Lombardo's Vine and Dine Dinner

Our recent Vine and Dine dinner at Lombardo was such a treat.  The food courses were thoughtfully paired with wines from Arrowhead Spring Vineyard and Leonard Oakes Estate Winery and I really appreciate when you can tell that a lot of love and planning went into a meal, as was the case with this one.  To read more about this meal, check out Nittany Epicurean.

Shaved Asparagus Salad

preserved lemon, baby pea shoots, Maggie's round cheese

Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, Leonard Oakes 2012

Ravioli

ricotta, mushroom, amarena cherries, brown butter

Pinot Noir Barrel #44, Arrowhead Spring 2012

& Blaufrankisch, Leonard Oakes 2012

This ravioli was incredible.  The pasta was so delicate and cooked to al dente.  The filling had sweetness from the ricotta and cherries and strong earthiness from the mushrooms and brown butter.  That variation of flavors in my mouth was really satisfying.  

T Meadow Pork Pate
fennel, toasted coriander seed, burnt orange
Riesling Reserve, Leonard Oakes 2012

T Meadow Pork Shoulder

goat cheese polenta, blackberry gastrique

Estate Syrah, Arrowhead Spring 2010

& Estate Syrah, Arrowhead Spring 2011

The tartness of the blackberry sauce went incredibly well with the tender pulled pork.  I'm really looking forward to trying this out at home.  I wish I could have that bite in my mouth again right now.

Prime Rib Eye Fiorentino

florentine herb crust, capezzano olive oil, pee wee potatoes

Estate Meritage Reserve, Arrowhead Spring 2006

& Estate Meritage Reserve, Arrowhead Spring 2010

A strange thing to comment on when the meat looks so good, I know, but the potatoes on this plate were so outstanding.  I've actually never enjoyed a potato so much as I did these little guys.  I asked Chef Obarka how they were so good and he said "It's all in the quality of the olive oil".  I need to do some shopping.

Mountain Gorgonzola

nut brittle, wildflower honey

Vidal Ice Wine, Leonard Oakes 2012

I can't wait to visit Lombardo's again soon to be able to order from their normal menu.  From what I've heard, I feel pretty pretty confident that my next meal with them will be as impressive as this one was.