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Tastes of the Northwest

06 Tuesday Apr 2010

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In April, SOHO will explore the flavors and wines of Washington and Oregon. The journey begins with flight night on Wednesday, April 7.

 

PonziVineyards-AuroraVineyard_PolaraStudio Ponzi Estate Vineyards 

 

This week, SOHO will first pour a 2007 Eyrie Estate Pinot Gris from Willamette Valley, Oregon. Pinot Gris is the most widely planted grape in Oregon and second only to Chardonnay as the most popular white wine in the US. The Eyrie Estate Pinot Gris is sourced from four different vineyards and offers rich varietal character and complexity. The taste is dry, but with excellent acidity, and it pairs well with food – so please try it with Chef Joe’s tapas!

 

SOHO will also pour a 2007 Hedges CSM Red from Columbia Valley, Washington, this week. The Hedges Family Estate is located on Red Mountain in Washington, considered to be the premier growing region in the state. The CSM Red offers tastes of black cherry and blackberry fruit. Finally, SOHO will pour a 2007 Ponzi “Tavola” Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley, Oregon. Due to climate conditions, 2007 was not an easy vintage in Oregon. However, according to SOHO wine expert Lars Snavely, the experienced winemakers at Ponzi have crafted an excellent Pinot from the vintage.

 

Chef Joe has prepare three new tapas plates to pair with each wine. The following will be available until April 14:

 

2007 Eyrie Estate Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, Oregon

100% Pinot Gris

Hot smoked sockeye salmon with a slaw of Asian pear and Washington apple

 

2007 Hedges CSM Red, Columbia Valley, Washington

42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 51% Merlot, 7% Syrah

Grilled chicken paillard with herb roasted potatoes and shaved gouda

 

2007 Ponzi “Tavola” Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon

100% Pinot Noir

Tillamook cheddar “mac-n-cheese” with crisped pancetta

 

Sample each wine in a flight (three three-ounce glasses and a cheese plate) for $18. Or, pair a wine and tapas for $12. Of course, the wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon!

SOHO’s European Adventure

16 Tuesday Feb 2010

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SOHO travels to Greece, France, and Spain for flight night of Wednesday, February 17.

 

Wine glass w-EU kiss (post)  

 

First, SOHO will pour a 2005 Mibal Bodegas Hornillo Ballesteros. Only 400 cases of this wine, produced in Spain, were exported to the US. The wine is a ‘garage-wine’ meaning it is handcrafted, and not produced in a multi-million dollar winery. The wine is very deep in color and rich in flavor.

 

SOHO will also offer a 2008 Skouras Moschofilero from Greece. In the States, Moschofilero helped change people’s opinions regarding Greek wines (often thought to be expensive and not very noteworthy). The Moscholfilero from Skouras is similar to an unoaked Chardonnay. Finally, SOHO will pour a 2008 Cave de Saumur from France. One hundred percent Cabernet Franc, this wine offers a rich bouquet with flavors of black currant and raspberry.

 

Chef Joe has created three tapas plates to pair with each exceptional wine. The following wines and tapas will be available through February 24.

 

2008 Skouras Moschofilero, Greece

100% Moschofilero

Grilled chicken souvlaki, feta-stuffed roasted peppers with lemon and olive oil

 

2008 Cave de Saumur, France

100% Cabernet Franc

Grilled lamb loin with fava beans, sundried tomatoes and rosemary butter

 

2005 Mibal Bodegas Hornillo Ballesteros, Spain

100% Tempranillo

Braised pork shank, potato and ham croquette with a natural reduction

 

Sample each wine in a flight (three three-ounce glasses and a cheese plate) for $18. Or, pair a wine and tapas for $12. Of course, the wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon!

Gluten-Free Menus at SOHO

09 Tuesday Feb 2010

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SOHO is happy to let our gluten-free guests know that we have varied – and delicious – gluten-free menus available for lunch and dinner.

 

Our gluten-free lunch and dinner menus feature two delectable soups– SOHO’s chicken tortilla soup (with avocado, tomatoes, corn, cheese, chilies and lime), as well as our seasonal butternut squash soup.  We also offer three gluten-free salads – including a spinach salad (with red onion, egg and a bacon vinaigrette) and a house-made fresh mozzarella and tomato salad.

