The Carlton Restaurant

The Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Parade is this Saturday, and though this is typically a beer drinking holiday, there are some great wines out there perfectly suited for a great St. Patrick’s Day celebration! Here’s a good list for you to start off with from VinVillage.

Try wineries that began with Irish vintners like Murphy-Goode, which was founded by Tim Murphy, Dale Goode and Dave Ready, DuMOL Winery, owned by Kerry Murphy, or Owen Roe Winery in Oregon, named after the seventeenth century Irish Patriot of the same name and owned by Jerry Owen and Irish-born winemaker David O’Reilly. Or perhaps you would like to try the wine from Limerick Lane Cellars, who has also sold fruit to another winery of Irish heritage, Gary Farrell.

Here are The Carlton’s Quick Picks for the week of March 8th.

Remember, you can always find more events on the Post-Gazette’s Event Calendar as well as the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s Calendar.

These are just a few of our favorites!

Grease. The musical Grease opens up at the Benedum Center on Tuesday, March 9th!  Time Magazine’s 2007 pick for “#1 musical of the year,” GREASE is rockin’ across the country in this new production direct from Broadway.  Make sure you stop by the Carlton beforehand for dinner and we’ll give you a free limo ride over to the show!

Best of California Wine Dinner with Vintage Imports.  I hope to see all of you here Friday, March 12 for our Best of California Wine Dinner featuring Vintage Imports.  We will be sampling wines from Monterey, the Central Coast, Russian River Valley, Napa Valley and Paso Robles with three courses of wine comparisons.  Click here for more details!

St. Patrick’s Day Parade. A Pittsburgh favorite!  Don’t miss the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Downtown Pittsburgh Saturday, March 13th.  We want to see you decked out in your Irish gear, so please stop by the Carlton for lunch and/or dinner to continue the St. Patrick’s celebration with us!

Don’t miss your chance to see Jesus Christ Superstar this weekend at the Benedum Center.  The show plays Sunday (March 7th) only at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, the first masterpiece from the legendary writing team of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, exploded onto the scene in 1971 changing the world of musical theatre forever. With a score of amazing songs – “I Don’t Know How to Love Him”, “Hosanna”, “Everything’s Alright”, “What’s the Buzz”, “Superstar”, and “Heaven on Their Mind”, this original groundbreaking production starring Ted Neeley in the title role is as relevant and timeless as ever.

We will turn our attention to Italy when Roland Marandino, the Wine Ambassador for Cecchi Winery and Sartori Winery visits The Carlton Restaurant to present a “Best of Italy” Wine Dinner.  It is always fun to pair wines with Italian offerings because Italian wines are built for the table – complementing the cuisine.

We have three wines rated over ‘90″ points including a blockbuster Amarone/Chianti comparison course.  This is an evening that will please the palate and Roland is sure to entertain and educate you about the world of Italian Wine!

“BEST OF ITALY” WINE DINNER

With Roland Marandino, Wine Ambassador for Cecchi & Sartori
Culinary selections by Executive Chef Mark Swomley
Thursday, April 15, 2010, 6:30 PM
$99 per person excluding gratuity

SARTORI FERDI BIANCO VERONESE’07

KIWI GLAZED STUFFED SHRIMP
With Mascarpone-Ricotta Figs, Micro Green Salad,
Champagne Vinaigrette and Macadamia  

CECCHI MORELLINO di SCANSANO RISERVA’05

GRILLED WILD MUSHROOMS
Served over Root Vegetable Strudel with crisp Pancetta,
Sherry Butter and Parmesan Arregiano

SARTORI REGOLO ROSSA VERONESE’05

VEAL RAGOUT
Slowly braised Veal, Plum Tomatoes, Spring Vegetables & Chorizo over Caccereccia Pasta with Fontinella and Dijon Cream.   

SARTORI AMARONE CORTE BRA’03
CECCHI CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA di FAMILGIA’06

TENDERLOIN BRUSCHETTA
Peppercorn crusted Tenderloin served over grilled Crostini with Arugula, Balsamic, Roma Tomatoes and fresh Mozzarella

SARTORI RECIOTO di SOAVE VERONESE

PANNA COTTA
With Balsamic Strawberries & sugared Tuille

Enjoy extensive sample offerings from Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington state’s Founding Winery and a key player in obtaining federal recognition of the Columbia Valley as a unique wine growing region or American Viticultural Area (AVA).

