Contigo, owned by native Texans Ben Edgerton and Andrew Wiseheart is modeled after Contigo Ranch in South Texas. I’d been dying to try this place and after many failed attempts to make it happen I was beyond excited when my friend won the 5 course dinner with wine pairing from Austin Tidbits. The concept is simple, according to the website: “Since we can’t have everyone down to the ranch, we wanted to do our best to bring the ranch to them.” And bring it they did. I opted for the vegetarian option this magical evening my taste buds were left singing.

1st Course: Root Vegetable Soup Wine Pairing: Castillo Perelada, Cava, Brut Reserva, DOC Cava, Spain

2nd Course: Three Beet Salad with arugula, caraway and parmesan Wine Pairing: 2009 Casa Morande, Chardonnay, Reserva, Casablanca Valley, Chile

3rd Course: Potato Gnocchi with Johnson Backyard Garden “Morning Harvest” Wine Pairing: 2007 Bodegas Benegas, Sangiovese, “Finca Libertad”, Mendoza, Argentina

4th Course: Roasted Cauliflower, toasted almonds, smoked greens, salsa verde Wine Pairing: 2008 Bodegas Benegas, Syrah, “Finca Libertad”, Mendoza, Argentina

5th Course: Stacked Chocolate Cake with coffee creme Wine Pairing: Mendoza Vineyards, Gran Reserva, Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina