An Exquisite Symphony of Flavors
Bi-weekly Wine Pairing Dinners Featuring Chef Sarah Pliner & Fullerton Wines – Portland, Oregon
One of my favorite things about eating and/or drinking at the Fullerton Wine Bar, is that you feel like one of the family. Alex Fullerton, the cordial and social winemaker, is walking around making casual conversation with guests as he fills your wine glasses, as are his parents, and his brother. It’s one of those rare places where the owners genuinely make you feel like a guest in their home.
The wine bar, located in Northwest Portland, has always been a favorite haunt of mine. Aside from having an interesting selection of single vineyard wines from prominent vineyard sites, it’s also been a place that provided deep comfort during a difficult time.
During the height of the Pandemic, when they finally opened up an outdoor patio for service, I found myself escaping the stress of remote work and lack of social activities with a glass of their Chardonnay & a plate of oysters or bundling up in jackets and scarves to enjoy a plate of short ribs and Syrah in the blistering cold of winter. Fullerton became a place that provided a sense of normalcy during a period of chaos.
When I heard the family launched a new bi-weekly Thursday night dinner series, I was very excited to attend. Chef Sarah Pliner (formerly of Portland’s famed restaurant Aviary) is stretching her culinary muscles creating a multi-course wine pairing dinner that will surely knock your socks off.
I attended the first dinner (July 28, 2022), which I found to be a complex and entrancing symphony of flavors. Each course builds on the next, like the movements in a symphony, designed to bring the audience to its feet at the end. The first course was brisk and lively, the second, more lyrical, the third and fourth more melodic, and then there’s the dessert finale.
The wines are expertly selected to showcase the flavors of the food. Together, they’re an exquisite combination. Winemaking chemistry combines with cooking artistry and imagination – winemaker Alex Fullerton and Chef Sarah Pliner work together to bring their guests the absolute best ingredients in this showstopper dinner.
I highly recommend a visit and that you include the wine pairings option with your meal. In my opinion doing this makes the dinner special & complete. (See Below for More Information and More Photos)
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Additional Wine Pairing Dinner Information
Below you will find details about this wine dinner and below that you will find the menu from the evening Tamara enjoyed the bi-weekly Sarah Pliner Wine Pairing Dinner at the Fullerton Wine Bar.
Chef Sarah Pliner Wine Pairing Dinner Details
The Chef Sarah Pliner Wine Pairings Dinner occur on a bi-weekly basis – every other Thursday at the Fullerton Wine Bar & Tasting Room in Portland, Oregon.
You can check the events page on the Fullerton Wine Website for details about the next one – https://fullertonwines.com/event-calendar/
Please Note – while the Fullerton website does not currently indicate that this dinner series is ongoing or biweekly – Noteworthy Wine Journal staff did speak with the good people at the Fullerton Wine Bar & Tasting Room on Aug 10th, 2022, and they confirmed that for the near future this wonderful dinner is in fact ongoing & biweekly.
We also found the dates for the next three dinners on Explore Tock. Those dates are Aug 25, 2022, September 8, 2022, and Sept 22, 2022. Here is that link – https://www.exploretock.com/fullertonwines
Per the Explore Tock website: The pairing dinner is $85 per person, and an additional $60 per person for accompanying wine pairings. The wine pairing add-on is optional, or you can select from their other wine offerings. They do offer 15-25% off wine pairings for club members and Reservations are required at least 48 hours in advance.
Address:
The Fullerton Wine Bar & Tasting Room
1966 NW Pettygrove St., Portland, Oregon, 97209
Follow Fullerton Wine
Website https://fullertonwines.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fullertonwines
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fullertonwines/
The July 28, 2022, Menu Along with Tamara’s Notes on Some of the Dishes
The menu from the evening Tamara enjoyed the Biweekly Sarah Pliner Wine Pairing Dinners at the Fullerton Wine Bar in Portland Oregon:
Amuse Bouche
A bright and refreshing sun gold gazpacho, with crème fraîche and crispy, yet succulent and tender sweetbreads.
Paired with 2021 Fizzy by Nature Viognier
First Course
Thai snapper and manila clams, with parsley water, pineapple, and sea beans – this dish will blow your mind. Though raw, simple, and clean, the parsley puree was like nothing I have ever experienced and something I want to steal for my own use.
Paired with 2018 Lux Chardonnay
Second Course
Smoked maitake mushrooms, over a fennel purée, with cherry ponzu, lemon balm and capers. The recipe echoed the dark cherry and earthy notes found in the wine.
Paired with 2017 Bjornson Vineyard Pinot Noir
Third Course
Moulard duck breast, with braised endive and green olives, and blueberry jus
Paired with 2017 Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir
Dessert
Roast peach, with honey semifreddo, and a lacey and elegant almond tuile
Paired with 2021 Gertrude Sauvignon Blanc
Amuse Bouche
A bright and refreshing sun gold gazpacho, with crème fraîche and crispy, yet succulent and tender sweetbreads.
Paired with 2021 Fizzy by Nature Viognier
First Course
Thai snapper and manila clams, with parsley water, pineapple, and sea beans – this dish will blow your mind. Though raw, simple, and clean, the parsley puree was like nothing I have ever experienced and something I want to steal for my own use.
Paired with 2018 Lux Chardonnay
Second Course
Smoked maitake mushrooms, over a fennel purée, with cherry ponzu, lemon balm and capers. The recipe echoed the dark cherry and earthy notes found in the wine.
Paired with 2017 Bjornson Vineyard Pinot Noir
Third Course
Moulard duck breast, with braised endive and green olives, and blueberry jus
Paired with 2017 Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir
Dessert
Roast peach, with honey semifreddo, and a lacey and elegant almond tuile
Paired with 2021 Gertrude Sauvignon Blanc
