Musings on Little Neck clam pie and Life...

 ....

While in town for a family wedding, Janet and I took a break from the festivities yesterday on Sunday and enjoyed lunch in the wonderfully lively company of Mr. Josh Raynolds. Musings on life, family, wine and the world were shared over Little Neck clam pies paired with various wines, such as....

2016 Marie Courtin Efflorescence Blanc de Noirs
2019 Bartolo Mascarello Langhe Friesa
NV Rinaldi Namaste

Kudos to Josh for a great time and for recommending Pasquale Jones, which is a killer place for a long lunch (they have a great music playlist). The Sommelier service and the eclectic wine list are both outstanding. They have an incredibly varied steware portfolio with different glasses perfectly suited for each wine.

The clam pie is REALLY delicious, made with fresh Little Necks, broccoli rabe, cream and lemon. There was a spiciness to the pie (hint of calabrian chile oil, perhaps?) that kept you going back for another bite.

The 2016 Efflorescence drank very nicely. It was perhaps a bit shyer than the 2015 Efflorescence that we enjoyed recently, but had the beautifully refined fruit (no dosage) that you expect from Dominque Moreau.

First time trying the B. Mascarello Langhe Freisa (decanted). The 2019 is lovely now and will develop nicely over the next handful of years. My personal reference point for the varietal is the Vajra Freisa Kye, which ages quite well. The B. Mascarello Freisa is quite refined and elegant.

The revelation was the G. Rinaldi Namaste (pop & pour)  which is a blend of Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Freisa and Ruchè. Production is 1000 bottles annually and the proceeds from this wine go to the Nuto Revelli Foundation in Cuneo. This was my favorite wine paired with the clam pie. Attractive up front fresh, crisp red fruit palate with an intriguing, lengthy finish that evolved nicely over the long lunch.

We finally wrapped up lunch around 4:40pm, just in time to catch the early set of the Nicholas Payton quintet celebrating their new album release at Smoke Jazz and Supper Club (Broadway and W. 106th). This is a cool venue with great atmosphere and acoustics. The group closed out their set with an especially poignant rendition of "Blossom", one of my favorites penned by Keith Jarrett in 1974.