Summer Is Here

Every year we go through that excitement of the first weeks of summer. Westport is an area where residents love the outdoor lifestyle, especially the active sailing community. Therefore, in the first month of summer, we have a lot of drop off in reservations, allowing for walk ins to quickly get tables. We also have the last minute parties of people coming off their boats just after sunset cocktails, clamoring to get a table. And the rained out BBQs, quick bites after a round of golf, etc...

So never fear those who could not get reservations last minute during the other months. Just call 203.454.0840 anytime you want to come in and we shall do out best to accommodate you.

Jamie is always working hard to create refreshing summer dishes that are lighter than the average fare, but full of BONDA goodness. Last night we discussed the Seared Scallop over Curried Sweet Onions with Parsley Coulis. We also tried a few Cab Francs to add as a lighter red.

Our catering staff is also available to cater sides or whole meals for your outdoor feasts.

Barnett Wine Tasting Dinner Wines - April 15th

Here are the wines for the upcoming Barnett Family Wine Tasting Dinner on April 15th.

Chardonnay, Savoy Vineyard, Anderson Valley 2006

Pinot Noir, Tina Marie, Russian River Valley 2006

Merlot, Spring Mountain,Napa 2005

Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain, Napa 2005

Cabernet Sauvignon, ‘Cyrus-Ryan Vineyard’, Napa 2005

To make a reservation, please call 203.454.0840.

I will keep you updated as to the menu when we decide what to serve!

Fairview Pinotage 2006

After raving about the 2003 Fairview Primo, I got a sample bottle of their current entry level Pinotage to try.

At first, this Pinotage had a big charcoal taste I typically associate with SA reds. But it burned off a bit to bring raspberry on the nose, with a big asphalt backbone and dark berry fruit on the finish. Medium tannins, but a little too acidic.

It has a mouthfeel of a wine that would stain your teeth!

I would drink it if served to me, however, I am not buying for the restaurant or myself.

Fountainhead Selections Wine Tasting Dinner

Unfortunately we have to cancel this dinner due to lack of interest and several cancelled reservations.

We are rescheduling for sometime in May.

Sorry!

Barnett Family Wine Tasting - April 15th

We tasted a few wines from the Barnett Family because the distributor asked us to host a wine tasting dinner. We have always liked their wines, but they tend to run a little pricey, so we do not carry that much at the restaurant. My notes below do not describe the wines, nor list them, but are verbatim my tasting notes to give you an idea of how we start with ideas for our wine tasting dinners.

savoy vineyard chard - dry, a little oak - eggplant napoleon?
pinot - scallop, risotto, parsley coulis - bacon?
merlot - tough - pork tenderloin? duck breast with creamed spinach w/ bacon risotto fritter
cab - pot roast - asian style short rib
estate cab - cherry chewy - sweet fusalage - Pepe like

So there you go! An insight into our minds for our tastings!

I will post the list of wines plus the pairings once they are finalized.

Voting For Fairfield Weekly's "Best of" Issue

It is that time of year again: voting season for Fairfield Weekly's "Best Of" issue!

If you have a moment, please go to 

http://www.fairfieldweekly.com/ballot/index.cfm?pid=39 

and vote for BONDA in all categories that are germane.

Last year you helped us achieve #1 for Best American Continental, 

#2 Best New American, and #2 Overall!!!!!! 

Thank you all so much for your votes over the last 5 years. 

This year, hopefully we can beat Match and claim #1 OVERALL!!! 

In the past, we have also ranked in Best Service, Best Wine List, 

Best American, and Best Lunch (Abbondanza).

Thank you for your years of continued support!

Alex, Jamie and the Rest of the BONDA Staff

Please also support our friends (if you have been there) at the Fountainhead (Wine Shop), Robert's (Men's Store), Arogya, Charged! (Personal Training), Fat Cat Pizza Pie Co., Fat Cat Joe, Pasta Nostra, Valencia, Zole and Paci.

New Oregon Pinot For the Wine List

At the Mackin Tasting at BONDA, we had a bottle of 2006 Belle Pente Pinot Noir Dundee Hills as the 10th or so vino. Rob said it wasn't showing that well due to shock and time in bottle. I ordered a case anyway as he practically sold out of it before it came into the state.

Off the cork, it was like strawberry wine - super light and fruity. Then it went through a skanky dark period of muck. I made a skirt steak and veggie stir fry (marinated in soy sauce, ginger, honey, balsamic, onions, and chinese 5 spice). The steak made the wine sing, bringing out medium tannins, bright fruit and that Oregon depth I love. It still has a bit of funk, which is odd for Belle Pente. Usually their wines are floral and reserved.

After two hours, it was still kicking, with a little RS build up. I think it is a little too young, but I was anxious to try it again.

