I attended the January Wine Dinner at Carrabba’s Altamonte Springs recently along with Shelly & Joe Isom. The first course was Fennel Sausage Arancini accompanied by a Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc. The risotto balls had fennel sausage, mozzarella, grated parmesan and romaine cheeses. Breaded and fried, they were crispy on the outside and savory on the inside. A splash of marinara sauce gave it some moisture. The fruity wine was a proper pairing.

Next came Shrimp Fra Diavolo, which was linguine pasta and shrimp tossed in a tangy sauce. This was okay but not one of my favorite pasta dishes compared to other ones I’ve had at previous events. I did like the Goldeneye Pinot Noir that accompanied this dish.

The entrée was Sirloin Spinach Ardente, a tender sirloin steak topped with a spinach mixture and served with garlic mashed potatoes. I enjoyed this one and the paired Postmark Cabernet Sauvignon. The steak was done just right.

Chocolate Panna Cotta was a superb finale. With fresh berries and whipped cream, this confection was like a deluxe chocolate mousse. I wanted to eat every bite but was too stuffed to finish. It came with a Decoy Merlot.

The best part, aside from being with friends and enjoying the ambiance, was that I took home leftovers enough for two more meals.