Weekend of January 8, 2009
Mezzanotte Ristorante
13215 Grant Rd - Cypress
(832) 717-7870

Capriccio Tapas

10865 Jones Rd - Houston
(281) 807-9442
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
CyFair Ladies Social - Wednesday 1/28/09 5 - 7 pm
No Reservations required
 
This weekend's entertainment at Mezzanotte: 

Kareena Lee  Friday 1/9 - 7:00 to 10:00 PM - Karenna Lee                    Karenna moves easily between jazz, blues, caberet and pop. Her versatile style and extensive repertoire includes romantic ballads to latin favorites and  broadway tunes. Her very entertaining and dynamic style are a welcome treat to a relaxing dinner on a Friday night. She is a must see !!.

 

Bethany

Saturday 1/10 - 7:00 to 10:00 pm - Bethany McCade
Born in northwest Louisiana, Bethany grew up in Houston and has been musically and theatrically involved all around town.  Her angelic tone and tender, lilting vocals have captivated listeners of all ages.  Accompanied by local singer/ musician, Guy Ben Murphrey, Bethany sings songs from the golden era of music (Duke Ellington, Gershwin) and today (Nora Jones, Feist).
Entertainment  at Capriccio
 Guillermo2
Friday 1/9 - 7:00 to 10:00 PM
Guillermo Serpas - 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM 
Evoking the influence of legendary guitarist Carlos Santana and popular folk
players, Guillermo produces the electrifying rhythms of salsa, Latin jazz, and bolero, representing his Latin American roots and pumping vigorous life into his virtuoso classical-guitar performances.

BACK TO NORMAL?

No... not quite...
After a very hectic holiday season we are regrouping and putting together our plan for 2009. The items that are at the top of the list:
  • Organize our late September Wine & Food (in that order) trip to Italy. So far we have 3 to 4 couples seriously interested. If you are please let me know ASAP as the group will not be very big.
  • Revamp our wine lists at Mezzanotte and Capriccio - I am actively sampling new wines (somebody had to do it and I thought it was my moral obligation to be designated).
  • Change our Mezzanotte menu - it is winter and we need to change some dishes appropriate to the season.
  • Define a Wine Tasting format for Capriccio - it will probably be more casual than our sit down 6 course wine pairing dinners at Mezzanotte.
  • Install carpet in Capriccio's main dining room - it should dampen some of the sound reverberation we are experiencing.
  • Etc - we have quite a few other things to tackle this month.

Given everything on our plate we are going to skip our wine dinner at Mezzanotte for January.  But we probably will have a new one at Capriccio by the end of the month.

MEDIA COVERAGE
 
We are very grateful to have picked up some media interest. It felt really, really good to have been placed among the 10 Best New Restaurants of 2008 by the Houston Chronicle.
 
Also, on 12/24/08 (Christmas Eve Day) I had to get up really early to appear on Fox 26 News - my segment aired at 8:30 am, which meant I had to get up at 5 am!! (Many thanks to my Sous Chef Chris Bosch for getting up at an insane time as well to help me out with bringing everything needed to the TV studio).
Here are a couple of pictures (I hope to get a copy of the clip to share with you):
 
fox1 
 
fox2
CHEF SPECIALS
Chef
 
Orechiette al Pistachio - $9
Orechiette (small ear shaped pasta).cooked al dente and tossed with a pistachio and mint pesto - appetizer size.
 
Pumpkin Ravioli - Appetizer $10 / Main $19
Delicate ravioli filled with pumpkin. Topped with a sage butter sauce and toasted walnuts. A must try as we only make it this time of the year.
 
T-Bone Fiorentina - $29
Succulent T-Bone steak crusted with rosemary, sage and thyme. Grilled to perfection.
Wine serving
FEATURED WINES
 
Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG - Antinori Marchese                                                   Quartino $26 - Bottle $75.00
Marchese Antinori is produced, exclusively from the finest, most highly selected grapes grown on the Antinori Santa Cristina, P�ppoli and Badia a Passignano estates in the Mercatale Val di Pesa zone in Chianti Classico. Intense ruby red color with light garnet hues. Vibrant aromas of citrus marmalade, dried fruit and sultanas. Full-bodied, solidly structured lingering palate with a pleasantly tannic finish. Hints of licorice in the aftertaste.
 
Cabernet Sicilia IGT - Planeta Burdese 2004        Bottle  $86.00
A Bordeaux-esque blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, the grapes were destemmed and crushed before macerating for 15-18 days on the skins. Fermented at 28 degrees C and then aged for 12 months in 225 litre Allier oak barrels (1/2 new) and a further 12 months in bottle before release. Deep ruby red. Rich and concentrated, strongly reminiscent of berries, leather and juniper with earthy, mineral notes, hints of vanilla and sandalwood. Full bodied yet silky and energetic, anchored around a strong and dense tannic structure. The concentrated blackberry fruit dominates the palate right through the lengthy, supple finish. An awesome wine!