Market Watch named Chateau Ste. Michelle the Wine Brand of the Year in 2008 and Wine Enthusiast named it the “American Winery of the Year” in 2004.  Once again, all of the wines have been rated above “90″ points and we reaching into the cellar to taste the 1997 “Reserve” Chardonnay and the 1995 “Artist Series” Meritage – a “91″ point blockbuster that cost over $60 in Pennsylvania when I purchased it many years ago!

“CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE” WINE DINNER

With Chateau Ste. Michelle’s John Sarich
Culinary offerings by Mark Swomley
Wednesday, April 7, 2009 – 6:30 PM
$109 per person – excluding Gratuity

CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE “HORSE HEAVEN” SAUVIGNON BLANC’08

TUNA THREE WAYS
Tartare, Tuna Napa Spring Roll & chilled Wasabi-Pea crusted and served with Mango Scallion Relish, Yuzu Glaze, Pickled Ginger & Soy Crème

CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE-DR. LOOSEN RIESLING “ERIOICA”‘05

CRAB & ARUGULA SALAD
Jumbo Lump Crab, Baby Arugula, toasted Almonds and Cranberries served in a crisp Parmesan Basket with Citrus Vinaigrette and reduced Balsamic 

CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE “CANOE RIDGE” CHARDONNAY’06
CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE “CANOE RIDGE” CHARDONNAY’07
CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE COLUMBIA “RESERVE” CHARDONNAY’97

LOBSTER WELLINGTON
Tender Lobster roasted in Pastry with fresh herbs and Boursin Cheese.  Served with Spring Vegetables and served with Tomato Basil Beurre Blanc 

CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE “CANOE RIDGE ESTATE”‘CABERNET’06
CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE “ARTIST SERIES” MERITAGE’95

FILET MIGNON
Herb seared and served with Roast Pepper-Prosciutto Bread Pudding,
Roast Squash, Red Dragon Cheese and Garlic Butter

CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE “LATE HARVEST” CHENIN BLANC’06

GRILLED PEACH SHORTCAKE
With Chocolate Mousse, Mandarin Orange Syrup and Caramel

Join us as we welcome Matt Mitchell and sample some of the best offerings from the extensive Wine Portfolio of Jess Jackson.  In the past 25 years, Jackson has gone from being an obscure and struggling winery owner (Kendall Jackson) to one of the dominant players in the California Wine industry.

Today, Jackson Wine Estates operates 24 wineries and vineyards around the world, selling 5 million cases of wine a year!  All of our offerings are rated above 90 points. Cambria “Julia’s Vineyard” Pinot Noir earned “93″ points and was named Wine Enthusiast’s #1 Wine of the Year!  We open with a La Crema’s “90″ rated Chardonnay and our Cabernet course pits the “93″ rated Kendall Jackson “Hawkeye Mountain” versus the “92″ rated Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon.  Another great California lineup you do not want to miss!

“JESS JACKSON PORTFOLIO” WINE DINNER

With Majestic Fine Wines Regional Manager Matt Mitchell
Culinary selections by Executive Chef Mark Swomley
Tuesday, March 30, 2009
$99 per person excluding gratuity

LA CREMA MONTEREY CHARDONNAY’07

LOBSTER-CRAB & SCALLOP GNOCCHI
Jumbo Lump Crab, Lobster & Scallops served over homemade Gnocchi
with Spinach, Caramelized Onions and Tomato-Ketel One Cream

CAMBRIA “JULIA’S VINEYARD” PINOT NOIR’06

SHORT RIBS
Oven braised and served with Cauliflower Mousse,
Demi-Glace, Manchego Cheese and grilled Chard

ARROWOOD RUSSIAN RIVER”SARALEE’S VINEYARD” SYRAH’04

GRILLED RED & GOLD BEETS
Served chilled with Panko crusted Black Currant infused Chevre,
Triple Berry Vinaigrette, local greens and toasted Almonds

KENDALL JACKSON HIGHLAND ESTATES “HAWKEYE MOUNTAIN”‘05
ARROWOOD SONOMA COUNTY CABERNET SAUVIGNON’05

VENISON LOIN
Seasoned with Cracked Mustard & Cumin and served with Sweet Corn Cakes, Fennel Sausage Ragout, Smoked Paprika Butter and crisp Arugula

CAMBRIA “LATE HARVEST” VIOGNIER’08

CITRUS CRÈME NAPOLEON
Crispy sweet Phyllo layered with Lemon Crème, Mandarin Oranges,
Cherries and Cinnamon-Mint Whip Creme

Here are The Carlton’s Quick Picks for the week of March 1st.

Remember, you can always find more events on the Post-Gazette’s Event Calendar as well as the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s Calendar.

These are just a few of our favorites.

Annual Art Institute of Pittsburgh Faculty Show. Today, Monday March 1, is the opening of the Annual Art Institute pf Pittsburgh Faculty Show.  Support the institute by attending this free event featuring a juried collection of 101 professional and personal expressions of Art Institute of Pittsburgh campus-based and online faculty. Collection includes digital illustration, drawing, graphic design, traditional illustration and installation works.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Buffalo Sabres. It was a great Olympic break, but now it’s time to get back to Pittsburgh Penguins hockey!  Welcome back the Pittsburgh Penguins Tuesday night – March 2 – as they take on the Buffalo Sabres at the Mellon Arena.  Stop by for a pre-game drink or meal us or watch the whole game in our lounge!

Arthur Miller’s, The Price. This essential Arthur Miller drama tells the story of Victor and Walter Franz, brothers who haven’t spoken to one another in 16 years. It opens this week – Thursday, March 4 – at the O’Reilly Theater.  Grab a date for a great night out on the town at The Carlton and the O’Reilly Theater!

The Unrepentant St. Patrick’s Party. Get into the St. Patrick’s Day Spirit Friday, March 5 at Pittsburgh’s Grand Hall at the Priory with live music from Seanchai and the Unity Squad and Jack Puskar.  Part of the proceeds benefit the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  Click here for more details.

Stop by the Andy Warhol Museum tonight for a fun event called Good Friday Wine Appreciation starting at 5:30 p.m.  Socialize in the company of Andy Warhol’s famous celebrity portraits and sample four unique wines along with cheeses, fruits and other ideal wine accompaniments. Tickets are only $20.  Make sure to continue on with your wine appreciation by stopping by the Carlton after for a late evening dinner paired with the best wine selection in the city!

Don’t forget to join us tonight, February 19 at 6:30 p.m. for our very special Brancott Wine Dinner!

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History and The Carlton are happy to announce a Wine Dinner featuring New Zealand’s Brancott Winery on Friday, Feb. 19. Brancott Winery is one of New Zealand’s’ oldest and literally put New Zealand on the world wine Map.  They’re a sustainable winery that has vineyards in Marlborough, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Canterbury and Otago. We will feature eight wines – three rated over 90 points – served around Chef Mark’s creations.  This dinner celebrates the moving exhibit on “Whales” that will be at the Carnegie Museum until May. Everyone attending will receive two free tickets ($30 value) to see this outstanding exhibit!  Click here for the full dinner menu. Seafood substitutions are available for meat courses for those observing Lenten traditions.  All of our Wine Dinners are available at a reduced price without wine selections.

Please join us on Friday, March 12 for our “Best of California” Wine Dinner showing the wines from the outstanding portfolio of Vintage Imports.  We will be sampling wines from Monterey, the Central Coast, Russian River Valley, Napa Valley and Paso Robles with three courses of wine comparisons.  Most of our offerings this evening are expensive and highly rated.   Talbott’s Kali Hart Chardonnay is a rated 90 points and has become the favorite wine by the glass sold at The Carlton.  Hansel’s Cahill Lane is a small production Pinot Noir that sells for $47 in Pennsylvania and has been rated “93″ by Stephen Tanzer.  The Cabernet course with Frank Family Vineyards ($49 in PA.) and the “91″ rated Cade Cuvee Napa ($68 in PA) should be a blockbuster comparison.  Lee Kuehn will be Vintage’s expert host for this great evening!