yeah, that's right. check out STUFF magazine this week for 5 courses with me, geoffrey fallon! i'm milking this "minor celebrity" thing for all it's worth (hey...what do they mean "minor celebrity?" it's a pretty good article/interview considering it was with me. big ups to the people at STUFF and especially Louisa. so if you haven't heard--i'm the sommelier/bar manager/beverage director at banQ. it's probably the coolest restaurant you'll ever go to in your entire life. i'm not even kidding--or engaging in hyperbole. stay tuned for fantastic new updates about our food, our wine and our amazing staff! abby makes the best chalkboard mojito monsters ever! well, it's 80 degrees and sunny, and if you need me i'll be at the salty dog eating oysters and drinking Sam Summer Ale.
tuesday is the "real man's day off."
geoffrey
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
portable restrooms
so last august 31, my beautiful wife leigh and i got married. it was a whole big production. we did everything ourselves from renting the chairs to making the table settings, etc... one of the very few things i was in charge of (leigh is extremely smart and knew to keep things very basic for me. leigh=p.h.d. candidate in literature at B.U., me=drinks wine for a living and cracks up when someone says, "doo-doo." you do the math.) was the portable toilets. yes, i had several conversations with several purveyors of portable toilets. how big? how many? how much? how many flushes? does it need a water source? is it heated? air conditioned? sinks, no sinks? electricity? i wound up renting a portable toilet for 975 DOLLARS! that's right--975 DOLLARS! my theory is that EVERYTHING having to do with a wedding costs 500, 1000, 2000 or 4000 dollars. chairs: 500$, tablecloths: 500$, toilets: 1000$, tent: 4000$, etc...
anyway my point is this: i have just received in the mail a "reminder card" that states "it's time to reserve your portable restroom services again for august 2009." as if going to the bathroom outside is now an annual event for me. "YAY! it's august! someone call the portable restroom guy!"
i'm not sure what that has to do about food or wine, but stay tuned for some great food and wine pairings coming up tomorrow!
reserve now,
geoffrey
anyway my point is this: i have just received in the mail a "reminder card" that states "it's time to reserve your portable restroom services again for august 2009." as if going to the bathroom outside is now an annual event for me. "YAY! it's august! someone call the portable restroom guy!"
i'm not sure what that has to do about food or wine, but stay tuned for some great food and wine pairings coming up tomorrow!
reserve now,
geoffrey
Friday, July 10, 2009
more delicious pairing suggestions from banQ
hey everyone! every week, chef and i put together some really amazing food and wine pairings. theses are meant as suggestions, but feel free to come in to banQ and try them here. remember sunday nights are the "Sunday Night Wine Club": just buy dinner and the wine is yours AT COST!
Vietnamese Shrimp, Flash Seared with Glass Noodles & Coconut Sauce
2006 Domaine Weinbach Gewürztraminer “Réserve Personelle”, Alsace, Fr.
This is a classic combination of flavors: orange peel, spice, honey and ginger coexist in this powerful yet balanced gewürztraminer. A mildly sweet finish mirrors the delicate sweetness of the shrimp and juxtaposes the spicy ginger, while the fresh and pungent fruit flavors compliment the summery cilantro. $48 bottle $16 glass
Sesame Swordfish, with Thai Curry Braised Lotus Root, Cumin, Miso Beurre Blanc
2005 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc “Te Koko”, Marlborough, New Zealand
The Swordfish practically jumps off the plate with flavors of coconut curry and sesame mustard. A light and creamy miso cumin beurre blanc sooths the intensity of this exceptional dish. The “Te Koko” responds with wonderful dried fruit notes, herbs, toast, and pistachio. This wine was built for fish. Citrus notes and a bit of creaminess round out this barrel fermented version of your standard S.B. from New Zealand. $59 bottle $17 glass
Zucchini & Tofu Steak, Yellow Tomato Coulis, Chantrelle Braised Rice Noodes
2007 Masante Dolcetto “Langhe”, Piedmont, Italy
Don’t underestimate the richness of this vegetarian dish. The tofu is blended with dried squash and served with a cumin-spiced, yellow tomato coulis. A fresh combination perfectly juxtaposed by the hearty truffled flavored chanterelle, cream braised buckwheat noodles. The Dolcetto has aromas of dark fruits, licorice and plum. Nice acidity and smooth tannins make this a great match to the savory braised noodles, as well as the fresh snap of the tomato coulis. $38 bottle $12 glass
eat. drink. dance.
