Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
How to Ride a Motorcycle Italian-Style
Saturday, November 22, 2008
White Truffle Dinner - Wednesday, Dec 10th
Wednesday, December 10th at 7 p.m.
limited to 10 guests
Sotto Sopra Restaurant is flying in from Italy one pound of the rare and expensive white truffle for this exclusive dinner. From osetra caviar to the 1990 Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Riserva Granbussia, no expensive has been spared-this is the dinner of a lifetime, a true epicurean’s dream-come-true.
Executive Chef Bill Crouse has put together a menu that highlights the rich, full flavor of the white truffle and our sommelier, Michael Mohammadi, has chosen a selection of exquisite wines to round out the decadence of this dinner.
The dinner is limited to 10 guests
$1,000 inclusive
Reception
Osetra caviar, blini and champagne
N.V. Krug Brut Champagne
(Champagne, France)
1st Course
Snake River Farms Kobe Beef Carpaccio
Shaved white truffles, ancient Japanese sea salt, D.O.P. Tuscan olive oil
1990 Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millénaires
(Champagne, France)
2nd Course
Roasted Chanterelle & Lobster Mushroom Soup
Shaved white truffles, aged Montchevre Bucheron goat cheese, prosciutto di Parma crisp
Rene et Vincent Dauvissat Chablis Les Clos
(Chablis, Burgundy, France)
3rd Course
Seared Foie Gras on Brioche
Roasted duck jus, Port wine reduction, Asian five-spice infused pear
1996 Serafin Pere et Fils Charmes-Chambertin
4th Course
White Truffle Risotto
Aged Parmesan-Reggiano cheese and truffle butter
1990 Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Riserva Granbussia
(Monforte, Barolo, Piemonte, Italia)
5th Course
Basil-Lemon Sorbetto
Canton Ginger Infused Cognac & Krug Cocktail
6th Course
Grilled Venison Chop
White asparagus, Madeira reduction, white truffle foam
1997 Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Madonna del Piano
(Montalcino, Tuscany, Italia)
7th Course
Vanilla Soufflé with Truffle Honey Gelato
1998 Alois Kracher Chardonnay/Welschriesling Trockenbeerenauslese Nr. 7
8th Course
Oregon Blue Cheese
Amaretto gelée and toasted almonds
1970 Dow’s Vintage Porto
(Porto, Duoro, Portugal)
9th Course
Assorted Chocolate Truffles
1986 Nicolas Amarone
(Veneto, Italia)
To be one of the 10 guests for this evening’s gathering contact Monika Pawlak at 410 625 0534 or e-mail at ciao@sottosopra.us. Guaranteed reservations are required.
Holiday Opera Night - December 14th
5:30 p.m.
An evening of live opera performances featuring:
Ms. Diane Abel, Soprano
Mr. Paul McIlvaine, Tenor
Mr. Tom Hetrick, Piano
Menu
Spinach Salad
with cranberries, goat cheese & pecans
dressed with a warm Champagne vinaigrette
Lobster Bisque
with crème fraiche and caviar
Black Pepper Gnocchi
served with lamb ragout
Grapefruit Sorbetto
Stuffed Beef Tenderloin
with sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, and parsley
accompanied with sweet potato puree and Madeira demi-glace
Baked Apples and Pears
with Muscat zabaglione and lavender brittle
Enjoy live opera performances & 6 courses of exceptional Italian cuisine
Only $57 per person
(excludes beverages, tax, & gratuity).
For reservations & information call Monika (410) 625-0534 or e-mail her at pawlak_monika@hotmail.com
Future Opera Nights: January 18th and February 22nd – Gift certificates are available
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Dinner with Daniela - Tuesday, January 13th
Italian Home Cooking at its Best
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Open Reservations
Daniela Useli creates a rustic, home-styled dinner from her native Sardinia. The menu reflects the bounty of her native island - come, enjoy the taste of Sardinia.
Our standard dinner menu will be available for those looking for more contemporary choices.
MENU
Antipasto
Crespelle al radicchio rosso
Delicate crispy dough filled with cooked red chicory with onion and white wine
Il Primo ~ La Pasta
Paglia e fieno con gamberi alla salsa di vodka
Hand-made egg and spinach pasta noodles served with shrimp, cream and vodka sauce
Il Secondo ~ Pesce
Maiale al vino bianco
Pork tenderloin cooked with white wine, garlic and anise seeds, served
with rosemary roasted potatoes
Il Dolce
Saccottini di Pasta Sfoglia
Puff pastry shells filled with banana and chocolate cream
$38.00 per person *
(Excludes beverages, tax and gratuity)
*other promotions and discounts are not applicable to this dinner
When placing your reservation, let us know that you will be partaking of Daniela’s dinner.
