Pairing a certain wine with a certain entree is one thing, but when you pair the best wines of the region with the best restaurants in the region, the result is magical!
Take a look at the experience:
Hello Kaaren,
Hope all is well with you and your staff. Just wanted to follow up with you concerning the Waterbrook dinner on Wednesday. Everything was first class. First of all the waiter and waitress. They were outstanding. We never had to ask for anything. They were always there pouring wine and asking us if we needed anything. That is always a great accentuation to a meal when dining out. The meal. What a meal! Mr. Ranninger (I hope I spelled his name correctly) is a very talented chef. And a personable person. I really enjoyed the time he gave me talking about matching food and wine. My wife and I do catering on the side, and this is an important aspect of catering. All the pairing in each course was obviously carefully planned out. The attention to detail made for a great marriage of food and wine.
The wine. Waterbrook is one of my favorite Washington wineries. Quality wine that exceeds the price point always. The gentleman from the winery was most gracious with his time talking to me. I really enjoyed that. Adding that personal touch is great when enjoying a winery's wine.
The hosts (yourself and forgive me I don't remember the name of the gentleman that gave me that wonderful bottle of wine). Both of you were first rate hosts and hostesses. Your interaction with the patrons is huge from a diners viewpoint. Both of you were such personable and kind people. Now the price. What a price! Talking about over delivering. For $65 this was a tremendous deal!! Talk about giving people their moneys worth!
Overall, this was one of the most memorable nights out in a long, long time. I really look forward to being a patron at your establishment again and again. Please thank your staff for me for the wonderful evening. Please thank as well the gentlemen who gave me the bottle of wine. That was certainly not expected and he was far too kind!
Also, If you could give Mr. Ranninger my email address as I would really like to get that shrimp recipe from him if he's willing to do so. I would really love to talk to him again about food pairing. I mentioned to him if he'd like, I'll bring some of my home made salsa in for you and your associates next time I'm in your restaurant. This was carried at Costco for alomost two years.
Again, my regards and best to your staff on a fantastic evening. If I can do anything to help you Kaaren, please let me know.
Have a great day!
Cheers,
Michael Campos
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Duke's Chowder House "Reservation ONLY" Wine Dinners have been sellouts since they were first conceived by Duke's
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Another 'more than satisfied' Duke's Wine Dinner diner! |
“We're going to start letting people reserve their Wine Dinners weeks and months in advance,” said Duke as he took a sip from a Caymus Conundrum. “We have an incredible lineup of wines to feature with our new menu, lower prices, and several amazing new entrees I've developed with Executive Chef Bill Ranniger that the 'buzz' alone has people trying to reserve parties of four for early...and dates aren't even set yet!"
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Plain Speak on wines direct from the winery |
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Rick Lyle, a guest at a recent Ruston Way Wine Dinner called it 'An Event In Dining', and you can see by the way the evening is set up - from the group seating, to the private banquet room, to the several courses and several wines paired - the lively conversations and good times are guaranteed!
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'An Event In Dining' yields new friendships and a great evening out! |
Wine Dinner Marketing Director Kaaren Kragerud said the next move is to allow diners to purchase their seats in advance online in Duke's Store. "We have to!" said Kaaren as she nibbled on her Tuna Wasabi Quesadilla. "We hate to turn people away from events like these, so by moving them to our popular banquet rooms and making the reservations gauranteed online and in advance, you can literally pick the Duke's, the winemaker and the location with a click of your mouse. Cheers!"
