Birch & Barley is taking the beer vs. wine battle to all new heights for a good cause. A little good natured and friendly competition will take place on Monday, July 25 at 6pm as special guests Firefly Executive Chef Daniel Bortnick and Kimpton Restaurants’ Master Sommelier Emily Wines step into Birch & Barley for a fierce face-off of both food and drink – all for an exceptional cause. This doubled down affair puts ChurchKey/Birch & Barley Chef Kyle Bailey side-by-side on the line with Bortnick, each chef in charge of crafting two courses. Tableside, it’s a match-up between Greg Engert and Emily, which only means one thing – a big beer and wine battle, and may the best bottle win. Pastry Chef Tiffany MacIsaac – remaining safely in semi-neutral territory – will prepare a selection of breads and the final sweet course of the evening. When it’s all over, the polls open and attendees pick either beer or wine as the night’s victor.
Here’s the menu, which certainly looks very tasty:
1st Course | By Daniel Bortnick
Heirloom Tomato, Bread & Basil Salad with Housemade Mozzarella
Beer pairing: Dieu du Ciel Rosée d’Hibiscus
2nd Course | By Kyle Bailey
Corn Tortellini with Maryland Crab, Rapini & Toasted Pine Nuts
Beer pairing: Bailleux Cuvée des Jonquilles
3rd Course | By Daniel Bortnick
Pan Roasted Halibut, Green Garbanzo Bean Puree, Crispy Eggplant, Garlic Confit & Roasted Fingerling Potato
Beer pairing: Ettaler Dunkel
4th Course | By Kyle Bailey
Braised Lamb Belly with Curried Fregula Sardo, Squash Blossoms & Fresh Fava Bean Salad
Beer pairing: Brewer’s Art & Stillwater Debutante
5th Course | By Tiffany MacIsaac
Almond Pound Cake, Popped Blueberries & Sweet Corn Ice Cream
Beer pairing: De Struise Tsjeeses Reserva 2009
No word yet on the beers and wine that will be served. We’ll update this post when we hear what the selections will be. Let’s put it this way, for the cost of the dinner, you know there are going to be some very special offerings.
A little backstory on the source of this July 25th union – it grew out of a shared support for cancer research and the work of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Both Birch & Barley and the Firefly team will cover their own costs in order to donate all of the evening’s proceeds to the foundation. Price is $150 per person, tax and gratuity included, and tickets can be purchased here.
Details: Bottle Battle at Birch & Barley on Monday, July 25 beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are $150 per person, all included. Proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure™.
