Wine & Wisdom – Flamenco Dinner at La Catalana

Our first Wine & Wisdom of the year finds us visiting and enjoying the delightful new Spanish restaurant, La Catalana. If you haven’t discovered this little gem yet (next door to Havana Rumba) you really should consider joining us for an evening of food, fun and flamenco.

The purpose of the Wine & Wisdom is to elevate the traditional wine dinner to the next level and create a full cultural and/or educational experience where the food and drink are more of  an enhancement versus the focus of the overall event.

WHEN: Friday, February 12 6:30pm
WHERE: La Catalana Restaurant, next door to Havana Rumba
COST: $35 + tip for BVS members, $45 + tip for non-members*
*if you join that evening, the $10 event fee will be applied toward your membership fee
Call 502.287.2772 or email for RSVP You may also purchase through the button below which will include a small service charge. BVS members should contact me directly.

Our evening starts with a conversation with Domino, the owner of La Catalana and will cover the dining traditions of northern Spain. At 7:00, we’ll take over the front of the restaurant for a VIP view of Flamenco Louisville’s performance all while enjoying a delicious dinner of tapas, paella, sangria and more. If you speak Spanish, or have been wanting to practice, this is the evening for you as most of our delightful hosts are all native speakers!

MENU

Tapas:
Huevos rellenos (stuffed eggs with tuna)
Tortilla de Patatas (Potato tortilla/omlette)
Mejillones Tigres (Tiger Mussels)
Berejena a la Parmesana (eggplant parmesan – some of the best I’ve ever had and I’m not a huge eggplant lover!)

Main Course:
Traditional Paella
Black Rice with seafood

Dessert:
Peras al Vino (Pears in Wine)

Pitchers of Sangria and non alcoholic drinks included
Additional wines and cocktails available with special pricing for our event

It’s a Wonderful Wine & Wisdom Dinner

Another favorite is back in full force! This time, we’re giving you a preview of our fabulous mobile wine tastings that have been created by Tom Johnson of Louisville Juice. Join us Monday, November 16, 7pm at L & N Wine Bar and Bistro to enjoy a wine tasting with a twist! Learn about wine through the eyes of a beloved holiday classic and delicious dishes by Chef Rick Adams.

MEMBERS: $35 + gratuity (call for promo code if you purchase online)
GENERAL PUBLIC: $55 + gratuity.
Call 502.287.2772 or email for RSVP You may also purchase through the button below which will include a small service charge. BVS members should contact me directly.
Seating is limited to 24 for this event

1st course
Three – 1 oz. servings of today’s artisanal cheese selection. Traditional accompaniments.
Served with the Grecco di Tufo & Furst Riesling.

2nd course
Seared Sweetbreads, Capriole Farms goat cheese grits, Benton Farms bacon & whole grain mustard veal reduction, micro greens.
Served with the Protocolo Tempranillo.

3rd course
Duncan Farms Rabbit, swiss chard, celery root puree, bourbon pepper rabbit stock reduction.
Served with Plungerhead Zinfandel & Chono Cabernet

4th course
Classic Crème Brulee
Served with the Ivy Blondia Moscato

Wine & Wisdom – The Science of Winemaking

If you were anything like me, you may not have been very good at science until it was hands on. I loved lab and I always learned so much more that way. Well, we’ve brought all the fun of chem lab without any of the chance of blowing anything up directly to you – and what better subject than wine making? Greg Karsner of Horseshoe Bend Winery joins BVS in a hands on approach to learning all about the art of wine. We’ll taste barrel samples and even get to play around with some citric acid and sugar to better understand how pH and brix can affect the flavor and deliciousness of your wine.

Stay tuned for the exact details, but this interactive dinner will take place on Monday, September 28. Menu and location details to follow.

African Wine & Wisdom – February 26

Kyene Ensemble

African Wine & Wisdom
Chez Seneba African Restaurant
4218 Bishop Ln map
Thursday, February 26, 6:30pm
RSVP by calling BVS at 502.287.2772
Limit 30 people
Members: $35     Non Members: $45
price is all-inclusive tax and gratuity

Join us as we indulge in some fantastic African beats and eats at Chez Seneba on Thursday, February 26. Kyene Drum Ensemble will be performing for us as we enjoy traditional Senegalese food prepared by Papis, chef at Chez Seneba. Hope to see you there for merriment and friendship of this tasty 360 cultural experience.

Food will be served buffet style and includes:

• Neems: ground beef, shrimp, noodles in rice wrap
• Fataya: beef or fish and tomatoes in a pastry shell (delicious!!)
  
