~Doc Lawrence
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| The Distinguished "Cast" for the Dare2Pair Debut |
It was a dress rehearsal with no script, costumes or tickets. Dare 2 Pair opened an ambitious food and wine program for select guests at Stone Mountain’s Historic Wells-Brown House and made some history. The aperitif was seemingly endless pours of expensive French Champagne in crystal flutes. Pairing all the bubbly with Virginia’s Hall’s spectacular amuse-bouche, a feather-light filo pastry wrapped around smoked salmon and caviar, harkened to days when elegance was the norm.
Dare 2 Pair, explained Ms. Hall, a popular food columnist and legendary cook and caterer, is “designed to be bold. Through this program, fresh local food and distinctive food styles are enjoyed with wines of the world. There are no rules beyond common sense. If our diverse wine choices taste great with the food, then we will serve them freely and let our diners arrive at their own opinion.”
Guests were greeted at the door by a staturesque butler offering Champagne. After relaxation in the antique furnished parlor, everyone took their seats in the dining room to begin a full evening of fine wine and gourmet dining adventures.
Virginia Hall’s kitchen wizardry and presentation skills would be the envy of many top Atlanta chefs. Her first course, blue cheese covered grapes and beautifully designed cheese flowers were followed by a stunning roasted red pepper soup with pesto rugulah. Approprite red and white wines were poured with Champagne always nearby.
The main course, an elegant tenderloin of pork, was accompanied by Ms. Hall’s homemade plum port chutney, served alongside vinaigrette marinated Brussels sprouts and flaky Sweet Potato biscuits garnished with Honeysuckle honey.
Still Wines served during dinner were Cynthiana, made with the grape of the Cherokee, from Three Sisters Vineyard in Dahlonega, Georgia, a food-friendly Chenin Blanc from California’s renowned Dry Creek Vineyard, a Burgundian style Pinot Noir, produced by Oregon’s legendary King Estate. North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley was represented by a spectacular Viognier by RagApple Lassie Vineyards. Two Riesling’s from heralded Dr. Loosen received approval from those who had not experienced the dry, delicious expressions.
The evening’s piece de resistance, to no one’s surprise, was the heavenly Flourless Chocolate Cake with Creme Anglaise and fresh raspberries. This merited nothing less than a regal Port and two exquisite ones were poured, Dry Comal Creek from Texas and a Tawny Port, produced in Portugal by Sandeman.
Happy guests departed after observing that the dinner was a flawless example of haute cuisine and asking when the next dinner was scheduled?
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| Virginia's Piece de Resistance |
Dare 2 Pair soon begins a regular season with an ongoing series of elegant wine dinners following the same format of Champagne, exceptional wines from the four corners, all enjoyed with Virginia Hall’s kitchen culinary magic. The next event is “Dinner with Thomas Jefferson.” Use your imagination.
“We are limiting the number of guests,” Ms. Hall said, “to keep this intimate and more participatory. An evening with our food and wine would make a valuable and very original gift any time of the year.”
Dare 2 Pair is dedicated to the vision of Champagne legend Lilly Bollinger. When to drink Champagne? Madame Bollinger’s response:
“I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad.
Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone.
When I have company I consider it obligatory.
I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am.
Otherwise, I never touch it – unless I’m thirsty.”
Information and registration, Contact Virginia Hall: vhallmusic@bellsouth.net
The Wells-Brown House (circa 19th Century) is the headquarters of the highly respected Stone Mountain Historical Society and is located in Stone Mountain Village a few blocks from Stone Mountain Park which annually atttracts millions of visitors from thoughout the world.
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