[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by asianthree

In the past few years in other states we have enjoyed over 20 wine dinners at Carrabba’s restaurant. Alway top notch service, in the back dining away from regular clientele, with candles, tablecloths, and great ambience.

Details to make the dinners special, one could sit at tables of 2, 4 largest 6, for couples who booked together. Excellent food, with well appointed wines, from high end wineries.

Cost starting from $50–100 per person, 4 course meal, with 4 different wines, which not only reflects on the food served, but wineries like Silver Oak, Duck Horn, Cake bread, to name a few.

So we were happily that Lady Lake offered a wine dinner this week with Caymus wine.

The dinner, not a wine class, but four courses pair with wine for each course, was staged in the bar. 4 booths, 2 tables of four, and two of their long narrow high top that sat ten each. Even though they closed the bar, some kept walking in. Have to say over $200 per couple, sitting at a narrow bar high top made the dinner uncomfortable, night.

Felt that whoever organized the dinner either didn’t have the foresight, or care what should have been a memorable wine dinner. Sent pics to one of the managers at a location we frequented for prior events, he was to say the least disappointed that dinner looked like a regular bar event.

The event person, seemed flustered, and little unorganized, told two couples, that this was their set up, if you aren’t a fan, maybe Ocala would be a better venue.

While the food was good, wine of course was excellent, we will be traveling to another location, for a venue that equals an upscale event.

Oh no - sounds like your experience was less than “ideal”. I too enjoyed attending wine pairing dinners before moving to The Villages back home - at least once per month for many years - restaurants would actually close down for an entire night to host the dinner - with wines from either a particular geographical region, or a particular winery - usually five courses with five wines, served with a chef- created menu to match each pairing. A sommelier would be on hand to introduce each wine and talk about the food pairing. One would then have the option of purchasing any of the featured wines at a discount.

I wasnt expecting to find something like this in The Villages (though would be nice), but I am looking forward to a wine tasting event next Friday at the Sawgrass Show Kitchen (two seatings, one at noon and the other at 3) - almost sold out - though not a wine pairing meal, snacks will be served with each pairing (charcuterie). I already attend the cooking classes there twice a week, so I am anticipating this coming up wine event - hope it will be a success, as I think there is an audience for those that enjoy fine wines here in The Villages.