A Taste of Verona at Casa Mia and Food Truck Eats at Peller Estates

By Mike Lowe

Last week started and ended on high notes as I attended two food and wine events in Niagara. One featured traditional Italian dishes and wines from Italy while the other offered some awesome street-eats paired with Niagara wines.

Casa Mia Ristorante, a longtime favourite of mine located in Niagara Falls, runs some amazing events. If you’ve ever been to one of their wildly popular Roam ‘n Mingle nights you’ll know what I mean. For about $50 you can graze all evening enjoying classic Italian cuisine and some great wines from Niagara and abroad.

Gian Maria Righetti

Last Monday’s event showcased the wines of Luigi Righetti, known for their powerful Amarones. On hand was winemaker Gian Maria Righetti (photo above) pouring Pinot Grigio, Valpolicella, Cabernet Sauvignon and, of course, Amarone.

Chefs Luciana and Claudio Mollica delivered their hallmark style of cuisine served in four “acts” throughout the evening. Patrons filled plates with oysters, antipasti and hand-rolled gnocchi as a prelude to the delicious entrees.

Chef Claudio Mollica

Assorted Antipasti

Braised veal cheeks with creamy polenta and preserved lemon gremolata and veal spezzatino, classic examples of simplicity and patience in the kitchen, stole the show. Succulent lamb loin chops, lamb-sicles as I call them, were paired with slightly bitter rapini. Live music, provided by pianist Godfrey George, was the perfect accompaniment for a night of great food and wine.

Godfrey George on the piano

Dessert followed, served in the beautiful private wine cellar beneath the restaurant.

The wine cellar

Watch Casa Mia’s web site for news or, better still, get on their email list so you won’t miss out on future events like this.

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Food Truck Eats at Peller Estates

As a wrap-up to last week, Peller Estates Winery once again hosted the Food Truck Eats event. The gathering of 20 food trucks brought foodies out in droves to sample their wares and, considering the huge crowd, the event was amazingly well organized and executed. Even the weather co-operated with plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures.

Wine bar

After a stop at the wine bar I was off in search of some solid sustenance. It came in the form of a fantastic tostada de lengua from El Gastronomo Vagabundo. The crispy fried tortilla topped with tender, braised-then-fried pork tongue, guacamole, mixed bean salad and fresh cilantro was simply outstanding.

Tostada de Lengua

Surveying the crowd I see people of all ages and get a sense that this is also a family event. Right next to me two young gents are seated on the grass munching French fries.

Murdock (left) and Logan-Fox (right)

Over at Niagara’s own Tide & Vine Oyster Company skewers of plump, sweet and tasty “dueling scallops” were sizzling on the grill while fresh oysters were being shucked.

If barbecue is your thing there was no shortage of pulled pork and beef brisket. I jumped into the relatively short queue in front of the Southern Smoke Truck to order the brisket on a bun. Smoky, tender and mildy spicy beef with optional sides (I went for both) of smoked mac ‘n cheese and vinegar-based slaw made for a winning combination.

Southern Smoke Truck’s brisket

My last dish of the day was a fantastic pork schnitzel “ryder” (sandwich) from Dobro Jesti of Caledonia. Moist, tender pork sporting a crunchy, deep-fried shell is topped with fresh tomato and lettuce. At just $6, it was one of the best values available.

Dobro Jesti

Schnitzel “Ryder”

Even java lovers could get a much needed afternoon jolt at one of the most unique attractions at the show. Manual Labour Coffee’s antique trailer, equipped with an espresso machine, was churning out hot beverages. With a full belly, a slight buzz, and a good start on my tan, it’s time to head for the shuttle bus.