Five Finds on Friday: Steve Monson
On Fridays, we feature five finds from local chefs and personalities. This week’s picks come from Steve Monson, winemaker at Early Mountain Vineyards. On Father’s Day, June 16, is the Early Mountain Vineyards BBQ Festival, with wine, barbecue, and even a cornhole tournament. Monson’s picks:
1) Black Smoke Kolsch at Champion Brewing Company, in collaboration with Glass Haus Kitchen. “Anyone can hide bad brewing with a bunch of hops (I do it all the time) but this beer shows off a mastering of malts which give this medium bodied beer layers of complex flavors from caramel to toasted sesame seeds.”
2) Pulpo on Parrilla at Mas Tapas. “I like to pick this dish apart so I can enjoy the perfectly cooked octopus on its own, leaving a pile of pork to face on my own terms.”
3) Everything Bagel with Lox Spread at Bodo’s. “They serve other things? Maybe next year.”
4) Margarita at Continental Divide. “The simple, fresh ingredients really complement blanco tequila for a clean cocktail. But, I might go for aged tequila if I’m feeling swarthy.”
5) Fried Oysters and a Potter’s Craft Cider at The Whiskey Jar. “The cider really cuts through the fried batter. It’s like every oyster is the first.”