Flag Hill Distillery & Winery: Chef's Table Event

When the stars align, my husband and I are able to go on a date. Between work schedules and everyday craziness, trying to fit in an evening to ourselves is like squeezing one more pair of shoes into a stuffed suitcase - you’re gonna make it fit, but it won’t be easy. The Chef’s Table Dinner at Flag Hill Distillery & Winery was the romantic escape that we needed.

Flag Hill Distillery & Winery in Lee, New Hampshire has received many awards for their wine, food and special events - once you experience it here, it’s easy to see why. Upon arriving, we were swept up in the breathtaking views of lush and sprawling rows of grapevines and cornfields. As we roamed their property, we also saw apple trees and vegetable crops. According to their website, “it became New Hampshire’s first farm distillery…in cooperation with Coppal House Farm” (also in Lee) in 2015. In doing this, they have been able to produce high quality products and services, while maintaining sustainable business practices. Read more about Coppal House Farm here.

The Chef’s Table Dinner took place in their outside venue - a big white tent, connected to the main building. It overlooks a backyard space with a fire pit, a pergola and (of course) the vineyard. We were given a table number and seated with two other couples, which felt a little like we were at someone’s wedding reception. We enjoyed meeting new people, but also took advantage of the breaks in between the four courses to go for walks and spend some time, just the two of us.

Each course was paired with one of their signature cocktails or wines. The first course was probably my favorite dish, for its presentation and originality. A delicate zucchini blossom filled with fluffy goat cheese sat atop sliced baguette - a harmonious blend of texture and flavor. It was served with the Rye Lemon Fizz cocktail, which was light, refreshing and packed a punch.

For the second course, halved cherry tomatoes and bite-sized cubes of watermelon and feta rested atop a bed of baby arugula. A sweet, but not overpowering turmeric dressing was drizzled on top. It came with their Sparkling Cayuga, which we were advised to sip in between bites to fully appreciate how their sweet flavors play off of one another.

I must have been excited for this next course, because I forgot to take a picture (oops!). We had the choice between a chicken, fish or vegetarian dish. My husband chose the fish, which was a spiced, pan-seared Mackerel and I chose the vegetarian dish, which was two tender cakes made from Lion’s mane mushroom, leeks, peppers and celery, topped with a drizzle of tomato remoulade. They were delicious, surprisingly meaty in texture and a taste I would compare to crab cake. My husband’s dish was served with their Vignoles, a lightly sweet white wine and my dish was served with Flag Hill’s White, that I would say is similar to a Pinot Grigio.

The final course were warm and juicy plums blanketed by crunchy oats and sugar. It was topped with a small scoop of frozen greek yogurt and a sugared, rosemary garnish, which was not just for decoration. The entire dish seemed to be infused with a rosemary essence, which was deliciously unexpected, but not overpowering. It was paired with their Sparkling La Crescent, a new and limited variety.

If you’re looking for something fun and unique to do with friends or a significant other, I would highly recommend attending this event. Here are just a few things you should know before you go:

• The price for this event is $65 per person, which may seem steep, but it's a decent value considering the amount of food and drink you get throughout the night. The portion sizes aren't huge, but the quality and presentation is impeccable.

• This is a dressy-casual event, as we saw many dresses and jeans or khakis with collared shirts. I doubt they'd turn you away, but you might stand out if you show up in a tee-shirt and gym shorts.

• The event was said to go from 6 to 10pm, but we were pretty much the last ones to leave a little after 9pm.

• I found this more to be a social event, rather than a private dinner for two. So, as I mentioned earlier, part of the fun is engaging with others around delicious food and drink, against a gorgeous backdrop. However, find those uneventful moments to sneak down one of the rows of grapevines, to spend some time with the ones you came with.

For more information about Flag Hill Distillery & Winery and to learn about more events like Chef's Table, visit:

https://flaghill.com

Would you consider an event, like this one? Let me know your thoughts.