when electric violins fly

Don't ask about the title quite yet :). I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. Too much actually. I was beyond ready to go to sleep but I haven't yet been able to because of it. Boo those thoughts swimming around in that head of mine! In an attempt to put my mind at ease, I will blog. I will also say this once, and only once, boys are bothersome. Now to continue with the alliteration: Zappa & Zin...

Tuesday night, Leslie and I had yet another one of our wine tasting adventures at City Winery. This lofty wine bar was unlike any other we had ever been to in Manhattan. It is the first full-service winery that the city has seen in quite some time now... but that's not even the half of it. "City Winery's 21,000-square foot houses a wine bar, Murray's Cheese bar, a wine-focused restaurant, and a stage for musical talent from Philip Glass to Joan Osborne." Basically, our fortunate antioxidant-rich cup runneth over. Thank you New York Magazine.

We didn't just venture in on a whim, either. Oh no. We reserved seats on one of the summer's last music and wine pairing. In a large yet intimate setting we sat with men and women and countless glasses as we listened to the rock, jazz, electronic, and orchestral melodies of the late Frank Zappa. Please note that although the glasses in the photo above appear to be empty, they hosted not one, not two, but three wine flights at various points throughout the night.

I often wonder when I became such a "wino." I was convinced that it could be traced back to my year abroad, although focusing on it more closely, I can't be so sure. Not that it really matters at all :). One thing I do know is that I am so glad to have had the opportunity to explore it more thoroughly in a little known wine country like Chile and a classic veteran like France. I was once living the dream, my friends, living the dream.

Anyway! Each flight was thoughtfully paired with the musical selection. The wine tastings ranged from homegrown California Zinfandels to their probable origins like the Austria Zwiegelt or Italian Primitivo. Although pours were inconsistent (I really hope they were understaffed because I do not want to have to give such a negative review of their services) they were sinfully generous. So much so that Leslie and I had no other choice but to order food.

Our selection? Their organic whole wheat flat bread topped with ricotta, spinach, and oven dried tomatoes. Please trust me on this one: it was phenomenal. The sauce was more than incredibly flavorful and fresh. And, now that I'm thinking about it, the night was actually quite stellar overall. It was filled with good wine, good food, good music (the band had an amazing electric violinist who has quickly become my rebellious idol), and after the show ended, good conversation with one of the best of friends. Life can be so uncomplicated sometimes.