A LA CARTE : BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU.Byline: Larry Lipson The day to drink the new Beaujolais wine of the 1996 harvest is almost here. The annual event eagerly awaited by wine fanciers and fun-lovers around the globe, Beaujolais Nouveau Beaujolais nouveau is a red wine made from Gamay grapes produced in the Beaujolais region of France. It is the most popular vin de primeur, fermented for just a few weeks then officially released for sale on the third Thursday of November. Day is Nov. 21 (it is the third Thursday in November every year). Restaurants promote and celebrate the official release of the fresh, grapey new Gamay ga·may n. Any of several related red grapes used for making red wines, especially Beaujolais. [French, after Gamay, a village of east-central France.] wine from the Beaujolais area of Burgundy in France with special dinners and tastings. Wine shops also are quick to offer tastings of this ``primeur'' French wine. Wine producers from various nations, including some in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , have climbed aboard the nouveau bandwagon with similar young wines of the current vintage. But the true nouveau fancier still seems to prefer the original. And occasionally, a restaurant jumps the gun and pours the wine ahead of the official time, which, in France would be blasphemous blas·phe·mous adj. Impiously irreverent. [Middle English blasfemous, from Late Latin blasph . Here are a few Beaujolais Nouveau happenings worth consideration: Cafe Tartine tar·tine n. A French open-faced sandwich, especially one with a rich or fancy spread. [French, from Old French, diminutive of tarte, tart; see tart2. Address: 21826 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. Phone: (818) 887-6353. Cuisine: Mediterranean-French. Comments: With its strong wine commitment, this sleek brasserie bras·se·rie n. A restaurant serving alcoholic beverages, especially beer, as well as food. [French, from brasser, to malt, brew, from Old French bracier, from Vulgar Latin never misses a wine promotional possibility and charges reasonable prices for them. Event: Three-course dinner comes with a glass of the nouveau wine from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 21 with one of five appetizers, one of five entrees and a pastry dessert pick. Price: $21 per person. California Canteen Address: 3311 Cahuenga Blvd. W., near Universal City. Phone: (213) 876-1702. Cuisine: Bistro French-Californian. Comments: European-looking casual cafe with an array of bistro-style snacks and entrees. Event: Buffet celebration from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 21 includes numerous charcuterie items, escargots baked in Beaujolais Nouveau wine with mushrooms, leg of lamb, potatoes gratin gra·tin n. A top crust consisting of browned crumbs and butter, often with grated cheese. [French, from obsolete grater, to scratch, scrape, from Old French; see grate1.] , mixed organic lettuces, cheeses, glass of the primeur wine. Price: $15 per person. Fins Creekside Calabasas Address: 23504 Calabasas Road, Calabasas. (Also at 982 Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village.) Phone: (818) 223-3467 in Calabasas, (805) 494-6494 in Westlake Village. Cuisine: Seafood. Comments: Skillfully executed seafood dishes at both restaurants, the new Calabasas one offering romantic creekside dining. Event: Special Beaujolais Nouveau five-course dinner Nov. 21 begins at 6:30 p.m. with bottomless bot·tom·less adj. 1. Having no bottom. 2. Too deep to be measured: a bottomless glacier lake. 3. glass of the nouveau wine. Price: $49.95 per person. Pinot Bistro Address: 12969 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. (Similar event on same night also at Pinot at the Chronicle, 897 Granite Drive, Pasadena, 818-792-1179) Phone: (818) 990-0500. Cuisine: Californian-French. Comments: Talented young chef Octavio Becerra heads a staff that keeps this restaurant humming for owner Joachim Splichal. Event: Elaborate four-course dinner presumably pre·sum·a·ble adj. That can be presumed or taken for granted; reasonable as a supposition: presumable causes of the disaster. with French Beaujolais Nouveau wine begins at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 18. Price: $42 per person. Red Carpet Wine & Spirits Address: 400 E. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale. Phone: (818) 247-5544. Comments: This wine shop has a tasting bar where different Beaujolais Nouveau wines may be sampled from Nov. 21-28. Price: $3 to taste all. Or no charge with purchase. Sutton Place Hotel Sutton Place Hotel is a collection of luxury hotels located in Canada and United States, owned and managed by The Sutton Place Grande Hotels Group with office in Vancouver, BC. Properties currently located in: Vancouver, BC; Toronto, ONT; Edmonton, AB; and Chicago, IL. Address: 4500 MacArthur Ave., Newport Beach Newport Beach, residential and resort city (1990 pop. 66,643), Orange co., S Calif., on Newport Bay and the Pacific Ocean; inc. 1906. It is a popular seaside resort and yachting center. Manufactures include electrical and medical equipment, computers, boats, and adhesives. . Phone: (714) 476-2001. Cuisine: French and Californian. Comments: Since it was Le Meridien this hotel has been the top Gallic-style hostelry in Orange County. Event: A prix-fixe menu in the hotel's Accents restaurant from Nov. 18-23 is one option. Another is a special nouveau dinner dance affair in the same restaurant that includes a can-can dance show on Nov. 23. Price: $33 or $45 per person. Valley Inn Address: 4557 Sherman Oaks Ave., Sherman Oaks. Phone: (818) 784-1651. Cuisine: American-continental. Comments: Hangout for the literary and sporting set for many years. Event: Three-course, prix-fixe dinner on Nov. 21 from 5 p.m. includes glass of the nouveau wine and coffee or tea. Price: $19.95. |
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