Possibly the Best Meal Ever!

After our hike in the Black Hills Andrew and I went to Prairie Berry Winery in Hill City. They are known for their Red Ass Rhubarb wine and creative wine labels. Andrew noticed a sign advertising a Chocolate Lover's Bistro they were having the following evening. Four courses featuring chocolate and paired with appropriate wines. Plus, live musical entertainment. Once we found out they could provide a vegetarian option for the main course, we made a booking without even asking the price. (It turned out to be $55 each, not bad for food, wine and entertainment.)

The appetizer course was a slice of toasted ciabatta bread topped with goat cheese and crushed cacao nibs and then drizzled in local clover honey. Very good and something easily made at home. It was paired with their Legacy Chardonnay, produced in limited supply and only available for sale to their wine club members (hence the name Legacy) so it was a treat to be able to taste it.

Goat Cheese Crostini with Cacao Nibs

The salad was local mixed greens, raspberries, orange segments, shaved white chocolate and a white chocolate and raspberry vinaigrette made with one of their honey wines. The wine pairing was Pink Slip which wasn't nearly as sweet a wine as we feared it might be.

Summer Salad with White Chocolate and Raspberry Vinaigrette

The main course for most people was a cocoa crusted pork tenderloin. The vegetarian option was a portobello mushroom stuffed with quinoa, topped with the same dry rub as the pork loin and then a layer of cheese. The rub was a spicy combination of cocoa, chili powder, cayenne pepper and some other spices, dried cherries and a red wine reduction. The combination was exquisite and probably one of best things I have ever tasted. The wine pairing was the Phat Hogg Red.

Portobella Mushroom Stuffed with Quinoa, Topped with Spicy Cocoa Chili Mix & Cheese

Dessert consisted of a small sampling of three different desserts. White chocolate soup with raspberries and mint leaves, a salted caramel chocolate torte and a dark chocolate mousse. Raspberry Honeywine finished off the wine pairing for the evening.

Trio of Chocolate

The other definite highlight of the evening was the entertainment. Montana Skies was fantastic! They are trained as classical musicians and describe their music style as "classical fusion". A guitar, a cello, a 6-string electric cello, a flute and singing bowls made up their instrument list. Added to this was some creative computer technology. Give them a listen. You won't be disappointed!

Montana Skies