Meet Master Italian Chef Suzette Gresham-Tognetti
In covering the November 16 to 20 San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival, I was impressed at how many fascinating culinary classes there were, where the chefs dug right in and offered their heart and sweat to actually reveal their secrets, then had the classes taste their results.
San Diego’s top chefs were busy with their restaurant’s finest menu items, offering samples at the major wine events on Friday and Saturday, but the ones to watch were the army of celebrity chefs from such culinary centers as Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York. Among these, my shout-out favorite: Suzette Gresham- Tognetti of the famed Acquerello Italian Restaurant in San Francisco.
This restaurant is known for its dedication to wine and food pairing. It has 3 sommeliers on the floor at all times. Suzette's operating motto is a simple one: “Get the best, and leave it alone.” She loves fennel salad de-stemmed, sliced, twist- ed in very cold water and shaved. What got the class really excited was her Risotto alla Zucca (Pumpkin Risotto). She emphasized that the risotto must be Arborio rice, and she favors an Italian brand, “Fior di Riso.”
She added a combination of yam puree and diced squash to the Risotto. Accent ingredients included: olive oil, butter, onion, garlic, nutmeg, grated parmesan cheese and white wine. She served it over 'pancetta', and washed it down with a lovely Italian Sangiovese Red Wine. At this session, the Castello d’Albola Le Ellere 2006 from Tuscany was served. This is a traditional dish re-invented in a lighter, more contemporary style...simple but elegant. Gresham-Tognetti is co-owner of Acquerello, named after the watercolor theme of the restaurant which was a former chapel in San Francisco. Their chef’s tasting menu: weaving salmon, prosciutto, mushroom ravioli, breast of duck, delicate Italian cheeses and truffles in 8 courses paired with fine Italian wines, will thrill your palate.
Discover this gem at www.acquerello.com
Another not-to-miss event at the festival was the Friday night Reserve and New Release Tasting and Silent Auction, this year held at the Air and Space Museum in San Diego’s Balboa Park. This venue was just the ticket to taste only top quality wines, spirits and chef food samplings.
The San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival gets bigger and better each year, and is the largest of its kind in Southern California. Read more at www.worldofwineevents.com
Wine Bytes
New Years Eve is just about on us so Wine Bytes reviews some of the more interesting celebrations on the calendar Sat. night Dec. 31:
- Flavor in the Del Mar Plaza has its “Fantastic Dinner and “Wild Party” for $89. pp with a premium for wine pairings (two price options). A DJ is in the lounge from 9pm to 1am. Phone 858-755-3663 for an RSVP.
- The Westgate Hotel down- town San Diego presents The Great Gatsby New Years Eve event from 7:30 to 2am. For $149 ea. you get a 5 course wine pairing dinner with complimen- tary champagne all night. Singer Greg Page does a live performance with dancing to swing music. There is an overnight package that includes a deluxe room for two. Reserve at 619-557-3655.
- A 7 course dinner to remem- ber is planned for the Addison at the Grand Del Mar Resort, 5:30 to 10:30pm. Wine pairings to perfection are optional to the $225. price pp. Guests receive a complimentary entrance to the party with the Wayne Foster 6 piece band. RSVP at 858-314- 1900.
- Big Night in San Diego is at the Hilton Bayfront from 9 to 3am, with 12 different party zones. Guests are free to roam through each venue. Fully stocked bars and buffet with 12 bands and a variety of entertainment. Also casino tables, retro zones and a main stage. See www.bignightsandiego.comm.
- A magical New Years Eve Gala happens at Thornton Winery from 7:30 to 12:30am in Temecula. Fine wines, food and entertainment. Magic and a dance band are planned. $150. ea. RSVP at 951-699-0099.
- More New Years Eve fun at Wilson Creek Winery with a Roaring 20’s Speakeasy Party starting at 7pm. 3 course dinner with a big band, wine and a midnight champagne toast. $160. charge, with $145. for club members. Call 951-699-9463.
- A New York, New York Gala is happening at South Coast Winery in Temecula starring the Mighty Untouchables with Rat Pack sound-a-likes. Call for more information at 866-994-6379 x1.
Frank Mangio is a renowned wine connoisseur certified by Wine Spectator. He is one of the leading wine commentators on the web. View his columns at www.tasteofwinetv.com. Reach him at mangiompc@aol.com.
