Winenotes Jan 2012
January 2012
Happy 2012, another year , another dollar. Ursula has made a few resolutions. 1. No more celery
or carrots in the jello. 2. No strange meats such as platypus or spam. 3. No more hip hop country
western karaoke. 4. We will maintain our standard of excellence for live music and add another
night. 5. Simple orders won’t upset us (not that they ever did). 6. We will keep our menus tasteful
and flavorful. 7. If you come in on Valentine’s Day at 7 and want a seat without a reservation we
won’t openly laugh at you. 8. Never try rutabaga, walnut, banana and broccoli bread pudding
again. Those are Ursula’s resolutions, we will try to adhere to them throughout the year. If we
stray please call me on it. We will be doing our best to make the coming year a fun and exciting
food and wine year.
Wine Class-The first wine class of the new year will be Sunday January 29 at 3PM. We will
spend the afternoon tasting and discussing wines from Mendocino County. Cost is $25 per
person and reservations can be made at 651-429-9600.
Wine Class schedule for the rest of this spring: March 11, Wines from Monterey County and
April 29, Wines from Lodi.
The next game day is Sunday February 5. We start at 2 so bring a game, bring a friend and we
will hang out all afternoon. That also happens to be Super Bowl Sunday and this could give you
a good reason to get out of the house although the game does not start until 6. We won’t have it
on at the restaurant.
Valentine’s Day-Celebrate with our four course dinner for $40 per person and accompanying
wine flights at $25 and $50. We always fill up so don’t wait until the last minute.
International Zinfandel Day-Thursday February 23 is International Zinfandel Day. The day when
we celebrate the grape that deserves celebrating. We will have a number of zins open by the
glass.
Staff Stuff-Dennis got a cat condo, Ben’s mom has hung art at Ursula’s, Rhonda is getting
married in Puerto Rico, Mary went to Kansas for Christmas, Sara is car pooling to work, Justina
played board games New Year’s Eve, Marty got his first 400 score in Scrabble, Andrea had a
great relaxing winter break, Emily hung with friends on New Years, Mitchell separated his
shoulder snow boarding, Krystal had to take Mitchell’s shifts, Steven went out of town for a few
days, Will is driving to work now, Meghan is out for cross country skiing, Rachel and Sabrina
worked New Year’s Eve and Kurt and Theresa got caught up on the Harry Potter movies.
Winenotes Oct 2011
October 2011
We are celebrating summer in October, it’s glorious now and it has to come to an end but it’s great weather for sitting on the deck with a glass of wine and watching leaves fall. Halloween is just down the street and around the corner, I am going as an adverb, think about that one. With Halloween we need an appropriate wine and that wine would be Vampire Merlot, it’s not very good but it is topically relevant.
Wine Class - Sake will be the topic of our next wine class on Sunday, October 30. This informative and fascinating class will be led by Chris Griese from World Class Wines who is the Twin Cities resident Sake expert. Class starts at 3 PM and the cost is $25 per person. Make reservations at 651-429-9600.
Next Wine Class - Sunday, December 11 at 3 PM. “Tell me what you’re drinking”. I will give you the wine and descriptions and you get to figure out what is in the glass.
Wine Dinner - Tuesday, October 25 Chef Dennis will be preparing a six course all squash dinner paired with appropriate wines. Cost is $50 per person and the cocktail hour begins at 6:30. Reservations can be made at 651-429-9600.
Petite Sirah Appreciation Night - This is our chance to thank Petite Sirah for all it has done for us. We will be pouring a wide array of petites by the glass for an evening of fellowship, amusement and blue tongues. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 22.
Game Day - Sunday, November 6 from 2 to 5 we are hosting a game day. Bring a board game and a friend or two and enjoy an afternoon of games. Big Sal has dibs on Chutes and Ladders.
