This week’s free Friday tasting at Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store (113 North Main Street):

Blind Red Wine Tasting
Friday, March 12, 2010
5:30-7:30 p.m.
We will be putting your tasting skills to the test! All the wines will be covered up and you, the taster, will have to determine which wine is which. For each wine that you get right you get $.50 off your order. So, bring a group of friends, so you can put your minds and palates together.

Deal of the Week:
Eel River Brewing Blond Ale
Fortuna, California
“Organic, crisp palate, light malt, and subtle bitterness”
WAS: $12.99
NOW: $9.99

From the Vino Vino Wine Market newsletter:

Stoney Knob Café (337 Merrimon Avenue) & Vino Vino Wine Market invite you to join us for our Klinker Brick Wine Dinner Tuesday, March 23rd at 6:30 p.m. This fantastic event will be hosted by the Fine Wine Trading Company & Lori Felten, owner of the Klinker Brick Winery. Chefs Yotty Dermas & Nate Sargent have created three delicious courses to be paired with these amazing wines from the Klinker Brick Winery in Lodi, California.

Amusée
Goat Cheese Strawberry Bruschetta drizzled with Honey Peppercorn Syrup & Prosciutto wrapped Apple with Brie Cheese

1st Course
Honey glazed grilled Quail over Mesclun Greens with Frisee & Bleu Cheese Crumbles drizzled with Italian Olive Oil
Klinker Brick 2007 Old Vine Zinfandel

2nd Course
Slow braised free range Beef Short Ribs with Red Wine Tomato Jus, Lentils & Celeriac Mash
Farrah 2007 Syrah

3rd Course
Seared Pork Tenderloin, crispy French Baguette, Mission Fig & Sun-dried Cranberry Chutney
Old Ghost 2007 Red Zinfandel

Dessert
Homemade Old Ghost Red Zinfandel Ice Cream with a Ganache dipped Chocolate Chip Cookie

Menu subject to change. These wines will be available that night for pre-purchase with a 15% discount. The cost is only $48 per person (sales tax and gratuity not included). A credit card number is required to hold the reservation. Please call 828-658-WINE (9463) with any questions or to save a spot, space is very limited!

IHOP opened its doors this morning in the old North Star Diner location (61 Weaver Blvd). They’ll be open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Sunday in the beginning, but will eventually move to what they expect to be their regular schedule: 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 6:30 a.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday. Their phone number is 645-3800.

This week’s free Friday tasting at Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store (113 North Main Street):

Grenache Wine Tasting
Friday, March 5, 2010
5:30-7:30 p.m.

The Grenache grape is becoming increasingly popular, with good reason.  It’s delicious!  We will be offering Spain’s traditionally rich and smooth Grenache, Australia’s light and fun bubbly Grenache, and California’s juicy but still full body Grenache (which Wine Spectator just raved about on the cover of this month’s issue)  Come see what all the hype is about.  You won’t be disappointed.
See you then!

From Blue Mountain Pizza (55 North Main Street), about tonight’s Sixth Anniversary Celebration:

Due to the weather we are having to cancel our Sixth Anniversary Celebration Pizza Buffet.

If you have a a newsletter coupon we will honor that coupon all this week for a large two topping pizza when dining in.

We apologize for the cancellation but the safety of our customers and employees on slick roads make the change necessary.

This month’s wine tasting and art exhibit at aabani Salon & Spa (12 North Main St) is Thursday, March 4.  Hopefully we’ll be snow-free that evening.

Aabani Salon Spa Soiree
Wine Tasting and Art Exhibit
Wine, Art, Hors d’oeuvres
Thursday, March 4, 2010, 6-8 p.m.

Art: Patti Quinn Hill
Traditional and contemporary at the same time, the baskets created by Weaverville’s Patti Quinn Hill are spirited, graceful, and immaculately crafted out of archival paper. Hill begins with a traditional Shaker form, but from there her concepts, materials, and colors are unique and modern.  “Color is what grabs me, what I think of first.”

