Every so often they will the good people at Sokolowski’s University Inn in Tremont dress the place up for a special event. Last Thursday they had their first ever wine tasting, and by the reaction of the sold out crowd it was quite the success.
Eighty-five food and wine enthusiasts were treated to a five-course affair, each one featuring one of the Inn’s signature dishes with a wine furnished by Heidelburg Distributors. Perogies were paired with a Pinot Noir, stuff cabbage with a Malbec Select, and Grilled Flank Steak with a Cabernet Sauvignon.
The affair was hosted by Dr. Dave Rogers, aka as “the Wine Snob,” who did a great job giving the background of each wine presented, the health benefits of a glass a wine a day, and the economics of being a wise wine consumer.
The food was outstanding, the wines were very good, and the company was friendly. The evening was capped off by a dessert buffet featuring University Inn’s outstanding rice pudding along with an assortment of Polish pastries called kalachis.
It was a great job by the Sokolowski’s and their staff at the University Inn and the people from Heidelburg Distributors. And on top of it, for the $50 ticket price it was a bargain of an evening. For more information on Sokoloski’s University Inn including upcoming special events go to www.sokolowskis.com.

Lots of places hold wine-tasting events. The only reason I’d single out one of them is because I don’t usually associate Sokolowski’s University Inn with pairings, but that’s what’s on the horizon for Bernie and Mike Sokolowski’s humble house of homespun fare. “I went out to Napa Valley about three years ago with my old college friend, Dave Rogers,” says Bernie, “and while I was falling in love with the whole Napa thing, I thought, ‘Why not? Why can’t we pair our food with wines?’ I think University Inn should show more taste in wine and not just randomly picking wines to sell based on price. I really want our customers to have a stuffed cabbage they can’t get in any other restaurant in the city and enjoy it with a wine that makes them go ‘Wow!’ ” So at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, the University Inn will pair some of its most popular dishes — among them, stuffed cabbage and flank steak entrees — with at least five specially chosen wines. Rogers, who happens to be an area physician who bills himself as The Wine Snob, will moderate the pairings. “He’ll also talk about the benefits of wine in terms of health and the practical side of what to look for when you’re shopping for wine,” says Sokolowski. “He’s very witty and good-humored, and we won’t be doing tiny little pours served with cubes of cheese — we’re doing it University Inn style, not like some tastings when you leave hungry and thirsty. So this will be a really fun evening.