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Spuntino Wine Bar

Jul 30
1
Our Favorite Summer White Wines

Our Favorite Summer White Wines

By | Wine

Summertime is when we do everything differently. Hot weather suggests lighter food, like seafood, fish, and fresh vegetables. This year, with dining al fresco at restaurants and of course backyard barbecues, wine pairing is especially important. At Spuntino we have a large selection to chose from, but here are our favorite options and recommendations that are refreshing and pair well with “summer fare.”

Jermann Chardonnay, Friuli-Venezia Giulia IGT 2013

WS 88
Although California and Burgundy are known for its Chardonnay, Silvio Jermann makes this high-quality Italian Chardonnay from the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Its color is brilliant straw yellow with greenish highlights, and the aroma is intense and fruity with notes of banana when young and golden delicious apple when mature. Lightly aromatic and with excellent persistence.
Food Pairing: Ideal with fish dishes with sauce, shellfish, and vegetable purées.

Fiano di Avellino, Mastroberardino, Campania 2013

Once a nearly forgotten varietal of ancient Irpinia, the Mastroberardino family has revived the Fiano grape into a world-class white wine. Straw yellow. Aromas including hints of pear, pineapple, acacia, hazelnuts and citrus fruits, with some hawthorn and floral notes. Balanced acidity and soft on the palate, with white peach and grapefruit leading to dried fruits.
Food Pairing: Pair with seafood salad, fresh, young cheeses, and baked or grilled fish.

Soave, Pra, Veneto 2017

Pale yellow in color, this wine offers a bouquet bursting with notes of flowers (hawthorn and jasmine) and yellow fresh fruits (drupe, peach, and apricots). On the palate, it is medium-bodied and flavorsome, full of fruit, with clear mineral notes. Fruity and clean with hints of dried lemons and apples and hints of cooked pears. Medium body. Easy finish. Drink now. Screw cap.
Food Pairing: Really good as an aperitif paired with delicate nibbles or sweet Parma ham and fresh cheese. Excellent with pasta or rice-based fish dishes and vegetable soups.

Sancerre, Pascal Jolivet Loire Valley 2017

WS 91
Pale and vibrant in color. The Pascal Jolivet Sancerre is fresh, clean, and screaming with racy acidity. On the palate it is fresh and tightly wound; acidity is tempered by very subtle residual sugar; very clean; alive, racy, youthful. Overall, a dry and elegant wine.
Food Pairing: Pork, Cheese-Fresh & Soft

Sauvignon Blanc, Starmont Napa Valley, California 2016

The Starmont Sauvignon Blanc displays fresh aromas of grapefruit, kaffir lime and jasmine. A crisp and delicious entry leads to a bright and fleshy mid-palate, good acidity and structure showcasing flavors of citrus, guava and mango. The finish is moderately long, clean and refreshing.
Food Pairing: Shellfish, Vegetarian Dishes, Goat Cheese

Albarino, Lagar Da Condesa Rias Baixas, Spain 2018

This wine is made from Albarino grapes at the Lagar da Condesa winery located in Val do Salnes in Galicia, Northwest Spain. A percentage of the wine was fermented in 500 and 600-liter French oak barrels and the remainder was left on its lees for approximately four months. The lees provide the roundness and structure on the palate and ensure the optimal conditions for aging this white wine. Yellow and greenish glints of color with a golden iridescence. Aromas of pineapple, passion fruit, lychee and pear. The wine has a full mouthfeel of ripe fruit, very nice acidity and a long, persistent finish.
Food Pairing: Shellfish, Crab & Lobster

Alvarinho, Soalheiro, Portugal 2018

Delicious as usual, this mouthwatering Vinho Verde is 100% Alvarinho based. A combination of ripe golden stone fruits and fruit cocktail aromas lead to a rich, yellow and gold-fruited palate. Rich and with real flavor authority, the wine still shows loads of freshness and a nice dry finish, perhaps a bit more so than the ebullient nose might suggest. The grapes are organically grown in the Vinho Verde sub-region of Melgaço and Monçao on granite soils
Food Pairing: Seafood, Fish, Poultry

Join us to enjoy a bottle of our favorite white wine or pick it up curbside!