geoffrey
Vietnamese Shrimp, Flash Seared with Glass Noodles & Coconut Sauce
2006 Domaine Weinbach Gewürztraminer “Réserve Personelle”, Alsace, Fr.
This is a classic combination of flavors: orange peel, spice, honey and ginger coexist in this powerful yet balanced gewürztraminer. A mildly sweet finish mirrors the delicate sweetness of the shrimp and juxtaposes the spicy ginger, while the fresh and pungent fruit flavors compliment the summery cilantro. $48 bottle $16 glass
Sesame Swordfish, with Thai Curry Braised Lotus Root, Cumin, Miso Beurre Blanc
2005 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc “Te Koko”, Marlborough, New Zealand
The Swordfish practically jumps off the plate with flavors of coconut curry and sesame mustard. A light and creamy miso cumin beurre blanc sooths the intensity of this exceptional dish. The “Te Koko” responds with wonderful dried fruit notes, herbs, toast, and pistachio. This wine was built for fish. Citrus notes and a bit of creaminess round out this barrel fermented version of your standard S.B. from New Zealand. $59 bottle $17 glass
Zucchini & Tofu Steak, Yellow Tomato Coulis, Chantrelle Braised Rice Noodes
2007 Masante Dolcetto “Langhe”, Piedmont, Italy
Don’t underestimate the richness of this vegetarian dish. The tofu is blended with dried squash and served with a cumin-spiced, yellow tomato coulis. A fresh combination perfectly juxtaposed by the hearty truffled flavored chanterelle, cream braised buckwheat noodles. The Dolcetto has aromas of dark fruits, licorice and plum. Nice acidity and smooth tannins make this a great match to the savory braised noodles, as well as the fresh snap of the tomato coulis. $38 bottle $12 glass
eat. drink. dance.
geoffrey
running on reserve...
just noticed as i sat down to write, that i'm on reserve battery. being that i'm way too lazy to grab the power cord, we'll just see how long i can type before i have to post and shut down. kind of like when kramer took the test drive and the fuel indicator went to "EMPTY" and he and the car salesman kept driving to see how much further they could go.
i realized yesterday that i'm a HUGE fan of rosé. not white zinfandel, but real rosé...like those of Spain, France, Italy and, yes Kelly, Austria (one of our top-notch servers who turned me on to an awesome Austrian rosé based on the zweigelt grape. esoteric? yes. delicious? indeed.) in actuality, it wasn't yesterday that i became aware of my roséphilia--i've always known it--it just hit home last night after a long day/night at the restaurant and i poured myself what could only be termed a "towering" glass of Chinon rosé. Chinon is an area in the Loire Valley in France that produces mostly red wine from the Cabernet Franc grape, but there is a smaller amount of rosé produced: dry, minerally, delicate strawberry fruit, seashell aromas...the perfect food rosé.
well...it looks like i had better post. my battery is almost dead and i have to get to work. come by banQ tonight and see me. more later...
ma vie en rosé,
geoffrey
i realized yesterday that i'm a HUGE fan of rosé. not white zinfandel, but real rosé...like those of Spain, France, Italy and, yes Kelly, Austria (one of our top-notch servers who turned me on to an awesome Austrian rosé based on the zweigelt grape. esoteric? yes. delicious? indeed.) in actuality, it wasn't yesterday that i became aware of my roséphilia--i've always known it--it just hit home last night after a long day/night at the restaurant and i poured myself what could only be termed a "towering" glass of Chinon rosé. Chinon is an area in the Loire Valley in France that produces mostly red wine from the Cabernet Franc grape, but there is a smaller amount of rosé produced: dry, minerally, delicate strawberry fruit, seashell aromas...the perfect food rosé.
