California Wines menu at Nota Bene Restaurant

For the month of January, Nota Bene restaurant is offering a special prix fixe menu inspired by sunny California raising a glass to the wines from various regions in the Golden State. California is recognized as one of the best wine regions in the world where nearly 90% of all American wine is produced with over a hundred grape varietals.

So the California Wines Prix Fixe menu consists of the following:

• Hamachi Crudo
• White Corn Soup
• Your choice of Braised Beef Short Rib OR Alaskan Black Cod
• Artisanal Cheese

You can’t go wrong with either the braised short rib or the black cod – both are extremely warm and hearty – perfect for the frigid Canadian winter weather season. As a personal choice, I’m always a sucker for black cod, and this comes with rich tender flakes in a comforting wild mushroom broth.

Hamachi Crudo with shaved fennel, fresh citrus, puffed rice and drizzled with olive oil

BRAISED BEEF SHORT RIB artisanal grits, pumpkin seed gremolata paired with 2012 Santa Barbara Winery Syrah, Santa Yznez Valley

ALASKAN BLACK COD wild mushroom broth, potato foam, ginger, chilies paired with 2013 Coppola Chardonnay, Monterey

ARTISANAL CHEESE with California apricot compote, Wisconsin buttermilk blue cheese, Greenfield gouda cheese, Pleasant Ridge cheddar cheese. Paired with 2011 Edmeades Zinfandel, Mendocino. What better way to end a great meal than with some fine wine and cheese? I prefer that over the normal sweet desserts anyway.

The California Wines Prix Fixe Menu is available at $65 per person. Make it a complete California dining experience with California wine pairing for $93.

So raise a glass to California Wines this month with Executive Chef David Lee and Nota Bene restaurant.

ALSO, all month long Nota Bene is offering guests to enjoy FREE corkage on any California Wines, and as well as offering exclusive Californian wine tastings every Wednesday in a private dining room setting.

Centrally located just west of Queen & University, it’s also one of your best bets for dinner before a show at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, so check out their pre-theatre menu as well. Nota Bene is located at 180 Queen Street West.

For more info including reservations and hours visit www.notabenerestaurant.com or call 416-977-6400.

Photos by Nick Lee

A quick snap before we start a California wine dinner @NotaBeneToronto #CalifwinesatNB #prixfixe pic.twitter.com/k82LjGC8S9

— Best of Toronto (@BestOfTorontoTV) January 9, 2015

Learn more about California Wines in this video here.

Video courtesy of Wine Institute of California