When our group of wine geek friends decided to get together for a dinner at Market 17, it was something I was looking forward to. The combination of farm-to-table concept, utilizing organic and pesticide-free ingredients, as well as the wine friendly atmosphere was intriguing.
We were a party of twelve, and had loads of wine with us, so we really should have been the loud bunch here. Unfortunately, we were seated next to the
bar, which was excruciatingly loud. Although, I got up a couple of times to go to the restroom, and the main part of the dining room was not much quieter. This is not the place to go for a quiet meal, rather it is more a see-and-be-seen environment.
The food and service, though, were very good. Being such a large group, the folks at Market 17 had prepared a special three course menu for us. I started with the kale salad, (with carrots, radish, toasted pine nuts, parmesan cornbread croutons and Florida corn vinaigrette), which was delicious. Naturally, I went around the table with my fork to try everyone else’s dish, too. They were all good, but the ceviche was a standout.
Main courses included pan seared Florida snapper (delicious), grilled beef tenderloin (very tasty), bison striploin (a bit dry and game-y), and free range chicken (I do not believe anyone at the table had this). Meanwhile, each diner had brought at least one bottle of wine, and the range was outstanding.
The lineup included (although I may be missing a couple):
- 1990 Schloss Schönborn Hochheimer Hölle Riesling Auslese (loved it. Still had a lot of life left in it, even though it is 23 years old.)
- 1999 Jean Tardy Nuits St Georges “les Boudots” (got even smokier after a couple of hours in the glass – aren’t you impressed it lasted that long? I am, too.)
- 2003 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva
- 1995 Chteau Giscours
- 1999 Chateau de Sales, Pommerol (loved it.)
- 2004 Chateau Montrose, magnum (our friend who brought this thought it had a very strong green pepper flavor; I wan not nearly as bothered by it, and did not find it too strong).
- 2004 Calon Segur
- 2000 Domaine du Pegau, Chateauneuf du Pape (corked. Boo.)
- 2005 Core Elevation Sensation, magnum (outstanding.)
- 2005 DeLille Cellars, Doyenne (excellent)
- 2001 Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Sauternes (delish)
Overall, an excellent night with great friends, food and wine. Would I go back to Market 17? Sure, but I am not in a rush. I would need earplugs, and
perhaps have a conversation via text message with my dining companions.