Staff Stuff - Sheila retired and moved to Prior Lake to begin her new career as a real estate agent, Dennis moved, Eric’s daughter is walking, Rhonda and TJ are going grouse hunting, Sara is taking Yoga, Justina went fishing up north, Marty has been spending a lot of time in Spooner, Mary is new and used to work with Sara at Tulips, Andrea likes her school this year, Mitchell went to the homecoming dance, Steven didn’t, but Emily did, Krystal is into gymnastics, Will thinks we need more cowbell, TJ made jazz band and Kurt and Theresa went to a lecture at the U on pocket neighborhoods presented by Ross Chapin (WBHS 1972).
Mike Mastrian and Dr. Bob won the Trivia Contest. New test will be out in November.
Celebrity Sighting - Leroy Lehr who was a performer with the Metropolitan Opera for 19 years. He sang opposite Pavarotti in Tosca.
Winenotes Aug 2011
August 2011
In the summer of the monsoons, we have spent a good deal of time looking out as the heavy rains kept us pinned indoors as we are afraid we may melt if we get wet. On a positive note, I don’t have to water as much and the grass needs mowing every three days so the cardio workout though unplanned is reluctantly enjoyed. I must say the health benefits of mowing in a sauna are good for the pores and stimulates a cleansing sweat. When the yard work is done enjoy a gallon or two of water and sit down with a glass of August Briggs Petite Sirah. Although not available in the state it can be purchased from the winery located on the Silverado Trail in Napa and Joe Briggs is one of the nicest guys in the biz.
WINE DINNER-Thursday August 4: Steve Ross from Girard Winery will join us and taste through his beautiful sampling of wines. Six wine and five courses for $50 of Chef Dennis cuisine and Girard's wonderful wines, especially the zin and petite sirah. The meet and greet starts at 6:30 with dinner being served at 7. There are a few seats left. Reserve your spot at 651-429-9600.
Valentine’s Day in August-Sunday August 14 is our favorite holiday. Chef Dennis has created a 4 course meal for $45 per person that is paired with wine flights of $25 or $50. Imagine going out for a nice romantic dinner with the sun still shining. Call 651-429-9600for reservations.
Wine Class-Sunday August 28 at 3 pm we will be tasting decadent reds or should I say deckadent reds on the deck. Big, bad and bold, get in quick, only 20 seats. Cost is $25 per person and reservations can be made at 651-429-9600.
Open That Bottle Night-In conjunction with Decadent Reds, we are declaring Sunday August 28 Open that Bottle Night. That is the night that we invite you to bring out that bottle of wine you have been saving for a special occasion. This is that special occasion and you need to drink it before it goes bad. We wave the corkage fee and encourage you to celebrate your wine cellar.
Staff Stuff-Dennis got a new grill on his snazzy car, Eric is registered for Century in the fall, Sheila is studying for her real estate license, Sara takes the bus to work in downtown St. Paul, Rhonda went up north for a few days, Justina went up north on vacation, Andrea has August to enjoy before school starts, Marty is going up to Lake Superior to watch the meteor showers, TJ is making cameo appearances with Clint Rowles band, Mitch played guitar on the sidewalk at Marketfest, Will is going back to Hamline in the fall, Sabrina is off to Marquette, Laura is ready for school to start at UMD, Steve is a junior at White Bear, Rachael is going back to Japan (her dinner was superb), Kurt announced the bands at Marketfest and Theresa cut her hair for Locks of Love at the Relay for Life.
Winenotes July 2011
July 2011
As I write this on the 4th of July, I am happy that summer is finally here, I am thrilled the Twins have decided to play baseball and I am excited to see what is on the new menu. On this Independence Day, Ursula’s is an independent restaurant and there must be some literary correlation I can make somewhere, it may come to me eventually. It would be appropriate to take a road trip to Indiana to tour the Indy Wine Trail. Taste the best wines Indiana has to offer, have a good time, I’d join you but I can’t get anyone to work for me.
Wine Dinner-Our own Rachael White will present a reprise of her highly successful and delicious Japanese Fusion dinner on Tuesday, July 26 at 6:30. Rachael is the author of Tokyo Terrace, a popular blog that talks about the adventures of an American foodie in Japan. The Cost is $70 per person and includes tax and gratuity. Reserve your spot at 651-429-9600, it will sell out.
Art Show-The art has changed and artist Kay Oien will hold an open house reception on Sunday July 17 from 1 to 4 showcasing her latest watercolors. Stop in and join us.