 

Gluten-free lunch entrées include the noodle bowl (noodles, shrimp, chicken, bok choy and Chinese five spice chicken broth), as well as the maple grilled salmon salad (maple-glazed salmon filet over field greens with a key lime vinaigrette) and a grilled hanger steak salad (with mixed greens, grilled portabellas, red onion, tomatoes and white balsamic vinaigrette).

 

SOHO’s gluten-free dinner menu features six entrees, including a blackened wild grouper served with red rice and a crawfish buerre blanc and seasonal vegetables, as well as our Berkshire pork tenderloin served with roasted fingerling potatoes, asparagus and a pomegranate molasses. The Painted Hills beef short ribs, served with Yukon mashed potatoes, sautéed spinach and tomatoes, and a natural reduction sauce are another delicious gluten-free entrée choice.

 

Hungry yet? SOHO’s full gluten-free lunch menu can be found here and gluten-free dinner menu can be found here. We hope you’ll join us soon!

SOHO Begins European Tour

02 Tuesday Feb 2010

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SOHO is traveling overseas for flight night this month! We’ll be featuring wines and flavors of the European Union beginning with flight night on Wednesday, February 3.

 

Priorat_hillside(1)Vineyards on a hillside in Priorat, Spain 

 

This week, we’ll showcase wines from France, Italy, and Spain. First, SOHO will pour a 2008 Hugues Beaulieu Picpoul de Pinet from Coteaux du Languedoc, France – a white wine that pairs well with fresh shellfish and seafood. Taste-wise, the Picpoul offers flavors of lime with crisp acidity.

 

SOHO will also offer a 2007 Camerano Dolcetto D’Alba from Piedmont, Italy. The grapes for this wine are planted alongside vineyards that are otherwise devoted exclusively to the cultivation of Nebbiolo for Barolo. The result is a Dolcetto that is full bodied, rich, and one of the most stunning examples of Dolcetto produced in Piemonte. Only 650 cases of this exceptional wine were produced, and it is not to be missed!

 

Finally, SOHO will pour a 2005 Vega Escal Morlanda Viticultors del Priorat from Priorat, Spain. Priorat is not an easy place to grow grapes, as the soil is stony and the climate is hot and dry. Wines produced in the Priorat can be excellent, but very expensive. The Morlanda is a rich, enjoyable wine from the region, according to SOHO's resident wine expert, Lars Snavely.

 

To complement each European wine, Chef Joe has created three new tapas plates. The following will be available through February 10:

 

2008 Hugues Beaulieu Picpoul de Pinet (Coteaux du Languedoc, France)

Steamed littleneck clams in a roasted shellfish-fennel broth

 

2007 Camerano Dolcetto D’Alba (Piedmont, Italy)

Grilled mini pizza with pancetta, roasted peppers and fontina cheese

 

2005 Vega Escal Morlanda Viticultors del Priorat (Priorat, Spain)

Grilled marinated flat iron steak, roasted fingerlings and black plum BBQ sauce

 

Sample each wine in a flight (three three-ounce glasses and a cheese plate) for $18. Or, pair a wine and tapas for $12. Of course, the wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon!

Happy Anniversary Chef Joe!

02 Tuesday Feb 2010

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This month, SOHO is saying ‘thank you’ to executive Chef Joe Ahn for ten years of culinary excellence. Chef Joe will celebrate his tenth anniversary as SOHO’s top chef on February 23. To mark the occasion, SOHO is offering guests a special $10 wine and tapas pairing from February 23 through February 27. The pairing will feature Caribbean-style Day Boat Scallops served with sweet caramelized plantains, a mango and fresh citrus salsa, and a drizzle of extra virgin lemon olive oil. The featured wine will be a 2008 Hugues Beaulieu Picpoul de Pinet from Coteaux du Languedoc, France.

 

Chef Joe’s interest in cuisine began at a young age, as he spent time in his parent’s restaurant in Pennsylvania. He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1991. He’s held positions at numerous notable restaurants including Veni Vidi Vicci, Pricci, Brooklyn Café and Adams at the Fox.

