Posts Tagged ‘tapas’
Varietal: Tempranillo (60%); Cabernet Sauvignon (40%)
Region: Spain
Cost: $10 (SRP)
Fruit aromas with flavors of raspberry, cherry, plum, and blackberry. Pairs well with grilled eggplant, grilled skirt steaks, vegetarian chili, pork, and tapas.
Recommendations: Last month I did a review of the 2009 Tempra Tantrum Tempranillo Shiraz, and while I enjoyed it, if push came to shove and I had to choose between the Shiraz blend and the Cabernet blend…I’d have to go with the Cabernet blend. The aromas of the wine were of berry, and based on the nose I was expecting a fairly fruit forward wine, but that’s not what I got.
Sure, there were flavors of berry, but there were also hints of chocolate and a smoothness to the wine that I found incredibly enjoyable. Paired with a dinner of pork tenderloin and risotto, this wine was a perfect compliment, and quite honestly was great just by itself. This may actually be one of the best value wines I’ve had in a while, and I definitely recommend trying it out if you come across a bottle of it. Read the rest of this entry »
Last week, my wife and I went to Si Tapas in Richmond, Virginia for a belated Valentine’s Day dinner. This wasn’t our first visit to the restaurant, but it had been a while, and as a result, the menu selection had change slightly.
We had mad reservations, but upon arriving (on a Wednesday evening), it was clear that we probably wouldn’t have needed them. We were quickly seated in the small dining room (it seats probably 20-30 people at most), and joined by our waiter who asked us if we’d ever been before. We already knew what wine we wanted (a 2007 Gouguenheim Malbec), so he soon returned with the wine and two glasses of water.
As the name implies, Si Tapas specializes in tapas, an appetizer style meal where you order multiple small offerings to create an entire meal. None of their tapas are made ahead of time, which means that you’re food is always hot and made to order.
My wife and I ordered their Polenta Fries, Pork Empanadas (a choice we had enjoyed before), Cheese Fondue (a selection they had offered before, but had changed slightly since our last visit), and Cumin Dusted Scallops (another selection offered before, but with a new twist).
The entire meal was delicious. Everything was hot and perfectly cooked and plated. When we ran out of bread for the fondue, we didn’t have to ask for any, our waiter just made sure we did in fact want some more and then brought some to us an no extra charge, and the wine was a perfect compliment to everything.
Our final bill for four tapas and a bottle of wine was around $63, not something I’d want to pay every night for a meal, but certainly something that’s worth indulging in for special occasions. The homey atmosphere makes going there even more enjoyable, and is perfect for visiting with friends, family, or with a special someone. Their wine selection isn’t huge and does lean towards the Spanish in selection, but there should be something there for every taste, and it pairs well with the food that they offer.
Whether you live in Richmond or you’re just visiting, Si Tapas is definitely worth a visit. You’ll enjoy the food, you’ll enjoy the wine, and you’ll enjoy the atmostphere for what is sure to be a delicious meal.
About Si Tapas
Si Tapas features two floors, with a dining room downstairs and a bar/lounge area upstairs that offers beer, wine, and liquor. Their tapas selection is great for every type of taste, and the atmosphere is acceptable for dates, family gatheries, or a meeting with friends. Dress is casual to business casual. To make reservations or view their menu, visit Si Tapas online at: http://www.sitapas.com/richmond