When I first tried Brian's (I think that is his name) wines, we had a tasting at BONDA with he and Joe Davis from Arcadian. I said "How can you do this? Joe's wines blow Belle Pente out of the water!" Rob said that others said the same thing in reverse! Over the four years since then, I have grown to love Belle Pente. The wines need more time in the bottle, and are a bit young when released, but give them a year and they will reward you plenty. The '04 Murto Vineyard is prime right now, and we plowed through about a case of 2005 Belle Pente Vineyard Chardonnay at my house last year.

I believe this is the first production of the "Dundee Hills" designate for BP. The AVA is only two or three years old in the Willamette Valley - I think the wine was just Willamette before. J. Christopher, Cameron, and I think Patty Green all have wines with the same title, so it is a good boat to be in. I don't remember the price, but I believe it will go on the list for $45 or so. A fair price in my book, although I am going to hold off for a little while to put it on the list at BONDA.

Upcoming Fountainhead Wine Tasting Dinner

On Wednesday, Mike came by the restaurant to taste us on the wine that he and Mark chose for our final Wine Tasting Dinner with the Fountainhead. Not final as in ever, but the end of our triumvirate of the winter. We are ending it with Fountainhead Selections: wines that they import and have a relationship with the vintners. It is always a fun dinner as there are many stories about the soil, climate and temperment of the winemakers.

We started off with a 2005 Schueller (one of my favs) Pinot Gris Reserve (we will serve the 2002 Uncle Leon Reserve, but it only comes in Mags). As usual, this wine did not disappoint. Notes of honeysuckle with a touch of sweetness and a bit of viscosity. Jamie thought a good pairing would be Roasted Cauliflower with an anchovy dressing (a nod to Pasta Nostra's classic dish).

Next up was 2005 Schueller Pinot Noir Lot #12. We had the '04 for New Year's Eve and it rocked. The '05 was a little less funky, but still had a little stink, with muted fruit and a soft finish. Mike thought it might still be a little shocked as it has only been in the country for 3 weeks. I thought a nice veggie moroccan stew over cous cous. The cumin would really bring out the spice in the wine.

From Southern Rhone, 2005 Dom. Rabasse Charavin - a fantastic wine for the price. I thought we should keep it simple with a cheese plate, toasted fruit bread and a white raisin relish.

2001 Dom. Piaugier Reserve Alphonse Vautour was next. Mike is really pulling out all the stops. A nice leg of lamb would support this great wine.

As the final red, 2003 Dom. Berthoumieu "L'Argelis", a Tennat from 100 year old vines in Madiran. I thought this was going to be big and bold, but it was more supple, like a fine tuned Bordeaux. Mike has been bugging me to make a Cassoulet for one of these tastings and I have always declined - too much work! But after tasting this wine, it deserves a Cassoulet style dish.

If you want to make a reservation for the wine tasting dinner, please email bondarestaurant@hotmail.com and I will contact you if space is available.

Autism Speaks Dinner January 16th

We will donate 20% of all restaurant proceeds to Autism Speaks on January 16th.

Please join us for dinner to support this cause.

We will feature our Winter Menu with a few surprises!

To make a reservation, please call 203.454.0840.

Thank you for your support!

Artisan Wine Tasting Dinner 01.22.08

Happy New Year!

Jamie, Mike and I had a spirited tasting with Rob last night for our January 22nd Artisan Wine Tasting Dinner.

Although the menu is not 100%, here are the wines and our thoughts on the pairings.

The dinner will start at 7 pm, and cost $125 per person all inclusive.

To make a reservation, please email: bondarestaurant@hotmail.com

Thurnhof Goldmuskateler 2006
Curry Spiced Red Snapper

McCrea Sirocco 2003
Roasted Pork Belly over Brussells Sprouts with a Butternut Squash Cream

Kynsi Syrah 2004
Bacon and Potato Gallette

McCrea Cellars Syrah "Boushey Grand Cotes" 2003
Still working on a dish!

Coriole Lloyd Reserve 2004
Braised Short Rib over Roasted Cauliflower with Dried Apricots

All of the dishes have been thoughtfully paired with the wines so I appologize, but no substitutions.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Closed for Thanksgiving Weekend

As with tradition, BONDA Restaurant will be closed for Thanksgiving and the entire weekend to give our staff some much needed rest and family time.

We will resume dinner service the following weekend.

Abbondanza Specialty Food will be open for regular hours on Saturday.

Have a Happy Turkey Day!

Patty Party

Thanks to all who came to the 4th annual Patricia Green Cellars Pinot Noir Wine Tasting Dinner. It was a real blast and as Chicky, Chodey and Mark kept chanting, it was a Patty Party.

Opening with the J. Christopher Riesling - slightly sweet, delicate, herbacious, a perfect appertif wine. Following the first of the Pinots, the 2006 Croft Vineyard, possibly the most loved of the night. Light and spicy with aromas of fresh berries and wild flowers - super fruit forward for PG at such a young age.