 

Calamari (blog)Chef Joe's famous calamari

 

Upon arriving at SOHO a decade ago, Chef Joe immediately began serving up savory fare. His tempura calamari with ginger-soy glaze has been a favorite of SOHO regulars and first time diners since it was added to the menu a decade ago. Today, Chef Joe’s menu reflects a wide range of influences, from Korean to Southern. No matter the dish, Chef Joe’s menu is sure to please your palate. We hope you’ll stop in soon to help us celebrate his ten year anniversary!

A Final Taste of California

26 Tuesday Jan 2010

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SOHO finishes its tour of California on flight night Wednesday, January 27.

 

Bennett LanesCabernet on the vine at Bennett Lanes winery 

 

Throughout January, as Califonia wines have been showcased, SOHO has aimed to pour lesser-known, but terrific Cabernets – Conn Creek Cabernet, Louis Martini Cabernet and Pietra Santa Cabernet have been thoroughly enjoyed by guests. This week, SOHO will offer another wonderful Cabernet – a 2007 Bennett Lane Turn 4 Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine blends grapes from several areas in Napa Valley: Calistoga, Oakville and St. Helena. The unique blend produces a wine that is rich and complex.

 

SOHO will also pour a 2008 Meiomi Pinot Noir by Belle Glos this week. Like the Turn 4 Cabernet, the Pinot Noir is a blend of grapes from three different vineyards – 65 percent comes from Sonoma Coast and brings bright berry flavors and minerality; 15 percent comes from Santa Barbara and accounts for the spicy notes and silky texture; and 20 percent comes from Monterey County and brings opulence and an earthy quality to the wine. Finally, SOHO will pour a 2006 Ramspeck Merlot – an excellent Merlot, according to Lars Snavely, SOHO’s resident wine expert.

 

SOHO’s Chef Joe has again created three tapas plates to pair with each outstanding California wine. The following wines and tapas will be available until Wednesday, February 3.

 

2006 Ramspeck Merlot, Napa Valley and Dry Creek Valley

Chicken liver and portabella mushroom pate with black mission fig compote and French bread

 

2006 Meiomi Pinot Noir by Belle Glos, Sonoma, Monterey and Santa Barbera Counties

Veal and porcini baci with pancetta, sweet peas, and brandied cream sauce

 

2007 Bennett Lane Turn 4 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Slow-braised pork belly, black plum BBQ sauce and stir-fried green beans

 

Sample each wine in a flight (three three-ounce glasses and a cheese plate) for $18. Or, pair a wine and tapas for $12. Of course, the wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon!

A Tasty Tart

26 Tuesday Jan 2010

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SOHO sous chef Jeff Haeger can often be found creating tasty treats sure to satisfy a sweet tooth. Recently, his Pistachio Cranberry Tart was added to the SOHO dessert menu – and it’s been earning rave reviews from guests ever since. We hope you’ll stop in the restaurant for a slice soon. And, for readers of this blog who might want to whip up the sweet treat at home – here’s his delicious recipe.

 

PC Tart 

 

Pistachio Cranberry Tart with Caramel, Chocolate Sauce and Vanilla Ice Cream

 

Ingredients (Pistachio Cranberry Tart)

 

1 chocolate tart crust (recipe follows)

6 tablespoons sugar

6 tablespoons light brown sugar

1 tablespoon all purpose flour

3 large egss – lightly beaten

½ cup light corn syrup

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup toasted chopped pistachios

¼ cup dried cranberries

Caramel sauce

Chocolate sauce

Vanilla ice cream

 

Ingredients (tart crust)

 

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

¾ cup confectioners’ sugar

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Pinch salt

8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold, unsalted butter (cut into pieces)

1 large egg, lightly beaten

 

Preparation (Tart Crust)

 

Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa and salt into a large bowl. With your fingers, incorporate the butter pieces into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Mix in the egg to make a soft dough. Flatten the dough into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator to rest for at least one hour before using.

 

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Soak up the Flavors of California at SOHO

19 Tuesday Jan 2010

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SOHO showcases the wines and flavors of California on flight night Wednesday, January 20.