Valentine’s Day in August-We hope to make this a Hallmark holiday. Ursula’s will offer a 4 course dinner celebrating Valentines Day, only in warm weather, mittens not allowed. Dinner is $40 per person and wine flights will be offered at $25 and $50. Join us Sunday August 14, make your reservations at 651-429-9600.
Wine Class-Sunday August 28 at 3PM we will have a wine class on the deck. The topic of discussion will be decadent reds. Cost is $25 and reservations are required.
Open That Bottle Night-In conjunction with our wine class we are declaring Sunday August 28, Open That Bottle Night. This is the evening when you pull out that bottle you’ve been saving for that special occasion. This is that occasion. Bring those wonderful wines and enjoy them before they get too old.
Staff Stuff-Dennis got a snazzy new car, Eric didn’t do much over the 4th, Rhonda was on the boat for the 4th, Sheila’s been seeing a lot of movies lately, Andrea loved Costa Rica, Marty went to Spooner for a couple of days, Sara has a new job with Ramsey County, Justina works for the state, TJ mowed Clint Rowles lawn while he was on vacation, Mitchell is working at Marketfest selling tie dyed shirts, Laura is going to Yellowstone, Natalie turned 18, Steve rides his bike to work, Sabrina has been spending a lot of time at the gym and the beach, Will has some great color in his hair, former dishwasher Hannah turned 21 and Kurt and Theresa took a Sunday off and went to a wedding.
The deck is fully operational with new umbrellas, additional seating and live music on Sunday and Thursday.
Winenotes June 2011
June 2011
Still waiting for spring to arrive, I heard it’s on back order. Two changes this summer at Ursula’s
that you should be aware of, we will be open until 10pm on Marketfest nights and we will have music
on the deck on Thursdays and Sundays all summer long. Speaking of summer it would be appropriate
if we all enjoyed a bottle of Summerland wine, if you can find a bottle in town let me know, I’ve
never seen it but the name is fitting.
Wine Dinner-Tuesday June 7 at 6:30 join us as we pair wines from Kysela Pere & Fils, Ltd. with Chef
Dennis’ 5 course meal. National Sales Manager, Dan Steffen will talk us through the wines in a
delightful summer evening. Cost is $45 per person and reservations can be made at 651-429-9600.
Wine Class-Back by popular demand we are having Roses on the deck on Sunday June 12 at 3pm.
What better way to sample Roses than out of doors on a beautiful afternoon. Cost is $25 per person
and reservations can be made at 651-429-9600.
Japanese Fusion Dinner-Rachael White will once again share her culinary talents with us on Tuesday
July 26. Last year was a sell out, this year Rachael has some great ideas for a fun evening of food
and wine paired for another memorable event. Make your reservations now, we expect another full
house.
Valentine’s Day in August-this ever popular evening will happen on Sunday August 14, put it on your
calendar, you get to wear sandals without the slushy toes..
Staff Stuff-Dennis celebrated his birthday at Barrio, Eric is the sous chef on weekends, Rhonda got
the boat in, Sheila went to Sedona, AZ, Sara is working some Fridays and Saturdays, Andrea isn’t
teaching summer school this year, Marty works at Erte and is an artist, Justina grew up in
Maplewood, Natalie has left us to be a lifeguard for Ramsey County, Rachel J is working at a day
camp in New Hope, TJ’s plans are to go fishing at least once a week, Will is back after his freshman
year at Hamline, Sabrina can’t wait to graduate, Laura is working at Marketfest in traffic control,
Mitchell plays sax, trumpet and guitar, Rachael W. is waiting for her hubs to come home from Japan
in mid June, Theresa planted herbs at the restaurant and Kurt is once again announcing the Manitou
Days parade for Cable TV.
Father’s Day is June 19 and what better place to celebrate than Ursula’s.
Ursula’s will be closed on July 4.
Jim and Carol Collins won the May Trivia Contest. A new contest will start July 1.
Don’t forget our 5 to 6 special goes all night on Mondays and you can gather around the bar and talk
wine every Monday at 8.