Wine: The Wine Studio
The Wine Studio (169 Charlotte Street, Asheville) will be presenting 3 Spanish selections for tasting.

Blue Mountain Pizza (55 North Main Street) turns 6 next week and they’re celebrating with their yearly All You Can Eat Anniversary Buffet on Tuesday, March 2, 2010. Here’s the info from Matt at Blue Mountain:

Please join Blue Mountain Pizza on Tuesday March 2, 2010 from 5 until 9 p.m. for our Sixth Anniversary Celebration.

As in years past we will be celebrating with a All You Can Eat Pizza buffet. We will also offer a limited menu that evening of salads and sandwiches. Our delivery will not be affected.

With the purchase of a regular priced drink the All You Can Eat Pizza buffet will be $12.99. If you are one of our Newsletter Subscribers and have a coupon the price is reduced to a remarkable $6.

You will also notice as we prepare for our anniversary we are doing a bit of remodeling and have now doubled the number of draft beers we are able to offer. While we will be changing our selection on a regular bases currently we have added a Pisgah India Ale with a gravity of 7.5 percent, a Duck Rabbit Brown Ale from Farmville NC and a Bell’s Oberon Ale which is an American wheat ale, spicy and fruity.

These three now join the selection already on draft

Please join us on Tuesday March 2 as we celebrate our Sixth Anniversary.

This week’s free Friday tasting at Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store (113 North Main Street):

South African Wine Tasting
Friday, February 26, 2010
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Come taste the warmth of South Africa in their wines. From whites that are crisp and delicious to reds that are rich and full of expression.  If you haven’t tried South African wines, here is your chance that you won’t want to miss. See you then!

This week’s free Friday tasting at Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store (113 North Main Street):

Beer & Wine Tasting
Friday, February 19, 2010
5:30-7:30 p.m.

Entice both palates this Friday!  We will be tasting wines from Langtry Estate in Lake County, California, and Eel River Brewing in Humboldt County, California.  Eel River can boast the first certified organic brewery in America.  Not to shabby.
See you then!

Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store (113 North Main Street) has two free tastings coming up, one for wine and one for beer:

“Love is in the Air” Wine Tasting
Friday, February 12, 2010
5:30-7:30 p.m.
We have everything you need for a wonderful Valentine’s Day (sweetie or no sweetie).  Come taste wines that will tickle your taste buds, and romance your palate.

Mardi Gras Beer Tasting
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Laissez les bons temps rouler!  We will be serving gumbo and Dixie Beer from New Orleans.  And as always, we higher encourage costumes!

Deal of the Week:
Asheville Brewing Christmas Jam Beer White Ale
“a crisp wheat beer brewed in the Belgian tradition and spiced with coriander and orange peel.”
WAS: $3.99
NOW: $1.99

Here’s Sunnyside Cafe’s Valentine’s Day Dinner Menu for this weekend. They’ll be serving dinner both Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14, 2010.  To make a reservation call them at 658-3338.

APPETIZERS
Chicken Skewers
with apricot lime horseradish sauce – $5.25

Back fin Crab Cake
with Cajun remoulade sauce – $6.95

Tortilla Pizza
Feta cheese, fresh spinach, black beans, artichoke hearts and homemade salsa – $6.25

SOUPS
Shrimp and Cheddar Bisque
Or
Southwestern Black Bean – sour cream and salsa
Cup- $2.95/ Bowl-$3.50

SALADS
Classical Caesar Salad with croutons and reggianno parmesan – $4.50

Strawberry and Cucumber Salad with raspberry vinaigrette dressing – $5.95

Field Green House Salad – $2.95

ENTRÉE’S
Hunter Filet-grilled Filet laced with sundried tomatoes, garlic, mushrooms in a brandy brown sauce
served with Yukon gold potatoes and asparagus – $22.95

Cashew Crusted Rack of Lamb- with a raspberry Beurre Blanc Yukon gold potatoes and haricot verts – $27.50

Chicken Dana- stuffed chicken breast with seasoned ricotta cheese, pine nuts and spinach garnished with roasted red pepper sauce – $16.95

