Seven course wine pairing dinner

Hey guys!

I'm whipping out my culinary skills again and tackling a seven course meal, paired with wines. I'll do the shopping, and donate the time to prepare this meal.

You will be asked to do the following:

Pre-pay the costs of the food for all seven courses (plus an intermezzo), of $45, in advance; and

Bring your appetite and a wine for one of the courses (and you'll be told which wine to bring).

The seven course wine pairing menu is based on what's fresh at the Farmer's Markets in Orange County that week, but the courses are something like this:

Course one (Appetizer): Goat Cheese crostini, Portobello, Roasted Pepper, with seared scallops
Served with a dry and sparkling white champagne

Course two (Greens): Mesclun and Belgian endives with tomatoes, pears, berries, and vinaigrette
Served with aromatic and fully body white wine (chablis, chardonnay, reisling, gurwurtzemeiner, sauvignon blanc)

Course three (Soup): Pumpkin with crème fraiche and crab
Served with a light, dry red wine (Barbera, Chianti, Pinot Noir)

Course four (Seafood): Wild ocean caught fish steak (depending on what’s fresh that day) with a ginger reduction and saffron risotto
Served with a medium body red wine (montepulciano, valpolicella, crianza)

Intermezzo – palate cleanser (sorbet)

Course five (Pasta): Fettucini pasta with wild mushroom ragout
Served with an Elegant full body red wine (Malbec, Bordeaux, Meritage)

Course Six (Meat): Filet mignon medallions with red wine rosemary reduction, asparagus, baby carrots
Served with a Bold full body red wine (Zinfandel, Cabernet, Merlot, Shiraz)

Course Seven (Dessert): Dark chocolate port espresso soufflé with vanilla bean ice cream
Served with Dessert wine or port

Here are the rules...

1. This is in a private residence. Please be as respectful, as I know you would be, at anyone's home.

2. I don't encourage drinking and driving. This is a tasting, so conduct your drinking accordingly. If you want to have a cab pick you up, or a friend drive you from the event, that's encouraged. I will have plenty of non-alcoholic options for those who choose not to partake in the wine portion of the event. If you do drink, pace yourself with water, small tastes, and plenty of food.

3. This will take a long time. Each course is prepared fresh, and there will be plenty of stimulating conversation between glasses and dishes, and you should plan on this taking hours.

4. If you are not certain you can make this event, I encourage you to RSVP no, and let someone else have a spot. This dinner will repeat every four months.

Bon appetit!

~Roberto