Click your location below to join the waitlist or order online

Clifton Westbury

Feb 06
2

Pairing Cheese & Wine

By | How To
The methods of pairing different foods and wine can go back several centuries. Our select pairings are not only delicious but also a great way to expand your palate.

History

Most of the popular pairings of wine and cheese were traditionally grown in close proximity to one another. Many of these regional pairings were the base for the newer pairs that are seen today. French and Italian wines have consistently been referred back to as the standard of wine pairings due to their influence on the wine in other countries as well. French researchers found that the consumption of cheese while drinking wine enhances the overall experience of the wine itself.

Key Notes

There are several categories that cheese can be labeled under such as: semi-soft, hard, fresh, bloomy, washed rind, and blue. These categories can help with pairing as most of the categories share similar flavor profiles. Hard cheeses are known to be more easily paired as they go very well with bold red wines. Fresh cheese however is better suited for crisp young bottles of white wine such as Pinot Grigio.

Our Favorites

Prosecco & Parmesan

The bubbles within this sparkling wine perfectly cut through the harsh saltiness that often comes with Parmesan.

Cabernet Sauvignon & Aged Gouda

A tannic full bodied wine is the perfect way to balance out the nutty taste of an aged gouda.

Riesling & Ricotta

Sweet ricotta is the perfect way to compliment a nice tangy riesling that can easily be enjoyed with many desserts as well.

 Pinot Grigio & Mozzarella

The acidity of this wine blends perfectly with this classic Italian favorite to make some of your favorite appetizers come to life.

Chardonnay & Gruyere

The fruity taste of chardonnay is the ideal pairing for gruyere due to its mildness.

Nov 18
0
wine pairings for thanksgiving

Wine Pairings for Thanksgiving Dinner

By | Wine

Wine plays a very important part at Thanksgiving dinner, especially when it consists of so many different flavors. Our General Manager and Wine Director Jim from Spuntino Clifton shares his top wine pairings for a complete Thanksgiving dinner!

A Perfect Start

Sparkling wines are the perfect way to start your meal. Breezzette Rosé comes to mind with bold aromas of tropical peach, apricot and crispy acidity which compliments spicy aromatic dishes and grilled seafood appetizers. If sparkling is not your thing, then Riesling would be the white wine you should start your dinner with. Riesling wine can either be really dry or fairly sweet and will pair well with spicy, salty or sweet dishes. There are a few that would be recommended, Joh. Jos. Prum Auslese from Germany being one of them. This Riesling starts with full and fruity flavors and ends with fine and crisp acidity asking you to get one more bite of that sweet potato dish, turkey or stuffing. Gewurtztraminer and Albarino present a good alternative to Reisling or you can stick to your favorite Sauvignon Blanc, Arkenstone from Napa Valley being my favorite. All of them are crisp with citrus based flavors & will partner well with anything on the table.

The Classic Pairings

There are many people who just want to stay with red wine from start to finish, and for those diners I would recommend a fuller bodied red Syrah/Shiraz, be that Saint Joseph from Rhone Valley, Standish Shiraz from Australia, Zinfandel, and if you like to try something new, Beaujolais Nouveau might be a thing for you. Lastly, Pinot Noir with earthly undertones for sure is an easy go-to for a traditional wine pairing for Thanksgiving dinner with lots of selections from Oregon and Bergstrom. ‘Cumberland Reserve’ from Willamette Valley will definitely fulfil that role.

Things to Note

Any of the white wines mentioned would pair well with mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce as well as pinot noir from the red wines. You can also use any bubbles for the desserts, in this case Brezzette Rose should do it.

 

From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov 06
0
7 Things You Should Know Before Booking An Event

7 Things You Should Know Before Booking An Event

By | Food for thought
We know event planning can be hard. Luckily, our catering & event coordinator, Kelsey, is here to help. With years of private party & catering experience under her belt, Kelsey will help make planning your event a breeze. Below, Kelsey shares 7 Things You Should Know Before Booking An Event.

1.) How many people are on the guest list?

We can have multiple parties going on in the same day. Knowing your headcount will be a key factor in booking your event. If you know the size of your party, we can provide you with different options for rooms and areas of the restaurant we can host your party in.

2.) What date and time you are interested in?

When you call about your desired location, make sure you know what date and time you are interested in. This way, we can let you know if a particular space is available.

3.) What style of event are you looking for?

