Before I share my post about our recent dinner with friends at Tuscan Bistro I want to thank the Garden State Wine Growers Association (especially Devon Perry, Executive Director) for my invitation to the New Jersey Wine Ambassador Dinner on Thursday evening at the Tomasello Winery in Hammonton. This event was one of the highlights of a three day celebration of New Jersey Wine with two sommeliers from Italy (Sally Semeria and Davide Gilioli) visiting a number of our wineries and honored at this dinner.
The food and wines were very good (all from a dozen or more New Jersey wineries). It was a great opportunity to network with some of our winery owners, winemakers, and local media. I was further humbled by having a number of these individuals, who I admire so much, thank me for what I do! You can read more about the festivities on the GSWGA website. The next related activity will include the owners at Auburn Road Vineyards (Scott and Jules Donnini, winemaker) going to Italy to pour New Jersey wines at the American Embassy in Rome. This is scheduled to take place this week. It is hoped that this will be the beginning of New Jersey selling their wines in Italy! Stay tuned.
Tuscan Bistro
What could be better than enjoying a good meal at a local restaurant? Doing it with great friends and very good New Jersey wine! My wife and I met our good friends, Rob and Jackie for dinner at the Tuscan Bistro in Sewell on Friday evening. It was a fun night, catching up with our friends and trying the newest iteration of this restaurant. It has changed names and ownership over the past years and this was our first time dining there since the most recent change (though our friends have dined here several times before).
Tuscan Bistro is located on Hurfville Crosskeys Road. The restaurant has a very extensive menu and they serve lunch and dinner. Tuscan Bistro also does a brisk take-out and delivery business. They are one of the few restaurants around that offer soup and salad and a side of pasta with your entree.
The Food
My wife and I selected their Calamari Fritti-tossed in flour and sliced with hot peppers, fried golden brown, and served with marinara. They were good, but the pizza that our friends ordered for their appetizer (and they insisted that we try it) was even better.
For my entree I chose the Scallops Calabrese, with artichokes, asparagus, and sun-dried tomatoes. It was very good, but needless to say, I had to take half of it home. My wife got their Chicken Francaise, which she loved. We could not believe the portion sizes of these dishes.
The Wine
I brought a bottle of white and a bottle of red, as usual. On this occasion…
- Hawk Haven 2021 Pinot Grigio-The Pinot is a very good version, with citrus and a bit more body than some Pinot Grigios and just a hint of sweetness (still dry at 0.9% RS). It complimented the natural sweetness in the scallops and the sun-dried tomatoes. If you’re looking for a nice refreshing (and reasonably priced wine) for the summer-this one fits the bill.
- Terra Nonno 2017 Cabernet Franc-A very nice red, that once aerated for a bit, opened up to the Cab Franc I remembered from out last visit to Terra Nonno-A good Cab Franc with subtle French oaking and smooth tannins.
To our surprise, our friends also brought two New Jersey wines-both from Natali Vineyards-their 2020 Merlot (pictured above right) that was very smooth and a very good Cabernet Sauvignon. They “blame” me for their fairly recent appreciation of New Jersey wines. I will proudly accept the” blame.”
Cheers!
Coming Attractions
- Unionville Vineyards
- Angelico Vineyards
- Lambertville Attractions
- Va La Vineyards
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Love the look of that dish with the artichokes in it!! I have done lunch there but not dinner!! It will be on my list!
It was good, Patty (as was the wine)…
Great relaxing dinner with great friends and a variety of great tasting wine. Let’s do it again soon.
It was a great relaxing dinner. We always eat well and drink well and enjoying food and wine with great friends, just takes it to the next level. Cheers!