I was privileged to be invited to an Albert Bichot Wine Dinner held at Paragon Restaurant at Foxwoods Resort & Casino on Thursday, December 11. My date for the evening was my elegant Indian friend, Carrol, a Yale scientist.
We used the valet parking for the Grand Pequot Tower, then took the elevator to the 24th floor. We were greeted and checked in by the staff, after which flutes of Brut Reserve Champagne were placed in our eager hands. These were followed by a steady stream of hors d’oeuvre like escargots bourguignonne, steak tartare and lobster fondue. Frankly, we wouldn’t have minded making a meal of them.
But soon we were seated at a spacious, handsomely appointed table, listening to beautiful piano music, which was interrupted just long enough to introduce our wine expert. What followed was one of the best meals either of us had enjoyed in quite some time, with tremendous foods perfectly matched by executive chef Scott Mickelson with Albert Bichot wines. Our first course was a hearty country pâté with baguette slices, Cognac and sea salt. Our second course was a luscious Brussels sprouts soup with black pepper crème fraîche. Our third course was a delicate sole Marguery with asparagus. Our fourth course was lovely petite veal tenderloin with mushrooms and haricots verts. Our fifth course, served after the main course as is often the case with formal meals in France, was a refreshing watercress salad with pear, Chèvre and walnut oil. And dessert? Dessert was a scrumptious Mont Blanc finished with crème de cassis gel and chestnut snow.
There are meals so memorable that they stay with you forever after. This was one of them.
THE VERDICT: Paragon Restaurant knows how to hold a great event and excels at pairing great wines with fabulous food.
FEEDBACK: Tell us how you have enjoyed Paragon Restaurant, whether for a regular meal or special event like a wine dinner.
CONTACT INFO: Paragon Restaurant, 350 Trolley Line Boulevard, 24th Floor of Grand Pequot Tower, Mashantucket; 800-FOXWOODS, 860-312-5130; www.foxwoods.com