Are you thinking of having a casual, cocktail-style event or a more formal, sit down meal? Knowing this will be helpful for your event coordinator so they can give you all the information about both types of events including menu options, table set-ups, and other details in-between.

4.) Are there any restrictions?

It is always a good idea to find out if there are any restrictions on decorations, table set-up, or timing. At the end of the day, we will strive to make your vision a reality.

5.) What is your budget?

Knowing your budget is an important part in the planning process. We offer many different menu options ranging in price to help accommodate each guest with their event.

6.) Are there any dietary restrictions?

Notify the coordinator ahead of time if there are any dietary restrictions so we can discuss other options or make modifications to your menu of choice.

7.) What is the payment and cancellation policy?

Always find out the payment and cancellation policy before finalizing an event. In the event that you need to cancel or reschedule, you want to know what you will be responsible for before committing to the event space.

Are you interested in an amazing night with some of your favorite people? Then look no further than hosting your event with Spuntino! For more information and availability, you can contact Kelsey at events@spuntinowinebar.com or call her at 201-563-3325.
Click your location below for more information about our group dining packages.

Clifton

Westbury

Jul 19
0
Spuntino Board

Summertime with Spuntino

By | Cuisine

In the summer no one feels like staying in the kitchen! So here are some of our favorites that you can enjoy with us to keep your kitchen cool!

Sensational Sips

It’s time for a night out and the best way to start it is with one of our delicious craft cocktails created by our mixologist. If you enjoy the classics, try our take on the Old Fashioned with our City Fashioned that has just the right amount of sweet to cut through a typically bitter beverage. But if you’re up for something that will turn heads try out our Smoke and Mirrors cocktail that features edible flowers for a drink that tastes as good as it looks!

Fresh Starters

If you know Spuntino you know that we love our bruschetta. Whether it be our more decadent Grilled Shrimp Scampi or the simple Tomato & Basil these bites are always filled with flavor and the perfect way to get a taste of our menu. Another one of our popular items is our Spuntino Board which is a selection of meats, cheeses, and more that transport you to Italy and are the perfect snack to enjoy with your wine.

Main Bites

Summertime is perfect for the Pesce section of our menu! Our selection of seafood brings you flavors of the shore with our Crispy Octopus and Calamari. These fresh bites are always crisped to perfection and brought to you the moment they are ready.

Something Sweet

You can’t enjoy your summer without some sweet bites to take you back to when you were a kid! Grab our version of the Italian doughnut; our Ciambelle is perfectly fried and served with everyone’s favorite dipping sauces, including Nutella. If you’re looking for something a bit fruitier try out our House-Made Apple Crostata served with salted caramel. Enjoying this will make you think twice about your apple pie recipe.

No matter what your taste is Spuntino has something for everyone to enjoy this summer! So get out of your kitchen and enjoy a night out with us!

May 10
0
COOKING AT HOME WITH TRUFFLES

Cooking at home with Truffles

By | Cuisine, Recipe

The truffle has been seen as a delicacy for centuries. Whether it be the Black truffle of Italy or the White truffle from France, truffles have always been seen as something that you could only find in the top restaurants during truffle season which runs from mid-September through December for White Truffles and November through February for the Black Truffle. But now with our Spuntino Truffle Oil you can create your own masterpieces at home.

@aldentediva on Instagram has created her own version of our famous truffle fries by using our Truffle Oil as a final drizzle to her homemade Parmesan fries.

You can use her method of drizzling our oil for flavor on veggies and meat dishes alike! But besides just a final touch to make a spectacular dish you can also use our truffle oil as a way to make the perfect mac and cheese! @longislandfoodsavage on Instagram created their own truffle macaroni and cheese which is one of the biggest crowd pleasers of all time!

Make your own truffle mac and cheese with our spectacular truffle oil for yourself with the recipe below!

