Ambiance, delicacies and wine
“The idea is not to live forever, it is to create something that will.” – Andy Warhol
The cold winter evenings surprise us with beautiful moments in a pleasant ambience. We are talking about those moments when we manage to detach ourselves after a tiring week, to stop running and make time for ourselves. I like to enjoy tasty dishes, and if these dishes are accompanied by good wines, the evening will definitely be a success. I like to discover every time what the master chef manages to create on the plate. I like to explore flavors and textures and I am truly open to culinary suggestions with good wine pairings.
A few weeks ago, we had the great pleasure of being invited to the restaurant „Maimuta Plângătoare” in Cluj-Napoca for a beautiful evening together with culinary dishes and exceptional wines. For me, the atmosphere is always important, because in this way you create pleasant memories and you will definitely return here. The restaurant is one of the places where I always come back with pleasure. With a strong tradition in the back due to the welcoming atmosphere and impeccable service, the restaurant and the personnel will make you feel comfortable and you will always enjoy exceptional dishes.
Wine dinners are regular events in this place, and if you find yourself passing through the city in the heart of Transylvania I suggest you stop right here. If you have the opportunity to experience such an event then the better. You will not regret it. The host of the beautiful evening was Radu Ilea, a true expert in both wines and culinary dishes.
The beautiful Friday night debuted with an extra dry sparkling wine Flute en Rose. Delicate and fruity with a gentle rose scent and attractive color, it can be considered a good starter for an evening with friends.
The evening continued with a white wine born in the volcanic soil of Sicily. Zibibbo is surprising, with a persistent taste and subtle notes, obtained 100% from the Zibibbo grape variety. The comfort of the south and the warm African wind is part of this wine. With this wine we had the pleasure of tasting a delicate chicken salad with celery that highlighted the notes of the tasted wine.
The transition from white to red wine is always an important moment as we do enter another world, dominated by intense tastes and strong notes.
The first red wine tasted was San Felice Chianti Classico DOCG 2017. Obtained from Sangiovese (80%), Colorino and Pugnitello, the wine stands out with its fruity and delicate floral notes. We could associate it with traditional cheese from Italy or we could consume it as such on a chill winter evening, of course in the right company.
The second red wine completed the palette of red wines. Castelforte Valpolicella Ripasso 2016 is a blend obtained from the varieties Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella, passed over the remaining skins from the production of Amarone. Ripasso is a wine with an intense ruby color and complex notes of berries and spices.
The evening continued with the main course, a true culinary show right in the middle of the restaurant. Chef Victor Voicu chose to prepare the beef right in front of those present and I can say that I was really impressed by what he accomplished. Delicate textures accompanied by exceptional wines, a culinary journey for those who want a special evening.
The third red wine came straight from Puglia, a Negroamaro with 13.5% volumes dominated by tobacco and chocolate notes. The wine is quite well proportioned and we could say interesting. I would personally recommend it to be consumed as such in the evening with friends when you enjoy good stories and a red wine glass.
The last wine and the one that left a pleasant impression is Monte Zovo – Recioto Della Valpolicella. Obtained from the varieties Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara from the Valpolicella region, the wine is characterized by the notes of dried fruits, a well balanced acidity, but also subtle sweet notes that make it an extremely versatile companion when we want to associate it with a dish.
And because a perfect evening can only end with an absolutely perfect dessert, we had the opportunity to unwind our taste buds with a delicate Tiramisu that crowned this special day. Fine textures suitable for the evening that made us forget about our daily live and enjoy in a perfect ambience at „Maimuța Plângătoare” a Friday that will not be forgotten.
By Ileana Bocu