 

Old_vine_cabernet Old vine cabernet – California

 

This week, SOHO will pour a 2007 Mer Soleil Chardonnay from the Santa Lucia Highlands – one of California’s premier Chardonnays. The grapes for the Mer Soleil are grown in several locations in the Santa Lucia Highlands, most on the east-facing slopes of the Sierra de Salinas range. The grapes are exposed to morning and evening fogs, along with warm afternoons. The climate results in a long hang time for the grapes and a very high quality wine. Notes our resident wine expert, Lars Snavely, with the Mer Soleil SOHO is offering guests the chance to experience an exceptionally fine wine at a very reasonable price (it normally retails for $20 a glass, but this week at SOHO you can try it for $9).

 

SOHO will also pour a Michael David Petite Petit – a wonderful Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot blend featuring flavors of black current, dry blackberries and vanilla. Finally, SOHO will offer a 2005 Pietra Santa Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Sauvignon was entirely estate grown, with grapes harvested in early October. The longer time on the vine allowed the fruit to develop more concentration and complexity – producing an outstanding wine.

 

To complement each wine, Chef Joe has created three new tapas plates. The following wines and tapas will be available until Wednesday, January 27.

 

2007 Mer Soleil Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey, California

Pan-seared seabass with julienne vegetables, arugula pesto and Meyer lemon beurre blanc

 

Michael David Petite Petit, Lodi, California

Coffee-braised pork cheeks with sweet potato gaufrette, fava beans and natural reduction

 

2005 Pietra Santa Cabernet Sauvignon, Cienega Valley, California

Grilled lamb loin served over asiago polenta with a garlic-rosemary jus

 

Sample each wine in a flight (three three-ounce glasses and a cheese plate) for $18. Or, pair a wine and tapas for $12. Of course, the wines and tapas are available individually as well ($9/glass and $6/tapas). See you soon!

Love is in the Air: Valentine’s Day at SOHO

19 Tuesday Jan 2010

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Celebrating your love with a cozy dinner for two this Valentine’s Day? You’re invited to SOHO!

 

Valentine's day 

 

In addition to our regular menu, SOHO will offer a special Valentine’s Day menu from Friday, February 12, through Sunday, February 14. The menu will include the following enticing appetizers: Married red and white clam chowders with old bay and butter croutons; Sweet heart grilled shrimp and roasted red pepper pizzette; and a “Two Hearts” salad with romaine, palm, beets, creamy goat’s cheese, spiced pecans and an apple cider vinaigrette.

 

The evening’s entrees will include: Seared diver scallops with forbidden purple sticky rice, coconut curried vegetables, passion fruit and a red wine coulis; Braised veal osso buco with saffron risotto, red chard, a natural reduction and topped with gremolata; and a “For Richer, For Poorer” duo of four ounce lobster tail and monkfish with herbed polenta, asparagus and a tomato hollandaise. For dessert, we’ll serve a Gran Marnier flan with chocolate covered strawberries. Yum!

 

SOHO will serve the Valentine’s dinner menu from 5:30–11:00pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 5:00-10:00pm on Sunday, February 14. We hope you’ll celebrate Valentine’s Day with us! (Reservations can be made here).

Awards and Rewards

12 Tuesday Jan 2010

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2010 is starting on a very positive note – SOHO has been awarded the inaugural Vinings Business of the Year Award! Congratulations to Frank, Susan, and team.

 

The award was presented by the Vinings Business Association. The five finalists for the honor were SOHO, Fidelity Bank, Garrison’s Broiler and Tap, the Old Vinings Inn and Marlow’s Tavern. Vinings Business Association President Bill Borden said of chosing the award recipient, “The criteria is for not only a successful business and charitable business, but one that captures the essence of the spirit of Vinings.” Upon receiving the award, Frank noted, “It’s humbling to be honored by your peers. We all work very hard at our small businesses, especially in the last two years. Vinings is such a great neighborhood.” (Here’s a link to the full story at NeighborhoodNewspapers.com).

 

Of course, SOHO’s guests are the ones who help make the restaurant a fun and successful neighborhood spot. Back in October, SOHO introduced the Dining Rewards Program as a way to say ‘thank you’ to all of our guests.

 

Bday 

 

One of the great benefits of the program is a birthday dinner. Loyalty program members receive a postcard that can be redeemed for a free entrée during their birthday month. Who can resist free food? If you’re not already a member, please sign up today!