The best meal I ever had was in Guadalajara Jalisco for a wedding and popped into Cocina 88 where the chef personally showed me to the kitchen and explained all of the meats. At first I was worried as I basically only eat chicken but then I saw the most amazing sight of my life. I had a fresh Argentinian steak wrapped in bacon and a forgettable merlot. The bill was ~80$. I found out that Bono had been there the week before me. Surreal.

QOTD: In 2004, In Chablis, France, while following the Tour de France around with about a dozen of our friends on Marty Jemison Cycling tours, we had a 6 course meal with at least 6 different Chablis wines. Unbelievable food & superb wines. Gave a whole new meaning to what Chardonay can be.

Great show today – the Saint Jean du Barroux has a lot going for it (listed below), so we had to get a few bottles:
1) A great review by GV at an incredible price
2) Cotes du Ventoux – on the slopes of Mt. Ventoux – one of the most fierce & revered climbs in cycling. A perfect wine for a cyclist like myself.
3) L’oligocene – a reference to the geologic age of the soils . As a geologist also, how could I resist?
See link : http://www.cotes-ventoux.com/media/fck/File/presse-cotes-du-ventoux/CotesduVentoux@DP_%20GB_2007.pdf

GV – thanks for the review!

Last summer, we drove to Dry Creek and bought a half dozens different zins had ribs, chicken ,brisket, corn and cole slaw. Desert was a couple of ice wines. It was an amazing night.

QOTD **Lurker outed** Frank Zappa sang: “Goin back home to the Village of the Sun. Down in Palmdale where the turkey farmers run.” Palmdale, CA has a little sushi joint called Big Tuna. Three classic, loud, chattering Japanese sushi chefs behind the bar will fix you up whatever roll you ask for at the all-you-can-eat sushi bar. THe combination of the atmosphere, phenomenal sushi, presentation, and “all you can eatness” made this meal the best ever. The best sushi roll? “The Palmdale.” (Imagine conversing with your bud when a loud Japanese man shouts “PALMDALE!!” 2 feet away from your head to indicate that your order is ready).

QOTD **Lurker outed** Frank Zappa sang: “Goin back home to the Village of the Sun. Down in Palmdale where the turkey farmers run.” Palmdale, CA has a little sushi joint called Big Tuna. Three classic, loud, chattering Japanese sushi chefs behind the bar will fix you up whatever roll you ask for at the all-you-can-eat sushi bar. THe combination of the atmosphere, phenomenal sushi, presentation, and “all you can eatness” made this meal the best ever. The best sushi roll? “The Palmdale.” (Imagine conversing with your bud when a loud Japanese man shouts “PALMDALE!!” 2 feet away from your head to indicate that your order is ready).

The best meal I ever had was in Milan, Italy. We arrived late and thought we would just go upstairs to the hotel restaurant for a meal. They could only fit us in if we ate the ‘leftovers’ from some of the other tables. So the waiter would serve them first and then head on over to us to give us what was left on their serving trays. The food was just heavenly and we got a bit of everything.

Kosher wine can be very interesting. I’ve had the Yarden red blend. It was surprisingly good, and Mevushal i believe. The flash-pasteurization can really take a decent wine south in a hurry. They’ve got it figured out I guess.

QOTD: I can’t think of one meal, only parts of various meals. Appetizer: fois grois in Salon-de-Provence; Soup: sweet creamy onion soup at The Inn at Langley, Whidbey Island, WA; Salad: The Canlis Salad at Canlis, Seattle, WA; waygu rib-eye (oh yeah baby:) at Canlis, Seattle,WA ; dessert: my husband’s homemade chocolate cinnamon ice-cream; wine………….1983 Petrus, watching the sunset over the Olympic mountains in WA.

Looking forward to your next show. Waiting for my lurker friends to jump in!

Keep up the good work!

