Last night I was invited to join a group of 10 fun ladies at Bocado, a tapas restaurant in Worcester. On the last Monday of every month, they pair several courses of food with different wines from Spain. With 6 gourmet courses, 4 glasses of amazing wine and a bonus glass of sangria, it was an amazing deal for only $45. Plus, the host and chef come out prior to each course to tell you all about what you will be eating and drinking. I totally felt like a judge on a cooking show.
Walk with me through the forest of food, would you please?
When we entered the room, we were handed a glass of red sangria, which was light and refreshing and not too sweet. It complimented the first course, which was an assortment of "artisan cheeses and charcuterie, Chef's selection of assorted pinchos and tapas". I would have been satisfied leaving after this plate alone. Those balls? Deep fried risotto stuffed with shrimpy goodness (the white ones) and ham and cheese (the yellow one). Oh, those balls...
The 1st course was served with a glass of white, a 2010 albarino from Rias Biaxas. It was a golden crab cake over red cabbage, topped with mango salsa and drizzled with grapefruit honey. As tasty as it was pretty.
For the 2nd course we switched to red, a 2008 garnacha (grenache) from Calatayud. It was served with baby romaine lettuce and three slices of juicy roasted Kumato tomatoes that were topped with parmesan and an amazing smoky salt. The romaine was topped with a green olive and caper dressing that had toasted anise in it (which worried me because I HATE anise), but the flavor was extremely light and surprisingly delicious.
The 3rd course continued on with the reds, switching to a 2009 tempranillo from Ribera Del Jucar. It was served with veal meatballs (another thing I don't eat but took a risk and WOW so good), mushroom ragout (get in mah belly), and grilled flat bread with a blue cheese/parsley spread drizzled with chili oil. Amazing.
The 4th and final course before dessert was served with a 2006 alaia (preito pecudo/tempranillo/merlot mix) from Castilly y Leon. My favorite wine of the evening. The course was Barcelona prime rib with stewed white beans and crumbled goat cheese. At this point I was so full I'm not sure I was even tasting anything.
Finally, I was thrilled to find out that dessert would not be off limits for me. I gave up sweets for lent, but dessert was dried fig and date compote with golden raisins and fresh berries served over plain Greek yogurt. Seeing as that's something I would have for breakfast, I felt fine about eating it. It was the perfect finish.
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