Fratello's Restaurant

Greetings!
 No mistake now, winter has arrived. Some storm last weekend, non? Plus it then rebounded to 47 or so, temps wise, rained like you know what, which for some of us led to unwanted water at home - all in all, just another banner week in northeast Ohio. I bet our readers in the south are jealous, but I digress. Now rumor has it that the polar vortex (or whatever) is about to return. Seems like a good time to enjoy fine food & wine. We can offer our assistance in this regard, as this weekend we will be featuring Certified Angus Beef Short Ribs, Dover Sole from just north of Washington state, and Lane Snapper from the Gulf of Mexico. Take a break from weather concerns, consider joining us, we’d love to see ya’!

On our wine board I am still running with the Rosso di Montalcino from Domus Vitae from Italy, along with the Spanish Garnacha blend Priorat from Autor, all of which join the long tenured Cabernet Sauvignon from Joel Gott from Napa and the Sangiovese blend from Ferrari-Carona from Sonoma, Siena. I have recently tasted again the Priorat and the Rosso, and I think they work well with our menu. Garnacha, aka Grenache, is a grape that pairs well with our cuisine, and as I mentioned last week this Rosso gives one a sense of how Sangiovese expresses itself in Montalcino, whose ultimate expression is the renowned Brunello di Montalcino, one of the best wines in all of Italy. We have a variety of Brunello for you to consider on our wine list. Today I received two new wines from Italy for you to also enjoy. Both of these wines are not inexpensive, both are “*” wines, but both are from respected vineyards and are highly rated. The Pra Amarone is a 2010 vintage, which was a very good year for Italian wines, and offers sophistication and elegance, power and structure. Amarone is typically a very big wine with abundant fruit. The other wine is another Chianti from Fontodi, which is becoming among my favorite wineries in all of Tuscany. We have the excellent 2015 Chianti Classico from Fontodi on our list, which drinks as well as many Brunellos, and this wine is another Chianti from Fontodi, but comes from the cooler Lamole vineyard. The Filetta di Lamole Chianti Classico also comes from 2015, but beside coming from a totally different vineyard site than the other Fontodi Chianti, this wine is fermented in concrete and amphora casks before aging in French oak barrels, which is an experiment of sorts that Fontodi is trying. Of course using amphora to age and store wines dates back several thousand years to the Romans and Greeks and even before, and this affects the taste of the wine. This Chianti is the newest wine from Fontodi, and also highly rated. Consider wines from Fontodi, not inexpensive, but to me worth it. Just a thought.

I hope you survived intact our recent weather events and have emerged well. Thank you for you continued support, we are very grateful. Take care, and we hope to see you soon.

Ciao

Greetings!

Loin Lamb Chops, Spanish Mackerel (not from Spain but from Puerto Rico, crazy, huh?) and Mahi-mahi from Guatemala. If you live in the West, maybe consider staying close to home; if further East, be adventurous (but careful!) heading out. Wherever you come from, we’d love to see ya’!

I have added to our wine board a Rosso di Montalcino from Domus Vitae from Italy, which joins the Argentine Malbec from Vina de Angeles and the Spanish Garnacha blend Priorat from Autor, all of which join the long tenured Cabernet Sauvignon from Joel Gott from Napa and the Sangiovese blend from Ferrari-Carona from Sonoma, Siena. The Joel Gott Cab and Siena have been with us for some time, and the reason is that they continue to be very good wines from both a quality and value point of view, and I intend to stay with them until I am proven otherwise with alternatives. This Rosso comes from Montalcino, and in general can be viewed as a baby Brunello, which is among the finest wines in Italy. Both Rosso di Montalcino and Brunello are 100% Sangiovese wines, which is also the backbone if not the sole grape in Chianti. Sangiovese is among the best grapes, from anywhere, to pair with food, especially from an Italian restaurant, and a Rosso allows one a taste of the direction that Sangiovese heads with Brunello at a lower price point. Of course we do have a number of Brunello wines on our list, which I also heartily endorse. All good options for you to enjoy, especially on a wintry night.

