The doors to the grand ballroom at the Hilton Anatole were opened on Friday night kicking off the first annual Taste of The Anatole. As we entered the room we were invited to taste a delicious tequila cocktail compliments of Casa Nobel Tequila. A perfect balance of watermelon, tequila and a hint of jalapeño delighted my senses, making this a great introduction to the event.
The Grand Ballroom was elegantly decorated with wine and international food stations scattered about filled with both sweet and savory treats. The live band on stage filled the air with Jazz music as we prepared for our exploration of fine foods and wine. Each wine station featured a variety of tasting options complimented with knowledgeable expert to educate us on the wines. I enjoyed a pale Sherry for the first time and learned this is a wine to look out for as it’s gaining popularity among the young thirty-somethings. A merlot from Washington State was another lovely surprise, it had all the characteristics of a full-bodied Cabernet.
As we tasted wines from every region of the country and around the world we were delighted with small plates of gourmet delicacies including crispy risotto croquettes, smoked salmon croque monsieur, Spanish paella, Argentinian flank steak, ostrich sliders, Baha fish tacos…too many option to mention! The Italian antipasto display and the California cheese table was a perfect accompaniment to the wines. The mini desserts truly delighted our taste buds; amaretto ricotta cheesecake mousse, Grand Marnier crème brulee and strawberry profiteroles were just a few of the offerings and a sweet way to end a lovely evening. 
The Taste of Anatole continued into the weekend with daytime workshops on Saturday including sessions on how to pair wine with a variety of foods, wine blending and a blind tasting. In the evening the Anatole Grand Tasting commenced featuring Anatole’s signature cuisines expertly paired with wines from around the world. There was also a live mozzarella cheese demonstration from master cheese maker Marc Kuehl. The festivities were wrapped up on Sunday with a brunch featuring live jazz music, food stations and a Bloody Mary and Mimosa bar.
The Taste of Anatole at the Hilton in Dallas is a must for wine aficionados and those that truly enjoy gourmet culinary treats. The entire event truly tantalizes your senses from beginning to end. So, if you are a lover of wine and find enjoyment in trying delectable foods from around the world do not miss this event. The Taste Of The Anatole was held from October 2-4th in Dallas and they offer Sip, Savor and Stay packages which includes the event, parking and a guest room. For more information on the Taste of the Anatole visit www.TasteOfTheAnatole.com and I hope to see you there next year!
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