Dining at Chatham Bars Inn

Chatham certainly has a number of good restaurants to choose from, but to have the full Chatham Bars Inn experience during our first stay there, it seemed like we ought to eat there in the main dining room. It also would be another opportunity to introduce our son to dining at places where one can't wear sweats. We weren't disappointed with the choice (and B. managed OK)!

Before taking our seats, we enjoyed a refreshing glass of '07 Willi Haag Braunenberg Riesling Kabinettt as we explored the hotel a bit more. Hard to believe, given that it was late November, but we did have enjoy the view from the front porch during some of that aperitif time.

I lean toward the "When in Rome" theory of ordering, and the clam chowder definitely seemed like the way to start out. It was one of the best chowders I've had, featuring a thick consistency, with good quality clams and potatoes. There was a subtle flavor of bacon or ham that rounded out the chowder nicely. We had a bit more of the Riesling with our first course and that worked out nicely.

The swordfish quickly caught my eye from entree choices. The fish was served in a creative tomato-based broth with white beans, clams and mussels. A grilled garlic toast was tucked alongside it for good measure. I really enjoyed the dish--the swordfish was still nice and moist, and the beans and shellfish gave it good heartiness. I'm not a huge mussel fan, but would up eating most of them.

I generally lean towards Pinot Noir with swordfish, and they had a nice selection of Oregon pinots (Burgundies, too, but I was looking to come in under $100/bottle!). The server confirmed that the 2008 Ponzi Vineyards bottle from the Willamette Valley would be a good choice; and his description was apt: fruit-forward, with some subtle spicy notes. It had a nice long finish, and got better as the meal went on.

The food was great, but the service was perhaps even more impressive. Our server was very knowledgeable and passionate about wine. I got a hint of that when we were discussing the pinot selection, but as we chatted more throughout the night he talked about his role in selecting and describing wines for their special Chef's Table dinners. I'm often disappointed with the limited wine knowledge of waitstaff at many restaurants, so it was a nice change to have someone so focused on wines serving us. More importantly, he was very attentive to the needs of our multiple food allergy son, working with us and the chef to come up with an appropriate meal for him. B. liked his chicken, though he did say he likes mine better! (don't worry, Chatham Bars Inn, he said the same thing at Blue Ginger).

B. did well with his grown up meal, but clearly after our entrees it was bedtime. We'll have to try the desserts on another visit. Great to have an excuse to go back!

Shinn Estate Vineyards: A Road I'm Glad to Have Taken

I need to get into the countryside more! I wanted to pull over and take pictures every time I saw a vine, tractor, or anything else bucolic in the fading fall light. But we were also eager to try another Long Island winery before getting onto the rehearsal dinner for the wedding that brought us there. Onward to our destination.

Shinn Estate Vineyards is a bit off the main drag, but our smart phone's GPS proved a reliable guide through the pretty countryside. And we were very glad to have found it! The cozy tasting room, with its rugged barn loft  design, was very comfortable for us two tired travelers to settle into. They have quite an array of wines to choose from their tasting menu; so I will focus on the ones I enjoyed enough to warrant a purchase. Below I'm with Barbara Shinn, who nicely paused from her busy day to chat with us about their winery.

I loved the 2010 First Fruit Sauvignon Blanc ($22)! Clean, ethereal lemon taste, with a touch of minerality and along finish. I look forward to serving this with my pesto soon! They make an everyday Red Blend ($16), well-balanced with plum fruit and a bit of spice. It's a blend of Syrah, Merlot and Petit Verdot; but if I had blind tasted it I might have guessed zin. Definitly a good value at the price. Now I'm a bit biased toward the next one; as I'm sipping the 2008 Estate Merlot ($26) as I write. I thought I was opening the $16 bottle, being mid-week and all, but oh well...nice treat! I get chocolate, blackberry and a bit of oak in this substantial but easy drinking red.

We finished with the 2009 9 Barrels Estate Reserve Merlot ($42). In many respects, a similar flavor profile to the Estate Merlot, but I got more vanilla and this one, and noted it's super long finish. Definitely some aging potential on this one.

Barbara shared a bit about the backstory of the winery. Her husband, David Page, is a chef, and they previously owned a restaurant in New York City. As fun as it must be to cook for hard-charging Wall Street types, I can't argue too much about the lifestyle choice they have made moving to this beautiful spot and making great wine!

I came to Long Island wine country a bit skeptical about the quality of wine that could be produced here in the northeast. But Barbara explained how the cool nights and proximity to the coast produce great growing conditions; and what I sampled at Shinn Vineyards confirmed that! Also impressive is their ability to produce these top quality wines at prices that are good values. Though I liked a number of the wines at our first stop, they wouldn't stack up well against comparably prices wines from say, France or Italy. But I felt Shinn Vineyards offers very good value for the price, and we happily set off for the wedding with some good wine in our trunk. But I had to take one more picture first...