The Estate wines followed, Estate and Old Vines, both deelish in their own right. More structured and elegant than the Croft, they definitely will age a little better and ripen within the next year or two.

My favorite of every year, the Balcombe Vineyard showed best earlier in the evening (on a clean palate) but was the show stopper in my opinion. A perfect balance of tannins to fruit - not sweet fruit, but dark Oregon fruit with cedar notes and forrest floor - but at the same time some high tones of 13.7% alcohol that were pleasant. Not a door ripper like the Notorious or Edzell (sp) Block - but harmonious.

We look forward to the next tasting on January 22 of Rob Makin's Artisan Wines selection of New World Syrahs and Shiraz. Hope to see you there! Please email bondarestaurant@hotmail.com if you would like to make a reservation.

New Menu for Patty Green Tasting

The great thing about menus, is that they can change!

Here is the revised menu for the Patty Green Wine Tasting Dinner:

Hors D’oeuvre
Deviled Egg, Curried Chicken Salad Pate au Choux, Spiced Shrimp
J. Christopher Reisling

First
Seared Sea Scallop
over Carrot-Bacon Risotto with Parsley Coulis
Croft

Second
Wild King Salmon over Roasted Beets
with Citrus-Poppy Seed Beurre Blanc
Estate

Third
Grilled Leg of Lamb with Truffled Cauliflower Puree
and Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta and Pinenuts
Estate Old Vine

Fourth
Braised Pork Belly over Lentil & Spinach Stew
Balcombe

Patty Green Wine Tasting Dinner

We are currently fully booked, however we are taking reservations for the waiting list.

Please email bondarestaurant@hotmail.com to be placed on the waiting list and we will email you to confirm.

Thanks!

November 6th Patricia Green Wine Tasting Dinner

We have the wines and almost finalized menu for the November 6th Patricia Green Cellars Wine Tasting. All wines are from the 2006 vintage.

J. Christopher Riesling
Assorted Canapes

PG Croft Vineyard
Seared Scallop over a Bacon and Carrot Risotto with Parsley Coulis

PG Estate Vineyard
Blackened Salmon with Haricot Verts

PG Estate Old Vine
Braised Pork Belly over Lentil and Spinach Stew

PG Balcome Vineyard
Braised Lamb Pot Pie

The Cost is $110 per person. To make a reservation, please email: bondarestaurant@hotmail.com.

As of 10.22 we have a table for two left, but are glad to put you on the waiting list as we always have people drop out as the date approaches.

Fountainhead Wine Tasting Dinners

I know it has been awhile, but we have our next triumvirate of tastings.

November 6th, 2007: Our 4th Annual Patricia Green Cellars Wine Tasting Dinner. Featuring fantastic Oregon Pinot Noir from Patty Green.

January 22nd, 2008: Our 2nd Annual Artisan Wine Wine Tasting Dinner. Featuring wines from Rob Makin of Artisan Wines. Most likely candidates include American Northwest Syrahs, Bordeaux Blends and Southern Italian.

March 18th, 2008: Our 3rd Annual Fountainhead Selections Wine Tasting Dinner. Featuring wines hand picked by Mark and Mike from the Fountainhead. Most likely candidates will be Alsatian whites, Southern French Reds and a few surprises.

All dinners will be 5 courses starting at 7pm. The cost are TBD, but range from $85 to $110 per person. To make a reservation or if you have any questions, please email me at bondarestaurant@hotmail.com.

I will keep you posted as the dinners develop.

Cheers!

August Vacation

With the end of summer upon us, BONDA is taking our annual summer vacation starting Wednesday August 22nd and continuing through September 1st.

We will re-open for dinner on Wednesday September 5th.

Abbondanza Specialty Food Store will continue regular hours. To place a catering order, please call 203.454.0840.

Have a great end of summer!

Our Malay Sister Restaurant

I found this link while surfing around. I guess we should go check it out!

http://www.bonda-cafe.com.my/.

Zinfandel - America's Grape

No one makes Zinfandel like the Americans. Yes, thanks to White Zinfandel, the noble grape has gotten a bad rap, but the pure red delicious wine made from true Zin is wonderful. Some like to blend, some keep it pure. Look on our wine list for some great examples of this fantastic red! Ridge Lytton Springs 2005, Ridge Geyserville 2004, Carol Shelton Karma Zin 2004, Porter Bass Vineyard 2004.

Closing for Italian Festival

Every year the carnies come in and disrupt Charles Street for the Annual Italian Festival. Every year BONDA closes for the festival as it deters our customers from dealing with the traffic. We opened the first year and had a lot of people parking in our lot and using our bathroom! Luckily this year it falls on the the 4th!

Abbondanza Specialty Food will remain open for regular business hours. To place a catering order, please call 203.454.0840.

See you soon!