Monday, Apr. 06, 2009
Wine down with wine dinners
A look inside Divine Prime's extensive wine display. -Photo by Scott Smallin
With more than 3,000 wineries in the United States, compared to just 600 in 1981, restaurateurs are recognizing the growing affection Americans are developing for their vino. In fact, restaurant wine programs are becoming so popular, there has been a growing demand for sommeliers, or wine stewards.
The Myrtle Beach area is no exception. Many restaurants along the Grand Strand are now featuring monthly wine dinners, in an effort to afford guests unique opportunities to taste the most complementary wine along with the most savory cuisine. It is an affordable luxury, like most offerings in our area. We'd like to introduce you to some of our most preferred wine programs and extend an invitation to try one for yourself this year. You never know, you just may love it!
The fine-dining restaurants of the Divine Dining Group offer an assortment of wine dinners at their respective restaurants. Divine Fish House hosts wine dinners in the non-peak seasons and City Bar sporadically hosts dinners throughout the year. Located at The Market Common, Divine Prime, the newest member of the Divine Dining Group, is preparing to begin its wine dinner program this spring. Dates are being finalized, but stay tuned for interesting dinner formats such as pairing wines with ultra premium beef, pork and veal, a Cabernet dinner, and dinners focused on the absolute best foods of the respective season. Divine Prime's temperature-controlled glass wine cellar separates the lounge from the dining room and is filled floor-to-ceiling with more than six hundred bottles of the finest wines.
At SeaBlue in North Myrtle Beach, wine tastings are a frequent occurrence, in addition to the monthly wine dinners. Every aspect of SeaBlue's wine program is designed to make wine attainable for all people and to find the right wine for each palate. During the monthly wine dinners, executive chef Jim Hansen carefully pairs each wine with a balanced plate designed to bring out the fullness of the glass. Wednesdays at SeaBlue feature "Wine at the Bar," an informal wine tasting from 6:30-8:30 p.m. that will rival any happy hour. SeaBlue believes every wine tells a story and through travels, the culinary team has collected many stories. Each of the wines offered at SeaBlue has a story. Visit SeaBlueonline.com for a listing of coming events.
Croissants Bistro & Bakery has evolved from its neighborhood bakery beginnings. When the sun sets, the white tablecloths and soft candles transform the bakery into a charming French-style bistro. Executive chef Bryan Bodle and chef Stephen Stroman combine their culinary skills to create a fantastic array of wine dinners you won't want to miss. The menus are crafted around food and wine pairings and offer wines from a chosen vineyard, such as Alexander Valley Vineyards out of California, featured in Croissants' most recent wine dinner held on March 4. The dinners also offer a fine selection of cheese from the members of the Southeast Cheese Makers Guild, a unified group of farmstead and artisan cheese makers, to support local farming efforts. Featuring four courses of mouth-watering tastes, Croissants' wine dinners are typically held once a quarter for less than $50 and are limited to 36 guests, with reservations strongly recommended. For upcoming events, visit Croissants online at Croissants.net.
In the north end of Myrtle Beach, Aspen Grille has created a spectacular series of wine dinners offered monthly. The dinners transform into a complete, affordable dining experience, featuring five high-end, hand-picked wines and five courses of savory cuisine. The wines presented in the dinners are carefully selected, often from old wineries, to augment the distinguished wine list at Aspen Grille and to serve as the inspiration for the monthly menus. During the most recent wine dinner, the exceptional wines of Icon Estates of Napa Valley were presented. Proprietor Joe Sutherland works closely with chef Frank Grissett to craft the menus, yet likes to involve his entire team in the process for a truly collaborative creation. For less than $50, this is one affordable luxury worth enjoying. Aspen Grille's exclusive wine dinners, offered the fourth Wednesday of every month, book early and are limited to just 26 guests for an intimate experience.
Ruth's Chris Steak House at the Marina Inn is now hosting a series of wine dinners to introduce patrons to the extraordinary cuisine and wine selections that have led Ruth's Chris straight up the ladder of distinction among restaurants. The dinners feature guest speakers and present outstanding wines from vineyards such as Omaka Springs Estates in Marlborough, New Zealand, and the Pascual Toso Reserve in Argentina. Executive chef Mike Marques has created courses to enhance the splendor of the accompanying wines. Limited to only 30 guests, the wine dinners book quickly at just under $80 per person. To find out more about the wine dinners, go online to RuthsChris.com and select their Myrtle Beach location.
A Wine Spectator Award-winner for multiple years, Greg Norman's Australian Grille knows wine. And with the creation of seasonal, monthly wine dinners, Greg Norman's has established quite a reputation among locals. With a reception held in the Shark's Pub 30 minutes prior to the dinners, guests begin their seven-course experience with a round of hors d'oeuvres with a paired wine, while they prepare for the following six courses of exquisite cuisine created by the award-winning culinary team, perfectly complemented by six different wine selections. To keep the dinners fresh and exciting for both the guests and the staff, Greg Norman's features themed dinners to complement the respective season, accented by seasonal decor. Each monthly dinner, held seasonally from September to June, bounces around the world, presenting a variety of international wines, including vineyards in South America, Italy, Germany, Australia, and even regionally from North Carolina's Yadkin Valley. Held in the private dining room for added ambiance, the dinners are limited to 26 guests, however when the temperatures are bearable, the staff will extend the dinners onto the covered patio overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway for an additional 50 guests. To reserve your seat at Greg Norman's upcoming wine dinner before the summer is upon us, call 843-361-0000.
Now you've read a small sample of the assortment of wine dinners available along the Grand Strand, treat yourself to an affordable luxury in these tough times, with an amazing five- to seven-course meal at some of the finest restaurants in town, without compromising your budget. However, be warned - once your taste buds are awakened by the extraordinary flavors they will experience, they won't be the same again.
Some restaurants along the Grand Strand are taking a less formal approach to wine dinners and offer a variety of wine tastings, paired with delectable hors d'oeuvres offered at a reduced rate to help ease the economic pressures.
The Parsons Table in Little River has historically hosted seasonal wine dinners, with plans for a possible wine dinner in May to showcase a selection of wines out of coastal California or New York State. Owner and executive chef Ed Murray hopes to introduce more wine tastings in the upcoming months to keep things fresh and feature a little variety, ultimately offering more accessibility to more guests. As one of only six restaurants in South Carolina to receive the coveted Award of Distinction by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, The Parsons Table knows wine. To check for upcoming wine tastings or dinners, visit The Parsons Table online at www.ParsonsTable.com.
Tucked away in the Bi-Lo shopping plaza at 38th Ave North, Panini 38 hosts monthly wine dinners for its patrons. Typically held the last Thursday of every month, Panini 38's tastings begin at 6 p.m. and are complemented by live jazz and a variety of discounted appetizers. Mostly from California, the wines are carefully selected and generally feature four white and four red wines.
