May Events at Brasserie Du Vin

May 4, 2010

Alana Sarraga, Marketing,

Who says you can’t celebrate Cinco de Mayo French style? Despite the holiday celebrating the Mexican army’s victory over the French, on May 5^th, Brasserie Du Vin will celebrate Cinco De Mayo with a host of dinner specials starting at 4 p.m. Du Vin will also have a booth at the Downtown Cinco De Mayo party where you can find some of their special selections.

Image: courtesy of Du Vin

At Brasserie Du Vin, Chef Jake Dobb’s Latin-inspired wine dinner specialties will take you just south of the border with these three dishes:

Yucatan Shrimp Cocktail with an Avocado Pico de Gallo, with Crispy Plantains
Paired with Loimer ‘Lois,’ Kamptal, Austria, 2008
Adobado Grilled Skirt Steak on a Black Bean Sweet Corn Casole
Paired with Ceuso Scurati Rosso, Sicily, Italy, 2007
Tres Leches Cake (Three Milk Cake)
Paired with Fonseca ‘10 Year’ Tawny Port, Douro, Portugal, NV

The Cinco de Mayo dinner menu with pairings is offered for $30 per person (plus tax and gratuity).

Here are more of the special events at Du Vin this month:

Ginai and Pierre Grill return to Du Vin on May 15^th. The popular duo will bring their fun and energetic blend of music to the bar starting at 9 p.m. No cover.

On Thursday May 27^th, Du Vin continues its monthly movie presentation on the patio. This month’s “Off The Wall” will feature Nasferatu. Released in 1922, the film is considered by some as one of the scariest Dracula adaptations ever! The chilling tale kicks off when a real estate agent begins conducting business with eerie Count Orlok, who goes on a rampage when he becomes obsessed with the real estate agent’s wife.
No charge to enjoy the screening and complimentary popcorn. Chef Jake will present a Dracula-inspired menu for the night. Showing starts at 7 p.m.

Weekly Wine Dinners

Image: courtesy of Du Vin

Every Monday, Brasserie Du Vin presents an informal three-course wine dinner. For May, the restaurant highlights an array of delectable cuisines infused with Latin, Southern and Spring flavors.

Here’s what you can expect to find on this month’s menu:

May 10

Cream of Mussel Soup, Saffron Crème Fraiche, Fried Leeks
Paired with Domaine de la Tournaline, Muscadet ‘Saint – Fiacre’ Sèvre – Et – Maine, Loire Valley,France, 2008
Grilled Asparagus, Shaved Prosciutto, Toasted Pine Nuts and Honey Tangerine and Sauce Maltese
Paired with Beckmen Vineyards, Marsanne, Santa Ynez Valley, California, 2006
Seared Onaga, Warm Potato and Bacon Salad over Watercress, Saffron Crawfish Etouffee
Paired with Chateau Musar Hochar, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, 2002

May 17

Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp on Salad of Fresh Spinach, House Made Mozzarella, Confit Tomatoes and a Port-Balsamic Reduction
Paired with Bibi Graetz, Casamatta Bianco, Tuscany, Italy, 2008
Duck Rillette Wrapped in Collard Greens with Spiced Crème Fraiche
Paired with La Meridiana, ‘La Gagie’ Barbera d’Asti, Piedmont, Italy, 2006
Beef Roulade Stuffed with Roasted Garlic Red Bell Pepper and Feta Cheese over Sautéed Spinach and Sauce Beurre Rouge
Paired with Villa Antinori, IGT Toscana Red, Tuscany, Italy, 2005

May 24

Salad of Crab and Heirloom Tomato, Roasted Shallot and Curry Vinaigrette, Roasted Corn and Polenta Fritter, Micro Greens and Roasted Bell Peppers
Paired with Boutari, Moschofilero, Greece, 2006
Roasted Duck Breast, Manoa Honey, Habanero and Corn Salsa, Brown Butter Pommes Puree
Paired with Zaca Mesa ‘Z Cuvee,’ Santa Ynez Valley, California, 2006
Seared Foie Gras, Sweet Corn Pancake, Balsamic and Port Glaze
Paired with Mönchhof ‘Ürzig Würzgarten’ Auslese, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany, 2006

May 31

Alligator Gumbo
Paired with Chateau Bonnet, Bordeaux, France 2008
Pan-Fried Moi with Crawfish Etouffee over Dirty Rice
Paired with Perrin & Fils Reserve, Rhone Valley, France 2008
Banana Foster
Paired with Grahams 10-year, Tawny Port, N.V.

The dinners are available for $49 (plus tax & gratuity).Seating starts at 6 p.m. and reservations are recommended. (Three-course dinner also available without the wine pairing)

Tasting Tuesdays

Each Tuesday, there is something to taste at Du Vin – always delicious, causal and affordable. Typically, the tastings will involved 6-8 wines paired with a cheese and fruit platter.

Photo: courtesy of Du Vin

On Tuesday, May 18^th, the restaurant will feature a special Amuse Bouche Tasting dinner.

Amuse-bouche translates to “amuse the mouth”. For the tasting, Du Vin will offer a 5-course dinner and wine pairing to entertain your taste buds with little bites designed specifically to tease and prepare the palate for what comes next. The tasting starts at 7 p.m. and is limited to 24 guests.

Here’s a look at what’s on the menu:

Demitasse of Carrot, Cardamom and Poppy SeedSoup
Paired with Caves da Cierca ‘Fâmega’ Vinho Verde, Portugal, 2008
Seared Scallops with Lavender Brown Butter, Frisee Aux Lardon Salad
Paired with Bibi Graetz, ‘Casamatta Bianco,’ Tuscany, Italy, 2008
Mustard Dusted Sweetbreads with Sweet Corn Coulis and Balsamic Reduction
Paired with Perrin & Fils Réserve, Côtes du Rhône, Rhône Valley, France, 2007
Garlic Crostini, Escargot with Truffle-Madeira Hollandaise
Paired with Osso Anna, Napa Valley, California, 2007
Truffle Tremor Chevre, Dried Fig and Monoa Honey, with Lavosh
Paired with Bodegas Agapito Rico ‘Carchelo’, Jumilla, Spain, 2007

The tasting is $30 per person and include food and wine pairings. Reservations are required.

Sessions @ Du Vin

Looking for a way to break up the hectic work week? Every Wednesday night, the restaurant will host Sessions @ Du Vin – a showcase of live, local musicians. Performers change weekly. Music starts at 7 p.m. No cover.

May 5 – Bernard and Rogerio will present a Latin spin on Cinco de Mayo. Great for listening and dancing!
May 12 -Featuring Dennis Wilson on trumpet and coronet, Danny Caparoso on Jazz guitar, Chris Roth on bass, and Ethan Capone on piano.
May 19 – With the talented Sonny Silva, his band and Ginai, The Hotclub of Hulaville is a crowd favorite, presenting Gypsy and European jazz, along with classic American jazz and show tunes.
May 26 -Michael Tannenbaum and Nick Gertsson will present an evening of jazz, slack key guitar and Celtic-inspired tunes.