I was invited* to check out an event that Pazo is hosting once each month, Tapas Fiesta. The evening starts with tastings of seven selected wines and passed appetizers and then moves to a fantastic seated main course and dessert. The next (and last) Tapas Fiesta is Thursday, April 25 at 6:30pm.
My friend Brianna joined me for the event and we were immediately introduced to Pazo's sommelier, who talked us through the wines that were being served. We started with Cava Brut, and even though I don't like carbonation, this went down easily. We moved on to two whites, Rioja Blanca, Muga from Spain and Gruner Veltliner, Leth from Austria. I'm a white-wine drinker and loved both of these. Both had a clean, crisp taste without overwhelming flavor. (I actually chose the Leth to enjoy with dinner.) While we were tasting the wines, we sampled apps like creamy goat cheese empanadas and sea scallops.
I quickly realized that full pours of seven wines would leave me pretty incoherent so I asked for very small pours of the reds. Represented counties included Spain, Portugal, and Italy. I thought that all of the reds had good flavor and weren't overwhelming with tannins, but I still prefer whites.
Brianna and I sat for dinner and loved the conversations that were happening. We met a gentleman who grows bamboo in Guatemala and brought his adorable, sassy mother, "Mama." There were about 35 people in attendance and everyone was so friendly and conversational.
Dinner was a wood-grilled leg of lamb with a smoked garbanzo bean salad. I can't eat red meat, so I was served an amazing pasta with grilled vegetables from Pazo's dinner menu. Brianna loved the lamb and I sampled the bean salad, which was perfectly smoked. Everyone around us raved about the lamb, as well.
Dessert, per usual, was my favorite part of the evening. We were served rich, thick, decadent hazelnut chocolate bars with a mousse and pistachio cream. Everyone at our table loved the cream so much that we asked for more. Sure, it was an odd request, but taste it and you'll understand.
While this isn't the kind of event I'd normally attend, I was so happy that I did. I estimated that the cost for eight glasses of wine, a few appetizers, dinner, and dessert could easily top $115/person before tax and gratuity. The Tapas Fiesta is $59/person, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Check out the menu for the April event here and make your reservation ASAP!
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