WTN: Damn Fine Wine

Went to Ten Bells for the first time last night and we had a damn fine bottle of 2009 Tavijn Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato. All the lovely florals and minerals but with such dark sexy gulpable fruit gushing through the midpalate. So easy to drink yet with plenty of nuance to entertain the mouth in the process. Perfect for the setting.

We also had a bottle of 2008 Texier Côtes du Rhône Brézème which needed longer to open up but eventually showed a soft gentle interpretation of Brézèmeness. Yet it didn't have the biting acidity that I used to expect from Brézème and that I have found from other 08s from the region. Obviously more research is needed on all fronts.

Otherwise, was favorably impressed with the food. Nothing fantastic of course but it was all delicious and the portions were not as tiny as I feared.

[David M. Bueker]

I really like that 2008 Brezeme! T&V had it in early fall. Easy case purchase.

I need to pick up a bottle of that 08 Brezeme at some point (though I have a few bottles of Eric's 07 Pergault VV coming in that I'm very much looking forward to.)

[David M. Bueker]

Salil - I will open the Brezeme for you. I have a bunch.

Last night the 08 Brezeme had a tough time competing with the 09 Tavijn Ruché, which was just so darned attractive. But it would be good to try more bottles of each.

The 07 Pergault is much more impressive than the regular Brezeme IMHO, although last time I tasted it (a couple of months ago) it seemed heading for shutdownness.

Nice notes.
I think Ten Bells food is not bad at all by wine bar standards (I especially liked the angulas). I just felt old.

[Jenise]

Had to do a double take--at first I thought I read Taco Bells. "No, not Rahsaan," I thought.

Had to do a double take--at first I thought I read Taco Bells. "No, not Rahsaan," I thought.

Please Jenise a little respect for Taco Bell and it's fine cuisine. My business partner and I lease a piece of property to Taco Bell Inc and they pay the rent like clock every month and you can take the lease to any bank and they will lend you money on it readily.

I especially liked the angulas

We had that dish and I really liked them as well. I had never eaten them before or seen anything like it. They tasted rather mild, like spaghetti, which was interesting.

The octopus and potato salad was good, as was the crab salad. Too much soy/sesame covering up weak salmon in the salmon tartare.

The crowd did seem to trend young and hip (as does the whole area), but more annoying was the bar stool seats.

My friend said he wouldn't go back, but I would.

Had to do a double take--at first I thought I read Taco Bells. "No, not Rahsaan," I thought.

Well, I've actually been to Taco Bell more times than I've been to Ten Bells. But it was all during undergraduate years and usually not before midnight, so...

I would like to try Ten Bells next time I'm in New York (may be there for a couple days in September.) However, the mention of bar stool seating is a bummer. I'm short and uncomfortable climbing onto a bar stool and then have a circulation problem with one or both legs as I sit there and often not enough back support. I AM getting old and probably never was part of the "hip crowd."

I would like to try Ten Bells next time I'm in New York (may be there for a couple days in September.) However, the mention of bar stool seating is a bummer.

Yes, that was definitely a problem. Not sure if there are 'real' seats in the back where Dale was. (A party had reserved the back room the evening we went).

Well, I've actually been to Taco Bell more times than I've been to Ten Bells.

I'm not proud. I eat lunch at Taco Bell regularly. Three tacos and soft drink for under five dollars. Money in the bank! My wife refuses to eat fast food, so I have to get my fix when I can. I do draw the line at White Castle.

[David M. Bueker]

You would figure that Rahsaan can still eat at Taco Bell. There's no meat in the fillings right?