Mohegan Sun Winefest 2014

We recently spent the weekend at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut reveling in their annual Sun Winefest, meeting Chefs, enjoying the food and, of course, sipping all that wine.  The trends in wine for this year continue to be a wider interest in wine by a younger demographic as millenials reach out and the popularity with sweeter wines. We were awash in muscato, prosecco, rieslings and dessert wines.  The Finger Lakes region also continues to impress us.  Here I am with Boston Concierge extraordinaire Alaina Posluszny enjoying a sip for the photogs.

We were guests at a truly impressive dinner at Ballo Restaurant on Friday evening which included this Ricotta Gnocchi with Squash, Brussels Sprouts and Guanciale.  Rich in flavors and textures, the dish was paired with a Antinori Bramito Chardonnay 2010.  The food, drink and atmosphere in this upscale Italian venue at Mohegan make for a very special night

Monica Mawhinney of Arrigoni Winery in CT snapped us with her winepod cam as we sampled their wines.
The Sun Winefest is a compeltely unstuffy, fun wine event for people who just want to learn a little more about wine.

Sassy Bitch wines was not only giving taste samples but also handing out their lipstick, guaranteed not to come off on your wine glass.

We caught the news on WFSB upon arrival and saw Mark Dixon.  Dixon surprised us by walking out on the main cooking demo stage the next day to host the event.

Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine recruited audience members to help with his cooking demo but didn't stop there. The large audience he attracted also taped a Happy Birthday message for the Queen Latifah Show and he ended with getting everyone up on their feet to dance and saluting participants who had served in the U. S. military.  Very entertaining and fun.

I chatted on stage with Chef William Kovel of Catalyst in Cambridge who had the tough assignment of following the barnstorming Irvine.  Kovel prepared a delicious scallop dish.

Chris sat next to us in the front row of the demo stage.  We practically pushed him up on stage when Mary Ann Esposito of Ciao Italia asked for volunteers to assist.  He did a great job even if we lied about it being his birthday!

We also enjoyed a lunch at Jasper White's Summer Shack which, frankly, was underwhelming.  The food (pictured clam roll) was okay but the service staff needs, perhaps, a bit more training.

All in all this was a great way to get out of town in comfort and luxury and enjoy doing something new with loads of people who have similar interests:  wine.  The event went very smoothly, the crowd was handled well and the people were a lot of fun.  Don't miss the next one!

Ballo Restaurant

We kicked off the Sun Winefest at Mohegan Sun this past weekend with a fantastic dinner at Ballo, one of the more upscale dining venues that features classic Italian cuisine.

We settled into the lounge area with a glass of Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco Superiore, an excellent sip. The architecture and design made us feel more like we were nestled into the corner at some European Cathedral with soaring archways and comfortable leather couches rather than a restaurant.

We realized that it was going to be a night of lively conversation and great company as we joined other Boston area writers and media with our first taste.  Prosciutto di Parma, Sopressata, Provolone, Parmigiano, Boschetto Ricotta Stuffed Peppadews, Roasted Tomato and Fig Jam.  The rustic chunks of meat, cheeses and vegetables were the perfect start to whet our appetities.

Along with freshly-baked bread, olive oil and butter came this plate of Yellow and Candy Striped Beets with fresh Mozzarella and Pistachio Vinaigrette.  Paired with a Brandini Arneis 2010, the fresh, flavorful mix was an ample and satisfying Insalate course.

We munched on Flatbreads, again covered with fresh cheeses and vegetables, all layered on a perfect crust.

Our Pasta was this Ricotta Gnocchi with Squash, Brussels Sprouts and Guanciale paired with an excellent Antinori Bramito Chardonnay 2010.  It was a great mix of textures and flavors, creamy, soft gnocchi with the salty, crunchy bits and sweet, seasonal vegetables.

Our Secondi was the Morrietti La Rossa Marinated Skirt Steak with Fregola and Shallots paired with a Barbi Riserva Brunello di Montalcino 2006.  The meat was succulent and rich in flavor.

Our Dolce was a great finale to the feast with Tiramisu, Affogato and Expresso Cannoli.  Everything was just as it should be.  The tiramisu was dense, soft, rich and sweet and the cannoli a perfectly crispy, crunchy tube that must have been filled only seconds before.

The ambiance and attention to detail in every morsel makes Ballo a very special visit and worthy of the splurge when staying at Mohegan, certainly on par with any of the best Italian fare one can find when dining in Boston.

Ballo Italian Restaurant and Social Club
1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard
Uncasville, CT  06382
Telephone:  860.862.1100