I’m going to start with a confession. I really hate cooking… but I love eating really great food!
I’ve tried for brief moments to take interest in the art of all things culinary. I think there are two main reasons for my lack of culinary skill, my kids’ unsophisticated palettes and my lack of desire to really take the time to research meals. I also despise going to the grocery store for the few ingredients that a recipe needs that I don’t already have. The experience leaves me feeling irritated and not rewarded by a job well done. The times I have tried to make meals that are a lengthy process have usually ended in disaster.
My lack of cooking desire does make me appreciate eating a really good meal out. Probably because it gives me the opportunity to try something that I would never attempt to make at home or have the ingredients for anyway.
I love a dining experience. I was invited to a complimentary preview dinner at Seasons 52 to experience a unique dining experience of a 7 course meal with wine pairings. This invitation made my heart happy on so many levels because the meal was the adventure.
Here is a little bit about Seasons 52
Known for its seasonally inspired menu and fresh approach to dining, Seasons 52 offers notable menu selections such as: Steak and Cremini Mushroom Flatbread, Cedar Plank Salmon, Caramelized Sea Scallops and Maui Tuna Crunch Salad. Menus change four times a year with weekly specials that truly capture the flavors of each season. Nothing on the menu is more than 475 calories, from the signature flatbreads and appetizers, to all entrees and the popular Mini Indulgence desserts.
In addition, Seasons 52’s Master Sommelier George Miliotes has developed a diverse international wine list featuring over 100 wines with more than 52 selections offered by the glass, highlighted by several organic wines as well as Miliotes’ ever-changing selection of “Drink Them Before They’re Famous” recommendations.
Confession #2 – I’m a wine novice.
I don’t know very much about wine at all. I don’t know which labels are the super expensive ones and which ones are the cheap ones other than by checking the price tag.
I found out that our dinner would have our wines paired by a Master Sommelier.
Confession #3 I had no idea what that was before receiving the invitation.
My husband, who is the foodie, loves to cook and watches food network often, had to educate me that a Sommelier was a big deal in the wine world. There are less than 200 in the world and that makes them wine rock stars and the ultimate “go to” for pairing the perfect wine with a meal.
The new Seasons 52 Cincinnati location is a short distance from the Rookwood Commons and Pavilion shopping area at the Rookwood Exchange.
Upon arrival, we got a tour of the restaurant and each room was set up beautifully for guests. The inside design of Seasons 52 was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright.
The detail of design really cultivates a relaxing atmosphere for groups large or small. Seasons 52 offers outdoor patio seating, exclusive chef’s table, three private dining rooms for private and semi private business and social events along with a piano bar with live music nightly.
Our night was unseasonably warm and was perfect for showing off the adjoining room’s ability to convert to more of an open air environment by adjusting the glass panels that connected with the patio.
The kitchen is a “no need for secrets” open design concept that features a brick oven.
You will never have to worry about what to drink because Seasons 52 carries upwards of 2,000 bottles of wine in their climate controlled wine chateau. Seasons 52 also has live music every evening. The singer did a great job of singing a variety of music that evening that included a song from one of my husband’s favorite bands Weezer.
The food that evening was incredible!
Chipotle Shrimp with roasted poblanos, grilled pineapple and feta cheese
paired with Chartogne-Taillet Cuvee Sainte Anne, Champagne MV
The salad was first presented inside a glass cylinder by the server who then lifted and rotated the cylinder to disperse that salad on our plates.
Organic Field Greens, Grilled Mushrooms, Toasted Pistachios, Truffle Dressing
paired with Sinskey Pinot Noir, Carneros 2009
Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli, Roasted Garlic, Basil, Organic Tomato Broth
paired with Retromarcia, Chianti Classic 2009
Mesquite-Grilled Piedmontese Striploin & Manchester Farms All-Natural Quail, Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Red Wine Sauce paired with Alto Moncayo Garnacha, Campo de Borja 2009 & De Toren Z, Stellenbosch 2009
Confession #4 – I ate two desserts.
If I was with a group of friends, we probably would have been passing around each one so that we could try all of them.
I wasn’t quite at that level with my dining acquaintances, so I tried the chocolate Peanut Butter Mouse and the Red Velvet Mini Indulgence desserts. My friend tried the Mocha Macchiato and Raspberry Chocolate Chip Cannoli.
We were not the only ones who went for two after some nudging from our servers. I feel like we broke the ice and everyone else who was curious about another item felt free to go for another round. I was happy to take one for the team on that one.
The Seasons 52 staff was incredible that evening. Each staff member was eager to help educate, not out of arrogance, but because they were passionate about what they do. There is a huge labor of love that goes into creating food that is fresh that also creates an experience for your taste buds. If you enjoy wine, you will be elated over the options that the staff can recommend to enhance your meal.
During our dinner I received some additional information about wine and places to visit from guest Mike Rosenberg who was seated next to me. He writes for The Naked Vine which shares “wine advice for the rest of us.” He was the perfect person to confess my wine novice knowledge to.
Seasons 52 is perfect for a date or night out with friends. My husband couldn’t make it that night so I’m looking forward to sharing this food adventure with him in the near future.
Price wise I feel like Seasons 52 offers something for all budgets between their lunch and dinner menus. You do not have to spend a fortune to have an enjoyable meal there. You can really chose your own dining adventure.
You can learn more about planning your Seasons 52 dining adventure from their website.
The Seasons 52 Cincinnati location is located at 3819 Edwards Road and opens February 4th,2013. There are currently 23 restaurants located in 13 states across the country.
Disclosure: I was given a complimentary preview meal. All opinions are my own.
Great review! I definitely want to check this place out!