well...it looks like i had better post. my battery is almost dead and i have to get to work. come by banQ tonight and see me. more later...
ma vie en rosé,
geoffrey
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
the miracle of the one day summer
years from now, people will look back on saturday and say, "I was there for the miracle that was, the one day summer."
maybe there will even be a holiday--like Christmas. we could call it "Humid Christmas."
leigh and i just got back from Mystic, CT for our dear friends' wedding. it was beautiful and i will say this for old-man summer...the sun came out just as they were giving their vows. much wine was had. much merry was made, and i had a "dance-off" with a couple of ten-year-olds. sure, i held my own but my dance-off legs are not what they used to be, and now it's back to work.
don't forget that soft shell crabs will only be around a little while longer, so get them while you can. a soft shell crab po-boy is the only way to celebrate one-day summer (or humid christmas for that matter.) try it with the 2008 Kim Crawford "Unoaked" Chardonnay from Marlborough, New Zealand. that's what i did the other day at banQ! Chardonnay has a nice soft "sweetness" of fruit that goes so well with the sweet , buttery meat of the crab. being "unoaked", it doesn't overpower the delicate flavors of the SSC (which is short for soft shell crab--but now it doesn't make any sense to shorten it, because i'm taking all this time to explain myself...)
as for me--i just made pasta salad. leigh is grading papers and i'm about 5 minutes away from another (yep...another) three-hour session of HULU! i haven't see this much Family Guy and SNL in years. God bless Tuesdays. if you're going to banQ, tell everyone i said, "Hi!" and have a pitcher of sangria. don't forget to pour a little out of your glass and say, "this is for geoffrey!"
giggity giggity,
geoffrey
maybe there will even be a holiday--like Christmas. we could call it "Humid Christmas."
leigh and i just got back from Mystic, CT for our dear friends' wedding. it was beautiful and i will say this for old-man summer...the sun came out just as they were giving their vows. much wine was had. much merry was made, and i had a "dance-off" with a couple of ten-year-olds. sure, i held my own but my dance-off legs are not what they used to be, and now it's back to work.
don't forget that soft shell crabs will only be around a little while longer, so get them while you can. a soft shell crab po-boy is the only way to celebrate one-day summer (or humid christmas for that matter.) try it with the 2008 Kim Crawford "Unoaked" Chardonnay from Marlborough, New Zealand. that's what i did the other day at banQ! Chardonnay has a nice soft "sweetness" of fruit that goes so well with the sweet , buttery meat of the crab. being "unoaked", it doesn't overpower the delicate flavors of the SSC (which is short for soft shell crab--but now it doesn't make any sense to shorten it, because i'm taking all this time to explain myself...)
as for me--i just made pasta salad. leigh is grading papers and i'm about 5 minutes away from another (yep...another) three-hour session of HULU! i haven't see this much Family Guy and SNL in years. God bless Tuesdays. if you're going to banQ, tell everyone i said, "Hi!" and have a pitcher of sangria. don't forget to pour a little out of your glass and say, "this is for geoffrey!"
giggity giggity,
geoffrey
Friday, June 26, 2009
John "B.P." Smoltz and Vermentino
it didn't take me long to come up with a nick name for our new pitcher John Smoltz. I now call him B.P.. That's short for batting practice, which is what it looked like he was throwing to the dirty national league Nationals. They lit him up like the Christmas tree in Times Square. When are the Red Sox going to stop seeking out old, broken down pitchers, anyway? Yay! John Smoltz was awesome. Yeah. Like thirteen years ago! What is he? Like 58 years old? I swear I saw his arm fly off when he threw one of his famed 58m.p.h. fast ball in the 2nd inning. I've seen better pitches at an Amway luncheon. BUT SERIOUSLY, FOLKS...
i wanted to say a few words about cheap wine. i love cheap wine. being a sommelier, i find people are often intimidated at the notion of bringing wine to my home at, say, a dinner party. let me say straight away--if you are coming to my house, bring wine. don't over-think it. i can't tell you how many times i've heard, "i didn't know what to bring, you being a sommelier and all, so here's some crackers." crackers? seriously? do you know me? are we friends?