• Thiebu Jeun (Cheb-oo Jen): fish stew in a rich tomato base with vegetables
• Thiebu Yap (Cheb-oo Yap): beef and stewed vegetables
• Whole grilled fish
• Sides: salad, rice, cous cous, athieke
• Dessert: Thiackry
• Beverages: traditional drinks including Bissap, Ataya and Ginger. Sodas and water also available. No alcoholic drinks will be served.
  

Wine & wisdom of magic with gregg lambert

Gregg Lambert

Join us for an evening of food, wine and magic at an ole Louisville favorite, The Galt House, Thursday, October 30 from 6-8pm.  This exciting new dining series will feature well known Magician and a Galt House favorite, Gregg Lambert presenting the wisdom, history and artistry behind magic!  This happy hour Wine & Wisdom will have heavy appetizers and 2 complimentary glasses of wine for $30 (includes tax but not gratuity)

As a special treat, those who attend will be given a sneak preview to taste the Miracle Fruit – a berry known for its ability to numb the bitter and sour flavors and make everything taste sweet. So, a plain lemon would taste like lemonade. This is a big trend starting in NYC and LA and you could be among the first to get a sneak peek before our public release in November.

The Wine & Wisdom series are presented every other month and held at local venues featuring a different guest speaker of wisdom and wines to match the theme. Wine & Wisdom events will usually feature a 4-course meal matching with the theme and the wines.

The event will begin at 6:00pm

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED AS THERE ARE LIMITED SEATS.
Where: Jockey Silks Lounge in the GH West tower, 2nd floor.
Cost: $30 including tax but not tip

Newsletter – October/november

Mmmm, hot cider and pumpkin flavored everything!

Happy Fall everyone! I know the economy has hit a lot of us below the belt, but hopefully some of the upcoming events can bring a smile to your face – and not too great a shock on your pocket book. We do still have some of our regular events such as the Supper Speakeasy and the Wine & Wisdoms, but we are adding several lower cost events to the roster as well to ensure that we all still have a great way to get together and commiserate and converse!

You’ll notice that Matt Landan, from Derby City Espresso and I have teamed up to bring you some fun Tuesday Tastings, a regular series featuring coffees, teas and beers starting in November. A bit of fun, a bit of education and a great gathering space for meeting new folks and catching up with old friends.

We also have the first of two Miracle Fruit Twisted Tastings Parties. Our first one on Nov. 9, the “come-and-get-that-awful-election-taste-out-of-your-mouth” Party, will be open only to newsletter recipients and their guests with a special pricing. And no matter who you voted for, at least (I hope) it’s over with and decided. The public party on Nov. 21 will be open to all at our regular price.

Happy Halloween! Feliz Día de los Muertos! Feliz Día de los Santos!

Be sure to get out and vote – and remember no vote is ever a wasted vote! And by not voting, you’re only giving more power to those who do.

Thursday, October 23
Supper Speakeasy – Something Wicked This Way Comes…
6:30pm drinks and conversation, 7:30pm dinner
$75 per person
Includes, coursed meal, wines, gratuity and tax

It’s that time again. Our next Supper Speakeasy is around the corner and I want to be sure you have first dibs on making your reservation. We’ll be enjoying some fine cuisine along with tales of Louisville’s hauntings with Mr. Ghost Walker himself, Robert Parker. I know a few of you have verbally made your “reservations” with me, but please respond to this email to confirm. As of this writing we have only 12 spots left. Location and password to be given 48 hrs prior to the evening. Masks encouraged. Costumes welcome. Menu to be posted as soon as it’s available. Vegetarian options available.

Saturday, October 25
Picnics & Flicks DOUBLE FEATURE
“BYOM”-Bring your own Meat (or veggies) Grill Fest
EP Tom Sawyer State Park, 3000 Frey’s Hill Rd
5:00pm-til end of movie
Admission:
Members: Free Non-members: $5 for adults and children
Costumes are Welcome
Percentage of Proceeds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters

BVS presented a new monthly summer series, every third Saturday of each month, and Saturday, Sept. 20 was our farewell to summer and Picnics n Flicks for 08!  BUT, due to such a HUGE demand and response, we will present a Double Feature for October and celebrate Halloween with Monster House for the kids followed by the original classic, Friday the 13th. The event will feature free candy, s’mores & free hot cocoa and water plus a couple of grills for grilling your own meats or veggies – but please feel free to bring your own grill too!