Stay warm and safe this weekend, but remember, we are here for you if need be. Thank you for your continued support, it is truly appreciated. Take care.

Ciao

Greetings!

Well, we knew it was coming. You know, that white stuff that should have been here on Christmas but waited until today to arrive. But all in all we have been fortunate, and plenty has happened recently. The Browns have a new coach, the Tribe is gearing up for spring training, which is fast approaching, the Cavs………, well you know, the Cavs. And we are still here for you, with some nice features this weekend. We will be featuring Certified Angus Beef Flat Iron Steak, Red Grouper from Mexico and Wild Stripped Bass. I know it is kind of chilly out, but one has to eat, non? Consider joining us, we’d love to see ya’!

 

On our wine board we are still running with the Malbec from Mendoza from Vina De Angeles, as well as the Spanish Priorat from Au

tor. Priorat is an interesting wine from a region of Spain near Barcelona, primarily made with Garnacha (aka Grenache) but increasingly blended with other grapes, medium bodied, and very good with our menu. I urge you to consider wines from Spain, they excel on both a quality and value metric. As for Malbec, this grape from France has come into its own in Argentina, where it is perhaps their signature grape. Medium to fuller bodied, this particular Malbec has both fruit and structure, a combination not always present in Malbecs in the market, and also works with our menu, or on its own. Just a thought.

Greetings!

Welcome to 2019! We have finally cleaned up and put things in relative order following our New Year’s Eve bash, and jumping in to the new year. Nature has been kind to us thus far, I even see that bright yellow thing in the sky called the sun today. Perfect conditions to head out and start this first week of 2019 on the right foot with some fine food & wine. To help you in this regard, this weekend we will be featuring Certified Angus Beef Ribeye Cap Steak, aka Spinelis, fresh Halibut, and Swordfish. If you have not tried the Ribeye Cap Steak I urge you to give it a try, probably one of the best cuts of steak available. And nature seems like she is going to oblige us with some decent temps this weekend. Come join us and wish in the new year with us, we’d love to see ya’!

On our wine board, the Malbec I mentioned last week is close to gone, as is the Chianti Classico from San Felice. Both are very good wines, work with our menu or on their own. As you might guess I have some wines up my sleeve, so to speak, to follow, including a red from Treasure Hunter from the west coast and a Priorat from Spain, the red wine which is mostly Garnacha but often a blend. These two wines, in particular, provide you with a new world/old world comparison, wine-wise, with the new world typically featuring more abundant fruit, and the old world being more subdued, yet elegant. Both have their place, which is why on our list I have included many wines from both worlds for you to enjoy. Join us and explore some wines, it is one of the pleasures in life (at least to me).

I hope your new year went well, and you have avoided or are recovering from one of those nasty colds floating around. Thank you for your support, and let us all hope for a wonderful new year for us all, in all ways. Take care.

Ciao

Greetings!

Well, this is it, my final email to you for 2018. Is it just me or do these years seem to go faster and faster each year? But it is the end of the year, and I want to thank you for all your support this year, and all the many years that we have been here in Avon Lake. We are gearing up for a big weekend, and then a New Year’s Eve bash, and we hope you can join us one of these nights to bid adieu to 2018 and welcome in 2019. We will be featuring Beef Funghetto, Red Grouper and Bay of Fundy Salmon, which we all know is all so good for you. Consider joining us, we’d love to see ya’!

I have made a few changes to our wine board, adding a red blend from California and continuing with the Malbec from Argentina that we featured for part of last week (before we ran out). The Scoundrel is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from Bell Wine Cellars, a medium bodied wine with great color and flavor. This wine works either by itself or with any number of foods. As you know, I am quite the fan of Syrah, and its addition to the Cabernet adds color and elegance to the wine. The Malbec, Vina 1924 De Angeles, offers both fruit and body, and will work for those of you new to Malbec, but also for you veterans who love this grape. Malbec actually comes from France, and in the near future I plan to offer you a taste of a French Malbec, but it really comes into its own in Argentina, especially in the region of Mendoza. Perhaps the signature grape of Argentina, although they grow other varietals and have other excellent wines, Malbec really shines here, and this Malbec is a good example of this.

