Sec or Demi Sec Champagne recommendations

[Xiaogou]

The wife and I are going out for Valentines Day. If it matters, she is a beer drinker. Her favorite is Duvel and some Lambic's. Unfortunately, the restaurant we are going to does not have either one. I would like to go with a Champagne. She does not like brut. Sec or Demi-Sec only. I live in Columbus and there are certainly a lack of high end restaurants here. So this is as good as it gets--here is the menu:

The Menu

LOBSTER & CRAB MARBLE
with a lightly smoked bell pepper coulis

or

OHIO PHEASANT RILLETTE
with a green peppercorn vinaigrette


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PAN SEARED SCALLOP
with baby spinach and a saffron sauce

or

SAUTEED SALMON CHOP
with a red onion and caper emulsion, zucchini fondue


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GRILLED BISON LOIN
with a confit of shallot Bordelaise, scalloped potatoes

or

ROASTED VEAL TENDERLOIN
with a portabella ravioli and cardamom sauce


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BAKED BRIE IN PUFF PASTRY
'canapÃ

style' with leek salad, champagne vinaigrette

or

OHIO GOAT CHEESE CREMEUX
with micro greens and chive oil


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



CHOCOLATE TRIO
with raspberry coulis and biscuit truffette

or

LEMON MOUSSE & VANILLA FLEUR DE SEL SABLE
with orange sauce and fresh raspberries


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I am allergic to shellfish and boycott veal. She will have the shellfish options as well as skip the veal.

The restaurant has an extensive wine/champagne selection. What do you recommend in terms of a sec or demi-sec Champagne?

I searched but only found crap like Asti. She does like Clicquot demi-sec. Any other real Champagne options? Thanks so much for the help!

 

[Joffrey]

Buy your own bottle from a good store, and pay the corking fee at restaurant when you bring the bottle with you?

 

[ed1066]

I like the Moet Demi-Sec. You should be able to find it in a decent bottle shop.

 

[gomestar]

Banfi Rosa Regale (or any Brachetto d'acqui). It's light and easy with some sweetness and rasberry/strawberry notes. Also, it's the color of roses.

You can find it for $20 a bottle.

 

[Cavalier]

No nice restaurants in Columbus? I am here right now

Obviously there's no French Laundry here, but I can name a few excellent places to dine!

That looks like a fixed menu from the Refectory? One of the better places but I have a thing for Alana's

Sorry, I am no use on the sec or demi as I only drink bruts.

Short North might have a nice bottle if you live here in the city, I also like supporting these neighborhood small biz's.

 

[Xiaogou]

My idea of nice is something along the lines of Relais & Chateaux. There are not even any 4 star rated restaurants in Columbus and this is the Capital City!!!!! Cincinnati and Cleveland both have 4 star rated restaurants but not Cow-town.

Yes, the menu is from the Refectory. There is L'Antibes but that is in a strip mall

I am with you on dry Champagne--but my girl only likes sweet tasting Champagne for some reason. I'm with you on supporting small businesses.

Originally Posted by Cavalier

No nice restaurants in Columbus? I am here right now

Obviously there's no French Laundry here, but I can name a few excellent places to dine!

That looks like a fixed menu from the Refectory? One of the better places but I have a thing for Alana's

Sorry, I am no use on the sec or demi as I only drink bruts.

Short North might have a nice bottle if you live here in the city, I also like supporting these neighborhood small biz's.

 

[SField]

May I just ask why you boycott veal?

Before you answer, please say whether or not you eat lamb.

 

[kwilkinson]

Originally Posted by Xiaogou

My idea of nice is something along the lines of Relais & Chateaux. There are not even any 4 star rated restaurants in Columbus and this is the Capital City!!!!! Cincinnati and Cleveland both have 4 star rated restaurants but not Cow-town.

Isn't R&C sort of like those "Who's Who in High School" kind of books? You pay to get your name in there, and as long as you pay, they'll put you in?

 

[Xiaogou]

Originally Posted by SField

May I just ask why you boycott veal?

Before you answer, please say whether or not you eat lamb.

IMO, it is inhumane treatment of an animal to keep them confined. There is more than enough information on the internet to prove my case. In regards to lamb, no, I do not eat lamb.

 

[Xiaogou]

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

Isn't R&C sort of like those "Who's Who in High School" kind of books? You pay to get your name in there, and as long as you pay, they'll put you in?

I don't know about that. I will say that every restaurant I have eaten at that has the R&C certification has been exceptional. The food has always been top-notch as well as the service. And--I don't have to worry about some chump being seated beside me in a sweater in lieu of a suit jacket.

 

[SField]

Originally Posted by Xiaogou

IMO, it is inhumane treatment of an animal to keep them confined. There is more than enough information on the internet to prove my case. In regards to lamb, no, I do not eat lamb.

Eh, no offence dude but seeing as you live in Columbus Ohio and consider Relais and Chateau to be like the standard for fine dining, I'm guessing that you have very, very little idea about where your food comes from, and based on your choice of wines, even less of an idea about food. There is an excellent chance that most of the beef, pork, and foul you eat comes from small, confined spaces.

However in good restaurats, they want well raised livestock that are usually brought up in open fields. Good chefs are only interested in animals that have led quite happy lives in which they were able to run around, do what that species naturally likes to do, and eat what the species naturally likes to eat. Happy, healthy animals taste better.