Call 410 625 0534 or e-mail pawlak_monika@hotmail.com to reserve your table!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Spaghetti Farming circa 1957
Big win for Chef Crouse and his kitchen team
The Taste of Elegance pork competition took place last week and Chef Crouse walked away with the popular vote of the 300 attendees and the pork and wine pairing as well. The story was so well written at the foodandwine blog in detail of what all the chefs prepared that I'm just going to give you the link.
Click HERE
Monday, November 10, 2008
Thursday, November 20
7:00 P.M. ~ $55 per person
Communal Dining – Family Style Service
El Marsam Bed and Breakfast – Umbria Italy
http://www.elmarsam.com/
El Marsam
Ginda and her husband have owned and operated El Marsam in Umbria for close to 10 years. El Marsam means ‘where the artist paints’ and it is where Ginda paints. An accomplished painter for over twenty years, Ginda has exhibited her work internationally and her paintings are in numerous private collections.
In addition, Ginda will chat about her book, “Deeply Rooted,” which describes her Italian heritage, their move to Italy, and their life experiences while in Umbria, as well as bring some of her art work of the Italian countryside.
Come, join us and let us transport you in spirit to Italy for the evening with great Italian food, lively conversation and a nice glass of vino.
Cost per person: $55.00 ( includes food, non-alcoholic beverages, wine, tax and gratuity)
Limited seating so make your reservations now. Call Monika at 410 625 0534
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
December's 3-Course Tasting Menu
Chef's 3 Course Tasting Menu
Wednesdays: December 3rd, 10th and 17th
Open Reservations ~ starting at 5:30 p.m.
Chef Bill Crouse has picked a selection of hearty dishes for the holiday season.
MENU
Soup of the Day
Apple and Gorgonzola Cheese Salad with roasted walnuts and honey vinaigrette
Grilled Polenta with goat cheese mushroom ragout and balsamic reduction
Fried Calamari
2nd Course ~ Choice of one
Black Pepper Gnocchi with Lamb Ragout
Spinach Gnudi with Tomato Sauce
Chicken Marsala with Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
Lemon Risotto with Smoked Salmon Mousse
Potato and Mushroom Crusted Salmon with Caponata
3rd Course ~ Choice of one
Tiramisu
Pumpkin Soufflé with Balsamic Figs
Banana Nutella Crepe
$38.00 per person*
(excludes all beverages, tax and gratuity)
Reservations highly suggested
Call Monika at 410.625.0534 ~ e-mail pawlak_monica@hotmail.com
Monday, November 03, 2008
You know Riccardo likes to shake thing upside down (Sotto Sopra) so we are moving the Italian Language and Culture Dinner Club to Thursday, November 20th instead of our standard 3rd Monday of the month.
That isn't all that is different; Riccardo is getting behind the stove along with the Camardellas. Christiana Camardella will make gnudi, her husband is making what he says is the "best Bolognese sauce ever" and Riccardo is making osso buco with risotto Milanese. We are looking for two (2) more people to cook, one to make an antipasti and the other the dolce course.
So you're curious, think you want to jump in and do this - it is simple.
1. You will give us a list of ingredients you will need so we have everything for you
2. You will come in on Wednesday, November 19th during the day to prepare your course.
3. You will coordinate with Monika and Riccardo (410.625.0534 - e-mail )
We reward our volunteer chefs with a free dinner for the Thursday, November 20th's Italian Language and Culture Club dinner plus a $50.00 gift certificate to be used in the future.
The Details
The Italian Language and Culture Dinner Club is an excuse for Italophiles to get together, chat both in Italian or English about their passion for all things Italian: food, travel, art and music.
Date: Thursday, November 20th
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: $55.00 per person
(includes food, non-alcoholic beverages, wine, tax and gratuity)
Dining: Family Style (many dishes including the ones mentioned above)
Seating: Communal
Reservations are required: Contact Monika Pawlak at 410.625.0534 or e-mail at pawlak_monika@hotmail.com.
No other promotions or discounts are applicable to this event.
Lobster Fest -Nov 7th, 8th & 9th
$23.00 per Entree