Dinner - Petit Pois

Five years ago I ran my first marathon in Charlottesville and have since made it an annual Spring tradition.  This weekend, I was back Charlottesville and like the last few years, I ran the half-marathon instead of the full marathon.  The race starts and ends on the Downtown Mall, which is also home to several good restaurants.  I’m a big fan of French cuisine and I decided to stop in at Petit Pois in the evening after the race—like I did last year—for dinner.  This time I was armed with my cell phone camera and presumably an increased knowledge of wine and wine food pairings. 

                                                              Front View of Petit Pois

                                                           

I started things off with French bread, mussels, and a glass of 901 Summit Chardonnay, 2010, from Mendocino, California.  It had a nice welcoming, fruity and citrus-y aroma.  Initially and on the mid-palate, I picked up petrol and bitterness. The finish was not clean.  I really didn’t like it very much and hoped the mussels would help.  I’m happy to say that the wine definitely flowed better with the mussels and bread.

                                                             Mussels and Chardonnay

                                                                         French bread and Chardonnay

I almost always seem to order Steak Frites whenever I go to Petit Pois—or most other French restaurants for that matter—and I did the same this time.  I was starving and needed a substantial meal after the morning’s run.  I also thought Steak Frites would go well with a full-bodied, big Red, so I ordered the Domaine de Grange de Payan, 2011.  This Rhone Blend was faint and fruity on the nose.  On the palate, it was full-bodied and the tannins came through.  It was also spicy.  The Steak Frites was great as usual and well-complemented the spiciness of the wine.  This was an excellent pairing.

                                                          Steak Frites and Rhone Blend

I finished things off with dessert and dessert wine.  I ordered lemon pound cake with strawberries and cream to go with a dessert wine, Taylor Fladgate Tawny Port.  At this point, I was starting to feel the effects of the two previous glasses and a 20 percent Port didn't help matters.  On the nose, it was fruity with hints of chocolate and liquorice.  It was as full-bodied and sweet as you might expect.  Actually tasted some banana in there. I really enjoyed the pairing.

                                                            Gateau au Citron and Ruby Port

I was either still exhausted from the morning run or feeling the effects of three glasses of wine in a short period of time.  Either way, it was nap time.  Another enjoyable visit to Petit Pois!