The ties between modern Vietnamese cooking and French cuisine run deep and broad. During France’s presence in Vietnam from the 1880s through 1950s, local cooks were introduced to “exotic” ingredients like potatoes, onions, carrots, coffee and more. And preparations like paté, flan, baguette loaves and more. Over the past 100 years, Vietnamese chefs have absorbed, adopted and adapted this culinary bounty into a distinctive cuisine that uses sweet/savory/sour flavors and soft/crisp/crunch textures in delightfully unique ways.

Having lived and cooked in North Africa, the north and south of France, Germany, India and the USA, Chef Jacques Imperato knows a bit about fusing multiple culinary traditions into a delicious harmony. And for this wine dinner, he’s exploring the depths of modern Vietnamese cooking in irresistible ways.

Pairing wines with complex dishes like these requires imagination and access to pretty distinctive selections. Which is why we asked our good friend Ed Addiss of Falls Church-based Wine Traditions to be our sommelier for this feast. Here’s what Jacques and Ed came up with:

Corn and coconut fritter

Colvallon En Noir Et Blanc 2022 (white Pinot Noir)

Shrimp crackers, shrimp soufflé

Watercress salad, green papaya, carrot and parnish pickled, cucumber,

Toasted peanuts, fish sauce, lemon dressing

Brana Irouleguy Ilori Les Jonquilles 2021 (Basque white blend)

Squid stuffed, pork, shrimp, shitake mushroom,

Lemon grass tomato white wine, cilantro

Le Cret de Bine Beaujolais La Cuvee de Francois 2020 (Gamay)

Marinated Chicken in lime leaves, ginger caramel sauce

Winter squash in coconut milk mint, fried rice, tofu, vegetables

Dom Philemon Duras Croix de La Bouscarie 2020 (Duras red from Gaillac)

Banana cake, tapioca pearls, lime sorbet, mango sauce

Dome Les Genets Clairette de Die Tradition

It’s going to be a deliciously exciting and festive dinner – the perfect way to kick-off the holiday season with family, friends and fellow wine-and-food fans. Reserve your seats today and plan to join us!

Just book your seats now (if your plans change, you can cancel for a refund up to 48 hours in advance through Eventbrite as well. If you have any food allergies or special needs, just note them while reserving or email us at the shop so we can let Chef know.

Then join us at 6:45 on Wednesday, December 6 or Thursday, December 7, enjoy the food, wine and company, and leave when you’re done without waiting for a check. 

La Cote d’Or Restaurant is located at 6876 Langston Blvd, Arlington, VA 22213, just off Rt. 66 and within walking distance of the East Falls Church Metro station. Parking is available next to the restaurant in the motel lot (ignore the signs – you can park anywhere!). We hope to see you there!