Food News: Earth & Vine adds lunch & dinner & wine & cheese

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

By Melanie Stein

Jackson Hole, Wyo--If you are looking for a light dinner and a few glasses of wine, there’s a new place in town that might be just right. Earth & Vine, 260 W. Pearl Ave., plans to open the Wine Bistro in the back of the store on May 18.

Earth & Vine owner Carol Rodriguez said the bistro has been in the works since she opened the shop a year and a half ago. “It seemed like there was a niche to be had in Jackson, in that there weren’t a lot of fun cozy places to sit and have a little snack and a little something to eat.”

The Wine Bistro seats 30-40 at wooden tables with sleek leather chairs for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

“We were trying to create a wine country bistro, something that had a cozy, welcoming, inviting atmosphere, that had a flare of sophistication but no pretense,” she continued, “and a place that you could come for a business meeting or a date or after skiing and be equally comfortable.”

The Wine Bistro will carry about 20 wines at a time from all over the world and from Jackson Hole’s extended backyard.

“There are a lot of really strong wineries out of Idaho that make some great products that a lot of people don’t really know about or haven’t tried,” Rodriguez said. She’ll also offer wines from one of Wyoming’s two wineries: Table Mountain.

Rodriguez has hired Tim Payne as chef. Together they created a dynamic, seasonal and affordable menu that will introduce people to new wine and food pairings.

“We have a full menu,” she said, “but it is … largely small-plate style – perfect for sharing or exploring different wines with different things.”

Payne graduated first in his class from the Scottsdale Culinary Institute in Arizona and has been looking to move here with his soon-to-be wife for some time. He saw the Wine Bistro as the perfect fit.

“I’m a big wine lover,” he said. “I love wine and food and being able to pair the two and work in an environment that is small … it allows me to have a hand in every plate that goes out.”

Most of Payne’s background has been in Mediterranean food, with Spanish, Italian, French and North African influences. His Earth and Vine menu will feature an eclectic assortment.

“The menu is going to change frequently,” he said, “to keep it fresh, to make sure people are seeing new things and don’t get tired of it. The overall intent is to be wine-friendly, because we are a wine bistro.”

A few items on the current menu are arugula salad with candied pecans, tarragon dressing and blue cheese; butter leaf salad with creamy balsamic dressing, bay shrimp and mandarin oranges; bruschetta with toppings ranging from traditional tomato and basil to cannellini bean puree with roasted garlic, rosemary and goat cheese or roasted tomato marmalade; butter-roasted halibut with asparagus and romesco sauce, a traditional Spanish sauce made from roasted red peppers, sweet hot smoked paprika, olive oil and toasted almonds; huckleberry crisp with framboise-infused whipped cream; and a flourless chocolate cake made with pepper and topped with fresh berries.
“We’ll always have a cheese plate, which will rotate among the cheeses [in the store], selecting three of the cheeses and a seasonal fruit to go with that,” Payne said.

Customers will also be able to select from the shelves in the store – stocks include Stilton cheese with lemon peel, cranberry chevre, Michel Cluziel chocolates, nut mixes and hummus chips – to eat in the Wine Bistro.

Ultimately, Rodriguez hopes the Wine Bistro will reflect the store’s motto: “Essentials for living well.”

“It’s about balance, sophistication and refined living, and that is what we intended to reflect in our food, wine and atmosphere as well,” she said. “I think regardless of what walk of life you’re from – whether you’re a second home owner or a local working three jobs or a tourist who is only going to come here once in your life – everyone appreciates a refined way of life and fine foods and nice wine.”

Earth & Vine and the Wine Bistro will be open from 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m. on weekends. Call 734-5033 or stop by the store to learn more.

Photo by Andrew Wyatt
The new Wine Bistro at Earth & Vine will offer small plates to pair with wines.

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Food News: Earth & Vine adds lunch & dinner & wine & cheese | Planet JH News Article: Restaurants And Dining

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