some of my favorite times have been spent with cheap wine. i'll give you an example: the other night we (my beautiful and tolerant wife, leigh and i) roasted a chicken. we stuffed it with fresh herbs, shallots, lemons, garlic, salt and pepper. threw it in the oven for about an hour and twenty minutes, and it came out perfectly browned, crispy skin--delicious. we served it with a cilantro potato salad and spinach salad. our friends brought over a 2007 Epicuro, Vermentino from Lazio, Italy. it was amazing: lemony, fresh with a bit of seamist and minerality--the perfect pairing with a simple roasted chicken. they got it from Trader Joes for $5.99. wine does not have to be expensive to be good. the wine industry is based on supply and demand. always search out the out-of the-way regions or producers. Italy, Spain, Portugal, Chile and Argentina are great sources of "bargain" wine. that Vermentino tasted as good as a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc at three-times the price.
so push the envelope. experiment. the great thing about six dollar wine is: if you don't like it, give it to your cats and watch them run into furniture. what? no. don't do that. my point is--it's not a huge investment. and you can always make sangria out of it.
meow.
geoffrey
i wanted to say a few words about cheap wine. i love cheap wine. being a sommelier, i find people are often intimidated at the notion of bringing wine to my home at, say, a dinner party. let me say straight away--if you are coming to my house, bring wine. don't over-think it. i can't tell you how many times i've heard, "i didn't know what to bring, you being a sommelier and all, so here's some crackers." crackers? seriously? do you know me? are we friends?
some of my favorite times have been spent with cheap wine. i'll give you an example: the other night we (my beautiful and tolerant wife, leigh and i) roasted a chicken. we stuffed it with fresh herbs, shallots, lemons, garlic, salt and pepper. threw it in the oven for about an hour and twenty minutes, and it came out perfectly browned, crispy skin--delicious. we served it with a cilantro potato salad and spinach salad. our friends brought over a 2007 Epicuro, Vermentino from Lazio, Italy. it was amazing: lemony, fresh with a bit of seamist and minerality--the perfect pairing with a simple roasted chicken. they got it from Trader Joes for $5.99. wine does not have to be expensive to be good. the wine industry is based on supply and demand. always search out the out-of the-way regions or producers. Italy, Spain, Portugal, Chile and Argentina are great sources of "bargain" wine. that Vermentino tasted as good as a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc at three-times the price.
so push the envelope. experiment. the great thing about six dollar wine is: if you don't like it, give it to your cats and watch them run into furniture. what? no. don't do that. my point is--it's not a huge investment. and you can always make sangria out of it.
meow.
geoffrey
Saturday, June 20, 2009
things i like to drink--part deux
the following is a list of wine pairings i've been thinking about. it represents some of the awesome dishes at banQ, but can be applied to all kinds of food. This Sunday's "Sunday Night Wine Club" will offer all of these wines at cost!
Pan Seared Scallops, Green Mango Scented Melon and Mung Bean Salad
2006 Domaine Weinbach Gewürztraminer “Réserve Personelle”, Alsace, Fr.
This is a classic combination of flavors: orange peel, spice, honey and ginger coexist in this powerful yet balanced gewürztraminer. A mildly sweet finish mirrors the delicate sweetness of the scallops and juxtaposes the spicy wasabi and cumin, while the fresh and pungent fruit flavors compliment the summery flavors of the melon and arugula. $40 bottle $10 glass
Pan Seared Haddock, with White Soy Tossed Asparagus and Peppers, Maryland Crabcake
2007 Livio Felluga “Terre Alte”, Colli Orientali del Friuli, Italy
The Haddock practically jumps off the plate with intense, fresh flavor: simply and perfectly seasoned atop zesty asparagus and Peppers. Pea Shoots cut the richness of this exceptional dish. The “Terre Alte” responds with wonderful exotic fruit notes, Mediterranean herbs, Acacia, and almond. This wine was built for fish. Lemon peel and a Seamisty finish match the maritime freshness of this dish. $64 bottle $16 glass
Chargrilled Center Cut Beef Filet, with Curry Leaf, Asparagus Ragout and Truffled Wild Mushroom Mash
2000 Aurelio Settimo Barolo “Rocche”, Piedmont, Italy
This pairing is anything but sublime. The filet offers such decadence, that only a wine with true gusto could stand up to the flavor profile. Rich and meaty, but perfectly balanced with a well integrated acidity, this Barolo shows bold flavors of strawberry rhubarb, red cherry, and dried fruit interwoven with savory elements of truffle, sautéed mushroom, rose petal, tar and tobacco. The well-aged tannins bond to the proteins of the beef and soften. $50 bottle $12.50 glass
See you soon. Eat well and be happy!
