Betsy, her dad, and a small group of friends joined me for lunch at Tabla on Madison Ave yesterday. Tabla has the Restaurant Week $20.03 lunch special through Labor Day. We had a lovely meal in this Indian fusion standout.
All of Danny Meyer's places have nice wine lists, including many by the glass and half-bottle selections. Some glasses of Grüner Veltliner and Oregon Pinot were ordered, but I decided to try the suggested pairings. One could get a 2 glass flight for $15, or a 3 glass flight for $20. As I was going back to work, I opted for the former. Wine service was quite nice- good stems, healthy pours, the selections poured at the table after we checked out bottle, etc.
For my first course (soft-shelled crab with a daikon/jicama salad, topped with a garlic and Indian spice vinaigrette) the 2000 Deloach Chardonnay (Russian River Valley). Decent green apple fruit. Some wood, but not overwhelming, and a tad crisper than the average CalChard. I think sometime like an off-dry Vouvray might have been a better match, but this was not bad. B
[Off-topic: the other first courses at our table included delicious samosas, a cold watermelon soup, and salads - surprisingly, no one got the short-rib appetizer]
With my lamb "confit" two ways (one in a spiced crust, the other hunk with tandoori seasoning, all over a bed of roasted eggplant w/pine nuts), the 2000 Ch. Parenchère (Bordeaux Superieur). I expected a more Merlot flavor profile, but this had very clear ripe blackcurrant fruit. Nice medium-bodied Bordeaux, light fine tannins, balanced acidity. Light touch on the oak. Not a wine I'd search out, but a very acceptable luncheon claret. B/B+
They had also offered a Fife Redhead blend of various Rhone grapes, might have been a better match actually, but this did ok.
[ the mahi-mahi was also quite good, I didn't sample the cod in banana leaves, but heard it was excellent. Desserts included a cocunut flan, strawberry cake, and a bittersweet chocolate torte, but a pretty vanilla bean kulfi got the nod from the sweet-toothed].
Last night we ate outside - gorgeous night, with abundant fireflies. Betsy made a sole and fennel risotto, flavored with dill. The wine was the 2003 Anselmi San Vincenzo. Once again this Wine Formerly Known As Soave pleased. Medium-bodied, good apple fruit, nice mineral-meets-almonds finish. B+
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency. Dale
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