In This Issue

Arno's at 41 Main -
Main Street Wine Bar is Toast of the Town

It wasn’t from wintertime construction:  the familiar tall interior brick walls and high ceilings with exposed beams still dominate the main dining room.  The huge front windows that we all love still offer wide views of Main Street.  The upstairs dining room does have an inviting new lounge area...but it’s more than that.

The transformation isn’t physical—it’s a change of character that has transformed the spirit of the place.  There’s a new feel of sophistication...an almost indefinable sense that owner Chris Morris has kicked it up a notch yet managed to preserve the friendly, relaxed atmosphere that is such a part of the Nantucket milieu.

Chris Morris, who took over this Nantucket landmark restaurant in 2006, spent time during the off-season traveling through California wine country.  It was inspirational.  He’s added more wines to his already considerable list (41 wines by the glass and nearly 150 different wines by the bottle), and he returned with a new respect for “wine country food” and a revived passion for pairings.  “I loved the regional flavors, the freshess of the food, their use of the grill, and their commitment to wine.”  His passion is evident in the new menus and wine list Morris has created for his Main Street eatery.

The wine bar aspect of Arno’s now permeates the evening ambiance, making this the ideal spot to wind down after work, to enjoy some refreshment after a movie or evening event, to share an intimate meal, or to hang out with friends. 

Last season Morris introduced wine flights, this year he has added to the selection, featuring different notable wines.  His Anything but Chardonnay or “ABC” flight is back with a different trio of whites; the tongue-in-cheek Sideways flight is a superb choice; and the American Style Rhone flight includes a delightful Cline Ancient Vines Mourvedre.  These self-guided wine tours are served with tasting notes and are the perfect choice if you’re interested in learning more about the fruit of the vine in an approachable and relaxed fashion.  If you’d prefer to try a broader selection, ask Chris for his suggestions.  He knows how to make food and wine fun and how to pair the two to enhance the experience of both—and you can trust him to offer a good wine in any price range.

Guests may also order from the prixe fixe Wine Dinner Menu, a reasonably priced three-course meal where every course has a choice of four dishes, each with an inspired wine pairing.  You’ll not find a better introduction to  wine and food at a better value.

Serious wine drinkers will also be pleased with the well thought-out selection Morris offers at Arno’s.  You can design your own private tastings from the special cellar selections that include a number of wines listed on the Wine Spectator 2007 Top 100 and an exceptional selection of 2005 Burgundy, Rhone, and Bordeaux.  If it’s bubbles you like, then you’ll want the lush and lively J. Cuvee 20 Brut or perhaps splurge with the elegant Heidsieck Monopole NV Blue Top

In keeping with the wine bar style, Arno’s is offering a greatly expanded selection of appetizers and “small bites.”   Marinated Olives and Spiced Almonds are just the thing for nibbling while you ponder the other 30 or so starters.  We’re also inclined to recommend the Truffled Frites as an initial item to share, but these deliciously garlicky matchstick fries anointed in truffle oil and dusted with asiago might be too distracting to allow you to concentrate on the menu.

	Our favorite among the small bites is the Charcuterie and Cheese Plate which is a terrific medley made for sharing.  This platter is laden with two cheeses (your choice from a selection of nine); a tasty and authentic selection of Italian prosciutto, Spanish serrano, and spicy soprasetta; housemade olive tapenade, fig jam (delicious with the serrano), whole grain mustard, pickles, and triangles of grilled ciabatta.  We tried this with the creamy Maitre’d Brie and the exceptional Humboldt Fog Goat Cheese and cannot think of a better combination.  Suggested wine pairings are Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay and Beaulieau Vineyards Pinot Noir. The Charcuterie can be ordered without cheese, and these cheeses (along with seven others) can be ordered without the meats—in two-ounce portions of one, two, or three varieties—from Arno’s Artisanal Cheese Menu.
	Arno’s Tunisian Spiced Lamb Chops is another stellar choice, but you won’t want to share this starter.  The unique blend of turmeric, paprika, coffee, and lemon grass is sensational on the perfectly grilled, sweet lamb.  Forget convention and pick up these savory and moist chops in your fingers—you’ll want to get every morsel.  Save your fork for the tasty Napa slaw tucked under the lamb. Suggested wine pairing: Hedges CMS.
	Another outstanding choice to begin a meal at Arno’s is the Roasted Beet Salad.  Tender slices of gold and red beets are served in a pretty presentation, fanned out on a bed of baby greens tossed in a sweet-tart and pleasantly fruity raspberry vinaigrette.  A splash of orange juice added to the roasting process gives the beets a clean, fresh flavor and heightens their sweetness.  A warm cake of creamy goat cheese with a light coating of panko crumbs and herbs that add color and a pleasant crunch is served on top.  Suggested wine pairing: Caves de Lugny Chardonnay.
	Arno’s deserves very high marks for their Tuna Tartare.  We can’t recall a better version in both texture and flavor.  The sushi-grade ahi tuna is cut in a large enough dice that you can really enjoy the high quality of the fish.  Bits of red and yellow pepper, red onion, cilantro, and soy are mixed in for crunch and accent, and the tartare is molded atop a combination of micro-greens and radish sprouts.  A dollop of wasabi tobiko garnishes the top, adding its tiny pops of saltiness to the composition.  Bravo!  We’ll be back for an encore. Suggested wine pairing: Tohu Sauvignon Blanc or a Champagne.
	Any one of Arno’s new Rustic Grilled Pizzas would be another good choice for sharing ‘round the table.  Built on a grilled tandoori flatbread that has the right combination of softness and crunchy char, the flavorful toppings can be Charcuterie or Grilled Shrimp and Boursin, or (our favorite) Tuscan Vegetable with sundried tomato, roasted garlic, capers, onion, pieces of artichoke heart, and goat cheese.  Suggested wine pairing: Robert Hall Rhone de Robles.
	The Codfish Toscana, another of Arno’s popular new entrees, has a similar flavor palette to the Tuscan Vegetable Pizza.  The thick, moist cod is finished off with a topping of proscuitto, sundried tomato, garlic, artichoke heart, and capers that gets deliciously crisp along the edges and lends its mellow, Mediterranean flavors to the mild whitefish.  Rice pilaf is the appropriate backdrop. Carrots and broccolini accompany.  Suggested wine pairing: Robert Hall Rhone de Robles.
	Count yourself lucky if you dine at Arno’s when the Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna Steak is one of the nightly specials.  The tuna is rolled in sesame seeds, seared, and sliced to reveal its vivid pink center.  It’s served on a crisp cucumber salad that is deceptively spicy and can be cooled by the cilantro rice served alongside.  A sensational sweet soy dipping sauce adds a tasty counterpoint.   Suggested wine pairing: Chateau St. Jean Fumé Blanc.
	Arno’s Herb Rubbed Pan-Roasted Half Chicken is comfort food with vivid flavor.  There is nothing dramatically different about this dish, it’s just very, very good!  Seared for a sinfully crisp skin, the chicken is roasted to order.  The meat is so moist that the juices would run down your chin if you ate it picnic style.  But you are in a restaurant, so mop up the au jus by smashing some of the roasted red potatoes that are served as a side.  Suggested wine pairing: Trinchero Sauvignon Blanc.
	Committed carnivores have four fabulous steaks to choose from, but the one you’ve simply got to try is The Old 41’er.  This is a prehistoric-sized Cowboy Ribeye—at 41 ounces, it’s thicker than you’d think could be cooked to temperature, but they do it.  The slab of tender beef arrives glistening with a tangy steak sauce and a slice of “ultimate compound butter” comprised of herbs, garlic, onion, blue cheese, and red wine melting lusciously down over the hot steak.  It may well take two to finish this feast from the charred tips to the succulent tidbits near the bone, but it’s well worth the effort.  And, if you do make it dinner for two, then you’ll enjoy one of the best steak dinners of your lives for less than $21 each.
	You many not have room left for dessert after all the tempting starters and the generous entree portions—but if you do, try the French Toast Bananas Foster.  The French toast is Arno’s popular breakfast treat, thick with a special crunchy coating.  This is topped with chunky monkey ice cream, housemade banana topping with cinnamon-maple-sherry sauce, and freshly whipped cream.