Litchfield Saltwater Grill

Winter Cocktails

January 18, 2012 at 1:10 pm | Sommelier Corner | Post A Comment

It’s a new season, so our mixologists have been hard at work creating new and tasty concoctions for our guests. We’re excited to reveal the latest additions to our cocktail menu:

Cider Rum Punch Myers Dark Rum, Apple Cider, Dash of Bitters, Home made Thyme Simple Syrup, Splash of Lemon Juice, Club Soda, served on the Rocks, Garnished with a Sprig of Thyme, Apple Slice.

Vanilla Pear Vodka Cocktail Absolut Vanilla, Splash of Vanilla, lots of Pear Juice, Served on the Rocks with a Sugared Rim.

Baltimore Bang Apricot Juice, Bourbon, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, on the rocks, Orange Twist.

Baltimore Bang

Salty Dog

Sunny Cocktails for Snowy Days…

Salty Dog Ketel Vodka, Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice, On the rocks, Salted Rim.

French Gimlet, St-Germain Elderflower, Hendricks Gin, Fresh Lime Juice, Served Chilled straight up.

French Gimlet with St-Germain Elderflower

Cold Cocktails to Warm You Up…

Peppermint Russian  Iced Coffee, Kahlua, Bailey’s, Peppermint Schnapps, on the Rocks.

Coco Rum Iced Coffee Coconut Milk, Malibu, Iced Coffee, Whipped Cream.

All Winter Cocktails are $6 during Happy Hour

A New Year of Wonderful Wines…

January 9, 2012 at 1:17 pm | Uncategorized | Post A Comment

With 2012 upon us already it’s a perfect time to explore some of the great wines that have been recently released. Most of these wines you can find available at a good quality Wine Merchants shop or your favorite on line Wine shopping site. Some are everyday wines and some for that special occasion. Here at The Litchfield Saltwater Grille we painstakingly take it upon ourselves to update our wine list as often as necessary. This takes long hours of reading, learning, drinking, eating and living wine, and we are happy to do it for you. The list I am recommending for you to try will all be available at the Grille to be enjoyed all winter long, maybe with a gourmet dinner by our fireplace or maybe with a few dozen Blue Point Oysters at our Lounge Bar. Whatever way you choose, if you start the New Year out by enjoying some of these fine offerings I’m sure you will be on your way to a fantastic year.

#1… Louis Roederer, Brut Premier N/V…What better way to start then with one of France’s best and moderate priced Champagnes? This bright and juicy celebration beverage is ripe with apple blossoms, pears, spices and herbs, while offering a perfect texture, overall balance and wonderful lasting finish. The Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator Magazine both gave this wine a 92 rating.

#2…Concannon, Conservancy, Crimson and Clover…2009

  After 18 months in the barrel this blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah & Syrah, bursts with flavors of Vanilla & Blackberry along with aromas of Currant and Clove. This is a great wine to pair with a dish of Grilled Artichokes, Smoked Trout or with your favorite Eggplant Casserole. Stock up on this one it’s going to be a long winter.

#3…Martin Ray, Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009

   As one of the pioneers in post prohibition wine country, Martin Ray is still producing some of California’s best priced wines. This full bodied, lush, intense cabernet just oozes with smoky vanilla and rich fruit. A perfect match for any cold New England night, nestled by the fire along with a warm pasta dinner.

#4…Terrabianca Campaccio, Tuscano 2007

   Always a producer of great wines, this 2007 blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon is a perfect balance of ripe fruit and licorice with a light leather aroma. All with a succulent dark structure that will keep drinking well for at least 10 years or more. Another 92 point wine from the Wine Advocate, plus this was the number 36 wine of the year in the top 100 wines from the Wine Spectator Magazine.

#5…Balletto Vineyards Pinot Gris 2009 Russian River Valley

    Just a little west of Sebastopol in Sonoma County this wonderful vineyard with its cool summer nights and foggy mornings produces wines of great depth and distinction that can only be found along the Russian River Valley. The 2009 shows good texture and structure along with a crisp fruity finish. A real mouthful of wine not often tasted among similar priced Pinot Gris from California.

Albe and Daryl Galotta with Balletto wine maker

 #6… Heitz Napa Valley 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon

    Heitz has long been one of the premier wineries of the Napa Valley. This 100% Cabernet is bursting with Chocolate, Dark Cherry, Red raspberry, and spices. This is an intense powerful wine that will always goes great alongside a Standing Rib Roast and a table full of family and friends. What more could you ask for from the fair priced high end wine.