Ingredients 

  • 16 oz elbow macaroni, cooked (or other tubular pasta)
  • 1 TBSP Spuntino Truffle Oil
  • 6 TBSP Unsalted Butter
  • 1/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 2 cups Gruyere cheese shredded salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 4 TBSP butter melted
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
  • 1/4 TSP. Smoked Paprika (or regular)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter large baking dish with melted butter.
  2. Bring large pot of lightly salted water to a boil and cook macaroni until al dente (about 7 1/2 minutes) Drain.
  3. Melt unsalted butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Incorporate flour until a paste-like consistency is formed.
  4. Slowly whisk in 2 cups of whole milk and stir until smooth. Add remaining milk and heavy cream, increase heat and whisk constantly until mixture is thick and almost boiling.
  5. Stir Gruyere and cheddar cheese into the milk mixture until melted.
  6.  Add truffle oil and fold cheese mixture into macaroni. Add Salt & Pepper to taste.
  7.  Add mixture to baking dish, top with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, & paprika, and bake until gold brown and bubbling (about 30 minutes)
  8. Cool for 10 minutes and enjoy as a side or as your own special meal!

What are your favorite truffle oil recipes? Tell us in the comments below!

Feb 01
0
five wines you've never heard of

Wines You’ve Never Heard Of

By | Wine

One of the great things about wine is that you are always finding new wines that you may have never heard of. The not so great thing about wine you have never heard of is not knowing what they will taste like. That’s why we’re here to help… here is a cheat sheet to great wines you’ve never heard of that Spuntino is loving right now!

Sparkling

Try Cava if you love Prosecco

Cava is Spain’s answer to Italy’s Prosecco or France’s Champagne. Cava offers light, refreshing and zesty bubbles that will remind you of Prosecco and will be a fraction of the cost of champagne.
Find it on Spuntino’s Wine List: L’Atzar Cava & Pere Ventura Tresor Cava Rosé

White Wines

Try Kerner if you love Riesling

Kerner was once usually found in Germany, but has now been a popular grape in Northern Italy. You will enjoy the fresh and fruity flavors you usually find in Rieslings but with less acidity.
Find it on Spuntino’s Wine List: Castelfeder Kerner

Try Ribolla Gialla if you love Pinot Grigio

If you are wanting to switch up your usual go to Pinot Grigio, give Ribolla Gialla a chance. Ribolla Gialla will give you flavors of baked apple and tangerine in this fresh tasting wine.
Find it on Spuntino’s Wine List: Le Monde Ribolla Gialla

Try Xarel Lo if you love Unoaked Chardonnay

Xarel Lo grapes and wine are produced in Spain. You will find this grape in Cava but try it on its own to experience this unique and unknown wine. You will enjoy the similar flavors that you find in an unoaked chardonnay like green apple, lemon and sometimes pineapple with a long finish.
Find it on Spuntino’s Wine List: Albet I Noya Xarel Lo

Red Wines

Try Ruche if you love Zinfandel

Ruche is a unique wine that often has flavors of pepper, black cherries and cinnamon, with moderately high tannins which you usually are able to find in a traditional Zinfandel.
Find it on Spuntino’s Wine List: Montalbera Ruche

Try Corvina if you love California Cabernet Sauvignon

If your usual go-to wine is a traditional California Cabernet, you will enjoy the flavors of Corvina. Corvina wines have a tart, red cherry fruit flavor and sometimes a hint of chocolate. Order this wine with a hearty pizza and you will not regret your decision!
Find it on Spuntino’s Wine List: Scaia Corvina

Try Meritage if you love Syrah

A Red Meritage is a blend of two of more of red Bordeaux varieties – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, or Merlot to name a few. These big flavored grapes make for a big flavored red wine that may include flavors of sweet tobacco, cedar, wood smoke, and brown sugar.
Find it on Spuntino’s Wine List: Newton ‘Claret’ Meritage

Life’s too short to miss out on great wine, so make sure to try these great wines you’ve never heard of!

Dec 26
0

Winter Trends for 2019

By | Cuisine

Cozy up next to these seasonal flavors and hide away from the cold!

Refreshing  Choices

 Start your meal with a flavorful wake up call for your taste buds. Seeing some fresh greens and squash in the winter will be a relief from some of your heavier dishes throughout the winter. Some items from our salad section fit this profile perfectly.

  • Caprese Inverno with roasted delicate squash, tomato jam, and a balsamic glaze
  • Beet and Watercress with crumbled goat cheese, candied pistachios, fresh horseradish, and herb vinaigrette. 

Wholesome Food Pairings

Dine on something that your body will thank you for! Enjoy some hearty items to help push away those winter blues! Hearty food not only keeps you warm but also packs tons of flavors to help make your time away from the snow exciting. Our house-made pasta dishes and scratch made meat selections are the meals you deserve this winter.