geoffrey
Pan Seared Scallops, Green Mango Scented Melon and Mung Bean Salad
2006 Domaine Weinbach Gewürztraminer “Réserve Personelle”, Alsace, Fr.
This is a classic combination of flavors: orange peel, spice, honey and ginger coexist in this powerful yet balanced gewürztraminer. A mildly sweet finish mirrors the delicate sweetness of the scallops and juxtaposes the spicy wasabi and cumin, while the fresh and pungent fruit flavors compliment the summery flavors of the melon and arugula. $40 bottle $10 glass
Pan Seared Haddock, with White Soy Tossed Asparagus and Peppers, Maryland Crabcake
2007 Livio Felluga “Terre Alte”, Colli Orientali del Friuli, Italy
The Haddock practically jumps off the plate with intense, fresh flavor: simply and perfectly seasoned atop zesty asparagus and Peppers. Pea Shoots cut the richness of this exceptional dish. The “Terre Alte” responds with wonderful exotic fruit notes, Mediterranean herbs, Acacia, and almond. This wine was built for fish. Lemon peel and a Seamisty finish match the maritime freshness of this dish. $64 bottle $16 glass
Chargrilled Center Cut Beef Filet, with Curry Leaf, Asparagus Ragout and Truffled Wild Mushroom Mash
2000 Aurelio Settimo Barolo “Rocche”, Piedmont, Italy
This pairing is anything but sublime. The filet offers such decadence, that only a wine with true gusto could stand up to the flavor profile. Rich and meaty, but perfectly balanced with a well integrated acidity, this Barolo shows bold flavors of strawberry rhubarb, red cherry, and dried fruit interwoven with savory elements of truffle, sautéed mushroom, rose petal, tar and tobacco. The well-aged tannins bond to the proteins of the beef and soften. $50 bottle $12.50 glass
See you soon. Eat well and be happy!
geoffrey
Friday, June 19, 2009
all i need in life: flip flops that open beer.
one of the bartenders told me there are flip flops that have beer openers on the soles. ONE ON EACH SOLE. so basically, you could be walking around with swimming trunks and flip flops and still have the ability to open a beer. this is the greatest thing ever invented. seriously. the greatest. this is some serious technology. it's much like cold fusion--only better, because cold fusion lacks the capacity to open a beer or be on the bottom of a flip flop.
i wonder who it was that invented the beer-opening flip flop. i hope that guy (and you know it's a guy) is a multi-millionaire. you know? like some millionaires, i'm like, "i don't like that guy. i don't like the cut of his jib." but this guy i'd be like, "get those flip flops over here! we're gonna have a couple of beers!"
i went to Marco last night after work. my friend derek is the G.M. there and it was my first time checking out the place. it was great: cozy, intimate and the food was amazing. i had the eggplant caponata: a delicious blend of eggplant, peppers, olives and capers; caprese salad; figs wrapped in prosciutto and stuffed with blue cheese and finally tagliatelle bolognese--oh, and a few glasses of Costera Cannonau di Sardegna Argiolas to pair. Cannonau is a red grape from Sardinia. It actually has more antioxidants than almost any other red wine, which is significant when you consider that the sardinians are some of the longest lived people on earth! Cannonau is very trendy now--like Jane Austen or Chipotle peppers. It's also very delicious. Similar to Chianti: cherry and chocolate on the nose with an iron-like minerality, but juicier and more fruit-forward. excellent food wine...
