Lombardi’s Neighborhood Italian Restaurant Everett Marina Wine and Food Pairing with the fabulous Julie of Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard and weekend wine tasting at Wicked Cellars Everett.

Lombardi’s Neighborhood Italian Restaurant Everett Marina Wine and Food Pairing with the Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard

Weekend started early for us this week. Thursday we were at Lombardi's Neighborhood Italian restaurant Everett Marina for a wine and food pairing event with Goose Ridge Estate Vineyards. Chef Chris Viner and the kitchen staff created for us; Butter Poached Prawns on Italian Flat Bread, Pancetta Wrapped Pears, and Oven Roasted Duck Breast, paired with splendid wines from Goose Ridge.

Lombardi’s Neighborhood Italian Restaurant Everett Marina Wine and Food Pairing with the Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard

Chef Chris Viner

The Fabulous Julie of Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard

Like Lombardi's, Goose Ridge Vineyards is family-owned and is dedicated to limited production, handcrafted wines from select, estate-grown grapes.

May Palmer “The Queen of ivory soul”

May Palmer “The Queen of ivory soul” will be performing at Lombardi's Everett Marina “A night of jazz” February 17^th, from 6 to 8:30

Evening was not without surprises May Palmer “The Queen of ivory soul” shared our table, what a surprise. It was also announced that May Palmer “The Queen of ivory soul” will be performing at Lombardi's Everett Marina “A night of jazz” February 17th, from 6 to 8:30 and it's a free show!

Butter Poached Prawns on Italian Flat Bread

Butter Poached Prawns on Italian Flat Bread*** surprised bite of cayenne pepper
2007 Riesling, Columbia Valley*** fresh, Apple, stone fruit

Pancetta Wrapped Pears

Pancetta Wrapped Pears***+ surprisingly tasty
2008 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley*** creamy, toasty

Oven Roasted Duck Breast

Oven Roasted Duck Breast***
2006 Syrah, Columbia Valley*** vanilla, spice

Braised Pork & Mushroom Ragu

Braised Pork and Mushroom Ragu***+ my favorite
2006 Merlot, Columbia Valley*** dark plum, black cherries

Chocolate Mousse Tart

Chocolate Mousse Tart**+
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley***+ leather, Cedar

Wicked Cellars

Fridays wine tasting at Wicked Cellars featured “Zin a little, Zin a lot” with Darren Burgess of Unique Wines.

Wine tasting at Wicked Cellars featured “Zin a little, Zin a lot” with Darren Burgess of Unique Wines

Don’t forget the small appetizers at Wicked Cellars

2007 Steele Wines Writers Block Zinfandel**+ red fruit, toasted oak


Rutherford Ranch 2006 Napa Valley Zinfandel**+ plums, black pepper


2008 Dashe Cellars Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel*** raspberry, black cherry, black pepper, cloves


2008 Steele Winery Catfish Vineyard Zinfandel*** chalky, raspberries, cedar


2008 Robert Biale Napa Ranches Zinfandel***+ pepper, black cherry, spices


2008 Klinker Brick Old Ghost Old Vine Zinfandel***+ smoky, black pepper, black cherry

After a little wine tasting we were off to Daruma Japanese Restaurant*** for a little sushi. This is a wonderful little restaurant on the Everett water front. We spend are time in the back with the view of the Sound. Time for a little sushi…

Sushi at Daruma Japanese Restaurant

Beef Teriyaki at Daruma Japanese Restaurant

Saturday Wine tasting at Wicked Cellars whose wines take you on a summer trip across Europe from Spain through Southern France to Italy's Veneto region outside Verona, home of Romeo and Juliet.

Saturday Wine tasting at Wicked Cellars

Antano 2009 Viura White Rioja**+ melon, stone fruit

Chateau Mourgues du Gres 2009 "Les Galats Dores," Costieres du Nimes** grapefruit, minerals

Chateau Mourgues du Gres 2008 "Les Galats Rouges," Costieres du Nimes** red fruits, minerals, blackberries

La Sauvageonne 2009 "Les Ruffes," Languedoc*** white pepper, woodsmoke, dried cherries

Villa Girardi Valpolicella Classico Superiore "Bure Alto" 2004 (Ripassa)*** black pepper, spicy, sweet cherries

A Weekend of Wine Tasting, Music, and Learning

Wicked Cellars and Odom Wines

We started with wine tasting at Wicked Cellars, May Palmer - The Queen of ivory soul at Sojen cellars and Wine Barrel 101 at Davenport cellars.

