Date Night @ Vino

We had a quiet "date night" at Vino last night since it's been almost 3 weeks since our last visit... we were almost gettin' withdrawal symptoms. There wasn't any special theme or themed specials last night, just some of the usual specials though they did have sole on the menu which I haven't seen for quite a while...

We started with cocktails, the Aperol Spritx for the Mrs...

And a gin and tonic for me... Gin and tonic? Well, the gin that was used was a small batch created gin that Chuck found when he did his dinner and wine pairing in Montana... the Whyte Laydie...

Very floral almost like a Martin Miller or Nolet... very good though unfortunately, it's not sold in Hawaii right now.

We then sampled the amuse bouche of the evening...

Then moved on to the Hamakua tomato salad with crispy chicharrones...

And the Calamari...

I had a mixed sampler of whites with our appetizers, a Vermentino (which was perfect with the sole), a Beaujolais Rose and a Clendenen Family Viognier then asked Chuck to select a bottle for us. He uncorked a 1995 Domaine Tempier La Migoua then selected a 2012 Tour du Bon Bandol which was very drinkable at this young age - in fact I initially thought it was a colder climate domestic Syrah or Rhone blend...