Featured Events

Credit: Scott Rudd

@WineEnthusiast
#WE100BestRestos

Last Monday, July 9th, we joined Wine Enthusiast Magazine and over 300 sommeliers, chefs, journalists, and others in the industry to celebrate their  America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants of 2018, with a Press Panel at The Landmark at West 57th and August Issue Launch Party which includes the list, at Greek Restaurant Ousia, just down the block.

Credit: NYC Plugged

“Every year, the editors of Wine Enthusiast drink and dine their way around the country, seeking out the best and brightest wine-integrated eateries of the moment. Their selection isn’t a ranking of wine lists, or even a comprehensive survey of every good wine restaurant in the U.S. Instead, it is a subjective culling of restaurants where wine is clearly loved in a way that jives with their own mission, and where in their experiences, the wine, food, service and atmosphere are all exceptionally united.”

The press panel featured stars from Wine Enthusiast’s America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants:
Lauren Friel, Wine Director of Dirt Candy
Matthew Kurdy, Wine Director of Flora Bar
Alexandra Cherniavsky, Beverage Manager of The Love, in Philadelphia
Christopher Gross, Chef of Geordie’s at the Wrigley Mansion, in Arizona
Susan Kostrzewa, Executive Editor and Moderator at Wine Enthusiast’s Magazine 

It was an imitate discussion about the national trends of 2018 in wine and followed by a Q & A from the audience.

Peck’s Arcarde team: Vic Christopher and Paula Patterson
Credit: Scott Rudd

The issue launch party took place at Greek/ Mediterranean Ousia (which means essence or flavor), which recently open just over a year ago, was also named one of the America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants of 2018 (twice)  in addition to the following NYC eateries: Scampi, The Modern, Le Coucou, Indian Accent, Gabriel Kreuther, The Grill/Pool, Flora Bar, Dirt Candy, Cote, Agern all in located in Manhattan and Otway and The Four Horsemen located in Brooklyn. The following have appeared on the list four our more times!:  Daniel, Le Bernardin, Gramercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park, Per Se. I would recommend hitting up one or a few of these spots if you’re a wine enthusiast yourself, or trying to become one.

For the evening, Ousia housed 6 paired Food & Wine Stations, which we made our way around to, once or maybe three times to sample Cape Classic wines from France and South Africa, and food selections from Ousia, handpicked by the Executive Chef Carlos Carreto and culinary team.

Credit: Scott Rudd

Here’s a rundown of the stations:

Station 1:
Domaine Paul Buisse NV Crémant de Loire (Sparkling)
Domaine Vincent Carême 2016 Cuvée T (Vouvray) (Sparkling)
These were two of my favs!

Station 2:
Bayten 2017 Sauvignon Blanc (Constntia) (White)
Vins Auvigue 2015 Solutré (Pouilly-Fuissé) (White)
Excelsior 2016 Sauvignon Blanc (Robertson) (White) – Another Favorite!
Les Fumées Blanches 2017 Sauvignon Blanc (Côtes de Gascony) (White)

Food Pairing:
Spanakopita (leeks and feta wrapped in phyllo)
Tyropita (4 cheeses wrapped in phyllo and topped sesame seeds)
Loukanikopita (Greek sausage wrapped in kataifi)

These were all very cheese, flaky and delicious!

Credit: NYC Plugged
Credit: NYC Plugged

Station 3:
Indaba 2017 Chenin Blanc (Western Cape) (White)
Indaba 2016 Chardonnay (Western Cape) (White)
Indaba 2017 Mosaic (Western Cape) (Red)
Jam Jar 2016 Sweet Shiraz (Western Cape) (Red)
Jam Jar 2017 Sweet White (Western Cape) (White)

Jam Jar changed it up a bit with by using their wines to make a refreshing Watermelon Jamito and a Sangria Slush.

Credit: NYC Plugged

Station 4:
Petite Siréne 2016 Sauvignon- Sémillon (Bordeaux Blanc) (White)
Petite Siréne 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon- Merlot (Bordeaux) (Red)
Les Hauts de Janeil 2017 Grenache-Sauvignon (Pays d’Oc) (White)
Mas Jeneil by François Lurton 2013 Côtes du Roussillon Villages) (Red)

Food Pairing:
Selection of Greek Cheeses (Feta, Metzovone, Mizithra, Kasseri, Manouri)- Did I mention I love cheese?
Fresh and dried fruits
Pita Chips

Credit: NYC Plugged

Station 5:
Domaine Paul Buisse 2017 Touraine (White)
Domaine Vincent Carême 2015 Sec (Vouvray) (White)
Domaine Vrignaud 2016 Chablis (White)

Food Paring:
Grilled Octopus with Santorini Fava and Cauliflower Tabbouleh- very good!
Shrimp Souvlaki with Lemon and Olive Oil
Beet Ravioli with Mizithra, Thyme Butter (not a fan of beets, but this yummy butter made up for it!), and Sautéed Kale

 

Credit: NYC Plugged

Station 6:
Excelsior 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Robertson) (Red)
Kanonkop 2016 Pinotage (Simonsberg-Stellenbosch) (Red)
De Toren 2014 Z (Stellenbosch) (Red)

These Reds (which I shy away from, unless sparkling) were of course paired with some meat dishes.

Food Pairing:
Kos Meatballs (Beef and Lamb meatballs in a cumin tomato sauce) – Was a but salty for me
Wild Mushroom Flatbreads (Potato, Ricotta, Mixed Mushrooms) – Mushrooms aren’t my fav, but this was tasty! Bread and cheese makes everything better!
Lamb Steam Buns (Braised Lamb, Tzatziki, Chili Aioli, Red Onion) – Very good as well!

You can read more about each wine here!

All in all, we were able to sample different wines from two of the worlds top wine regions, and left with a few favorites we will have to try again! I’ve also been hearing about Ousia for some time now, so it was nice to get a taste of their dishes perfectly paired with the selected wines.

Here’s a look at Wine Enthusiast’s ‘America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants of 2018’ complete list! You can also pick up the August issue, if you want to be in the know and read up on a whole gamut of food and wine articles. Ousia is also taking part in NYC Restaurant Week, going down July 23rd- August 17th, so book your reservations!

Follow Us on Instagram for more coverage! 

Credit: NYC Plugged

You may also like:

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *