Cook the Book: Wine Bar Food

Required Eating

Posted by Lucy Baker, May 12, 2008 at 2:15 PM

When it comes paring food with wine, cheese is just the beginning. All over Europe, in cities like Seville, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Athens, wine bars match native grapes with small dishes made from local ingredients. Perfect for afternoon or after-work, these plates are straightforward, robust, and meant to be shared.

In Wine Bar Food, this week's Cook the Book selection, Cathy Mantuano and Tony Mantuano, award-winning chef of Chicago's Spiaggia, show you how to recreate these rustic Mediterranean dishes in your own kitchen, and offer tips on choosing interesting, affordable bottles. Don't worry if your supermarket's international aisle leaves much to be desired—these recipes are more about fun and flavor than exacting authenticity.

Pour yourself a glass and get cooking!

Win 'Wine Bar Food'

We'll be excerpting a recipe every day this week from Wine Bar Food. In addition, you can enter to win one of five copies of the book. Just tell us in the comment section below: what is your favorite thing to eat while drinking a glass of Champagne?

Comments will close Monday, May 19 at noon ET. The standard Serious Eats contest rules apply.

Comments are Closed. | Tags: Cathy Mantuano, contests, Cook the Book, Tapas, Tony Mantuano, Wine, Wine Bar Food

Comments are closed: 325 Comments:

I had a glass of champagne with rosemary frites and remoulade on Saturday night - quite a nice combo, I thought.

unarata at 2:18PM on 05/12/08

I prefer something sweet, like the traditional (cliche?) strawberries

charmon at 2:24PM on 05/12/08

I like it with strawberries too! Not at all cliche.

LiveToEat at 2:26PM on 05/12/08

strawberries and chocolate. or chocolate covered strawberries.

Soup_Dumpling at 2:26PM on 05/12/08

My favorite thing to eat while drinking a glass of Champagne ... hmmm ... that would have to be a serving of Gravad Lax, aka Gravlax, aka Marinated Salmon, served chilled, on a slice of crispbread.

LunaPierCook at 2:28PM on 05/12/08

I like thin crackers with goat cheese.

cdziuba at 2:30PM on 05/12/08

A piece of fruit. Strawberries or peach is what I crave with a glass of champagne.

MerMade07 at 2:30PM on 05/12/08

I don't drink champagne much but some shrimp sounds like it would be a good match.

susan1215 at 2:32PM on 05/12/08

smoked salmon on bath oliver biscuits :)

sarahdlr at 2:34PM on 05/12/08

not a huge champagne fan, but it does go pretty darn good with dark chocolate at room temp(almost melty, but not quite-like good cheese) and buttery shortbread cookies...mmmm.

foodiemama at 2:36PM on 05/12/08

Scallop ceviche

Tactful_Cactus at 2:41PM on 05/12/08

Duck prosciutto and lomo on the charcuterie plate at my local wine bar. Mmmm.

negociants at 2:43PM on 05/12/08

Easy question today...

Brie on water crackers! Yum.

fangirl at 2:43PM on 05/12/08

I'll be the fifth person to say strawberries. Love it!

masha339 at 2:44PM on 05/12/08

Something more in the savory family, like a cold hors d'oeurve. Something bite-sized, with a little fat and salt. Cheese would be good. Mmmmm....

sidebernie at 2:45PM on 05/12/08

While I wouldn't turn down champagne with anything, chocolate and fruit sounds like a great combination.

blgrimes at 2:52PM on 05/12/08

Salty anything. My French host mother used to serve these little cheese doodles with champagne. They were perfect.

Eilen at 2:56PM on 05/12/08

Ah, rarely is the day that I have a glass of champagne any longer, but I can clearly remember what NOT to eat with champagne. A large serving of extremely spicy barbecued shrimp is most certainly not an advisable pairing with champagne. Please trust me.

sarahbeam at 3:02PM on 05/12/08

brunch!!!!!!

Tenbucc2 at 3:03PM on 05/12/08

olives and nice cheese. mmm

kylad at 3:05PM on 05/12/08

Throw a little orange juice in that sucker and side it with a good quiche. Yum~!

Stufsocker at 3:06PM on 05/12/08

cheese

slb3334 at 3:10PM on 05/12/08

I like small, appetizer sized bacon wrapped scallops paired with Champagne.

jonfoxx at 3:12PM on 05/12/08

a small triangle of very,very thin pizza topped with a bit of good olive oil, a small piece of a mission fig, Parmesan cheese and flaky salt.

bitchincamero at 3:14PM on 05/12/08

Strawberries, or some soft cheese and baguette.

ScienceandtheCity at 3:14PM on 05/12/08

oysters of course

thewoundedchef at 3:15PM on 05/12/08

i like something desserty... like a custardy berry tart

chlamers at 3:15PM on 05/12/08

Another one for oysters!!

malenky at 3:24PM on 05/12/08

Oysters!

Megs915 at 3:26PM on 05/12/08

cheese and fruit!

bianca34dw at 3:28PM on 05/12/08

Pate, Brie and/or Raw Oysters!

akeeran21 at 3:29PM on 05/12/08

gougeres (cheese puffs)

skim at 3:29PM on 05/12/08

My favorite thing to eat while drinking champagne is a blini topped with creme fraiche and caviar.

rffoodie at 3:29PM on 05/12/08

the darkest chocolate i can find

cdcdcd at 3:35PM on 05/12/08

Chocolate fondue!

gregturner at 3:35PM on 05/12/08

OYSTERS!!!!

bajjmayer at 3:36PM on 05/12/08

kettle-style potato chips! or popcorn!

HillaryE at 3:40PM on 05/12/08

french fries

salty at 3:48PM on 05/12/08

fried chicken or sushi
or shrimp toast from a chinese restaurant
salty/oily is the key

coolname at 3:53PM on 05/12/08

I like finger food--strawberries, bacon-wrapped shrimp, something that is as fun to eat as bubbly is to drink.

rosasharne at 3:55PM on 05/12/08

brie with water crackers, and strawberries

Charise at 3:55PM on 05/12/08

crackers and cheese

foodinmouth at 4:01PM on 05/12/08

Much like everyone else - strawberries!

Peasantwench at 4:02PM on 05/12/08

baked brie with apples

agordon10 at 4:04PM on 05/12/08

doritos!

jymbrittain at 4:06PM on 05/12/08

spicy food

carusoc at 4:07PM on 05/12/08

chocolate-covered strawberries! yummy

Banti at 4:09PM on 05/12/08

I like champagne with potato and parmesan pancakes.

SEFB9118 at 4:09PM on 05/12/08

Besides more Champagne? Deviled eggs topped with salmon roe, sour cream (creme fraiche is hard to come by here) and a little dill. What's better with bubbles than more bubbles?

bobfole at 4:10PM on 05/12/08

Actually, I like fuji apple slices and cubes of brie with it.

fritesandfries at 4:18PM on 05/12/08

chocolate covered strawberries are the best!

akoney at 4:19PM on 05/12/08

Aw...I'm not the only brie and apple fan. What about mini fruit tarts?

fritesandfries at 4:19PM on 05/12/08

I like rich foods with yeasty brut champagne, like pate or salty nuts, like almonds. I really like to eat fried things with champagne. Most recently I fried squid and ate them standing up in the kitchen, when they were still piping hot - both the food and the ambiance went nicely with glasses of champagne...

mslaas at 4:21PM on 05/12/08

Blinis with a hint of lumpfish (fake) caviar give any champagne a super-decadent touch. On less formal occasions, I like a glass of Brut with those cheesy Goldfish crackers. Classy! (not)

akatsukira at 4:30PM on 05/12/08

Cheese and crackers.

herrinfamily at 4:31PM on 05/12/08

dark chocolate!

MadameTart at 4:31PM on 05/12/08

cheese.

EmilySC at 4:34PM on 05/12/08

I think strawberries go well with champane but so does a good bread and cheese!

meredith13 at 4:36PM on 05/12/08

Cheesy scrambled eggs , toasted brioche , fresh fruit and a glass of champagne .................ummmmmm.............you've got to try this .

haagenfreak at 4:36PM on 05/12/08

Appetizers of any kind. ;-) Thanks.

ccarolyn at 4:42PM on 05/12/08

fruit...strawberries, cantaloupe, watermelon and grapes.

reddon30 at 4:52PM on 05/12/08

I'm unoriginal, but I really enjoy some combo of the traditional cheese and crackers with some fruit (apple slices or strawberries).

jenjw4 at 4:54PM on 05/12/08

Anything light, crunch & savory

AnaisKoi at 4:56PM on 05/12/08

Shrimp or Scallops

janetfaye at 4:57PM on 05/12/08

cake

ricedream24 at 4:58PM on 05/12/08

cheese

dwarzel at 4:59PM on 05/12/08

strawberry cheesecake, natch.

scaevola at 5:10PM on 05/12/08

dark chocolate!
Thanks :)

nekineki at 5:17PM on 05/12/08

I too like strawberries, they are the best with a glass of champagne, although I like cheese and crackers too. but strawberries wins.

darski at 5:17PM on 05/12/08

Not a big fan but it's usually great with fried or rich foods.

bessfour at 5:19PM on 05/12/08

i love it with caviar

mverno at 5:20PM on 05/12/08

Strawberries with angel food cake

sharsd at 5:27PM on 05/12/08

cheese on thin baguette rounds -- brie, camembert, even manchego. mmmmmm....

megannesta at 5:32PM on 05/12/08

anything related to salmon

miamia at 5:34PM on 05/12/08

Nutella with spoon

MajaMeza79 at 5:35PM on 05/12/08

I like to drink champagne with chocolates or strawberries. Better yet, strawberries dipped in chocolate. YUM!

sbbuckley at 5:55PM on 05/12/08

fried chicken

bisbee at 6:00PM on 05/12/08

lobster, of course

twood at 6:27PM on 05/12/08

It took this long for someone to say lobster?

BreweRepublic at 6:33PM on 05/12/08

I prefer raspberries to strawberries, and some dark chocolate would be a nice accompaniment too!

jenberger at 6:44PM on 05/12/08

pasta

krystal82107 at 6:50PM on 05/12/08

I like strawberries and brie cheese with water crackers.

dolphinlady706 at 6:59PM on 05/12/08

whitefish salad on crackers or oysters... really any light seafood app.

caviarandcodfish at 7:01PM on 05/12/08

Something salty.

LINDALSHOT at 7:06PM on 05/12/08

Everythhing tastes better with champagne. I like fresh peaches, strawberries, chocolate anything, among others.

CarolHarrity at 7:14PM on 05/12/08

chocolate or an apple

zekks at 7:15PM on 05/12/08

Regular Ruffles chips

PeanutButter at 7:37PM on 05/12/08

mussels in saffron cream sauce

madball911 at 7:37PM on 05/12/08

champagne goes with almost everything!

gorzd at 8:19PM on 05/12/08

bread and cheese

hrwalf at 8:32PM on 05/12/08

strawberries from the nearby grown on the property produce stand

toastworthy at 8:39PM on 05/12/08

would you believe chocolate cake. then again chocolate cake goes with everything. Oh wait Champagne goes with almost everything too.. Now it makes sense

teechbiz at 8:43PM on 05/12/08

something with melty cheese - either an omlette, or very thin crusted pizza. or sushi, with extra wasabi.

marianne215 at 8:54PM on 05/12/08

Almost anything with cream- fettucine alfredo, strawberries and whipped cream, chips and sour cream onion dip.

thatgrrl at 9:01PM on 05/12/08

frozen grapes, or brie en croute with apples.

bobcatsteph3 at 9:03PM on 05/12/08

An omelette!

Jeana at 9:32PM on 05/12/08

strawberries

chromiumman at 9:33PM on 05/12/08

chocolate truffles and chocolate covered strawberries, of course!

Boscompb at 9:55PM on 05/12/08

oysters!

mozart23 at 10:00PM on 05/12/08

more champagne?

anado at 10:15PM on 05/12/08

Pizza with pepperoni and green chile

jessie at 10:39PM on 05/12/08

pizza sounds awesome. i'll go with the classic oysters.

Littlebluesiren at 11:12PM on 05/12/08

Cheese and crackers, there are outdoor plays during the summer and champagne, cheese and crackers are perfect!

pauline15 at 11:27PM on 05/12/08

Strawberries

egreca at 11:52PM on 05/12/08

Not a big fan of Champagne, but strawberries or cheese would improve my opinion.

dbcurrie at 1:30AM on 05/13/08

Strawberries or raspberries!

tanners12 at 1:59AM on 05/13/08

blackberries.

ghostamongyou at 2:01AM on 05/13/08

frruit tart

Marilyn at 2:07AM on 05/13/08

Lobster :)

mama43 at 5:27AM on 05/13/08

Seriously, does anything NOT go with champaign? I especially like brunch foods like quiches.

clc408 at 6:36AM on 05/13/08

chocolate

tsegada at 6:56AM on 05/13/08

Anything goes with champagne

louiseb130 at 7:11AM on 05/13/08

Cheese or chocolate-or popcorn! Thank you for this giveaway!

dglitter at 7:35AM on 05/13/08

dessert. :)

mrsbao at 7:55AM on 05/13/08

oysters!

dikaryon at 8:05AM on 05/13/08

Chocolate covered strawberries.

idahomom at 8:21AM on 05/13/08

melon wrapped in prosciuttto -- perfect combination of sweet, salty & fat to go with the bubbles.

mikhastur at 9:07AM on 05/13/08

Crackers and cheese.

mnsteph at 9:08AM on 05/13/08

cheese

hedgehog at 9:20AM on 05/13/08

fresh Maine lobster

mizBIGhead at 9:41AM on 05/13/08

I love keep strawberries at the bottom of my glass and then on the last sip biting into a champagne infused sweet strawberry. YUM! Or sometimes I enjoy a bunch of grapes with champagne.

christine1225 at 9:52AM on 05/13/08

Strawberries!

greenwolf at 9:57AM on 05/13/08

crackers with cheese

sillelin at 9:58AM on 05/13/08

I like Champagne with Eggs Sardou - poached eggs on an artichoke heart and creamed spinach, topped with hollandaise sauce. Darn. Now I want that for brunch.

AsTheNight at 10:04AM on 05/13/08

Dark chocolate covered strawberries.

bb97036 at 10:16AM on 05/13/08

Lobster! Because if you are going to be drinking something as wonderful as good champagne, you may as well be eating something fabulous.

BestFriendBrit at 10:18AM on 05/13/08

Big fat raspberries.

Nezrite at 10:51AM on 05/13/08

Lobster, brie and strawberries w/champagne and a SO. Heavenly.

PerkyMac at 11:15AM on 05/13/08

Something fatty, salty, cheesy. Gougeres or nice soft cheese.

Fiksu at 11:24AM on 05/13/08

POPCORN!!!

ironstef at 12:06PM on 05/13/08

Olives & cheese. Or strawberries. Chocolate...

mkmarl01 at 12:16PM on 05/13/08

I like oranges and grapefruit!

Gloryfrost at 12:24PM on 05/13/08

chocolate covered strawberries
THANK YOU GOD BLESS

bigtim60 at 12:34PM on 05/13/08

good, dark chocolate

delilahhhhh at 12:42PM on 05/13/08

Finger foods

tish123 at 12:43PM on 05/13/08

I'm a walking cliche . . . I love strawberries with Champagne.

mvir9 at 12:51PM on 05/13/08

fish

grahamred at 1:18PM on 05/13/08

Fruit

dove1960 at 1:22PM on 05/13/08

a big juicy hamburger.

Bria at 2:13PM on 05/13/08

Stuffed mushrooms.

jsalern at 2:27PM on 05/13/08

a nice ripe peach!

NanaJoie at 2:28PM on 05/13/08

nothing. i prefer to tip back my bubbly without food.

french tart at 2:29PM on 05/13/08

classic charcuterie, lots of olives, savory stuff mmm

foodgirlnyc at 2:32PM on 05/13/08

If we're going for sweet I love a ripe and juicy Bartlett pear. If I'm paring it with a savory dish - BBQ grilled portobello mushrooms!

mille at 2:40PM on 05/13/08

french fries

MH5534 at 2:40PM on 05/13/08

Its fun, inexpensive and easy to do. . . Chinese food. i.e. General Tso's Chicken!

dyella13 at 2:43PM on 05/13/08

A well-made omelette.

Marvin at 2:56PM on 05/13/08

Strawberries

edinat at 3:05PM on 05/13/08

Cheese and crackers.