QOTD: Prime Steakhouse in Las Vegas overlooking the Bellagio Fountains, eating Filet Mignon, and sipping on a Groth Cabernet.

Keep up the good work!

QOTD: Prime Steakhouse in Las Vegas overlooking the Bellagio Fountains, eating Filet Mignon, and sipping on a Groth Cabernet.

QOTD: Ristorante Parizzi in Parma, Italy June 6th, 2007. Absolutely amazing! I’ll never forget it. Too many dishes to count, but the highlights were braised beef and lamb. And, of course, Parmigiano Reggiano!!

WOW! I’ve had Chateau Beaucastel before it was popular, and this EP makes me want to source this wine in Canada! Great EP Gary!

QOTD: Best meal…we had porterhouse steaks on sale, and they NEVER go on sale, so I bought 2 of them, for about $15 bones each…I grilled them up, over very high heat, and served them with a spanish garancha (grenache), that was out of this world! Sadly, this was before I was keeping track of what I drank, and so the record of it is lost.

WOW! I’ve had Chateau Beaucastel before it was popular, and this EP makes me want to source this wine in Canada! Great EP Gary!

QOTD: Best meal…we had porterhouse steaks on sale, and they NEVER go on sale, so I bought 2 of them, for about $15 bones each…I grilled them up, over very high heat, and served them with a spanish garancha (grenache), that was out of this world! Sadly, this was before I was keeping track of what I drank, and so the record of it is lost.

QOTD: I’ve had many meals with food and wine that were out of this world, but this past August during a somewhat understated lunch at Restaurant L’Oustalet, in the village of Gigondas, I realized I was a very lucky guy. The food was incredibly honest (foie gras done two ways, rabbit risoto and a hazelnut/chocolate pot de creme) and the Sommelier’s suggestion was a beautiful surprise (1998 Gabriel Meffre Laurus Gigondas), but the awesome weather, magical scenery and the fact that I was sharing all that with my wife and kids were the determinant factors in making that moment one of the most memorable in my entire (albeit short, I’m 32) life.

(a lovely and long visit with Yves Gras at Domaine Santa Duc followed lunch to end that perfect day in another high note).

Gary – thanks for the episode and for showing us, once again, that the South of France (Provence, Southern Rhone) is one of God’s best gifts to us mortals…

QOTD: I’ve had many meals with food and wine that were out of this world, but this past August during a somewhat understated lunch at Restaurant L’Oustalet, in the village of Gigondas, I realized I was a very lucky guy. The food was incredibly honest (foie gras done two ways, rabbit risoto and a hazelnut/chocolate pot de creme) and the Sommelier’s suggestion was a beautiful surprise (1998 Gabriel Meffre Laurus Gigondas), but the awesome weather, magical scenery and the fact that I was sharing all that with my wife and kids were the determinant factors in making that moment one of the most memorable in my entire (albeit short, I’m 32) life.

(a lovely and long visit with Yves Gras at Domaine Santa Duc followed lunch to end that perfect day in another high note).

Gary – thanks for the episode and for showing us, once again, that the South of France (Provence, Southern Rhone) is one of God’s best gifts to us mortals…

QOTD: This past summer at Restaurant La Caravelle in Bonifacio, Corsica, we had a fresh Sea Bass baked in salt that tasted perfect. I have never had seafood that has ever come within the same ballpark as the food at this restaurant. It was also my honeymoon which helps as well!

QOTD: This past summer at Restaurant La Caravelle in Bonifacio, Corsica, we had a fresh Sea Bass baked in salt that tasted perfect. I have never had seafood that has ever come within the same ballpark as the food at this restaurant. It was also my honeymoon which helps as well!

Must post… uncontrollable urge when contest going on…

Actually, I want to first comment about your terrific show ending. You have such high energy that your pantomime still conveyed the message powerfully. I would say even more powerfully because there was the anticipation of hearing but just seeing.