Wicked Cellars Everett Fridays Wine Tasting Appetizers

Friday at Wicked Cellars Stephanie Seybold from Odom Wines showcase and share some of Napa Valley's and California's best wines at prices you can appreciate.

2008 Luna Pinot Grigio*** grapefruit, pear, mango, orange zest

2008 Silverado Sauvignon Blanc**+ grapefruit, honeydew, minerals

2008 William Hill Napa Valley Chardonnay*** vanilla, honeysuckle, pears

2008 Irony Napa Valley Merlot*** blackberry jam, toasted oak

2009 Layer Cake California Cabernet Sauvignon** cherries, berries, coffee

2007 Louis Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon*** red fruits, licorice, silky tannins

2007 Hewitt Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon**** Blackberry, black cherry, tannins, plush

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The next stop for the afternoon was Sojen cellars. This was a special weekend for Max and Jen of Sojen cellars. They not only are celebrating their one-year anniversary as Sojen Cellars Saturday with May Palmer - The Queen of ivory soul. On Friday May Palmer performed for her fan appreciation party and we were lucky to be there. If you had not heard May Palmer - The Queen of ivory soul perform she will make you smile, sing and dance with her because you can’t resist her energetic performance, she is a must see... but Caution, May Palmer may give you “Happy Feet.”

May Palmer-the Queen of ivory soul at Sojen cellars fan appreciation party

May Palmer-the Queen of ivory soul at Sojen cellars fan appreciation party THE MOVIE

Sojen Cellars are becoming famous for the Friday and Saturday music nights. I would recommend that if you're the Everett area come in and check them out. You will have a wonderful time and hear great music.

A special thanks to Terracotta Red modern Asian bistro for letting us in a few minutes before closing and still providing a great meal… Delicious

Terracotta Red modern Asian bistro

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Saturday - Barrel 101 at Davenport Cellars

Davenport Cellars for a special event. Davenport Cellars a boutique winery owned and operated by Jeff and Sheila Jirka

A trip to Woodinville to visit Davenport Cellars for a special event. Davenport Cellars is a boutique winery, owned and operated by Jeff and Sheila Jirka. Their winery and tasting room are located in Northeast Woodinville in what is commonly referred to as the "warehouse district." Great wine and great people.

Davenport Cellars Barrel 101

Have you ever wondered how barrels are made, what a toast level is, or how barrels effect the flavor of a wine? Davenport Cellars hosted private event to teach us everything we wanted to know about barrels.

Davenport Cellars Barrel 101 Jeff Jirka

Davenport Cellars Barrel 101 Jeff Jirka

Davenport Cellars Barrel 101 Old Wine Barrel Tools

The presentation about the wood used to make barrels, the processes of barrel making and barrel terminology and it was followed by a tasting of six barrels samples - three wines, a Merlot, Malbec and a cab, each from two different barrels. As we taste, we discuss how each of the wines differ in aromas and flavor. Very informative and not to mention, a lot of fun.

Davenport Cellars Barrel 101

Weekend wine tasting at Wicked Cellars and a new restaurant, Papa’s and Beer, a California Style Mexican Grill & Cantina in Lake Stevens

Wine tasting at Wicked Cellars with Lars Sorensen of cascade trade

2011 a New Year of wine tastings can't wait to get started. We are lucky enough to start the wine tasting year with Lars Sorensen of Cascade Trade. Lars was the host at Wicked Cellars Friday. We tasted wines from Italy, California, Washington and Oregon.


Carra Treviso "Pulcinello" Prosecco**+ dry, crisp, fruit flavors

Anne Amie Amrita Cuvee 2009 Willamette Valley Oregon*** dry, crisp, fruit forward, peach, and brisk acidity

Lenne' Estate "Le Nez" Pinot Noir 2008 Willamette Valley Oregon*** dark cherry, mocha, plum

Chandler Reach "Corella" 2007 Yakima Valley Washington*** juicy, fruity

Enotria Barbera 2007 Mendocino County California**+ ripe fruit

Chandler Reach "Monte Regalo" 2007 Yakima Valley Washington*** ripe berry, blueberry

Gamba Estate Old Vine Zinfandel 2008 Russian River Valley California**** what a nose, jam, wet Cedar, the star of the tasting

Wine tasting at Wicked Cellars staff pick

Saturday's tasting was Wicked Cellars staff pick, focusing on maximizing the pleasure to value ratio.