As I mentioned above, this email close out 2018 for me, which is reason to reflect on many things as I look back on 2018, as well as the 26 years before it that we have been here for you. I am very fortunate in many ways, certainly for my wife and family, without whose support I could not do what I do, and of course my brother and partner. I am grateful for my staff as well, current and past, who are so important to our efforts to provide you with quality food, wine & service. And I am grateful for your continued support and friendship all these many years, we obviously could not do it without you. I thank you sincerely. Take care of yourselves, smile & laugh a lot, and enjoy your holidays.

Ciao

Greetings!

It sure is nice to see the sun again, non? Seems like it has been away for awhile, or so I am told by someone near and dear to me. It even seems a bit warmer today, kind of puts you in the mood for some fine food & wine, non? Like, perhaps, this weekend, when we at Fratello’s will be featuring Certified Angus Beef Delmonico Steak, Arctic Char and Mahi-mahi. It is the time of year to celebrate, you know, and we are here to help you with this. Consider joining us, we’d love to see ya’!

On our wine board I am sticking this week with the Cotes du Rhone and the Chianti Classico from San Felice, both of which work well with our menu and the time

of year. They join the Cabernet from Joel Gott and the Sangiovese blend from Ferrari-Carano, Siena, and there are a few bottles left of the Montepulciano from Italy. This Montepulciano comes from Abruzzo and is 100% Montepulciano grape, fruit with a touch of sweetness and medium to fuller bodied. I have added a few wines to our Wine List that you might enjoy this season, including a Merlot blend from J. Bookwalter from Washington state, Conflict, and two single vineyard Pinot Noir wines from Ken Wright in Oregon. The Carter Vineyard and Canary Vineyard are single vineyard offerings from Ken Wright, a respected vineyard whose basic Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley has been on our list for quite some time. These two wines offer a bit more body and elegance than the standard offering, both are very good yet slightly different, reflecting the different soils from their vineyards. I have also added a Syrah from Fontodi from Italy, which has become one of my favorite wineries in Tuscany if not all of Italy. Their wines are all very good, and we have a Chianti Classico from Fontodi also on our list. Not inexpensive, they are both * wines, yet they deliver. Hey, it is the season to treat yourselves, or your family and friends!

We are driving full speed ahead on our New Year’s Eve plans - the seatings at 5:30 and 7:30 are full, although as you know we have a waiting list, and the seatings at 9:30 is approaching full. Remember that I contact everyone coming that evening to confirm that their plans have not changed, no one is ill, etc., so it is common that there are changes, meaning I look to the overfill list. We serve our regular menu with specials, and we take reservations for all size parties, unlike our normal policy of reservations only for parties of 5 or larger. Please call - do not email -(440) 871-3054 or (440) 933-3380 in Lorain - for a reservation if you would like to join us. In the past - as in the past 25 years - I think it is fair to say that all have had a good time, so consider joining us. Call if you are interested, we would like you to join us as we celebrate another New Year.
Allow me to thank you again for your support and friendship. By the time I write you again we will have celebrated our 26th year here in Avon Lake, and I am proud to say with many of the same staff who started this journey with my brother and me. We thank you all for your support all these many years. Take care and enjoy your Holiday Season, we hope to see you soon. If I miss you by chance, let me wish you a most Merry Christmas. Take care.

Ciao

Greetings!