Albe at Heitz

Heitz Napa

   I hope you get to enjoy some of these fun, exciting and affordable selections in the coming months. And please always check The Litchfield Saltwater Grille Wine List for new and special wines.

 Chef, Cellar Master and Blogger…… ALBE GALOTTA

This weekend in Litchfield… “Very Special Holiday List”

December 16, 2011 at 1:34 pm | Uncategorized | Post A Comment

If you are like me you still have a few more things left on your “holiday to do list” and this weekend is the time to finish it. So instead of taking another trip to the mall why not spend a relaxing day in Litchfield?  The cobblestone courtyards, cheerfully decorated shops, and sparkling tree up on the green will be sure to put you in a festive holiday spirit.  In between shopping stop at The Litchfield Saltwater Grille to enjoy a special prix fixe lunch.  Then later in the evening meet back at the Saltwater Grille for live music, dinner, and drinks.  Here is a list of unique gift ideas and Litchfield shops for you to explore this weekend…

Flora & Fauna of Litchfield 10 South Street  Litchfield 

This is such a cute shop that is so “Litchfield.”  My favorites include: Organic Lavender Dead Sea Mineral Salt Scrub and the flavored rose petal sugar cubes.  You are sure to find some very interesting gifts at Flora & Fauna.

Sunset Meadow Vineyards  599 Old Middle Street  Route 63, Goshen

SMV is the perfect place to pick up some wines for your special holiday dinner. This is a great place to shop because you can actually taste the wines before you make a purchase in their beautiful tasting room! Serve the SMV Riesling as an aperitif with hors d’oeuvres, Mom’s famous honey glazed ham with SMV Riesling, SMV Merlot with your roast turkey, and Midnight Ice dessert wine with panettone for dessert. Of course they also have all sorts of unique wine themed gifts great for stocking stuffers, co-workers, and friends. 

Arethusa Farm Dairy Creamery in Bantam  Route 202, Bantam

Arethusa creamery was a regular stop for me in the summertime but did you know they make eggnog?  This is not just any eggnog.  It comes is a collectable glass container perfect for gift giving and is just about as farm fresh as you can possibly get.  You will definitely want to pick up quite a few bottles to use as gifts and to serve at your own holiday table.

The Kitchenworks & Gourmet Gifts   23 West St,  Litchfield

I read a blog today about this great do it yourself gift idea to dress up kitchen towels with a cool fabric trim but I think it is a little late for that.  We have 8 shopping days left folks!  I have purchased quite a few great last minute gifts at Kitchenworks over the years. I bought an awesome slate cheese board with matching coasters and cheese knives for my brother and his girlfriend and my husband a bamboo cutting board.  They also have tons of cookbooks and cool kitchen gadgets.  The best part is they do beautiful gift wrapping at no extra charge.

The Litchfield Hills Wine Market  8 Village Green Dr  Litchfield

The selection at The Litchfield Hills Wine Market is huge and eclectic.  You can find fun affordable brand’s such as Cupcake, perfect for your holiday office swap.  Big name California Cab’s like: Nickel & Nickel, Caymus, and Chateau Montelena for the wine connoisseur on your list.  And wine accessories to dress up your at home holiday gathering.

Plan ahead for this weekend and call 860-567-4900 to make your reservations for a special holiday lunch at The Litchfield Saltwater Grille. For $23 enjoy our “Eat, Drink, & Be Merry Prix Fixe.”  Start with either shrimp cocktail, oysters or clams on the half shell followed by a special salad or soup, and a choice of three seasonal entrees.  View the complete menu here…

Pick up a toy from Mother Goose Toy Shop in the plaza next to The Saltwater Grille to donate to the SWG’s 5^th annual holiday toy drive for the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

Later in the evening head back to the Grille for some live holiday music by the fire accompanied by a warm winter cocktail.  Snack on some light appetizers or reserve a table in the dining room for dinner.

From our family to yours The Litchfield Saltwater Grille wishes you all a very happy, healthy, holiday season.

This “Very Special Holiday List” is brought to you by Brett Clugston, The Litchfield Saltwater Grille

Christmas Eve Sommelier Wine Recommendations

December 15, 2011 at 11:55 am | Sommelier Corner | Post A Comment

Chef Albert is still busy putting the final touches and last minute changes on the Christmas Eve Menu but in the meantime here is a sneak peak at some items that will be featured as well as wine pairing suggestions.

