News & Events
Croatia is in the house!
Special Croatian Menu, Summer 2010
Throughout this summer, in addition to our menu of classic favorites, Lavanda will feature a special Croatian menu, with local favorites of our own Luka Dvornik. His wealth of knowledge of those amazing dishes means exciting new dining experiences for you!
Dok je srca, bit će i Kroacije
Special Croatian Menu, Summer 2010
Throughout this summer, in addition to our menu of classic favorites, Lavanda will feature a special Croatian menu, with local favorites of our own Luka Dvornik. His wealth of knowledge of those amazing dishes means exciting new dining experiences for you!
Dok je srca, bit će i Kroacije
Riesling Week dining
during the week from July 27th through 31st
This week is Riesling Week across the U.S. I could not think of a nicer restaurant to feature two of our Rieslings: Chez TJ, the only Michelin starred restaurant in the heart of Silicon Valley. The two very special wines are: Weinrieder Riesling Eiswein 2002, Austria and Enjingi Rajnski Rizling (Rhein Riesling) 2006, Croatia. The Enjingi Riesling is absolutely stunning as it was harvested late with 236 g/l sugar and then vinified DRY. Weinrieder's Riesling Eiswein 2002 delivers a cornucopia of subtle taste sensations - just what you expect from a World Champion of Eiswein.
during the week from July 27th through 31st
This week is Riesling Week across the U.S. I could not think of a nicer restaurant to feature two of our Rieslings: Chez TJ, the only Michelin starred restaurant in the heart of Silicon Valley. The two very special wines are: Weinrieder Riesling Eiswein 2002, Austria and Enjingi Rajnski Rizling (Rhein Riesling) 2006, Croatia. The Enjingi Riesling is absolutely stunning as it was harvested late with 236 g/l sugar and then vinified DRY. Weinrieder's Riesling Eiswein 2002 delivers a cornucopia of subtle taste sensations - just what you expect from a World Champion of Eiswein.
Adventures On The Trail Of The Habsburg Empire Wine Dinner
Thursday, 22 July from 7pm to 10pm
Five Courses. Four countries. Three Courses. Journey through The House of Habsburg with an inspired degustation menu of Chef Elizabeth Binder's creations that draw from her mastery of Italian cuisine, infuse them with influences from today's Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, and Hungary, and prepares them from locally sourced organic and sustainable ingredients.
Thursday, 22 July from 7pm to 10pm
Five Courses. Four countries. Three Courses. Journey through The House of Habsburg with an inspired degustation menu of Chef Elizabeth Binder's creations that draw from her mastery of Italian cuisine, infuse them with influences from today's Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, and Hungary, and prepares them from locally sourced organic and sustainable ingredients.
Grand Opening: Locanda da Eva
Grand Opening: Tuesday, July 20
Our friend and wine geek Robert Lauriston is about to open his first restaurant with the enticing name Locanda da Eva in Berkeley. We wish him well and hope that you will visit Locanda. It goes without saying that Robert will offer a few of our wines on his list.
Read the SF Weekly interview with Robert for more information.
This just in: Robert has ordered the first commercial bottling of a historic wine: Zlatan Crljenak made from the original Croatian Zinfandel Crljenak Kaštelanski by wine maker superstar Zlatan Plenkovic. That's true to form for a wine geek like Robert who has already tasted more than 300(!) grape varieties to celebrate the Grand Opening of his first restaurant in style.
Grand Opening: Tuesday, July 20
Our friend and wine geek Robert Lauriston is about to open his first restaurant with the enticing name Locanda da Eva in Berkeley. We wish him well and hope that you will visit Locanda. It goes without saying that Robert will offer a few of our wines on his list.
Read the SF Weekly interview with Robert for more information.
This just in: Robert has ordered the first commercial bottling of a historic wine: Zlatan Crljenak made from the original Croatian Zinfandel Crljenak Kaštelanski by wine maker superstar Zlatan Plenkovic. That's true to form for a wine geek like Robert who has already tasted more than 300(!) grape varieties to celebrate the Grand Opening of his first restaurant in style.
Monday Supper at LOU Pinela
Monday, July 19, from 6pm
Lou Amdur owner of arguably LA’s most passionate wine bar, LOU on Vine, wrote an introduction to the Batic Pinela that must be shared. It really captures the awestruck sense of wonder and delight that make Batic and more particularly the Pinela so special. If you have never met the man sit at the bar in the back of the restaurant have a chat and taste through his kaleidoscopic array of soulful wines, but go soon if you want to taste the Pinela we already ran out of it and we didn’t even remember to save any it for ourselves.
Each Monday night Lou offers a wine tasting supper consisting of three courses with matching wines for $55. We serve supper from 6 to 11, and you do not need to make a reservation (although if you are bringing a group of six or more, please call us at 323 962 6369 after 5 PM to let us know).