No doubt about it. winter has arrived, complete with that white, fluffy stuff coming down. I have to admit, it does look nice out, all white & crisp, clean for the most part, and with the holiday decorations out it does lead to a warm and festive mood. This is a perfect time to enjoy a nice meal & wine with friends & family. Like, just saying, at Fratello’s, when this weekend we will be featuring Jumbo Sea Scallops, center cut File Mignon, and North Atlantic Haddock, and I am told maybe even another surprise, food wise, for you to enjoy. Celebrate the holidays early and come join us, we’d love to see ya’!

The Zinfandel from Lake County that I mentioned last week has left our wine board, but the Cotes du Rhone from France is still there, and I have added a Chianti Classico from Italy for your enjoyment. This Chianti from San Felice is a mostly Sangiovese but with Colorino and Pugitello, two grapes indigenous to Italy, adding some depth and harmony to the wine. San Felice is a respected vineyard in Tuscany, and this 2015 wine, which in my experience is a very good year for Tuscan wines, is rated 91 by the Wine Spectator, yet it is on the board for $28/bottle. If you have not tasted Chianti in some time I urge you to try it again, and we have several Chiantis on our list at many price points. Sangiovese is among my most favorite grapes for food, and Chianti by law is mostly if not entirely Sangiovese in make. Chianti used to be a more mediocre if not worse wine, to be kind, but no longer. Give them a try, they are worthy to be on your list of wines to enjoy.

Another update on our New Year’s Eve plans - the seatings at 5:30 and 7:30 are full, although as you know we have a waiting list, and the seatings at 9:30 is approaching full. Remember that I contact everyone coming that evening to confirm that their plans have not changed, no one is ill, etc., so it is common that there are changes, meaning I look to the overfill list. We serve our regular menu with specials, and we take reservations for all size parties, unlike our normal policy of reservations only for parties of 5 or larger. Please call - do not email - for a reservation if you would like to join us. In the past - as in the past 25 years - I think it is fair to say that all have had a good time, so consider joining us. Call if you are interested, we would like you to join us as we celebrate another New Year.

Greetings!

Now I know that winter does not actually arrive for several weeks hence, and that the chances are good to not certain that even cooler days and nights are in our near future, but boy, does it seem cold out, non? Rumor has it that in just a few days the thermometer will actually rise a bit, although we head back to coolness by the end of the weekend. A little consistency would be appreciated, please. Speaking of, that is what we try to do at Fratello’s week in, week out - offer you consistent good food & wine & service, all important. Like this weekend, when it is supposed to be warmer, when we will be featuring Certified Angus Beef Strip Steaks, Red Grouper and Caribbean Red Snapper. Consider joining us, we’d love to see ya’!

Our wine board has a few changes. Joining the Cabernet from Joel Gott and the Sangiovese blend, Siena, from Ferrari-Carona is a Zinfandel from Lake County, California, which is just north of Napa County, the Montepulciano from Italy that I mentioned last week, and a Cotes du Rhone from the south of France, which is a Grenache blend. Our supply is limited on these wines, so consider trying them before they are gone. In the wings await a Malbec from Argentina and a Chianti from Italy, whose new vintage was highly rated in the most recent Wine Spectator. Plenty of wine for you to enjoy.

An update on our New Year’s Eve plans - the seatings at 5:30 and 7:30 are full, although as you know we have a waiting list, and the seatings at 9:30 is approaching full. Remember that I contact everyone coming that evening to confirm that their plans have not changed, no one is ill, etc., so it is common that there are changes, meaning I look to the overfill list. We serve our regular menu with specials, and we take reservations for all size parties, unlike our normal policy of reservations only for parties of 5 or larger. Please call ‭(440) 871-3054‬ - do not email - for a reservation if you would like to join us. In the past - as in the past 25 years - I think it is fair to say that all have had a good time, so consider joining us. Call if you are interested, we would like you to join us as we celebrate another New Year.
I hope you have stayed warm these cool days and nights, and the ups and downs of the weather temps have not affected your health. Thank you for your continued support, it is sincerely appreciated. Take care, and we hope to see you soon.

Ciao