Feast: Dumplings, Dumplings Everywhere and More Than a Drop to Drink

Last night I went back for another helping of Thursday Night Wine Bar at Central Bottle, this week featuring dumplings from Myers + Chang. I had been looking forward to this combination since I saw it publicized via twitter from Nick @centralbtlwine and @myersandchang, even though my skill with a pair of chopsticks is not something I’m known for.

If you haven’t been to Myers + Chang, you should go. Run by Joanne Chang (a woman so cool that I like to pretend she is my best friend in some alternate universe), M+C is visually arresting with its combination of vibrant colors and carefully chosen decor pieces. And oh yeah, the food is great too.  I believe the dumplings we enjoyed last night were Mama Chang’s Pork and Chive, pan-fried. I can’t claim to be an expert on dumplings, but I’ve had my share. I’ve eaten some with non-existent, clearly frozen, or just plain bad filling. I’ve eaten some with watery, tough, or flavorless wonton wrappings. These were none of the above.

The filling was substantial but the dumplings weren’t over-stuffed, and the flavor was delicate. Nobody wants gamey dumplings, and these were, of course, very fresh. The wonton wrapping itself was also a nice surprise, tough enough to withstand two bites without falling apart, tender enough that you didn’t have to fight your way to the filling, and tasty enough that you still wanted to eat it even if your bit of pork had already fallen out and been stolen by someone else at the table.

And of course, the wine. Oh Central Bottle, how I love it when you pick wines for me. Never would I have thought to choose Richou Anjou Blanc ($18/bottle) to drink with dumplings, but not only was it my favorite of last night’s pairings, I see it quickly becoming a staple in my house.  With your nose in the glass, the aroma is a very distinct honey, and the taste is like creamy apples, really complementing the flavor of the pork in the dumplings. My other favorite from last night was the Chanteleuserie Bourgueil ($18/bottle), a smooth deep red. The other two wines, a Sigl Gruner Veltliner and a Eichinger Gruner Veltliner, were a nice contrast. Leaner than the first pair, the Sigl was (to me) almost spicy, while the Eichinger was smoother, with notes of peach.

The best part (aside from great food and drink) of another successful Thursday Night Wine Bar at Central Bottle? Introducing more new people to the experience. Beware: if I know you, you’ll be attending this with me sooner or later, and you’ll leave warm, happy, and, as a guest stated last night, “wanting more of this in your life.”

BC and AD

MA and SB