Are You Afraid of the Dark?

Are You Afraid of the Dark? – Episode #571

November 5, 2008

The video came out a little darker than usual, but we had a fabulous time tasting wines during Bacchanalia at the Napa Valley Grille in Paramus, NJ.

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Comments on this episode(135) Leave a comment ›

“Just found the show! Yea! Good stuff! And, lo and behold, another PV h…” by Kell Brigan
“QOTD: By far its Cafe Juanita in the Seattle area. Ive typed about t…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2007 Round Hill Oak Free Chardonnay
2006 Flora Spings Napa Chardonnay
2006 Trinchero Family Pinot Noir
2004 Twomey Cellars Merlot

Links mentioned in today’s episode.

The Napa Valley Grille in Paramus NJ

135 Responses

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November 5, 2008

MattieJ
QOTD: I really like Ruth’s Chris and the Melting Pot… Both have a decent wine selection (and RC has a reasonable corkage fee )

On another note it’s funny that you picked today to do all Napa wines because I announced today on my video blog that I’m going to be starting something in a niche market for all you Napa lovers out there… Check it out and let me know what everyone thinks http://mattiej.com/2008/11/05/wacky-wednesday-2/
November 5, 2008

John
QOTD: Commander’s Palace, New Orleans.
November 5, 2008

SurfCityJay
Another great show… since I’m in SoCal, nice to see some Cali wines…

QOTD: Silvera’s Steak House in Downtown HB… Owned by the former drummer of Korn…

P.S.: I hope they wash the pitcher REALLY good before serving water in it again…
November 5, 2008

Rick D
Whipped right through that episode, not bad.

$50 is a little heavy for a Merlot, although if it keeps up with or surpasses a Pomerol I guess it might be worth it. I tend to go old world when I chose to spend that much cash on a bottle.

QOTD: My local Italian joint “My Italian Place” especially now that they significantly upgraded their wine list and kept the pricing reasonable. #1 restaurant bitch is 2.5x to 3x retail wine prices. Makes me drink beer.
November 5, 2008

JudeMurphy
Favorite Dublin restaurants:
Pizza Stop, Dunne & Crescenzi, Siam Thai

Come to Dublin, Gary! ; )
November 5, 2008

theemptyglass
QOTD: different restaurants depending on my mood (and of course their proximity rates high in my book). (All close to Newark DE and Elkton MD) Homegrown is a favorite because they usually have something new on the menu. Its kinda like if Trader Joe’s had a trendy restaurant, that’s what it would be. Then for “local cuisine” Wellwoods, its right on the marina and they have the best crab bisque. And El Kukuruku has the best rotisserie chicken and Mexican salsas, and thus make killer tacos, even if they use store bought tortillas.
November 5, 2008

Neil
QOTD: My wife and I just enjoyed a nice dinner at Clementine in San Francisco last weekend. Yummy food and a good wine list.
November 5, 2008

pawncop
Another good episode, really do like the unoaked Chardonnay’s.

QOTD – Probably III Forks Steak House in Dallas.
November 5, 2008

italianwinelover
GV-
Sorry your not feeling well…hope you get some rest and come back soon full force!!

QOTD: Balducci’s Willowbrook IL or Chapin’s in Morris IL
November 5, 2008

Glen,....winecrazy.com
Great……you go to the NVG which is 10 mins away from me and you don’t even give me a heads up so I can go see you.

NICE!!!!

Dows down 500 again today.

QOTD: Go there often….and, my fav is Campanias in Fairlawn. BYO and the best meetballs in Jersey award.
November 5, 2008

Rossodio
QOTD: Since I recently moved from Charleston, SC to New Orleans, LA, I have two favorite restaurants for you. I am fortunate to have moved from one of the best food cities in the south to another.

In Charleston, SC, Tristan is the way to go if you want great food and a phenomenal wine list. Not overpriced like Charleston Grill or Peninsula Grill, and the Sommelier, Brian Austin, is as amazing as the Pastry Chef, Nicole Anhalt, and the exec chef, Aaron Deal. I dined there many times, and loved going every time. More of a gourmet restaurant, entrees are $20-$35. And by the way, the foie gras is great, as is their $12 by the glass 1964 and 1971 deuxieme cru sauternes from Chateau Caillou.

In New Orleans, I’m stuck on Cochon. It’s a restaurant in the warehouse district that has great winter-type dishes like suckling pig, rabbit and dumplings, and the best boudin balls I’ve ever had. Great bourbon selection too, and the wine list for a restaurant of its type and size isn’t bad. Entrees are in the $16-$25 range.
November 5, 2008

Jared Pondelik
Feel better Gary!
November 5, 2008

Kevin K
QOTD: 1 – Next time I’m in Jersey. 2 – A Thai place called Sri Thai.

Get better soon G!
November 5, 2008

EP
QOTD: Veritas Wine & Bistro in College Station, Tx
November 5, 2008

Susan
QOTD #3 – In BEAUTIFUL Charlotte……..My favorite is Shun Lee Palace…. Mandarin, Szechaun, Hunan AND Cantonese…….YUM!!!!!!!!
November 5, 2008

Jay
Hey did anyone keep track of how many “that being said”s we had in this episode?
November 5, 2008

Susan
QOTD #2 – In the dirty jerse La Campagna…………VERY authentic Italian!!!!
November 5, 2008

TNM
Too dark, turn a light on ! Josephs Steak House Bridgeport CT, best steak around.
November 5, 2008

AbsolutLahmi
QOTD: Casa Mono has been a favorite in NYC for the past 3 years now.
Gottino in West Village is still an everyday favorite though.. Amazing wine bar focused on small Italian producers with decent small plates..
November 5, 2008

Withnail
I liked the different lighting – nice change of pace.
Good backdrop with that painting and frame behind you, too.
November 5, 2008

David Dadekian
QOTD: There’s a spot in RI called Mill’s Tavern that’s absolutely fantastic. In NYC it would have to be one of Danny Meyer’s places (The Modern is so good, though I have a soft spot for Grammercy Tavern and Blue Smoke). If you want a “chain” the best I can give you is The Palm. I’m not a fan of chains.
November 5, 2008

Jay
Jeff R: I think Gary’s just pumped when he has a live audience plus he wants to keep the energy high so the audience’s attention remains focused.
November 5, 2008

Jess
My fav restaurant is the one I work for- The Black Cat Restaurant in Boulder, Colorado. Seasonally driven, new menu daily, fresh veggies from the chef’s garden, focus is on food and wine pairings. We look for wines from small producers. http://www.blackcatboulder.com
Something the chef taught me: If you have a successful food and wine pairing, you can’t tell where the wine ends and the food begins.
November 5, 2008

Jeff R
Gary, I’ve noticed a trend in your live shows where you seem to rush a lot. is it a time constraint? Wish you would slow it down and take your time like you do on normal shows.

QOTD: CJ Montanas in Tinton Falls, NJ. Excellent food!
November 5, 2008

Daniel Kemp
Hope you get better quick Gary.

QOTD: I like Burger King.