The Picnic’s n Flicks special encore will feature as usual live local bands. Bands include the UL Community Band and OK Zombie! UL Community Band will lead into Monster House and OK Zombie will play between movies .We will also have some good ole fashioned fun featuring field games including corn hole and horse shoes with movie beginning at dark ( 6:00)

Double Feature Line-Up:
UL Community Band-5:00pm
Monster House-      6:00pm
OK Zombie-8:00pm
Friday the 13- 9:00pm

E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park offers plenty of ample parking and bathrooms. We changed locations— The event will be held a mile or so past the main parking entrance on Frey’s Hill Rd at the Baseball and Soccer fields.  Coolers are welcome… so pack up your friends and family, grab your blankets, baskets and meats/veggies for a wonderful night and a wonderful cause.

Special thank you to E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park and Louisville Audio Xterior

Thursday, October 30
Wine & Wisdom of Magic Dinner with Gregg Lambert
Galt House West – Walnut Room, 4^th and Main
6:30pm drinks and magic, 7:30 dinner
$55 per person, includes coursed meal, tax and gratuity
Non-members $60

Celebrate Halloween and the 82nd anniversary of magician great Harry Houdini (who actually passed on Oct. 31) with a coursed dinner and great parlor magic tricks by noted magician, Gregg Lambert. Not only will he perform for you, but he will also teach everyone how to do a trick! In addition, he’ll talk about the psychology behind magic and why our brain allows us to accept what is being presented to us. Menu to be posted shortly, so please check back for details. Seating is limited, so please reserve early. Costumes encouraged.

Sunday, Nov. 9
Supper Speakeasy Twist: Sneak Peek Twisted Tastings
“come-and-get-that-awful-election-taste-out-of-your-mouth” Party
4pm-6pm – Happy hour style – come anytime
Location TBD as usual!
$10 RSVP required. $12/NM  Only open to newsletter subscribers and their guests.

Be among the first in Louisville to try this amazing trend that’s sweeping the nation. Miracle Fruit tastings are growing and amaze and astonish with every tidbit tried. What is Miracle Fruit? So glad you asked. It’s a berry that grows in tropical regions that alters your taste buds so that your bitter and sour taste sensations are gone and you’re just left with sweet. Lemons taste like lemonade, Guinness tastes like a milkshake and bologna sandwiches taste like cake (or so the rumor has it). We’ll be enjoying the fruit in tablet form as the berries are on backorder everywhere, plus the altering sensation is 3x the potency in them as well.

Mark your calendars for the following Tuesday tastings, starting at 7pm. More details to follow at the beginning of the month.

Nov. 11 – Coffee Cuppings
Nov. 18 – Beer Swiggings
Nov. 25 – Tea Tastings

Yarmuth – Northup Dinners – Menu finalized

Bon Vivant Savant is proud to partner with Primo on this BVS original series, Wine & Wisdom™ welcoming political candidates, Anne Northup and Congressman John Yarmuth to the podium in a casual, relaxed forum. This politically charged dinner will offer two separate nights of Q&A, fabulous food, excellent wine and good people.

$65pp or $100 for both incl. tax & tip
Main three courses to be paired with wines

Both nights begin at 6:00p w/ Q&A of candidates around 6:30
Reservations recommended by Sept 1 and limited to the first 75 people
Please call BVS to make your reservation for this new, original series highlighting Louisville living! 502-287-2772

Blue Dinner with
Congressman John Yarmuth Tuesday, September 2

Cocktailing:
Assorted Wood Fired Pizzas and cash bar
First course:
Mixed Green Salad w/ Gorgonzola Vinaigrette
Second Course (choice of one):
Handmade Ravioli w/ Wild Mushroom & Parmesan Brodo
Grilled Atlantic Salmon w/ Grain Mustard Glaze
Prosciutto wrapped Organic Chicken stuffed w/ Fontina
Dessert:
Chocolate Torte w/ Crème Anglaise

Red Dinner with
Anne Northup Tuesday, September 9

Cocktailing:
Assorted Wood Fired Pizzas and cash bar
First course:
Mixed Green Salad w/ Balsamic Vinaigrette
Second Course (choice of one):
Sicilian Pasta w/ Grilled Eggplant, Plum Tomatoes, Basil & Roasted Garlic
White Marble Farms Pork Chop w/ Amaretto Glaze
Grilled Atlantic Salmon w/ Raspberry Plum Glaze
Dessert:
Tiramisu

Red/Blue dinner with Anne Northup and Congressman John Yarmuth

Wine & Wisdom…Red & Blue

2Nights—2 Candidates

Primo

6:00pm-9:00pm

Bon Vivant Savant’s original series-Wine & Wisdom welcomes political candidates, Anne Northup and Congressman John Yarmuth to the podium in a casual relaxed forum. This politically charged Wine & Wisdom will offer two separate nights of Q&A, fabulous food, excellent wine and good people. We are encouraging people to come to both dinners (menus to be posted soon) as this is a great way to get to know the candidates in a relaxed, intimate and non-fundraising environment.

