Tastemakers: Ciao Bella Raviola - Jack Daniel‘s Old No. 7

Aug. 31, 2005

CIAO BELLA RAVIOLI

Okay, so the two-martini lunch is a thing of the past, but the two-hour lunch is still around, or at least it should be. Ciao Bella on Front Street in Traverse City is a great place to go and have that relaxing lunch when you’re not in a hurry. This place is to be savored so extend your lunch hour at least by 30 minutes. Start with the Grilled Portabella Mushroom served with Baby Greens and a Balsamic Vinegar Reduction (ask for more of the reduction to soak your bread into -- it is the best). A different soup is prepared each day and regardless of what’s available, order a cup for your second course as each spoonful is evidence that the chef put much thought into the recipe.
Now, for the third course enjoy the Ravioli Stuffed with Spinach Ricotta and Roasted Garlic tossed in a Pink Sauce. Prepared to perfection and topped with fresh grated Romano, the secret to this entrée is the sauce; if any is left, ask for more bread and soak it up – it is too good to waste. To complete this four-course, two-hour lunch, dessert and coffee are a must. Ciao Bella is definitely in the coffee club (restaurants who know the importance of serving a quality cup of java). The dessert menu has an Italian flavor to it and whatever you select will be a winner, but the “little kid in you” will tell you to go with the Chocolate Chip Cannolies. Ever heard of the three-hour dinner? Ciao Bella does that as well.

JACK DANIEL’S OLD NO. 7

Corporate downsizing is now as American as apple pie and Jack Daniels. Even Jack Daniels downsized last year. No, they didn’t eliminate employees or restructure management; instead the famed black label Tennessee whiskey went from 86 proof to 80 proof. Now dropping the alcohol content by 3% may not seem like a big deal; well guess again. Last September when the distillery from Lynchburg (population 361) introduced the new Jack Daniels with a lesser-kick, old school whiskey drinkers were -- to put it politely -- pissed off. They even started an online petition that has asked the company to restore the glory and return Jack Daniels to its original 90 proof. That’s right; 16 years ago it was at 90 proof with a recipe that had remained the same for 134 years. Hard core Jack drinkers took the first downsizing in stride, but two downsizings in 15 years, and what’s the next move going to be? 60 proof?
Jack Daniels is the symbol that stands above all others when it comes to hard core drinking. When you drink Jack people know you are a man -- a real man. But the days of going into a bar and having five shots of Jack Daniels and busting chairs over peoples’ heads are gone. The distillers of Jack Daniels realized that consumer trends are changing and drinkers aren’t buying booze that has a proof greater than 80. So old-school Jack drinkers, quit crying in your whiskey because you are just watering it down; instead raise a toast to your new classmates. Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 (the one with the black label) still has that great taste and is delightful as a shot, over ice, mixed with a coke or in any recipe that calls for good whiskey. The good news is a lot more chairs are being saved. -- Rick Coates