APRIL 2024

IN THE MARCH NEWSLETTER:

1. HAPPENING THIS MONTH
2. DRINK THIS WINE
3. STAFF PICKS
4. FEBRUARY PHOTO DIARY

1. HAPPENING THIS MONTH

APRIL HIGHLIGHTS

KALA - RETURNING

kala. is a culinary pop up based in LA, headed by Avanthi Dev and Harmony Hartnell. Our cuisine is ingredient-driven and prioritizes serving thoughtful food that benefits the local food system and the people within it. On Friday, April 19th, our team will be taking over the kitchen at ilcaffé featuring homestyle North Indian dishes that our chef, Avanthi, grew up with that incorporate deep flavors and simple techniques.

LA NOVIA - NEW THIS MONTH

La Novia started, as an ode to our love story, Jonathan and Diana, a chef and a social worker, coming together over our love of food, mezcal and wine.

Our inspiration comes from the traditional dishes of our Mexican roots, experiences from our travels and ingredients from the seasons.

We continually challenge our understanding of flavors, elevating and incorporating traditionally opposing ingredients to find an unexpected balance.

2. DRINK THIS WINE

TERRA ROZA

“Based out of Lemnos, Greece, Manolis Garalis is a third-generation winemaker from the island and specializes in making minimal-intervention wines from the native grapes available to him. This bottling is 100% limnio, an ancient and herbaceous red grape.”

It has notes of Turkish dried apricots, orange peel, & rose water. While some may prefer to enjoy it on its own, it truly shines when paired with shellfish, chicken, Or Cheese.

3. STAFF PICKS

THIS MONTH’S PICKS COME FROM THE ONE AND ONLY, OUR FEARLESS LEADER, MICHAEL BACKLINDER HIMSELF.

MICHAEL’S APRIL RECOmMENDATION IS A BRIGHT AND EASY PET-NAT and his favorite stinky cheese.

JL Denois - Syr’Ah! Pet net

the wine maker, Jean-Louis Denois is widely considered a rising star of the Languedoc. Growing up the sixth generation of a Champagne-making family, he ultimately found himself wanting to make his own way in wine.

Denois, as a wine maker, grows frustrated with french regional wine regulations and aims to create wine that breaks traditional rules.

this crisp, lightly bubbly, pet net isn’t funky or sour- it’s easy drinking and a perfect bottle to break out as we enter into warmer weather.

imagine……

it’s a lovely evening and you’ve found yourself at ilcaffe with a few friends and a bottle of wine (maybe the JL Denois Sry’..ah! pet nat we mentioned earlier). you’re all starting to feel a little snacky and you head to the counter to order something for the group to share.

don’t waste your time wondering what to order.. what you need is a cheese board.

not sure what cheese to choose? Try Michael’s favorite “Stinky cheese” aka tallegio. it’s pungent on the nose but soft and mild on the palate. Pair it with some hearty bread and bubbly wine at the cafe, or take it home with you and snack on it all week.