Pork Marsala- medallions of pork sautéed in a sweet and savory Marsala wine, mushroom Dijon sauce – $17.25

Potato Crusted Salmon- with cream leek sauce served with mashed potatoes and haricot verts – $17.25

Shrimp Pomodora- jumbo shrimp sautéed scampi style with pesto, julienne tomatoes, artichokes tossed with linguini then finished with reggiano parmesan – $22.95

Sesame Ginger Mahi Mahi-pan seared with basmati rice, haricot verts and finished with pineapple salsa – $17.95

Portabella Stack with grilled tomato, caramelized red onion, whipped potatoes, sautéed spinach garnished with feta cheese balsamic vinaigrette and basil infused olive oil- $16.25

Ask about our Valentine dessert…….

Girl Scout Cookie time!  Throughout February you can buy some for yourself and/or for military troops serving in combat zones overseas.  Weaverville Girl Scout Troop 26 will be at various locations in Weaverville and WNC starting this Sunday (see below for times and locations).  Here’s more about “Operation Cookies for Troops”:

Operation Cookies for Troops

The Weaverville Girl Scout Troop 26 and other troops in Western North Carolina are providing Girl Scout Cookies to the US Military Troops serving currently in Combat Zones.  Their goal is to send thousands of boxes overseas to these brave men and women.  The general public can also get involved.  People can purchase a box of cookies for the normal price of $3.50.  They can even write a message on the box and the Girl Scouts will take care of the rest.  A partnership with Give to the Troops will provide shipping to those combat zone troops.  Feedback we have received from the organization is that the service men and women particularly love the Thin Mints and Carmel Delights (who doesn’t?).

You can purchase cookies for yourself or ones to be shipped to the troops at the following locations:

Sunday, February 7
2-6 p.m. – Lowes, Weaverville
2-6 p.m. – Walmart, Weaverville

Saturday, February 13
10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Ace Hardware, Weaverville
9 a.m.-Noon – Lowes,  Tunnel Road

Sunday, February 14
3-6 p.m. -  Lowes, Tunnel Road

Saturday, February 20
10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Lowes, Weaverville
10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Walmart, Weaverville

Friday, February 26
3:30-6:30  p.m. – CVS, Weaverville

Saturday, February 27
10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Ace Hardware, Weaverville
10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Autozone, Weaverville

Friday, March 5
5-8:30 p.m. – Blockbuster, Merrimon Ave

Saturday, March 6
10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Walmart, Weaverville

This week’s free Friday tasting at Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store (113 North Main Street):

Californian Red Wine Tasting
Friday, February 5, 2010
5:30-7:30 p.m.
So, it’s supposed to snow again.  Come in and taste some full body Californian red wines to help you make it through the snow days!
We will be tasting Poppy Pinot Noir, Trace Merlot, Red X Blend, and 3 Saints Cabernet Sauvignon.

Deal of the Week:
Fattoria Casabianca Chianti Riserva 2005
“Round, well structured, soft, and the tannins are very well balanced.”
WAS: $20.50
NOW: $17.50

*Now also offering Pisgah Brewing!  Pale Ale, IPA, Porter, and Solstice!

aabani Salon & Spa (12 North Main St) is hosting this wine tasting and artist exhibition on Thursday, February 4, 2010. Stop by anytime between 6 and 8 p.m. to view the work of Maureen Hoxie and taste four French wines from Old World Wines. aabani plans to host a tasting/exhibition social every month.

At Monday’s Weaverville Town Council meeting, council members unanimously voted to allow the Weaverville Tailgate Market to return to Lake Louise this year. It will again take place on Wednesdays, 2:30-6:30 p.m.  in the parking lot next to the community center. Opening date for the Market is April 14 (weather permitting) and it will run until the last week of October.

This week’s free Friday tasting at Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store (113 North Main Street):

Italian Red Wine Tasting
Friday, January 22, 2010
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Join us this week in tasting some hearty Italian reds.
Salute!
 