Appetizer: Honey Glazed Ham & Pineapple Skewers with a Red Pepper and Maraschino Cherry Relish

Wine Pick 2009 Domaine Sainte-Eugenie Rose Corbieres France

These honey glazed ham skewers will be a perfect appetizer to share with the whole family.  Since Rose is a classic pairing for the Christmas Ham I choose 2009 Domaine Sainte-Eugenie Rose Corbieres France as the first wine pairing.  American Rose’s can be on the sweeter side so when shopping for a dry Rose keep your eye out for the Corbieres region in France.  Corbieres produces mostly red and rose wines and the main grape varietal used is Carignan.  A light Pinot Noir would pair nicely as well but what better occasion to enjoy a festive pink wine then the holidays?

Entrée: Brick Pressed Cornish Game Hen, Red Currant Pan Jus, Caramelized Endive, Glazed Carrots

I love Cornish Game Hen and this dish just sounds so wintry, perfect for my Christmas Eve dinner by the fire.  Cornish Game Hen is very delicate and requires a wine that will not overpower it.  I am actually torn here between two amazing wines. 

#1 Wine Pick 2005 Breggo Pinot Noir Anderson Valley

Breggo is the antithesis of a fruit bomb California Pinot Noir.  Smokey, earthy, tones with tons texture, followed by a velvety finish.  Anderson Valley wines can be really great hidden gems because they don’t carry all the hype that Napa & Sonoma wines do. 

#2 Wine Pick 2003 Bonny Doony Le Cigare Volant Red Wine California

I just can’t seem to get away from recommending Randall Grahm wines.  Le Cigare Volant is a Rhone blend (mostly Syrah, Grenache, & Mourvedre).  It’s going to be edgy, have great tannins, and lot’s of character.  The root vegetables and the red currants will bring out all the little nuances expressed in this very cool wine.

Randall Grahm with 2003 Bonny Doony Le Cigare Volant Red Wine California

Entrée: Paella Stuffed Lobster, Mussels, Clams, Scallops, Shrimp, Chorizo, Chicken, Garlic Lemon Butter

Wine Pick 2006 Corey Creek Gewurztraminer North Fork of Long Island

Gewurztraminer is my favorite winter white wine. It usually pairs well with unique ethic flavors and spices.  The saffron, spicy Chorizo, garlic, and juicy lobster meat are going to be so delicious with this Gewurztraminer.  And the best part is it’s local: North Fork Long Island. 

Check out the entire Saltwater Grille wine list here to plan your special Christmas Eve wines…

Article by Brett Clugston, Saltwater Grille Sommelier

Tip: Shopping for wines for the holiday? Our favorite local wine store: Litchfield Hills Wine Market.  Check it out here…

A very special Christmas List…

December 8, 2011 at 6:12 pm | Sommelier Corner | Post A Comment

As we all get ready to watch another year rapidly come to an end, we all enjoy looking back on the time gone by.  2011 was a good year, lots of memories earned, plenty of good times, a few bumps, but mostly a year to count our blessings.

One of the highlights of 2011, for us, was our annual fall venture to the west coast for harvest time.  This year our plans landed us in California wine country, exploring everywhere from Napa Valley to Lake County and back again through Sonoma County.  It was a wonderful trip seeing old friends, enjoying the harvest season and drinking lots of wine.

No more than a day or two into our trip, while enjoying some of California’s best vineyards we came upon a chance meeting with a jolly old man named Kris.  Now Kris was the kind of guy that turned heads when he entered a room (even if he didn’t use the door).  He was a bit thick in the girth with fairly long white hair & a long unkempt white beard to match & all dressed in red. 

Kris, along with his two short friends and Daryl & I, spent the next few days together touring the valley and stopping at a number of fine properties that Kris had recommended.  We enjoyed Pinot Noirs, Cabernets, Chardonnays and Zinfandels along with each other’s company.  Kris kept a detailed list of his favorites and said he planned to give a few of his favorites to some very special people for gifts when he returned home.  On our last afternoon while enjoying some wonderful wines high atop Atlas Peak at the Stagecoach vineyards the strangest thing happened.  One minute we were sipping wine with our hosts enjoying the sunset and discussing the wineries history when high over our heads to all our surprise we saw the vineyards Stagecoach take off over the valley with Kris and his friends waving us good-bye as he drove out of sight.  We never knew exactly what went on or where he was headed but as he left he dropped his very special list and we thought we would pass it on to you.  Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year with great stories and lots of blessings for all.

KRIS’S LIST

Krupp Brothers The Doctor Stagecoach Vineyards Red Blend 2007

Darioush Napa Valley Vineyard Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Langtry Estates Serpentine Meadow Petite Syrah 2005

Balletto Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Gris 2009

J Vineyards and Winery Brut Rose non vintage

Kunde Vineyards Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc 2009

All our best, Daryl & Albe