Frasca Food and Wine ...and Kathy's 1st official blog post...finally!

Frasca in Boulder is absolutely one of my favorite restaurants in the *Denver* area.

Our recent visit on Friday night, was a last-minute thing, due to a "need" to buy a black tank racer-back dress for an "80s Party"....any guesses on what I dressed up as? The answer and pictures to be posted later.

Any *excuse* to go to Boulder....I'll come up with it and gladly make the drive!! And, Ren was such a sport for wanting to go...especially today. Just a couple of hours before we drove to Boulder, he had just arrived back from a business trip to Virginia.

We did not have reservations - but knew that walking in shortly after they opened at 5:30pm, our chances of getting a table were pretty good. We were offered seats at the Salumi Bar or a table outside. The weather was so nice, we chose the outside table.

"I really, really love this restaurant", I said several times to Ren during our dinner.
"I know", replied Ren, with a big smile, several times.

Why do I love Frasca? The food, wine, service - exceptional. They support local farmers which is obvious once you've tasted their food. The wine...Master Sommeliers Bobby Stuckey
and Jesse Becker..need I say more? The service/staff...very friendly, unpretentious. A few months ago I worked with Cristin, their Event Manager on planning a birthday dinner for my friend Ben. The entire experience from beginning-to-end was unforgettable.

This recent dining experience...I do have a complaint....kidding...well, sort of....it's more of a bummer, not a complaint. They no longer serve Fiore di Zucca (squash blossoms).
I was so looking forward to this when I saw it on the menu earlier in the day.
Fiore di Zucca, a glass of Scarpetta and a little dessert.....Kathy's a HAPPY girl!!
But, they just changed the menu (as they always do seasonally....a sign of a great restaurant) the day of our visit. I'm NOT complaining because I truly understand why. I'm just purely BUMMED. There were chopped up fiore di zucca in my Primi, the summer squash custard. So, hey, better than none.

What's the big deal about squash blossoms? Well, I love them. And they are only available for a very short time every year. It brings back memories of home...California. Every Sunday in the summer, I would go to the Mountain View Farmer's Market for these delicate, flavorful blossoms. How did I prepare them? Lightly fried and/or stuffed with goat cheese...yum!!


Okay, back to dinner... What did we eat and drink?

Started off with a glass of Scarpetta 2007 Pinot Grigio, Friuli Italy.

Ren's Quattro Piatti
Antipasti
Maine Lobster Fritta
Nectarine, Tarragon Aioli and House-Made Mortadella

Primi
House-Made Russet Potato Gnocchi
Munson Farm Sweet Corn, Spinach and "Ricotta Affumicata"
(Wine: Ronco del Gnemiz Sauvignon Blanc)

Secondi
Grilled Boneless Beef Short Rib
Roasted Toohey Farm Beets,
Haystack Mountain Goat Cheese and Pickled Horseradish
(Wine: Enrico Santini Poggio al Moro)

Dolci
Sour Cherry and Chocolate Tart
Almond Crumble and Vanilla Bean Gelato
(Digestivo: Nonino Grappa di Monovitigno, Merlot...
Yep, Kathy drove home...hahaha)

Kathy's QP
Antipasti
Red Wagon Farm Summer Squash Custard
Grilled Pancetta and Lemon Basil Vinaigrette

Primi
Riso Vialone Nano
Cure Farm Tomatoes and Red Wagon Farm Basil
(Wine: Ronco del Gnemiz Sauvignon Blanc)

Secondi
Shaved Long Family Farm Pork Leg
Fingerling Potatoes, Palisade Peach and Bacon-Rosemary Vinaigrette
(Wine: Zilliken 2006 Riesling Kabinett "Saarburger Rasch", Saar, Germany)

Dolci
Gelati and Sorbetti
Valrhona Dark Chocolate, Coconut, Blood Orange
(Beverage: Espresso)

And for later....(wrapped up a little clear to-go bag, tied w/ribbon)
Tasting of House-Made Chocolates - Valrhona 70% Bittersweet, Coconut, Espresso, Passionfruit-Caramel, Hazelnut, Chocolate Macadamia, Valrhona Crispy Chocolate Pearls, White chocolate w/chocolate drizzle.

As always, we're looking forward to our next visit at Frasca.