  •  Orecchiette Con Salsiccia & Broccoli Rabe
  • Pork Ribs with balsamic barbecue sauce
  • Short Rib with cauliflower purée and micro greens

Wine Time!

Dinner in the winter can’t be complete without a nice glass of a wine that is rich in flavor! And of course what’s a wine bar without a bottle of the best?! These are some of the very best winter selections from our own wine collection.

  • Sauvignon Blanc, Starmont 
  • Brunello Di Montalcino, Poggiotondo
  • Meritage, Chappellet ‘Mountain Cuvee’

 

Dec 20
1

Holiday Drink Special: Learn to make our Crème de la Crème

By | Cocktails, Holidays, How To

In-house mixologist Alexis Morgan put together an awesome cocktail for the holidays using Blonde Rum, Bailey’s, coffee liquor, gingerbread simple syrup & cannoli cream. Check out how we make this festive drink & make it yourself using the recipe below!

Visit us until the end of December to try Alexis’s cocktail at Spuntino!

 

Crème de la Crème Recipe

Ingredients

1.5 fl oz. Papa Pilar Blonde Rum

.75 fl oz. Bailey’s

.75 fl oz. St. George Coffee Liquor

.75 fl oz. Gingerbread Simple Syrup

1 oz. Cannoli Cream

.05 oz Gingerbread Cookie Crumbs

Instructions

1.  In Shaker add Papa Pilar Blonde Rum, Baily’s, St. George Liquor, Cannoli Cream, and Gingerbread Simple Syrup (Add sugar, water, vanilla extract, cinnamon sticks, fresh ginger, nutmeg into a pot & bring to boil. Let cool.)

2.  Add ice to pint
glass.

3.  Empty contents of
pint glass into cocktail shaker.

4.  Shake vigorously.

5.  Strain contents of cocktail shaker into chilled Martini Glass

6.  Garnish with gingerbread cookie crumbs

Nov 15
0
OUR FAVORITE SIDE DISHES FOR THANKSGIVING

Our Favorite Side Dishes for Thanksgiving

By | Holidays

Although we love the irreplaceable classics, like mashed potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce, here are a few of our chef’s new favorite sides for your Thanksgiving day table spread!

Autumn Salad

An autumn salad is a perfect item to take away from the heavy dishes that give you the Thanksgiving day sleepies. Think romaine, pear, apple, bacon, cranberries, pecans, and feta!

View the recipe from The Recipe Critic

Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Fennel

This new take on some classic dishes are beyond delicious with your classic turkey-based meal. The stuffing is the perfect complement for your turkey, loaded with the ancient grain fennel.

View the recipe here from bon appétit 

Bacon Brussels Sprouts

Bacon has the ability to make anything better, especially Brussels sprouts. Making sure that these are perfectly seasoned and cooked can make even the most intense Brussels sprout hater change their mind. Feeling extra daring? Put an egg on it!

Check our chef’s recipe below!

Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Cream Cheese

Dates are a great addition to any holiday meal. Wrapping them in bacon or pancetta makes for a delicious new flavor combination that is only enhanced by the cream cheese.

View the recipe from FED + fit

Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Marshmallow Drizzle

This take on a classic sweet potato side dish will persuade even the kids to try something new. Sweet potato fries with a marshmallow drizzle is the perfect sweet kick to balance out your meal.

View the recipe from Ambitious Kitchen

Bacon Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients:
15 oz Brussel Sprouts, cut in half
3 oz Bacon, Chopped
1 fl oz Olive Oil
1 tsp Sea Salt
1 tsp Ground Black Pepper
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese, Shredded
1 Egg

Preparation & Cooking Instructions:
1. Place brussels sprouts and chopped bacon in a bowl and mix with olive oil salt and pepper
2. Place mix in cast iron skillet and roast for 15 minutes or until cooked fully
3. Top with parmesan cheese and bake for additional one minute until cheese has melted
4. In a separate pan fry an egg sunny side up. When sprouts are fully cooked, place the egg on top in the middle of the skillet
4. Serve (but be careful, it’s hot!)

Food has that special ability to bring people together for the holidays. We hope to bring some inspiration to your holiday season to make Thanksgiving this year an unforgettable one. Let us know if you tried any of these recipes or have a special side of your own!