Monday, July 19, from 6pm
Lou Amdur owner of arguably LA’s most passionate wine bar, LOU on Vine, wrote an introduction to the Batic Pinela that must be shared. It really captures the awestruck sense of wonder and delight that make Batic and more particularly the Pinela so special. If you have never met the man sit at the bar in the back of the restaurant have a chat and taste through his kaleidoscopic array of soulful wines, but go soon if you want to taste the Pinela we already ran out of it and we didn’t even remember to save any it for ourselves.
Each Monday night Lou offers a wine tasting supper consisting of three courses with matching wines for $55. We serve supper from 6 to 11, and you do not need to make a reservation (although if you are bringing a group of six or more, please call us at 323 962 6369 after 5 PM to let us know).
Six Taste Wine Series: Filipino Cuisine
Friday, July 23rd, 7pm
This event will be the first public event in Los Angeles to meld Filipino food with wine in a modern environment. Guest sommelier Santos Uy, co-owner of wine bars Mignon and Bacaro LA in Los Angeles, will pair and present wines at the event. Two of Santos' selections are from our portfolio, the hyper aromatic Irsai Oliver from Hungarian vintner Szoke and a Slovenian Yellow Muscat from Tilia. We are curious how well these Central-European wines will pair with spicy Asian Filipino food.
Friday, July 23rd, 7pm
This event will be the first public event in Los Angeles to meld Filipino food with wine in a modern environment. Guest sommelier Santos Uy, co-owner of wine bars Mignon and Bacaro LA in Los Angeles, will pair and present wines at the event. Two of Santos' selections are from our portfolio, the hyper aromatic Irsai Oliver from Hungarian vintner Szoke and a Slovenian Yellow Muscat from Tilia. We are curious how well these Central-European wines will pair with spicy Asian Filipino food.
Memories of a trip to Hungary
A personal selection of Hungarian wines
After A Cote's General Manager and Wine Director, Jeff Berlin, returned from a recent trip to Hungary's wine regions, he was so excited about the wines he had tasted there, that he immediately created a flight of Hungarian wines. Ask Jeff for recommendations, this man has seen and tasted everything in person.
A personal selection of Hungarian wines
After A Cote's General Manager and Wine Director, Jeff Berlin, returned from a recent trip to Hungary's wine regions, he was so excited about the wines he had tasted there, that he immediately created a flight of Hungarian wines. Ask Jeff for recommendations, this man has seen and tasted everything in person.
Central-Eastern European Tasting
Friday, July 16th, 4-9pm (with Stetson)
Saturday, July 17th, 12-9pm (without Stetson)
Stetson has just returned from Eastern Europe with a whole new level of excited intensity. He has been preaching about the Cabernet based wines and how they easily compete with much from California or France, so I decided to let the wine do the talking. We'll be tasting some of his latest finds. On Friday evening, Stetson will be here to discuss his experiences in Eastern Europe; the wines, the political landscape, and even religion if you ask for it. And if you want to avoid him, come in on Saturday.
Friday, July 16th, 4-9pm (with Stetson)
Saturday, July 17th, 12-9pm (without Stetson)
Stetson has just returned from Eastern Europe with a whole new level of excited intensity. He has been preaching about the Cabernet based wines and how they easily compete with much from California or France, so I decided to let the wine do the talking. We'll be tasting some of his latest finds. On Friday evening, Stetson will be here to discuss his experiences in Eastern Europe; the wines, the political landscape, and even religion if you ask for it. And if you want to avoid him, come in on Saturday.
Adventures On The Trail Of The Habsburg Empire Cheese + Wine Tasting
Saturday, 17 July 2010 from 2pm to 4pm
While Christopher was scouring the trail of the Habsburgs for viniculture treasures, consulting cheese director, Daphne Zepos was in France finding the best of cheeses from Spring milk. This tasting will highlight some of Christopher's finds from Austria, coastal Croatia, and eastern Slovenia and Daphne will present some of her French cheese finds that are just beginning to ripen and fully expose their maker's touch.
Saturday, 17 July 2010 from 2pm to 4pm
While Christopher was scouring the trail of the Habsburgs for viniculture treasures, consulting cheese director, Daphne Zepos was in France finding the best of cheeses from Spring milk. This tasting will highlight some of Christopher's finds from Austria, coastal Croatia, and eastern Slovenia and Daphne will present some of her French cheese finds that are just beginning to ripen and fully expose their maker's touch.
Opening with Special Treats
A wine list with many rare treats
Our friend Santos Uy opened Mignon, his second wine bar in downtown L.A. after our return from Austria and Hungary. Santos offers special liquid treats on his list. Try the superb Demeter Harslevelu (if there is any left!), a Gere Portugieser, or the Zlahtina from Sipun on the Island of Krk in Croatia. We promise, you will be delighted.
A wine list with many rare treats
Our friend Santos Uy opened Mignon, his second wine bar in downtown L.A. after our return from Austria and Hungary. Santos offers special liquid treats on his list. Try the superb Demeter Harslevelu (if there is any left!), a Gere Portugieser, or the Zlahtina from Sipun on the Island of Krk in Croatia. We promise, you will be delighted.