Now offering on wine:
Buy 6 bottles and recieve a 5% discount.
Buy a case (12 bottles) and recieve a 10% discount.
Buy 6 cases and recieve 20% discount.

This week’s free Friday tasting and “deal of the week” at Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store (113 North Main Street). Also note their new hours:

Winter Warmer Beer Tasting
Friday, January 15, 2010
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Come warm up with stouts, porters, and more full flavored beers.

Deal of the Week:
Domaine du Vieux Lazaret 2008
Cote du Rhone, France
Syrah, Cinsault and Grenache
“silky tannins, smooth finish, touch of earth notes”
WAS: $12.99
NOW: $10.99

Please Note:  Our hours have changed in order in better accommodate our customers.
Tues.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

This week’s free Friday wine tasting and “deal of the week” at Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store (113 North Main Street):

Under $10 Wine Tasting
Friday, January 8, 2010
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Did Christmas and New Years hit you a little hard in the pocket?  We will have delicious wines all under $10.  This is my most popular wine tasting so be sure not to miss it!

Deal of the Week:
Coastal Vines Pinot Noir 2008
Sonoma, California
“light bodied, fruit forward, juicy, cherry and raspberry fruit”
WAS: $6.99
NOW: $4.99

Well-Bred Bakery (26 North Main Street) switched to their Winter Hours schedule on December 31. They’re now open:

Monday-Thursday:  7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday:  7:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday:  8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday:  8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Had to go searching for this the other day so thought I’d publish here for quick reference (for you and for me). This is the winter sandwich menu for 2010 at Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store (113 North Main Street):

All sandwiches are $7.75, come with chips and are made to order, so please call ahead to avoid a wait time, (828) 645-1111.

• Cranberry, Almond Chicken Salad with Lettuce and Tomato
• Turkey, Brie, Apples, and Cranberry Mayonnaise
• Hummus, Eggplant, Artichokes, Feta cheese, and Olive Tapenade
• Pastrami, Swiss Gruyere, Sauerkraut, and Lusty Monk Mustard
• Ham, Red Dragon Mustard Seed Cheddar, Lettuce, Tomato, and Mayonnaise
• Smoked Salmon BLT

Wally Maria Wyatt has published her 2010 Discover Italian cooking class schedule on her website, www.discoveritalian.com.  Classes are held in her home kitchen, last approximately 3 hours (10 a.m.-1 p.m)., and are $50/class. At each class students help in the preparation and cooking of a complete Italian meal, plus they receive a copy of all recipes. Payment in advance is required.  For more information or to enroll contact her at 658-8928 or wmaria@discoveritalian.com.

You can find the entire 2010 schedule at www.discoveritalian.com/cookingclasses.html.  Here’s what’s on the menu for the first few months of the year:

January 16, 2010 Menu
Ribollita: Classic soup from Tuscany
The perfect recover-from-the-Holidays-dish

Polpette al cartoccio: Veal and turkey meatballs
served in individual packages, with olives and balsamic vinegar
a good way to use leftover turkey

Crostata alle erbette: Swiss chard, spinach and ricotta pie
excellent warm or cold, perfect for a buffet, vegetarian dish or a snack

Meyer lemon gelato
we’ll use lemon juice from my Meyer lemon tree (bush, really)

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February 20, 2010 Menu
Passatelli alla romana: Traditional soup from RomeScaloppine di maiale ai funghi e olio di tartufo: Pork cutlets served with mushrooms and truffle oil

Scarola imbottita: Stuffed escarole
very flavorfull and yet low fat and healthy

Fritole alla veneziana: Doughnuts from Venice
classic sweet for Carneval, my mother’s recipe

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March 20, 2010 Menu
Sformato di funghi porcini secchi e crema di patate: Dry porcini mushrooms mould served with potato cream
Individual little moulds, beautiful presentation

Torta pasqualina: Savory Easter pie
Traditional Easter dish from Liguria

Finocchi al forno ripieni: Baked fennels, stuffed with veal, pecorino, fennel seeds

Maritozzi: Raisin buns
beloved Roman sweet