Because you asked. . .

Many of you have, (for some time now), been asking, (rather incessantly), how much you would love to have one of our aprons and when we are going to sell them. Well, your wish has been granted (and we are happy to do so). So we now have our classic black apron, embroidered with our soon to be famous logo, for you to purchase for your self (you know you want one) or for a gift. Cheers.

This weekend. . .

This weekend we will be featuring something out of the ordinary, unless you live in Japan then this will all seem very mundane. For our lunch special this weekend we will be serving cold UDON Noodles with Mentsuyu dipping sauce. While this is a common dish in Japan in the spring and summer, my bet is that very few of you have had the pleasure of tasting it. There is something truly satisfying about a bowl of noodles weather they be hot or cold. It is just something that nourishes body and soul, when prepared with care and attention of course. A bowl of cold Udon and sauce will set you back a fiver. Add a cold Orion or Sapporo Reserve a little oi kimchee and you have a very tasty and refreshing lunch that is quite out of the ordinary, for Walla Walla, for under $15. Hard to beat that anywhere. Come in and see what you have been missing and get some soul food Japanese style. Hi Ya!
Cheers.

Providence

What is Providence? In this case it is a small winery in New Zealand that makes an amazing wine called Matakana. Matakana happens to be the area in New Zealand that the winery is in.
Jim Vuletic is the man behind Providence Vineyards. Along with his lovely wife Jane he looks after and runs one of New Zealand’s most impressive vineyards situated at Matakana, 50 miles north of Auckland, a region marked by its maritime climate. This tiny, 2 hectare vineyard is situated on a sunny north,(remember south of the equator), facing slope and is planted in Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Syrah vines. Clay soils of volcanic origin high in mineral content and trace elements impart unique aromatic characteristics and flavours to their wines. The juice is fermented and macerated in wooden open top vats (made from native and imported woods, some almost 80 years old) for 18-21 days and then aged in chateau model barriques (100% new each year). The characteristic ripe soft tannins and gentle acidity are expressed in an elegant and harmonious manner.
This was a great vintage thanks to a warm, dry year. It has a ripeness that runs through the full length of the wine, with wonderful forest floor characteristics. Very elegant with fine delicate tannins, well balanced with a wonderful finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec.
What you have is a Bordeaux like blend that is more like Bordeaux than New Zeland. Amazing flavours that you usually only find in really pricey wines, which is why this wine usually goes for close to $100 btl. But we happen to have it for a steal. Why? Providence.This is one of those odd happenings in life where things just line up to the benefit of all, "directing the universe and the affairs of humankind with wise benevolence" so sayeth wikipedia. We have 26 btls of the 2002 Matakana available
but once gone, that's it. Did I mention that it is only $32 btl? Cheers.

Isle of Mull Cheddar

We just, literally, cut into an Isle of Mull cheddar wheel. 50+ pounds of yummy cheddar goodness. This wheel we have been ageing since November and the flavours are astonishing. Tangy with a sweetness that you only find in really great cow's milk cheese. I am so geeked out about this cheese right now that I can't even put into proper words how good this one is. You really must come in today to taste this. Wow.

Think you know Alsatian wines? Think again.

Domaine Zind Humbrecht makes good wines, but this is something that you may never have had or even considered. Zind is a blend of 65% Chardonnay and 35% Auxerrois. Flavours start off like really great unoaked, non malolactic chardonnay, but there is this chalky minerality that comes through on the finish that really makes you take notice. The minerality really drives this wine home. It is unexpected and really wonderful. Like drinking really great chablis grown in limestone. There is a great richness to this wine that is balanced by the bright acidity that keeps the palate lively. This is truly one of the best white wines I have had in a long time. Maybe because it is so different than what you expect. . .