packaged up in awesome reusable tote bags.

2chipotle cater bag

There were 14 of us that ate and all though we finished off the guacamole and sour cream there were plenty of leftovers that we broke out the next day. There were still beans left so I made a yummy black bean and pinto bean soup in my handy dandy Vita- Mix!

Although, I was able to try this spread out courtesy of Chipotle, I am hooked and will definitely be using Chipolte catering again using my own dime, because everything you need is included, the food is delicious and clean up is a breeze!

If you don’t have a group quite large enough to put on the “Big Spread”, Chipotle catering packages also offers a two meat spread, burritos by the box and a chips and salsa package that comes with chips, guacamole and 4 kinds of salsa.

1chipoltle brochure

I have yet to return my catering stands but will be doing it soon because if you choose to return the catering stands back to the location where you picked up your catering order, Chipotle will give a coupon for a free burrito! Currently, Chipotle Catering is only in the following areas*, but are expanding, so keep an eye out for your area. Visit Chipotle.com for further information on all catering and menu items Chipotle offers.

• Colorado • New Mexico
• Delaware • Oklahoma
• Idaho • Utah
• Iowa** • Wisconsin***
• Kansas • Wyoming
• Missouri • Nashville Area
• Nebraska • Philadelphia Area
• Nevada
*Burritos By The Box is available everywhere.
**Excludes Davenport, IA.
***Excludes Eau Claire and Hudson, WI.
Calistoga Resort and Spa

Calistoga Resort and Spa

A visit to Nappa Valley has been on my bucket list for quite some time and much to my surprise a friend of mine had been invited to a girlfriend’s weekend getaway and needed a roommate. She asked if I wanted to go. I always imagined it would be with my husband, as I cannot think of anything more romantic than sipping wine in the beautiful mustard covered grapevines. However, with hubbies blessing and him saying…..Merry Christmas, Happy Anniversary, Happy Mother’s Day and Happy Birthday, I packed my bags and kissed him goodbye!

 

The weather was a wee bit chilly but nothing compared to the February winter we were having in Missouri. I even left a day early to beat the Snowmageddon that was due to hit the day my flight was scheduled.

 

Solage Calistoga Resort and Spa will literally astound you.  The beautiful grounds host about 80 studios and suites all of which are within walking distance to the main facilities and quite contemporary. Room layouts vary but all are equipped with the latest technology, full sized locally made bath amenity products, luxurious bedding and linens, complementary coffee and tea at the mini bar and each room is complete with bathrobes and slippers. This clip gives you a nice tour of the room we had.

Outdoors you will find a comfortable patio with a grapevine-thatched roof and two cruiser bicycles that can be ridden in to town and wineries close by. The grounds are pristinely manicured and landscaped with fragrant rosemary and lavender.

Nightly turn-down service includes a glass water bottle adorned with mint leaves left at the bedside. The water is delightfully tasty and a perfect way to re-hydrate after indulging in wine tours all day.

 

The Spa is phenomenal and our package included Solage’s signature Mudslide treatment experience. This treatment begins with a visit to the Mud-Bar where you have Mudtenders mix a customized scent using Solage Mud, essential oils and geothermal water. You are then whisked off to the treatment room that can be booked as a group or individual and coat yourself in the mud concoction. After a serene 20 minutes of laying on the warm tiles with cucumbers over your eyes and then a quick rinse, you then make your way to the to the mineral baths in footed tubs. There are curtains separating the tubs if you prefer a little privacy. Following a rinse off from the baths, you will then cocoon yourself in the NASA-inspired Sound Chair that vibrates to music and reclines you to “zero-gravity”.

 

All though you may feel like melted butter afterwards and I mean that in a good way, if you so desire you can then relax in the separate private soaking areas for men and women. These areas include a mineral cool plunge, a warm mineral Jacuzzi, eucalyptus steam room and outdoor shower. These areas are a clothing optional zone, so just beware you may see your share of unique trim jobs and other things you may or may not want to see!

 

With all the amenities, the spa has to offer it is easy to spend all day there.  You can work out, get a plethora of spa treatments, take a dip in the pool and if hunger strikes, enjoy lunch in one of the poolside cabanas.

The restaurant on sight is Solbar and has excellent service and food. Our package included breakfast every morning and the Lemon-Ricotta pancakes are amazing.

 

The dinner menu at Solbar is upscale but accessible and will please the pickiest palate. The Steak Frites dish has been featured on The Food Network show The Best Think I Ever Ate. The dining room during the day is bright and cheery while in the evening you will feel like you are in a very different restaurant with the soft lighting and fireplace.  The restaurant is open to the public so it is a good idea to make dinner reservations, as Solbar is popular with the locals.

Solage is partnered with Mercedes-Benz to offer complimentary use of their newest vehicle models to resort guests upon availability. We reserved the convertible one evening to use as transportation to nearby St. Helena where we dined at the Farmstead restaurant. The service and staff are delightful and accommodating and were amazing at helping us with transportation back to San Francisco to catch our flight after our previous arrangements fell through.

 

This trip was truly a serene getaway. Everything was phenomenal and I will be returning. I would have no hesitation to recommend Solage and will stay there again.

Our Travel agent Sue Griffin at Century Travel put our girlfriend’s getaway package together but you could use whomever you like or make your own.  She did set us up with Jack Swanson of Swanson Wine Tours who was amazing.  He drove us all through Napa Valley, took us to three wineries, and planned a stop for lunch. If you are looking for a wine tour contact Jack. I would do this same trip over and over again!!!