Happy Wine Wednesday!
My birthday was over a month ago and we are now upon Rob’s birthday month and dinner choice. {For the record, I suggested that we go to Barley John’s (never been) and stop at the Hammerheart Brewery (also never been) on the way back. But as of right now, Rob has chosen here (never been). Seriously. But there’s still time for him to change his mind…
Because I did that the week of my birthday! I made Rob cancel our other reservations when I remembered that I wanted to go back to Terzo. It was my only opportunity to get him there. I wasn’t sure that this was a place I could normally convince Rob to go…
We didn’t have to make reservations because Terzo “reserves” half of its tables for walk-ins. Still, we arrived at opening and had a seat at the bar. (Our favorite place!)
The Happy Hour special included glasses of Barbaresco for $15.
It’s rare to see Barbaresco {a higher end Italian wine made from the Nebbiolo grape} by the glass. Sure, $15 is a little spendy for a glass of wine; but considering how much a bottle of Barbarsco can be, it most likely won’t find its way into our house any time soon. So I started with a glass. Rob chose the local Indeed Sweet Yamma Jamma Ale.
Then, the ever-changing menu:
Rob really wanted to try the Chips and Dip:
house potato chips with aioli – $4
We’ve been finding homemade chips and dip around a lot of places in the Twin Cities over the past six months or so. These did not disappoint. There were two kinds of sauces to choose from and when I asked Rob which one, he said, “You choose! It’s your birthday!” The bartender then wished me a Happy Birthday, of course. But I chose the wrong sauce! I selected the one I thought Rob would like (which had garlic in it) instead of the other (which might have been a roasted red pepper kind?). All I could taste was lemon in this sauce. No worries, though, the chips didn’t need them!
I also knew from my last visit that we had to have the bruschetta trio. And I didn’t forget to take a photo this time!
bruschetta trio – tomato & egg yolk, truffle mushroom, garlic & oil – $13
Rob’s fave was the truffle mushroom. I loved them all! Then we took a look at the extensive wine list. All of the wines at Terzo are Italian. Look at all of these Barberas!
Because Terzo specializes in one area, they can narrow their focus and the wine bar thing right. It’s why I consider it the Best Wine Bar I’ve been to in the Twin Cities! While perusing the list, I could not find the wine on the menu that Jaime and I had and loved. But now that I look at this photo – I found it! It’s the Lagone – the second Super Tuscan on the list.
But that night, I hadn’t seen it. So we asked our bartender for a suggestion based on our favorite style (big, bold reds) and price point. As you can see, most of the wines are quite expensive on this list. Generally, I stay in the $30-$45 range. But we were celebrating. This was the wine recommended to us by two of the staff members. They said that we would not be disappointed.
And they were right! We went crazy over this Super Tuscan. It’s definitely one I’d buy in a store if I ever found it. We savored that bottle to its fullest throughout our meal.
I was in a salad mood:
insalata di stagione – mixed greens, roasted butternut squash, smoked goat cheese, rosemary vinaigrette, figs, candied pistachio – $9
This was one of the best salads I’ve ever had! There was a hint of sweetness that made me call it a “dessert salad,” but it really wasn’t that sweet. I just loved the combination of flavors. Rob even agreed that it was exceptional and he doesn’t even like goat cheese. I will get this salad every time it is offered.
I knew Rob wanted to try the Truffled Mushroom Porchetta Sandwich. At this point, I was a lot less hungry than when we arrived. I couldn’t imagine ordering the full entree that I had originally intended. Sure, it was just the Seared Sea Scallops that I wanted; but it was still a full entree! Besides, my dish now had to contend with a big, bold red wine. So instead, I convinced Rob to split the steak. I already knew how much I loved it last time!
manzo – pan-seared Grass Run Farms flat iron steak charred carrots, cipollini onion, parsnip puree, barbera demi – $26
Unfortunately, the steak didn’t live up to my hype. This time around, it was overpowered by peppercorns and was a little underdone to my liking. We still had no problem polishing it off. But I will be ordering something different next time.
And because the bartender heard it was my birthday – this:
She let me choose any dessert I wanted off of their menu that night. This was a deconstructed tiramisu of sorts, à la mode of course. We had a little trouble finishing it. We did overindulge! Still, I may have had a glass of Vin Santo after that…
Vin Santo – traditional Tuscan dessert wine
I hadn’t had Vin Santo since I had been to Tuscany, where Rob proposed in 2008. That was an all-expense paid trip I earned through The Traveling Vineyard. We were served Vin Santo after just about every lunch and dinner we had there!
What I can tell you… Terzo won Rob over. And we will be back. He still has to get his Porchetta Sandwich, no?
Where do you like to dine to celebrate special occassions where you live?
Cheers~
Carrie
Season It Already! 
That all looks so delicious and nummy, especially the wine! Always nice to enjoy a birthday like that! I have a tendency to pop in Toast Wine Bar for Celebration nights quite often.
As much as I’d like to indulge in more talk of the best parts of birthdays, I admit I have another reason for writing today! Normally I’d send a message, but this is the only way I could find to contact you, so pardon if any of this is presumptuous or intrusive! But, with your obvious interest in delicious food and drink, I thought you’d be interested to hear about a new store in Maple Grove called Vom Fass. They’re like those Oil and Vinegar tasting stores, but they have a big selection, the vinegars are purely fruit-based (no flavored balsamics), it’s all natural and organic (and delicious), but best of all they have a side of Liqueurs and Spirits that are also free to taste and sample to anyone! Even a little wine selection (still working on getting it safely sampled out though). I just started working there, I absolutely love our stock, and I wanted to find some of my fellow bloggers who’d be interested in this sort of thing. We’d love to have you pop over and give us your opinion of our products!
If you’re interested, we’re in the Arbor Lakes Shoppes area, down the street from Trader Joes (heading North) and between Punch Pizza and Teavanna (they’re fun too, we’re starting to work with them on tea pairings). Hope to see you soon, and good luck in all your other upcoming culinary and wandering adventures!
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