Restaurant Riff – Stone Balloon Winehouse
Here’s one write-up about the Stone Balloon that doesn’t include: waxing nostalgic about the Old Stone Balloon, beer-sticky floors, mugs, Dave Matthews Band, stones or balloons. Yes, I went to the University of Delaware. No, I didn’t patronize the Stone Balloon.
Sorry.
But I have been really excited to check out the New Stone Balloon Winehouse since it opened, and on a muggy Sunday night, I finally got my chance.
Thanks to this story, I knew the Rose Giroso-designed dining room was exquisitely put together in warm, Tuscan earth tones. Even cooler, there are wine bottles everywhere. We were seated next to a sizable wine rack that held bottles of Bouchaine Vineyards, probably held over from this wine dinner.
I started out with a glass of Paradocx Winery’s Touriga and a chef’s cheese board. Jason Dietterick picked us out some good ones, particularly the Lamb Chopper from California producers Cypress Grove.
It was Sunday night, so it felt right to order from SBW’s prix fixe family-style dinner menu. For one price, we shared a half chicken, roasted with Old Bay and beer, crispy fingerling potatoes, and roasted seasonal veggies (ours included Brussels sprouts, carrots, leeks, parsnips and a few others). Thomas Keller will tell you there’s nothing better than simple roast chicken, and he’s right. Dietterick’s version–beautifully bronzed and crispy with seasoning–truly hit the spot. The mountain of spuds, too, were so good, we wound up taking a few home with us.
Had I not been driving, I would’ve had a lot more wine from Stone Balloon’s cool Cruvinet system, which is sort of like a beer tap for wines. Except this one (below) more closely resembles a vending machine. How tantalizing is that? It seemed to be working on the collection of UD dude-bros who had gathered at the bar to watch Sunday Night Football. Next time, I’ll join them.
Free Beer: We have only three Iron Hill gift cards to give out, and here’s your shot at one of the final three.
Just like last week, the first person who emails me the correct answer to the following Iron Hill-centric trivia question gets a shiny new $10 gift card rushed to them in the mail.
Here’s the question:
Q: In what year did the flagship Newark location first open its doors?
Once again send your answer to mamis@delawaretoday.com, and keep checking back for more chances to win. Do not leave your answer in the comments section.
***UPDATE*** We have a winner for gift card No. 3, and it’s Brie Rivera of Wilmington! Thanks to all who played. The flagship Iron Hill Brewery in Newark opened its doors in 1996.
Tuesday, November 2: Wilmington’s Union City Grille will host Italian vintners Borgo Stajnbech and its proprietor Adriana Marinatto Tuesday for another in its series of meet-the-winemaker dinners.
Starting with a reception at 6:30, Marinatto and UCG chef Matthew Curtis will present a meal in five courses, with tastings and a brief lesson on Borgo Stajnbech wines along the way.
Here’s a glimpse at the menu:
Reception:
“Cichetti” assorted traditional small bites
Borgo Stajnbech 2008 Sauvignon Blanc
Insalata:
Warmed Radicchio with crisp pancetta, balsamic and rosemary
Borgo Stajnbech 2009 Pinot Grigio
Secondo:
Scampi alla Busara
Scampi sautéed with red chilies and pomodoro tossed with Bigoli pasta
Borgo Stajnbech 2007 Malbec
Entrée:
Filetto di manzo
Filet Mignon pan roasted with Sage, Rosso reduction
Served with soft yellow polenta & porcini ragu
Borgo Stajnbech 2005 Rosso
Dessert:
“Sgroppino”
Lemon sorbet and prosecco
Furlan Giuliano NV Prosecco
Call 654-9780 to reserve your spot. Cost is just $50 per person, inclusive.