Bisol's Desiderio Jeio NV Prosecco Brut** citrus, apples

Moulin de Ferrand 2009 Entre-Deux Mers, Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon**+ flowers, pears, bright and fresh

Cottonwood Winery Marina Piper 2007 Pinot Noir*** barbecue sauce

Gran Feudo Crianza 2002, Navarra*** burnt toast, Lead pencil, BlackBerry

Marietta Cellars Old Vine Red, Lot Number 53**+ plum, dusty earth

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We had the pleasure this weekend of trying a new restaurant in Lake Stevens, Washington. The new restaurant is located in the old Alfie's Pizza building. It's called Papa’s and Beer, a California Style Mexican Grill & Cantina.

Papa’s and Beer, a California Style Mexican Grill & Cantina

Papa’s and Beer**+
9302 N Davies Rd
Lake Stevens, WA 98258
425.903.4069

The Restaurant:

Papa’s and Beer is a bright, friendly restaurant. The staff was both friendly and helpful. This would be an ideal place to take the family, the restaurant was full of both family and couples. The bar is still a work in progress waiting for the proper licenses. We would like to see less lighting (it’s very bright) and at some point find a way to reduce the noise level.

Papas and Beer Bar

The Food:

The menu is full of value and chooses, you will not leave hungry. We ordered the Fajita Quesadilla off the appetizer menu. The chicken was grilled perfectly, as were the vegetables and spiced just right. While the portion was plentiful, I found the Chile Relleno and Tamale Combination lacking flavor for my palate.

Papas and Beer sample menu

The Experience:

We enjoyed our experience and would recommend giving Papa’s and Beer a try. Will we eat there again? You bet… Can’t wait to try other food on the value pack menu.

Papas and Beer Fajita Quesadilla

Fajita Quesadilla*** grilled chicken and vegetables, cheese, pico de gallo, small spoon of sour cream and guacamole

Papas and Beer Chile Relleno and Tamale Combination

Chile Relleno and Tamale Combination**+ with beans and rice

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The Food Network"s Alexandra Guarnaschelli Inspired Whole Duck with Green Peppercorn Glaze

Alex Guarnaschelli Whole Duck with Green Peppercorn Glaze  

Duck, what a great way to start the New Year. We choose Alex’s recipe after watching her new show Alex’s Day Off. Her show can be seen on the Food Network Sunday mornings.

Light brine with water, light soy sauce, honey and peppercorn brine

Breast side down for a minimum of 30 seconds

Preheat oven to 500°F, in a separate large pot make a light brine with water, light soy sauce, honey and peppercorn brine. Submerge the duck, breast down for a minimum of 30 seconds.

 Remove pan from oven turned duck over breast up

Reduce heat in oven to 400° Place duck breast side down for approximately 20 to 25 min. Remove pan from oven turned duck over breast up using a turkey baster remove the excess fat. Return the duck to the oven and cook for another 45 min. to an hour, depending on the size of the duck.

Preparer glaze by adding ingredients to a small pot and reduce

Alex Guarnaschelli Whole Duck with Green Peppercorn Glaze

Pour half the glaze over the breasts


While the duck is cooking, preparer the glaze by adding ingredients to a small part and reduce. Remove the duck from the oven and tasted with the drippings in the bottom of the pan. The duck should register run 150°F internal. Transfer the duck to a platter and pour half the glaze over the breasts and thigh meat. Reserve the rest the glaze for plating. Allow the duck to rest for about 15 min. Carved the duck and arrange on a platter. Seasoned the duck was salt if desired and top with the remaining glaze.

Alex Guarnaschelli Whole Duck with Green Peppercorn Glaze 

Alex Guarnaschelli Whole Duck with Green Peppercorn Glaze

This recipe can be found at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alexandra-guarnaschelli/whole-duck-with-green-peppercorn-glaze-recipe/index.html