What can I say, the Vintage Room on Symphony is an experience every wine and food enthusiast should be able to experience. 8 Courses matched with 8 great wines.
But before I deal with that, a word about Silk Road, Symphony's Asian Fusion restaurant. I only have four words, Miso Marinated Black Cod. It is one of the best dishes I have ever had, at land or at sea. Black cod is really sable fish, and for those of you who are from the NYC area, it is a staple smoked fish that is enjoyed on a bagel with cream cheese. Here it was marinated in miso and mirin wine and the quickly grilled on high heat which creates a carmalization of the skin and fish that is oh so good. If you google the recipe, please be aware that cod is not as good as sable fish.
Back to our amazing day today. We started with a walking tour of Haines, the town that Northern Exposure's Cicily is based on. In fact, we ate lunch in a restaurant called the Bamboo Lounge which could have been the prototype for the Brick. The Halibut Fish and Chips were probably the best fish and chips I've ever had anywhere, including England. Fresh halibut with a delicate beer batter is expertly fried to an exquisite crispness that can't be beat. I'd go back in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, I don't know the next time I will be in Haines.
After getting back on board we were invited to attend a reception in the Captain's quarters. You can't say no to beluga caviar and Mumm's Champagne!
Which brings me to the Vintage Room. This room holds only 12 diners and serves a wine and food pairing based dinner. We were greeted with Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve Champagne. I've had their rose on several occasions, but truly enjoyed this wine. It was slightly off dry, with crisp acidity.
We then sat down to a Georg Breuer Riesling Nonnenberg from the Rheingau. This is a single vineyard non-predikat wine that was slightly off dry with pink grapefruit, great minerality, and a hint of petrol on the nose. On the palate the fruit comes to the front with a great acidic finish. A truly wonderful wine. It was served with Mini Cannelloni filled with King Crab meat. Great pairing, the acidity matched the richness of the crab.
Next was a Caners Chardonnay from Shafer Vineyards. What can I say, buttery, toast, caramel, creme brule and butterscotch on the nose with some nice apples and pears on the pallet. It was paired with Lobster Thermador served on a spinach puree. It was magical.
We then moved on to the most interesting wine of the night, Passopisciaro, Andrea Franchetti from Sicily. What can I say, it had a color between a Nebbiola and a pinot noir, with great acidity, red fruit and the slight aroma of balsamic vinegar that marks most Italian reds. Matched with a Pink roasted duck breast served with pumpkin gnocchi and dried cranberries, the fruit of the wine was a great match with the fruitiness of the duck.
Our main course was a delightful Gorgonzola crusted filet Mignon. The wine was wonderful, a 2000 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte from Graves. As I am not the greatest fan of Bordeaux as I have a new world pallet, this wine was spectacular. A very vegetal nose with hints of olives, broccoli, pine and eucalyptus, the dark fruit snuck up on you on as you drank it. The tannins were long and smooth and the finish bound up with the richness of the meat creating a combination that was truly memorable.
We had a cheese strudel with the Kracher TBA. Suffice to say the wine was as great as it was in previous encounters, and the strudel was just delicious.
Next was a 1994 Vintage Port from Dow's served with a trio of chocolate desserts. Port and chocolate, not match there... just kidding. I loved it.
A great evening, and tomorrow is a return engagement with Prego. Too much good stuff!
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