Crafted Southern Speakeasy is not just a place to get hand-crafted cocktails and a bite to eat. No, it is sooo much more than that. They have events there that are really thoughtful and upscale! I’ve been to tea parties, maker’s workshops where you make a seasonal craft, trivia nights, game nights and now I’ve been to a special 5-course dinner with wine pairings. This was definitely a night to remember!
We were an intimate group of only 12 and the representatives for Babylonstoren were on hand to guide us through the pairing with each dish. It was very informative and delicious!
The room was beautifully decorated. I just walked around before the dinner really began and snapped pictures because I was so charmed by all of the little touches that were brought in to enhance our dinner.
Now, let’s get down to the reason we’re here: the food. Oh wow.
Oyster with Shallot Mignonette & Orange Zest Paired along side Babylonstoren Chenin Blanc: Delicious subtle yet briny oyster perfectly matched with the tart mignonette.
Mixed Greens Salad paired along side Babylonstoren Chardonnay: This salad was lightly dressed, but packed a big punch of flavor with the shaved Parmesan on top.
Lamb Lollipop over Cauliflower Mash alongside Sherried tomatoes with Fresh Grilled veggies paired with a Babylonstoren Babel Red Blend: This was my very favorite dish of the night! I didn’t even know lamb could taste like this! Perfectly seared and seasoned. And what a revelation that cauliflower could taste this yummy! Game changer!
Osso Bucco paired with the award-winning Babylonstoren Nebuchadnezzar red blend: I could tell this was cooked well, but I was unprepared for how much I was going to have to work for just a little bit of meat! This was my first time trying oxtails, and it reminded me of pot roast with more fat and tendon. The risotto, though. That was the real deal. Speckled with sauteed mushrooms, I could live off of that stuff. The tender carrots, infused with that oxtail flavor were also winners.
Strawberry Basil Shortbread served alongside Babylonstoren Rose: This surprisingly delicate dessert was the perfect finish to the bold dishes we’d sampled. The strawberries were plump and ripe and lightly macerated with sugar and the shortbread was dense enough to hold up to the sweet juices those berries gave off. But my favorite component was this Chantilly cream that sat atop this dessert. It was like eating a sweet cloud. I still think about that cream.
What a wonderful night at Crafted Southern Speakeasy! We will be back for many more!
barenakedchefsaidso.com 
2 thoughts on “South African Wine Dinner at Crafted Southern Speakeasy”