Third Sunday Dinner, August 2009

This month’s dinner is a last chance to enjoy the leisure of summer prior to the end of vacations, and the beginning of school.

Chip Smith and his wife Tina Vaughn – owners of Chapel Hill’s Bonne Soiree restaurant will be making their summer seasonal appearance at the Inn, preparing their al fesco (but air-conditioned) take on a french country picnic.

As a special treat, we’ll have Trey Stephenson from Rosenthal Wines here to discuss the wines Tina picked to complement Chip’s menu. While you’re never certain what Chip will end up cooking, Greg Cox’s Mouthful blog has a preview. Tina’s ability to complement Chip’s food with the appropriate wine is even more incredible when you realize that sometimes she only has minutes between when she finds out what a menu item is and when service begins! We’ll see what she and Trey come up with on the 16th.

The Rosenthal connection is due to cheese: Trey was interested in learning something about how cheese is made, Tina suggested he contact us, and (1) he’s going to spend a few days with us at the dairy learning about how its made, and how the flavors develop, and (2) he’ll have something more to say about the pairing of our cheeses with the FABULOUS Rosenthal wines.

A special dinner indeed. Chip & Tina will next be here in December, for a French Christmas Dinner. (Chip is already wondering what he can roast in our fireplace)