DePro at 3:21PM on 05/13/08

Chocolate

Sunnyvale at 3:28PM on 05/13/08

Cashew nuts or salty snacks.
ruthing73@hotmail.com

ruthing73 at 3:34PM on 05/13/08

Good bread and chocolate

xalexx at 3:35PM on 05/13/08

I love champagne with Pringles! the salty crunchy chips go so well with the bubbles of a dry champagne! yum!

stormygirl at 3:39PM on 05/13/08

cajun shrimp

deckit at 3:40PM on 05/13/08

I haven't had champagne in ages but I'll have to go with chocolate (then again, I'd eat chocolate with most any drink).

rachelkramerbussel at 3:50PM on 05/13/08

apricot preserve-stuffed dates wrapped in bacon, OF COURSE! and preferably a rose champagne

hebr23 at 4:33PM on 05/13/08

Chocolate covered strawberries!

laur_uic at 4:48PM on 05/13/08

Strawberries :)

Sarahrm at 4:55PM on 05/13/08

Something salty, like mixed roasted nuts.

sshirazi at 4:56PM on 05/13/08

pocky

tracker at 5:33PM on 05/13/08

I find champagne goes with anything. I usually drink it with BBQ ribs.

leegwebb at 5:45PM on 05/13/08

A perfect, palm-sized strawberry dipped in the finest, darkest chocolate possible.

Brownie at 6:11PM on 05/13/08

Oysters are my hands down favorite with champagne.

wookie at 6:15PM on 05/13/08

fruit tart!

boolo at 6:18PM on 05/13/08

I'm a fan of the apple/brie combo.

iyamapotato at 6:22PM on 05/13/08

This is gonna sound weird! The only thing I've ever eaten with champagne is calamari!!!

rachelfox1981 at 6:28PM on 05/13/08

nice

dhunt at 6:32PM on 05/13/08

Popcorn, definitely.

Honeybeast at 6:47PM on 05/13/08

If its a dry champagne... bacon wrapped water chestnuts... if its sweet bruchette.with a savory topping

Colengal at 6:48PM on 05/13/08

Smoked salmon and creme fraiche. Admittedly, that's my favorite small bite on matter what I'm drinking...

mabisa at 7:22PM on 05/13/08

definitely oysters on the half shell

riceandwheat at 8:17PM on 05/13/08

Very traditional on this one I guess.... juicy fresh berries or a sweet luscious peach....

hmneilson at 8:41PM on 05/13/08

dried figs -- sweet and sticky!

megannesta at 8:58PM on 05/13/08

raw oysters or smoked salmon with creme fraiche, some caviiar would be really indulgent

cinnamongirl at 9:34PM on 05/13/08

Smoked Salmon is my favorite

silverbele at 10:36PM on 05/13/08

Chocolate
Fresh fruit--peaches, strawberries, grapes, pineapple

Erinay77 at 12:31AM on 05/14/08

Hi, I enjoy shrimp, cheese and crackers and stuffed mushrooms with dry champagne. For sweeter varieties of champagne, I like dessert and/or
fruit. Please enter me in your delightful cookbook giveaway drawing. I really appreciate it.....Thanks,Cindi

windycindy at 12:50AM on 05/14/08

I enjoy smoked almonds with champagne. I enjoy smoked almonds anytime, but with champagne, its super delish!

ursulamom at 1:02AM on 05/14/08

Brie cheese for me.

silverbele at 7:28AM on 05/14/08

Champagne - one should have some every day! Love champagne with a wide range of foods but my absolute favorite is smoked salmon - the pinnacle of sybaritic experiences.

Oenonome at 7:38AM on 05/14/08

Steak!

LIDARKSIDE at 9:29AM on 05/14/08

Strawberries fresh from the garden...soon...soon!

delishes at 9:34AM on 05/14/08

dark dark chocolate and marcona almonds. yummmmm.

merlot at 10:51AM on 05/14/08

Something fatty, fried and salty! Like some conch or shrimp fritters!

