Bimonthly wrap party for CityBites' March/April issue

The Date and Time:  Monday, March 18, 2013  6PM to 9PM

The Event: bimonthly wrap party for CityBites' March/April issue.

The Venue: Lo Zingaro, recently opened at 571 Queen St West.

The Target Audience: writers and workers at CityBites magazine.

The Quote/Background: 100 people turned up in celebration. There were beers and sakes, which I didn't have, and bottled water (which I forgot to have).

The Wines: Four wines were part of the party.

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Ravine Vineyard Meritage 2011 VQA Niagara Peninsula, +285627 Vintages $24.95

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Ravine Sand & Gravel York Road White Blend 2012, +260414 LCBO, $16.95

 

*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Rosewood Estates Pinot Noir 2010 VQA Niagara

-Santa Carolina Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Chile

 

The Food: we were treated to off-the-menu platters of deep-fried calamari, salumi & formaggi platters, arancia rice balls with fior di latte and Italian ham and spicy tomato sauce, plus the inevitable specialties of the house: pizzas! We had the Diavolessa (SM tomatoes, spicy salame, pecorino, chili pepper), the Lucifer (SM tomatoes, grilled eggplant, ricotta salata, fior di latte), the Carbonara (housemade guanciale, pecorino, egg, black pepper, etc.), and the Contatto (SM tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, Italian ham, smoked provolone, arugula, etc.). Every pizza was Rome-styled with local cheeses, white sauces, and exceedingly thin crusts. Twelve pizzas are on offer.

The Downside: quite a blustery night

The Upside: good crowd of people, no music blaring.

The Contact Person: Natalie@citybites.ca

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 91.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com