Carmel Café June Wine Dinner Countryside

The June focus of Carmel Café & Wine Bar’s monthly wine dinner series will be on the wines from Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel, celebrated vineyards in the Napa Valley.  Court of Masters Certified Sommelier Michael Dwyer will guide guests through vineyard stories and the five-course food and wine pairings at both Carmel Café restaurants.

The dinners will be 6:30-8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 20, at Carmel Café in Countryside/Clearwater and Thursday, June 21, at Carmel Café in Carrollwood/Tampa.

With an estate founded in Oakville, Calif., in 1885 and then restored in 1979, Far Niente is consistently recognized as a benchmark producer of Napa Valley Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Established by the partners of Far Niente, “sister” winery Nickel & Nickel is focused on producing 100 percent varietal single-vineyard wines.

The wine dinners are $69.95 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Space is limited and reservations are required. 

Carmel Café Executive Chef Steve Cook will complement the featured Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel wines with a five-course pairing menu of Carmel’s modern Mediterranean (Mod Med) cuisine.

      First Course:

•  Wine:  Mumm’s Napa Sparkling Rose of Pinot Noir
•  Small Plate:  Basturma Wrapped Shrimp

      Second Course:

•  Wine:  Far Niente Estate Chardonnay 2010
•  Small Plate:  Saffron Mussel Bisque with Crustad

     Third Course:

•  Wine:  Nickel & Nickel Zinfandel (2007 Ponzo Vineyard)
•  Small Plate:  Eggplant Rollatini with Serrano, Spinach, fontina, provolone and spicy pomodoro

      Fourth Course:

•  Wine:  Nickel & Nickel Cabernet Sauvignon (Branding Iron Vineyard 2008)
• Small Plate:  Braised Short Rib Ravioli with Chantrel Cream Sauce

      Fifth Course:

• Wine:  Far Niente Dolce 2006
• Small Plate:  House made Dark Chocolate Truffle

For reservations at the Countryside Carmel Café, call 727-724-4228.

For reservations at the Carrollwood Carmel Café, call 813-265-1415. 

Mod Med is Carmel Café’s signature cuisine. It represents a modern interpretation of foods and flavors traditionally associated with Mediterranean countries such as Italy, Spain, France, Greece and Morocco.

In addition to enjoying the Mod Med cuisine served exclusively at Carmel Café & Wine Bar, diners may choose from a global selection of wines designed to easily mix and match with the Mod Med menu. Wines can also be customized according to serving size, with many available in three-, six- and nine-ounce pours or by the bottle. 

Customized MenuPads placed at diners’ fingertips offer an inviting, interactive way to view images and descriptions of each dish, learn about wines from around the Mod Med world, create pairings based on personal preferences or control the pacing of their food and wine orders.

Both Carmel Café & Wine Bar locations are open for lunch 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. Dinner hours are 5 - 10 p.m. Monday - Thursday, 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 5 – 9 p.m. on Sunday.  Both locations offer brunch from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Carmel Café & Wine Bar in Countryside is at 2548 McMullen Booth Road (Northwood Plaza) in Clearwater.  The Carrollwood location is at 14306 North Dale Mabry Highway (Landmark Plaza) in Tampa.