River City Winery - IK,R?

I find that the harder I work the harder I need to play. Wednesday nights have become a much needed and anticipated respite from the stressful week. Two days ago, New Albany provided the best escape from those rigors in recent memory.

We decided to mix things up on Wednesday so our usual party, minus a regular and plus a special guest, reserved a spacious table for six at the River City Winery. The RCW has really been one of our favorites for some time now but alas they serve no beer. This will forever keep them a second string player in our food and drink line-up. What they do have is a beautifully comfortable restaurant, an amazing menu (including my favorite pizza this side of the river), and lots of their own wine. Oh and on Wednesday nights they have live music and 20% off the wine.

We visit the RCW most often on Sundays after we've indulged in a Bank St Brewhouse Brunch. Still we have sampled quite a lot of their menu including all of the apps, a bunch of different pizzas, and the best crab cakes I've ever eaten. I know right? (My daughter says I'm not to use such current terms. I told her she's not allowed to indulge in seventies and eighties rock then.)

Anyway, I've spent some months worth of time in the Chesapeake Bay area so when crab cakes were recommended by our server on my very first visit to RCW I was doubtful to say the least. I'm a doubter no more. We nearly always end up with a “three-cake” serving at our table. This night was no different in that respect but we also had a Capriole cheese plate, cheese bread, and a couple of pizza's. We were most excited to have the Philly Cheese Steak pizza special this night as it had been provided at our request.

We don't know the owner here and until an hour or so into our meal had never met or spoken with the chef at RCW. What we had done was ask for it. A couple of us had walked over after our BSB session last Sunday to pick up some bottles of wine. While there, we had simply asked when they would be having the Philly Cheese Steak special again. Our server said she didn't know but she'd ask chef. She came out a few minutes later and said when do you want it? We were surprised that she had bothered to ask and even more so that the chef had responded. We suggested Wed night and our server returned a few minutes later and said we were on.

It was after 3:00 on Wednesday before I remembered to call and get a reservation. No problem, it was quickly confirmed and we were told we could have one of the large round tables. I then casually asked if the special would be the Philly Cheese Steak. The person said yes and then paused for a moment before asking if we were the ones who had requested it. The deep voice told me this was not our server on Sunday unless she had one hell of a cold so I was doubly impressed. IK,R?

We had a great time. Mellow music was provided by a large fellow (well entitled to listen to legacy rock) in a flowery shirt and while not remarkable it was pleasantly non-intrusive. The food was marvelous as always. The ingredients used by RCW are of the highest quality. I'm told the beef on the cheesesteak is tenderloin. Excellent service was provided by Jessica and as I mentioned Executive Chef Nick Davis came out and visited with us for several minutes. The Traminette was so tasty we polished off four bottles. Yet, somehow we were still thirsty and not at all ready to call it a night so we strolled a short block west in the pleasantly fall-like evening to Bank St where we gathered around a sidewalk table. A glass of light cellar man's beer was enjoyed with more conversation before we at last agreed that as the next day was a work day, the play must end.

Downtown New Albany is becoming the foodie destination this side of the river. It's like Bardstown road albeit with a twentieth the venues but ten times the parking. In time, we might not even wonder what new and exotic spot has most recently opened in that strange foodie mecca in the highlands.

http://redforme.blogspot.com/2012/08/vi ... y-gem.html

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Downtown New Albany is becoming the foodie destination this side of the river. It's like Bardstown road albeit with a twentieth the venues but ten times the parking. In time, we might not even wonder what new and exotic spot has most recently opened in that strange foodie mecca in the highlands.

http://redforme.blogspot.com/2012/08/vi ... y-gem.html

We made the trek there for dinner a few months ago. I'm impressed with the offerings and ambiance. I think collectively many folk from the Ky side of the river will migrate over for an evening and thus contribute to the growing vibrancy of the "new" New Albany. However, the dining options in the Ville are ever increasing thus keeping us busy for many moons trying to keep up with them all. That said, New Albany has become a viable and serious foodie destination and I'm darn glad to have that option available when tho mood is right.

Shane, mind if I repost this at the blog?

Roger, of course I don't mind. I obviously like to share my ruminations such as they are. As before, feel free to fix the mistakes (or not). Cheers!

Got it, and thanks.

I'd like to second the crab cake recommendation. They are some of the best I have ever had... great flavour combination and a nice spice level.

Of course with RCW you cannot beat the wine sampler... I think I tried 7 or 8 different wines for $5... and they put a good amount in each glass so that you have a decent buzz after finishing the sampler! The wine itself though is absolutely fantastic, and since discovering it, it is the sole place where I buy my wines.