Friday Harbor, WA Dining at Coho Restaurant
Coho Restaurant Newsletter February 2009
In This Issue
Recipe of the Month
Monthly Wine Picks
Centennial Specials
Our Cookbook
Cooking Tip
Argentinean Wine Dinner
With Gratitude
Upcoming Special Events

Recipe of the Month

Paella Spanish Food
Here is the Spanish Paella Recipe featured at our Spanish Dinner.We paired it with a 2004 Finca Allende Tempranillo.  At first blush the recipe might look complicated, but much can be prepared in advance.    Enjoy!
Quick Links

Our Wine Picks

Wine Pour
 
Blue Jean Red NV - CA Aromas of red berry with a hint of black pepper  - Pair with steak, barbecued ribs or pizza. (Syrah, Zinfandel & Cabernet Franc) $8
 
Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera 2004 - Italy 100% Nebbiolo- Pllum with strawberry and light vanilla undertones. Full-bodied, with refined tannins. A polished, velvety wine. $66 
 
Henry Estate Pinot Noir Barrel Select 2003 -OR Aromas of cherry with hints of mint; flavors of cherries and pepper with light, toasty overtones.  Pair with beef, lamb, duck and salmon. $25
 
Barrister Merlot 2005 - Columbia Valley - WA This is a serious Merlot! 6% Cabernet Sauvignon for structure and 7% Cabernet Franc for softness.  Layers of black cherry, chocolate and toasted oak.  $23

Gift Shop Winter Specials

Restaurant Coho T-shirt

Sport the hottest Island wear. Coho's t-shirts are hand silk screened by a local artist and come in tan, rust or blue.  T-shirts $19.05 and $9.50 for baseball caps.   Check out our online gift shop.

Our Cookbook 

Washington State Cookbooks

Coho is celebrating Friday Harbor's 100th Birthday with $5.90 off  our cookbook. Regularly $24.95, now $19.09.  Available at our online store. Mention Coho  when ordering. 

 Cooking Tip

To quickly peel beets, blanch for 10 minutes to soften skin.  Drain and cool.  Take a paper towel and rub skin off. 
Dear (Contact First Name),

Greetings from Friday Harbor! 
 
Before Dave and I opened Coho last year, we spent a lot of time on creating a wine list.  In doing so, we didn't realize how dynamic this process would be.  So one year later, we find ourselves focusing our energies on wine.  At every opportunity, we attend industry tastings, read professional journals and work closely with distributors and wineries.  We want to ensure that we are on top of hot new releases or wineries so that we can seek out the best value and quality wines available for our list.  We just returned from a major Italian wine tasting in Seattle.  We tasted 60 of the biggest 2004 Barolos and Brunellos from Piedmont and Tuscany.  We added a half dozen of the best values from these 90 point plus rated wines.  It is hard focused work keeping all the wines straight.   
 
As we have gotten to learn about the wine industry from the restaurant perspective, we have a growing appreciation for the local wine shops that we used to frequent.  We did not realize that our favorite wine shops did so much heavy lifting choosing their inventory and familiarizing themselves with their wines. Now it is our responsibility to do the culling from the dizzying number of wines available today.  We look for food-friendly wines and those that represent a diverse geographic representation and taste.  So to accomplish this, we currently work with about 18 different wineries and distributors. 
 
Was wine purchasing always so complicated? 
 
Before the days when wine was purchased in a supermarket or chain store, purchasing wine was like frequenting a bank.  You would enter the premise overwhelmed with the unmistakable aroma of wine wafting up from the cellar, but there would not be any products displayed.  There would be copies of well worn catalogs listing their inventory.  You would place your order and the wines would be delivered to your address the next day.  
 
In the late 18th century, Thomas Jefferson traveled to France where he purchased large quantities of wine that he wrote extensively about and tried to replicate in his home in Monticello, Virginia.  Until 1972, when the European Common Market changed the rules, wine could be bought in barrels, known as hogsheads, and bottled at home.  Today, even though a lot of wine is sold in chain-stores and supermarkets, there is still a role for the independent wine shop.  These stores, like Coho, pride themselves in finding interesting wines from smaller wineries or regions too remote for large distributors.  They take pride in storing their wines properly and getting to know their clientele's preferences. So in these difficult economic times, think local with your wine purchases.  Rely on your local merchant's skill and expertise to suggest wines to go with special meals and direct you to wines from smaller growers whose advertising budgets are a fraction of the larger more famous wineries.  
 
We look forward to sharing new wines with you.
 
Best,
 
Anna Maria & Dave
Coho Restaurant's Owners
Argentinean Wine Dinner Hosted by SJ Vineyard's Winemaker Chris Primus
San Juan Islands dining WAJoin us on March 19th for a fun evening of wine and food. Try some new varietals including Torrentes and Malbec from one of the hottest new wine regions - Mendoza, Argentina. Chris will lead us through the wines starting wtih a NV Brut and ending with a Late Harvest White Blend.  The menu will include Roasted Pork Belly, Corn Chowder, Grilled Shrimp, Flat Iron Steak and home made ice cream with roasted pineapple.  6 p.m. seating. $70 plus taxes and gratuities.

Make a night of it at one of our nearby Inns for $99.

Valentines DayWith Gratitude
We want to thank all of you who attended our Valentine's Dinner for Lovers.  It was a delightful evening.  Every couple left with a smile on their face, a rose in their hand and ended up  'surrendering' with a belly filled with great food and drink.   
 
If you missed out on this playful dinner, don't despair, we have several other great dinners planned.  Check out our upcoming events!
 
Save the Date
Friday Harbor WA Dining
April 16th - Japanese Sake Tasting - Toast to the end of your 2008 tax returns with a Japanese inspired dinner and sake tasting. We will offer a menu of traditional favorites including scallops wrapped in bacon, miso soup, teriyaki kabobs and tempura vegetables along with tuna tartar and some handmade rolls paired with 4 premium sakes.  We will start the feast with a coconut lemongrass sakatini and end with house made ginger icecream, tempura bananas and a rich decadent chocolate sauce paired with a sparkling sake.
 
May 21st - Battle of the Winemakers - California vs. Washington - We will try to put an end to the debate of which state makes the better wine.  We will taste 4 varietals (sparkling, chardonnay, cabernet and dessert wine) from the same year.  We will compare how differences in weather and soil give each state its characteristic style. 
 
June 18th - Southern Hemisphere Barbecue Favorites - As you think about firing up the "barbie", we will look to New Zealand and Australia for those perfect summer patio wines.  Taste a wonderful minerally sauvignon blanc, a peppery syrah and end with a raisiny port.  Six courses paired with five wines.
  
All of Coho's wine dinners begin at 6 p.m. and are $75 per person plus taxes and gratuities.   Reservations are recommended.   
 
Save $5 per person 
Bring friends and family and make Coho your night out for great food and fun!!
 
This coupon is valid for Coho Restaurant and must be printed and presented at time of use. Coupons cannot be used with other specials.
Valid through March 25, 2009.