Brandywine Country Club Wine Event Satisfies The Discerning Diner

Looking for a new wine destination in the Toledo area? Be sure to check Brandywine Country Club.

By Wine Correspondent Glorious T

 

New Owners, New Hot Spot

The timing was perfect; a wine tasting dinner, on our anniversary, right down the street from our home. We opted to visit Brandywine Country Club for the first time in many years. Of course, we had heard about its change in ownership, and their goals to reestablish the club as a hot spot for dinners and the social scene. Upon reviewing the Uncorked! events menu and wine pairings, we made a reservation. The room was pretty full, with good ambiance. We were seated at a table with two other, very friendly couples and began what would be a great evening of laughter and fun complemented with great food and wine. Alison from Berman Wines did a wonderful job of pairing the wines with each outstanding course.

Entertaining Eats

The evening began with seared sea scallops accompanied by caramelized pecan bacon and sweet potato puree, finished with lemon beurre blanc, toasted pine nuts, and Italian parsley coulis. This dish was simply decadent; the scallops succulent, sweet, with a little browning on the top. We were excited about the meal starting off with a very impressive course. The scallops were paired with Niner Sauvignon Blanc; the pleasant, slight acidity of the grapefruit notes made this course very enjoyable and highlighted the deep flavors in the dish.

On to the unusual mixed green salad with pasta, cucumber and prosciutto, dressed with basil mint vinaigrette. The slightly crisp pasta ribbon gave the salad a nice crunch. The flavor profile paired beautifully with Garnet Chardonnay. This wine has a beautiful, fresh citrus bouquet, very smooth with slight oak. Alison suggested tasting this a bit warmer to get a real review. We found this to be very drinkable and most at the table refilled their glasses.

The main course option was up next: grilled double lamb chops, served on smashed red skin potatoes with beets, pea puree and goat cheese crumbles, finished with blackberry syrup and a demi glaze hinted with fresh rosemary. This course was an absolute hit with the table. Mastering lamb chops is not easy, but the chef hit a home run. I chose the salmon option, and this was honestly one of the best filets I have had in a restaurant. It was hot off the grill, with a nice light charcoal flavor, well-seasoned and melted in my mouth. The meal was paired with 2014 Tangley Oaks Pinot Noir. Willamette Valley is a favorite appellation for the wine team, so we had high expectations and this selection was up for the challenge. It was the clear favorite of the table. The nose was fresh and full berries, with slight earth and white pepper. This medium bodied wine complemented both the red meat and the fish. Well integrated tannins and a long smooth finish made this wine easy to enjoy.

Dessert And… More Wine!

It was time for dessert. The menu listed, “Godiva infused chocolate mousse with mixed berries and fresh mint”. A pretty basic offering, right? That’s what we thought until it arrived. Not that we were expecting to be disappointed; you can’t go wrong with Godiva mousse. However, this mousse was truly a masterpiece. Rich flavor mixed to a perfect texture. We wanted more! When paired with the 90 point, Wine & Spirits “Year’s Best US Cabernet & Blends” honoree, Simi 2013 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it was a taste treat. We savored every bite and every sip.

The wines were then offered at very reasonable prices, and everyone, including us, walked out with a few bottles. We had the opportunity to meet the new owners, Stanley and Kathryn Chlebowski and congratulated them on a wonderful event. We also met a few loyal members, who have been with Brandywine Country Club for plus years. They are excited about the direction the club is taking at this point. Our appreciation and congratulations go to Rachel Airhart, Andrew Riley (Marketing Director), and the chef and staff for a lovely evening, featuring truly outstanding food and remarkable wines. We will continue to keep Brandywine Country Club at the top of our list for fine dining, and we hear the casual dining is really good as well. We highly recommend you give them a try for an evening of cocktails, a fabulous Sunday brunch, dinner, of one of their many upcoming events. It’s great to have a place of this quality open to the public again. Cheers and best wishes to the Brandywine team for phenomenal success!

Brandywine Country Club is located at 6904 Salisbury Road, Maumee, OH. Phone number: (419) 865-2393