In late January, I was fortunate enough to attend a Veuve Clicquot Champagne Dinner at Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill in New Haven.
My companion and I passed up the front steps and across the patio
to the hostess station, from which we were directed to the rear dining area. There we found the bubbly free flowing and the atmosphere festive.
Goblets rarely had a chance to go dry,
and were exchanged with alacrity.
Cheese and fig platters had been set out upon the tables.
Wine experts were busy educating guests,
despite unintended distractions.
Before dinner, I took a photographic tour of the restaurant, including the convivial bar area,
this cellar space ideal for private parties,
and this handsome ornamental fireplace.
All of Geronimo’s guests, whether or not they were attending the wine dinner, appeared to be having a great time.
Soon, the wine dinner got underway in earnest. We began with braised leeks with Spanish chorizo and tomato butter, a nice combination that only got better through pairing with NV Veuve Clicquot Champagne, Yellow Label.
Our second course showcased succulent rabbit in a roasted yellow bell pepper sauce served over hominy and cactus leaf, which was matched with a NV Veuve Clicquot Champagne Rosé.
Our third course featured snowy, olive-oil-poached halibut in a pistachio cream sauce with cremini mushrooms, red and green jalapeño, and chayote (one of my Asian wife’s favorite vegetables), a combination which went beautifully with a 1998 Veuve Clicquot Champagne Blanc.
Our creative and tantalizing meal ended with a three-chocolate pâté with fresh raspberries,
which was married with this Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Demi-Sec.
Our memorable evening was orchestrated by hospitable owner Gideon Ghebreyesus, caught here directing traffic
and here in a reflective moment.
Our great food was courtesy of executive chef Tim Scott, who was greeted by an enthusiastic round of applause after the meal.
At some restaurants, the creativity displayed during wine dinners can’t be found in the regular menu. At Geronimo, the menu is chockfull of intriguing items like savory pumpkin grits, elk chili, crawfish flan, duck cassoulet, lobster enchiladas, Santa Fe-style bouillabaisse and Navajo fry bread with smoked trout or chorizo and fig. So hopefully, I’ll make it back to Geronimo sometime to hit some regular menu highlights.
Geronimo Tequila Bar & Southwest Grill, 271 Crown Street, New Haven, 203-777-7700