DINNER AT EDWINS - Edwins (9/6/2014)
Last night my wife and I met our friends Sharon and Sashi and had dinner at Edwins. This is a very nice restaurant in Cleveland that is being run with an ulterior purpose: Rehabilitation. http://edwinsrestaurant.org/ The restaurant hires people with a criminal past and teaches them a skill that they can take and use in an effort to rejoin society. Many of their “graduates” have gone on to careers in the food industry in Cleveland. All the employees get paid at least a minimum wage. Any tips offered on the meal are considered 501(c)(3) donations to Edwins Charity that continues the efforts. And even better, the food and service were top notch. This is not an cheap diner, but a full service restaurant with a great wine list, extensive menu and amazing cheese program!
Anyone in Northeast Ohio should check out the place.
As for the wines, all were ordered off the menu. Glassware and service were excellent.
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NV Bollinger Champagne Special Cuvée Brut - France, Champagne
This was sent over to our table by a friend, so I guess it tasted just a bit better than usual.
This is always a great wine and a really good value in Champagne. This was served in a frosted, old style (think Marie Antoinette) champagne glass which I hadn’t had in a while. Except for the difficultness to swirl, I liked it. It gives a nice glimpse of the small and medium sized bubbles while also letting the aromas show well. In this case, limes, slightly burnt toast and selzer. Nice balance on the wine. Good acidity and long finish. We had this with a great assortment of cheeses from an amazing cheese cart. Especially good with a funky cheese I think called Ami du Chambertin which was liked a kicked up Epoisses. Thanks DG. (92 pts.)
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2009 Domaine Faury St. Joseph Vieilles Vignes - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph
This never happens. The 2011 is on the list, but when they bring it, the wine is 2009. A probably better vintage with some bottle age! All right. $65 off the list. Ruby in color. The nose has black cherries, black currants, crushed rock, just the slightest bacon fat funk and black pepper notes. Showing some complexity, seems like another year or three will do this well. Enough acidity to work well with food, but more on the up front and opulent side expected for 2009. Nice finish. (91 pts.) -
2011 Château Puech-Haut Coteaux du Languedoc Saint-Drézéry Prestige - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc Saint-Drézéry
Off the list at Edwins for around $40. Drinking well and a nice value at a restaurant. Ruby in color. The nose has raspberries, floral notes and a slight crushed leaves quality to it. Medium bodied. On the palate, there is more weight than color and nose would lead one to believe. Dark cherries, raspberries and forest floor. There is some complexity. Very food friendly. Nice finish. (90 pts.)
We all had a great time and will be back.
Posted from CellarTracker