Primo will offer a sophisticated backdrop for this exciting new dining series and will feature a three-course Italian inspired meal as well as passed hors d’oeuvres during a greet and meet cocktail hour. Selected wines will be presented to accent the courses prepared by Primo. Vegetarian and non-alcoholic options available with advance notifications.

Congressman John Yarmuth -Tuesday, September 2
Anne Northup -Tuesday, September 9
Both nights will begin at 6:00pm

Reservations are required by Friday, August 29
limited seating available
The price to the public is $75pp including tax & tip or $130 for both nights
Members are $65 for each dinner or $120 for both.

Please call Bon Vivant Savant, 502.287.2772, to make your reservation for this new original series highlighting Louisville living!

august – it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity

At least that’s what you hear most people say (myself included) in these dog days of summer around here. But it’s not just the weather that’s heating up, our calendar and our original series just keep getting bigger and better! August finds us with our second Nibble & Sip, the fourth movie in our Picnics & Flicks series (E.T. – I can hardly wait), as well as the first of our Supper Speakeasys! As always, contact information for making reservations is on the sidebar to your right. Enjoy the pool for one more month, have a picnic and sip some yummy lemonade!

In this edition:

• Membership special continues
• BVS Events
• Lou’s To Do’s
• Tempt the tastebuds
• Hot links & Coming Attractions

MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL OFFER

Friends, like wines, come in all varieties and flavors. And that is a perfect way to describe our members too. So far, I’ve had a few people take me up on my special offer for being among the first 100 and I’m still looking for more to join the ranks of lifetime members. Among the new features on its way is a forum for members only and I hope to have that launched by September… fingers crossed! Check out our ‘belonging’ page for all member benefits.

Thursday, August 14
Supper Speakeasy
6:30pm
$65 – only 25 spots.
I’m so excited about our first Supper Speakeasy I can hardly wait. We selected our first location (think red) and our first chef willing to head the challenge is Charlie Owen, known by you perhaps as Executive Chef and owner of Leander’s on Oak as well as the Exec Chef from Steam, Fire & Ice. People still talk about his amazing seabass from there! Our menu includes four courses, plus a cocktail hour. Once you have made reservations and paid, you will be contacted within 48 hours of the event to let you know where we will be dining.
If you want to know a little more about underground dining, check out this article which has some other good links as well.

Saturday, August 16
Picnic ‘n’ Flicks Under the Stars
EP Tom Sawyer State Park 3000 Freys Hill Rd 40241
“E.T. The Extra Terrestrial” with band Weber
7pm – midnightish
Members (M) – Free, Non-Members (NM) – $5
Join us for our 4th 80s classic, “ET” as we enjoy another movie under the stars. This family fun event features free popcorn, live music and some good ol’ fashioned fun with cornhole and other games. Music starts at 7:00, movie at sundown, roughly 9:30. Pack your picnic, blankets, chairs, dogs, kids and come have a relaxing evening under the stars. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Screen and sound provided by Louisville Audio Xterior.

Thursday, August 21
Nibble & Sip
Jarfi’s Bistro 1543 Bardstown Rd (the old Lentini’s)
Reservations are highly recommended
6:00 – 8:00pm
Ticket Price in Advance includes 2 complimentary Raffle Tix:
M – $20 NM – $25
Ticket Price at the Door includes 1 complimentary Raffle Tix:
M – $20 NM – $30
This KY Happy Hour will feature 2-3 complimentary KY Nibbles prepared by one of Louisville’s favorite, Chef Jeff Jarfi. Chef Jarfi will spin his Mediterranean flair and presentation on KY grown summer veggies as the main ingredient mixing them with several surprises. Nibbles will include: Chicken Drummettes stuffed with local corn & herbs, Bruschetta with local tomatoes, guacamole and local goat cheese and KY ham on local cucumber rounds with Benedictine. Guests will receive two complimentary special lemonade cocktails – Guava Mojitos and Basil Rosemary Lemonade (both with or without alcohol). There will also be a cash bar. To get the crowd grooving while enjoying fabulous food, delicious lemonade and outstanding atmosphere-local artist, Maestro J, will provide entertainment with his blazin electric violin.This summer celebration will also highlight a raffle. The prize is a Year Free Membership to Bon Vivant Savant and an in-home mixology party!