enjoy this beautiful new england summer (eyes rolling.)
waiting for the cork screw cross-trainer,
geoffrey
i wonder who it was that invented the beer-opening flip flop. i hope that guy (and you know it's a guy) is a multi-millionaire. you know? like some millionaires, i'm like, "i don't like that guy. i don't like the cut of his jib." but this guy i'd be like, "get those flip flops over here! we're gonna have a couple of beers!"
i went to Marco last night after work. my friend derek is the G.M. there and it was my first time checking out the place. it was great: cozy, intimate and the food was amazing. i had the eggplant caponata: a delicious blend of eggplant, peppers, olives and capers; caprese salad; figs wrapped in prosciutto and stuffed with blue cheese and finally tagliatelle bolognese--oh, and a few glasses of Costera Cannonau di Sardegna Argiolas to pair. Cannonau is a red grape from Sardinia. It actually has more antioxidants than almost any other red wine, which is significant when you consider that the sardinians are some of the longest lived people on earth! Cannonau is very trendy now--like Jane Austen or Chipotle peppers. It's also very delicious. Similar to Chianti: cherry and chocolate on the nose with an iron-like minerality, but juicier and more fruit-forward. excellent food wine...
enjoy this beautiful new england summer (eyes rolling.)
waiting for the cork screw cross-trainer,
geoffrey
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The One Liter Bottle: Duh!
Okay, seriously...Why didn't anyone think of this a long time ago? So I've been seeing a lot of the 1 liter format recently. At banQ, I even have a 1L bottle of Gruner Veltliner on the wine list. What I want to know is: HOW GREAT IS THIS IDEA?!?!?! I've always felt that the normal .750 sized bottle was just fine. But seriously--have you and a friend gone out (or stayed in) and had A bottle of wine? I mean...when was the last time that's happened? It's not just me, right? A .750 bottle is just not enough. You always wind up getting a second bottle--and then that's too much and you leave your phone in a cab and pass out on your stoop. What? Over-sharing? Okay. My point is--the 1L bottle is the greatest invention since bar snacks. And don't even get me started on box wine! Tonight kicks off Two-for Tuesdays: A pitcher of sangria and a bar appetizer for $20!!!! And don't forget Mojito Madness this Thursday from 8pm-midnight. $5 mojitos in five fantastic flavors: passionfruit, watermelon, strawberry, pineapple and blood orange.
even better: a 1L bottle with a screwtop,
geoffrey
even better: a 1L bottle with a screwtop,
geoffrey
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The Secrets of Sangria
Despite New England's best efforts, Summer IS upon us, and with that comes the onset of Sangria. Now I'm not one to be all tied up int tradition, but, for me, Summer is about a few key things: Brooklyn Summer Ale, oysters at The Salty Dog, luke warm Fenway Franks, Bill Ashe's Lounge on Revere Beach and Sangria. It is in that spirit that banQ restaurant is poised to introduce its "Two for Tuesdays": a pitcher of Sangria for two and an Appetizer for $20! All brought to you courtesy of Domingo--the leopard spotted boston bartending icon that we welcomed with much pomp and circumstance to banQ mere weeks ago! I'm very excited to get to work tonight, as Domingo and I will be experimenting with different Sangria recipes to kick things off this Tuesday. There will be much mixing and concocting and I would not be surprised if some Sangria was available for sampling (i.e. free. get it?) Azure will be her most convivial self, as always, and your's truly will be watching over the "Sunday Night Wine Club" presenting superior wines at ridiculous prices. All the wines on the S.N.W.C. list are offered AT COST to anyone having dinner. It really is the best deal in the city for wine geeks (I can say that. I AM one!) So come into banQ tonight and watch the Sox sweep the dirty National League Phillies and have a glass of Txakoli with me!
All hail Jason Bay,
Geoffrey
All hail Jason Bay,
Geoffrey
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