Anyone who knows me knows my love affair with bubbly. So when I heard the Ritz-Carlton was hosting a sparkling wine flight on Wednesday evenings in the ~RITZ BAR~ (formerly the Cigar Bar), I was all over it like a straight guy watching two chicks make out. It's a kustom (with a k) spot for a date—you and your sweetie can cozy up in one of the leather chairs in the intimate seating areas and enjoy having most of the bar to yourself (unless there's a group of conventioneers or Japanese businessmen getting buzzed in there). We had a sampling of three fantastic bubblies, including the slightly tropical Domaine Carneros by Taittinger, Le Reve, Carneros, 1999; Gosset, Grand Rose, Champagne, Brut, NV; and my favorite, the yeasty Henriot, Cuvee des Enchanteleurs, Champagne, Brut, 1995. Yup, I was feeling goooooooood.
But check this out: you get to keep your champers company with a rotating trio of amuse bouches from the Dining Room's Ron Siegel, like sea urchin pannacotta with lobster, avocado, and Tahitian vanilla oil, in addition to a trio of dessert bites, like the scrumptious chocolate Manjari caramel cake with milk chocolate ice cream, five-spice foam, hazelnut dentelle, and Maldon salt. Uh, heaven. It reminded me of my favorite fleur de sel chocolate caramel at Michael Recchiuti. The whole experience was classy and rather decadent, all for $39.
Champagne Flight
Ritz-Carlton Bar
600 Stockton St.
Cross: California St.
415-773-6198
website
Wednesday evenings
6pm-9:30pm
$39 per person
(exclusive of tax and gratuity)