Veal is absolutely no exception and it's the myth of the century that they're somehow mistreated. What is your reasoning that veal is mistreated moreso than say, a pig or a cow? It's all PETA bullshit. I am however glad that you said you don't lamb, because lambs are often slaughtered earlier in their life than a young calf would be. It's always funny to hear people who proudly state that their not eating veal (which, like you, they self righteously call a 'boycott') is out of consideration for humane treatment and the distaste with eating a young animal, yet they love lamb. Well, we know that that is something that for most people is born of ignorance.

But in any case, I am quite willing to bet that most of the beef, pork, and chicken that you eat lives in nearly identical conditions to the veal that you 'boycott'. If you can't find an actual reason to dislike Veal, then actually try it. It's delicious, it's fairly lean, and there are many ways to prepare it.

 

[jefe]

I think the exec chef at the Refectory is pretty legit. Studied under Paul Bocuse and some other big time frenchies.

However, if the OP is so concerned about the guy in the sweater sitting next to him at a restaurant, he should promptly chow down on a big bag of dicks. You live in the CBus - while a fine place to live, it's not that cool. Get over it, or better yet, move.

 

[Xiaogou]

Originally Posted by jefe

I think the exec chef at the Refectory is pretty legit. Studied under Paul Bocuse and some other big time frenchies.

However, if the OP is so concerned about the guy in the sweater sitting next to him at a restaurant, he should promptly chow down on a big bag of dicks. You live in the CBus - while a fine place to live, it's not that cool. Get over it, or better yet, move.

First, I was born and raised in LA. My wife is from a foreign country and thinks that Columbus is fabulous. She is Asian but went to school in France and has pretty sophisticated tastes. Much more so than I do. We will not be leaving anytime soon as she owns several businesses. Every 2 weeks we go to Chicago then NY 2 weeks after that. Mostly, to enjoy fine dining.

For Columbus, the Refectory is good. Compared to restaurants in Chicago and NY-- it is not. For the area, it is probably the best. Fwiw, when I go to the nicest restaurant in town in a suit and some chump sits down in his "nice sweater" it just cheapens the experience. In NY and Chicago, restaurants have standards for dress.

 

[Xiaogou]

Originally Posted by SField

Eh, no offence dude but seeing as you live in Columbus Ohio and consider Relais and Chateau to be like the standard for fine dining, I'm guessing that you have very, very little idea about where your food comes from, and based on your choice of wines, even less of an idea about food. There is an excellent chance that most of the beef, pork, and foul you eat comes from small, confined spaces.

However in good restaurats, they want well raised livestock that are usually brought up in open fields. Good chefs are only interested in animals that have led quite happy lives in which they were able to run around, do what that species naturally likes to do, and eat what the species naturally likes to eat. Happy, healthy animals taste better.

Veal is absolutely no exception and it's the myth of the century that they're somehow mistreated. What is your reasoning that veal is mistreated moreso than say, a pig or a cow? It's all PETA bullshit. I am however glad that you said you don't lamb, because lambs are often slaughtered earlier in their life than a young calf would be. It's always funny to hear people who proudly state that their not eating veal (which, like you, they self righteously call a 'boycott') is out of consideration for humane treatment and the distaste with eating a young animal, yet they love lamb. Well, we know that that is something that for most people is born of ignorance.

But in any case, I am quite willing to bet that most of the beef, pork, and chicken that you eat lives in nearly identical conditions to the veal that you 'boycott'. If you can't find an actual reason to dislike Veal, then actually try it. It's delicious, it's fairly lean, and there are many ways to prepare it.

I know quite a lot about food. For a period of about five years, I was a vegetarian. But, the craving for steak overtook me. I buy organic food. We spend about 500 per month on steaks from Lobel's. I enjoy eating well and healthy. For the most part, I eat a lot of Viet food.

In terms of wine- you got me. I am not a wine drinker. I prefer belgian beer and Cognac. If I drink Champagne, I like it dry. However, since my girl likes sec, I'll just order it and enjoy it with her.

Veal- just isn't happening, nor is lamb. Thank God, I am allergic to Lobster and shrimp (cockroach of the sea) and other shellfish.

Now, I think I have answered most of your questions. How about answering my original question...which sec or demi-sec Champagne would you recommend with my dinner?

Btw, which R&C restaurant have you been to that there was a problem?

 

[SField]

Originally Posted by Xiaogou

I know quite a lot about food. For a period of about five years, I was a vegetarian. But, the craving for steak overtook me. I buy organic food. We spend about 500 per month on steaks from Lobel's. I enjoy eating well and healthy. For the most part, I eat a lot of Viet food.

In terms of wine- you got me. I am not a wine drinker. I prefer belgian beer and Cognac. If I drink Champagne, I like it dry. However, since my girl likes sec, I'll just order it and enjoy it with her.

Veal- just isn't happening, nor is lamb. Thank God, I am allergic to Lobster and shrimp (cockroach of the sea) and other shellfish.

Now, I think I have answered most of your questions. How about answering my original question...which sec or demi-sec Champagne would you recommend with my dinner?

Btw, which R&C restaurant have you been to that there was a problem?

Relais and Chateau is classy version of those business directories that most people get cold calls about. It really isn't an indication of anything.

I don't really understand how someone could like beef enough to constantly be buying from Lobels but hating veal and lamb, not to mention all shell fish. I mean, it's kind of hard to say you like food when like 50% of the menu of any michelin starred restaurant would be unsuitable for you. I'm guessing that rabbit and other game are out as well?