QOTD: Since I’m still in grad school and far away from home, I generally haven’t been able to go home for Thanksgivings. Four years ago was the exception as I was attending a conference taking place just after Thanksgiving and near my home. Like you say, family is important and that Thanksgiving at home was great. Home cooking may not be fancy gourmet, but Mom always cooks with love which is priceless. Best meal in recent memory.

Gary

Best meal I ever had was the one I had 2 weeks ago …. here it is …

Reception

Fortant Premier Cuvee, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 White
Fortant Premier Cuvee, Syrah 2007 Rose
Fortant Premier Cuvee, Merlot 2007 Red

Menu

Fresh Alaska crab meat cake, poached crab legs, mango puree and Bottarga Mesolongi
Wine: Champagne Palmes D’Or Prestige Cuvee, Vintage 1997

Marble Terrine of Duck Foie Gras, Fritter of Duck Foie Gras, exotic fruit compte and Leeches Sorbet
Wine: Dopff & Irion, Gewurtraminer 2006

Chateau Margaux, Premier Grand Cru Classe 1997

Roasted Loin of Irish baby lamb with fresh herbs, grilled polenta, green pea puree and braised artichokes, lamb jus
Wine: Bosco Del Merlo, Vineargenti “Plessi” Magnum 1997

Pecorino Cheese (ages 12 months) with Orange Blossem Honey
Wine: Masi “Costasera” Amarone 1997

Pistachio Macaroon topped with Poached pear in port, Chocolate Mousse and Mozzart Gelato
Wine: Taylors 10 year old Tawny Port

Delamain X.O. Cognac

Coffee & Chocolates Feodora

It was something really special – the wine shop here in Cyprus that I buy most of my wines was having its 10 year anniversary and they wanted to do something really special.

Achilleas

QOTD: The Brewer’s Art in Baltimore wonderful food and ambience in March of this year.

First off, I need to say that I just got into the podcast thing, and this show is the ONLY show that I have become religious about watching, great work, and keep the great episodes coming.

QOTD: Like you’ve said about the best wines being those special wines that you remember from special occasions, I think my favorite meals are more about who I was with and where it was than the actual meal. The two that came to mind was an amazing grilling night at home with my buddies before heading back off to school where we had some of the best marinated meats and vegetables that I’ve ever tasted. The only meal that really competes with that was from a place called Ristorante Fiore in the North End of Boston – amazing Italian restaurant where I took my girlfriend for our first real night out. If you’re in Boston and like Italian, try this place out, it won’t let you down.

Great work Gary, keep it up.

Best Meal: It’s either sea bass cooked in a tandoori oven and served in a coconut curry sauce, from Tamarind in NYC OR any greasy fast food after a week of camping in the desert.

qotd: was skiing @ grand targhee a few years ago in driggs, idaho. went to a small restaurant south of town and had a great meal of duck consomme and a rack-o-lamb with the tastiest sauce ever that was made from the lamb drippings infused with major mint flavor.

qotd: was skiing @ grand targhee a few years ago in driggs, idaho. went to a small restaurant south of town and had a great meal of duck consomme and a rack-o-lamb with the tastiest sauce ever that was made from the lamb drippings infused with major mint flavor.

Nice show GVNC. Iâ??ve been busy and havenâ??t been around lately but it looks like I picked a good time to check in. 500 bucks for a bottle of wine! Damn! Those guys at Montana Legend sure know how to entice a comment

QOTD: I canâ??t think of one single meal thatâ??s truly been the greatest Iâ??ve ever had. But when or if that meal ever comes Iâ??m sure it will include family, friends, and wine.

FYI Mott, the link for Legend is misspelled.

Nice way to get me to stop lurking… although, I did post on your birthday.

QOTD: Best Meal… interesting choice of words — best “dinner” would be something very different — thus, my best meal would most likely be a night that my office mates and I had a potluck, good food (no wine though!), great conversation and awesome company — that would be one of my best meals.