Holly at 11:40AM on 05/14/08

I like something sweet - chocolate or fruit is nice

bison61 at 11:43AM on 05/14/08

Raw oysters

ErikaK at 12:10PM on 05/14/08

Dark Chocolate and Strawberries

mchow at 1:32PM on 05/14/08

I generally dive into a bowl of raspberries with mascarpone cheese.

beano at 1:53PM on 05/14/08

cheese or prosecco jelly

craigpress at 2:03PM on 05/14/08

Chocolate fondue with all kinds of yummy fruit! Thank you!

Tina12312 at 2:09PM on 05/14/08

some sort of soft cheese

kevlney at 2:13PM on 05/14/08

Ice cream!

AdriBarr at 2:15PM on 05/14/08

A hot buttery croissant is one of my favorites!

doodle423 at 2:18PM on 05/14/08

Can't go wrong with chocolate covered strawberries

Jessilyn24 at 2:28PM on 05/14/08

champagne brunch......a puffy omelet or smoked salmon......

starsmom at 2:45PM on 05/14/08

Cheese!!!!

raspberrypicker at 2:52PM on 05/14/08

Strawberries are definitely great with champagne. In fact, I love to put them IN my champagne!

woodenspoon at 3:20PM on 05/14/08

really great dark chocolate

rockymountainmarta at 3:48PM on 05/14/08

anything that's been fried perfectly.

pfibiger at 4:01PM on 05/14/08

I like it with a good dark chocolate, or with brie and crackers.

chriss2425 at 4:01PM on 05/14/08

Brie and a loaf of bread.

cherierj at 4:05PM on 05/14/08

eggs benedict, fancy soft cheeses, or lobster salad in little puff pastry cups - it must be a rich and decadent complement to the bubbly!

HeyCarl at 4:36PM on 05/14/08

I love strawberries in the champagne itself. I also love a nice mimosa.

shellockjohn at 5:33PM on 05/14/08

Uni, butter poached lobster, or monkfish liver.

LIRC at 6:27PM on 05/14/08

I love having nice, juicy Driscoll strawberries with my champagne!

toydiva65 at 7:44PM on 05/14/08

Not a big drinker, but most family occasions with nice dinners just call for champagne. It's just the presence of the stuff that makes the occasion more festive.

Though I do feel like an indulgence every so often - surprisingly, I like a glass best with some poached fruit.

or chocolate of course. There is nothing that doesn't pair well with chocolate :)

jazzinx at 7:47PM on 05/14/08

Mimosas should start everyday!

But if you only get Champagne occasionally, match it with chocolate fondue and fresh fruit.

Trooper at 10:03PM on 05/14/08

Yum! Definitely fruit and cheese.

brandi at 12:27AM on 05/15/08

Smoked salmon and cream cheese on a yummy cracker

ugogirl at 1:30AM on 05/15/08

by itself or with brunch :)

PoignantTuna at 6:07AM on 05/15/08

I like some nice cheese with my champagne - or chocolate-covered strawberries. YUM!

spitfyr323 at 7:59AM on 05/15/08

Caviar, of course, but only good caviar, with creme fraiche, or just by the spoon. Aah!

SaraAlv at 8:56AM on 05/15/08

Brie and strawberries

Bebemiqui at 10:04AM on 05/15/08

With a dry champagne, any type of roast or grilled meat. The crisp bite of champagne is for more than just dessert!

jd7979 at 10:24AM on 05/15/08

Mmm, anything, but I enjoy a bit of warm brie with craisins, brown sugar and walnuts on a cracker with it.

pancak at 11:03AM on 05/15/08

Crackers, cheese and fruits. Definitely

edq143 at 12:01PM on 05/15/08

The good thing about Champagne is you can eat anything salty or sweet & it all goes good with it. Personally I enjoy shrimp w/ a coconut coating & a spicy red sauce...Its great. Then followed up w/ cheesecake.

diannamurrah at 12:18PM on 05/15/08

Strawberries of course!

bfox74 at 1:03PM on 05/15/08

peanuts and m&ms

Rae at 1:37PM on 05/15/08

Dark chocolate and strawberries, what else?

terrylayla at 2:10PM on 05/15/08

yeah, oysters -- great way to pretend that all is right with the world.

siobhan27 at 2:12PM on 05/15/08

A creamy cheese like Camembert with crackers for sure. Then again, I could eat cheese and crackers with any beverage :)

Jacquie at 2:22PM on 05/15/08

Sliced tart apples