Though there are many great grilled cheese sandwiches coming out of our Dallas kitchens, I think I experienced one of the very best the other evening at The Grape. It seems the man who has won the title of the best burger in Texas can also make a mean grilled cheese.
We attended The Grape’s monthly wine dinner Wednesday night, this month featuring Trinitas Cellars in Napa Valley. Winemaker Kevin Mills was in attendance as well and gave a little back ground on the winery. Luckily I was also familiar as Trinitas is owned by the same family who owns the Meritage Inn and Spa in Napa, a beautiful resort with a great tasting room. The wine was lovely on its own, but really came alive with the pairing.
The Grape’s owner and chef Brian Luscher created an impeccable meal to pair with the approachable Trinitas wine. A second course of roasted pork and country sausage with bacon cream corn (the corn was the best) paired with a 2007 berry filed Trinitas Old Vine Zinfandel. A Valrhona chocolate terrine paired with the 2007 Cab Sav and Cab Franc based Meritage.
And a stunning first course of roasted dry scallops with Fresno chili pepper beurre blanc with an orange, avocado and pickled onion salad. The pepper beurre blanc was rich and creamy, and the pairing with the Trinitas Sauvignon Blanc hit the mark. This Sauv Blanc is barrel fermented in new Hungarian oak, creating a soft, vanilla, melon and lemon peel filled wine. A real winner with the scallop.
However, one of our dining companions has a food alergy to shell fish. Enter the grilled cheese.
Chef Brian casually offers a few alternatives that should pair nicely with the wine…one of which is the best grilled cheese sandwich in the world. With great curiosity, and a love of grilled cheese, we said yes!
Two thick slices of brioche style bread, crispy from a hearty pan sear, made possible by top to bottom buttering of each slice. Presented simply with a frisee and cherry tomato salad, the American cheese filled sandwich made every mouth water, and the recipient of this fantastic grilled cheese thrilled.
We did snag a bite…ohhhh….it just may be the best grilled cheese sandwhich in town. What’s your favorite?
