… to plan your holiday party!

Download Jay’s 2011 Holiday Menu

Wine paired dinners are probably one of my favorite things. I love that someone else has put all of the thought into the flavors of the food and which wines compliment them. I just get to sit back and enjoy. This week I had the fortune to attend an Italian wine dinner at one of the hottest new spots in Orange County, ECCO. This chic, down to earth new eatery is known for it’s fabulous food, especially their pizzas. Our dinner took place out on their patio and the Executive Chef Kris Kirk came out with each course and explained the combinations and flavors to us. It was truly charming.

I love the look of the rustic wood tables.  A five course menu was prepared for us. PLUS an Intermezzo (to cleanse our palates).

The Antipasto course was a lovely Prosecco paired with a trio of Bruscetta. My favorite was a fava bean puree.

Primo course was a gorgeous Shaved Heirloom Beet Salad, with Buratta (my favorite cheese) pistachios, and arugula. This was paired with a light, but flavorful Phigin Pinot Grigio, Friuli.

The Secondi course was a Seafood Risotto with shrimp, scallops, calamari, and parsley. Paired with a Massolino Dolcetto from Piedmont. Perfectly paired spiciness.

Well I think you all know how I feel about Intermezzo. This was a tasty little Lemoncello Granita… perfect!

The Terzo course was a Wood Grilled Filet Mignon with spinach, portobello mushrooms, and Gorgonzola (I die)! Perfectly paired with my favorite wine of the evening, a Valle Reale San Calisto, Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo.

Lastly, Dolce. A lightly sweet Ricotta Cheescake with an apricot vanilla bean sauce paired with the most fragrant Donnafugata Ben Rye Passito.

Here’s the sweetest little treat that was given to us as we were leaving. How lovely it was to have a yummy biscotti with my morning coffee. Truly a most enjoyable evening. You know I am watching for their next one.

With the Super Bowl only a week away it’s time to start planning for all of those hungry sports fans that will be attending your party. Whether you are rooting for the Packers or the Steelers, food is always a part of a good game. Making it easy and convenient for you is our job. Jay’s has many tasty menu options including delicious salads and deli style platters. Created to please even the pickiest eater. Try our newest hearty creation, the Chambre Platter. It’s perfect for the meat eaters in your house.

Chambre Platter

Create Your Own Gourmet Sandwiches

Garlic & Herb Roasted Filet Mignon
Honey, Lemon & Fresh Thyme Grilled Breast of Chicken
BBQ Rubbed Smoked Pork Loin

Grilled Marinated Vegetable, Smoked Gouda & Havarti Cheese

Apricot Jalapeño Aioli, Chimichurri Sauce, Charred Three Onion Sauce & Sundried Tomato Spread

Petite French Baguettes (50) Jay’s Cheese Rolls (50)

Pepperoncinis, Pepper Rings & Pickles

$295.00 (Serves 50 Guests)

Click Here for Jay’s Complete Super Bowl Menu

You know you want to call Jay’s and it’s not too late. Order your  Thanksgiving Dinner by Monday, November 22nd and we will have your complete meal ready for pick-up on Thanksgiving Day. Spend more time enjoying your family and let us do the cooking. It doesn’t get any easier than that.

Happy Thanksgiving from Jay’s.

From our Oven to your table

WHOLE ROASTED TURKEY

Home Style Stuffing (Apple Nut, Sausage or Cornbread)
Fresh Mashed Potatoes, Gravy & Cranberry Relish
10-14 lb Turkey (Serves 8-10) $130.00
20-24 lb Turkey (Serves 16-20) $240.00
24-26 lb Turkey (Serves 20-24) $290.00

WHOLE CHARDONNAY HERB ROASTED TURKEY

Home Style Stuffing (Apple Nut, Sausage or Cornbread)
Fresh Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Candied Yams
Cranberry Relish
French Baguettes
10-14 lb Turkey (Serves 8-10) $210.00
20-24 lb Turkey (Serves 16-20) $400.00
24-26 lb Turkey (Serves 20-24) $460.00

HONEY MUSTARD SPIRAL GLAZED HAM

Candied Yams
Creamed Corn
Pear and Walnut Salad
French Baguettes
7-9 lb Ham (Serves 12-16 ) $200.00

TRADITIONS

Herb Roasted Breast of Turkey
Home Style Stuffing (Apple Nut, Sausage or Cornbread Stuffing)
Fresh Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Creamed Spinach
Candied Yams
Cranberry Relish
French Baguettes
15-24 $19.00 per person
25+ $17.00 per person

Great food, spectacular wine and a good cause. Every year I look forward to attending The Long Beach Grand Cru. The Long Beach Grand Cru is a benefit for the Legal Aid Foundation Los Angeles.  It’s a fun filled evening out on the grounds of Rainbow Lagoon. Live music and entertaining conversation is everywhere. Did I mention Award winning wine? Where else can you go , have a Winemaker of an Award Winning wine pour for you and raise a glass along side you? It was my lucky day… my favorite wine, poured by my favorite winemaker. Tom Stolpman from Stolpman Vineyards was pouring his prized wines and sharing the complexities of each. I’ll write this venture off as education.

I had to post the above picture because it made me giggle. Back in the old days, when I sold wine and French Futures, the public consumed large amounts of “jug” wine. It tickled me that Carlo Rossi entered the competition. There is a silent auction with something for everyone. I am now the lucky owner of a signed Laker Jersey and a Muhammad Ali poster.

The food is amazing. Restaurants, Bakeries, Hotels, and even Trader Joe’s sharing their specialties. Wine is also paired at each food station.

A couple of my favorites were the Latin flavors. Paella from Sevilla and a corn and crab tamale.

Sake’s were even represented. They were paired with sushi’s and oysters on the half shell.

My partner in crime, educating me on some of the wines I have never experienced. He has a great nose.

Probably one of the most enjoyable evenings at Rainbow Lagoon.