I am so excited Kapnos Taverna in Ballston is finally open. We went to check out the Mike Isabella creation, an extension of Kapnos DC, on opening night...and it was totally worth the wait!
The Wines
We didn't sample everything on the wines-by-the-glass list (I wish!) but we did try a handful. Here are the standouts:
Kir-yianni, Kapnos Reserve, 2011
Varietal: Blend of Syrah, Merlot and Xinomavro
Region: Naoussa
Price: $10/glass, $40/bottle
My Tasting Notes: A light to medium-bodied red wine with hints of black cherry and jammy fruit with a nice finish. A good balance between fruit and acidity.
Fun Fact: Naoussa is a region in Northern Greece, which is home to the rare Xinomavro grape. To learn more go here.
Tselepos, “Villa Amalia” Brut, NV
Varietal: 100% Moschofilero
Region: Arcadi
Price: $12/glass, $48/bottle
My Tasting Notes: This is the first Greek sparkling wine I've ever had. It's light and refreshing with citrusy undertones and hints of lemon, pear and honey. Delicate bubbles make a wonderful finish.
The Food
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| Horiatiki salad with red wine vinaigrette $9 |
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| Cumin yogurt marinated chicken souvlaki $10, falafel chickpea fritters $9, and lamb |
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| Sea salt caramel ice cream |
Kapnos Taverna is a must visit. Not every famous-chef owned restaurant lives up to it's name but this one is definitely a winner (which is actually not a huge surprise considering Isabella once worked for one of my favorites, José Andrés). The staff is accommodating and knowledgeable about the foods and wines, which were a step above what I was expecting. In fact, my next visit is already booked.
Cheers!
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