LOU’s TO DO’s – HAPPENINGS IN THE ‘VILLE
Always happening (and super cool!): L&N Wine Bar and Bistro, Corks for Charity. Order a bottle of wine, write your name and number on the cork and wineers will have the bottle prices donated to the selected harity for the month and win a gift certificate to L&N.
Last chance for adventure and history buffs: This is the last month for Survivor Jamestown at the Frazier Arms Museum. It is 1607 and you have just arrived in the New World with the goal of surviving for one year! This summer find out if you can beat the odds and determine your fate in Survivor: Jamestown. It all depends on the choices you make and a bit of a”mazing” luck! Search for gold, climb over rocky waterfalls, slide down a zip line and crawl through logs to find food and lasso fish, meet unusual wildlife, see what awaits you when you spin the wheel of misfortune and much more while you explore this family-friendly maze full of twists and turns!
Just beginning and fun for all: Mellwood Arts Center. Artists, architects, engineers, boy scouts, teachers, etc. will be called upon to create 18 fully functioning and unusual putt putt courses that will be open to the public for entertainment. This project is a perfect way of initiating contact between the public at large with art through an interactive relationship. The exhibition “18 Art Holes” will be hosted by the Mellwood Art Center in partnership with the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft during the months of August through October. “18 Art Holes” will coincide with The Ryder Cup, which comes to Louisville, Kentucky September 16-21 bringing thousands of world wide golf enthusiasts to town. Through Oct 31.

For more Louisville Happenings, visit here.

TASTEBUD TREATS
Grilled Summer Salmon w/ Mustard and Herbs Source: © EatingWell Magazine and Cooking.com
Salmon cooks over a bed of lemon and fresh herbs to infuse it with flavor and keep the fish tender and moist. We like a blend of thyme, tarragon and oregano, but any of your favorite herbs will work. Make it a Meal: Serve with grilled new potatoes tossed in an herb vinaigrette and steamed green beans. For full recipe and side dish suggestions, click here.

HOT LINKS and COMING ATTRACTIONS
I love this new group of sites whose parent company and owners are Louisville based. Think myspace as far as creating an online community, but for a more adult crowd. Designed to specialize in interests and hobbies for all, each site focuses on pets, food, gardening, etc. More to come soon, but maybe you’ll want to start here: foodvu.com

SEPT/OCT:
Sept 9 – Red/Blue Wine & Wisdom Dinner with guest Anne Northup, Primo Restaurant
Sept 19 – Ghostbusters
Sept 26 – Ultimate Tailgating Nibble & Sip at Impellizeri’s on Bardstown Rd

Flamenco Wine & Wisdom Dinner

I’m happy to post the menu and wines for the upcoming Flamenco Wine & Wisdom Dinner. Chef Travis Hall has prepared a delicious looking menu and I can hardly wait to sample each tapa! Come out and enjoy a beautiful presentation by Flamenco Louisville accompanied by tasty tapas & wines as well. Event details:

Saturday, July 26 6-9pm
Olivia’s Restaurant
Goss Ave Antiques Mall
Reservations Required. $55 pp incl. tax & gratuity

Price includes 12 tapas, 6 wines – 3 oz pours of each. Additional glasses available from cash bar. Non-alcoholic beverages also available, including a special NA Sangria.

Call 502.287.2772 to reserve your spot now.

Evening’s program:
6:00-6:40pmGreet and Meet—Mix and Mingle
Cocktails and passed/stationed tapas paired with Spanish wines
6:40pm-6:45pm
Introduction of guest by Event Savant, Jo Self as well as info on Bon Vivant Savant & Olivia’s
6:45-7:30pm
Words of Wisdom from Guest speaker, Diana Dinicola. Q & A and possible crowd participation
7:30pm
Eating of tapas and drinking of wine
9:00p
First Wine & Wisdom has come to a close

Tapas

• Marinated Olives
  Fennel-Rosemary, Coriander-Lemon, Chili-Lime
• Breadsticks w/ Broad Bean & Roasted Garlic Spread
• Anchovy Toasts
• Blackened Salmon w/ Orange Yogurt Sauce
• Marinated Sardines w/ Shaved Fennel, Lemon & Olive Oil
• Albondigas (Spanish Meatballs)
• Chorizo w/ White Bean Mash
• Pinchos Morunos (marinated pork skewers)
• Chicken Liver Pate
• Chickpea & Chorizo Salad
• Escalavida (roasted eggplant, tomato & red onion)
• Cheese & Olive Empanada

Wines

• Bosao Tinto
• Auratus 2006
• Altos de Luzon 2004
• Ercavio Roble 2006
• Viña Borgia
• Burgan’s Albrariño