The Raphael Hotel’s signature restaurant, Chaz Restaurant & Lounge, is excited to announce May’s feature ingredient and wine for the extremely popular rotating menu, Pours & Plates. Each month features a single, unique ingredient at the center of specially created dishes by Executive Chef David Spiven. Chaz’s Certified Sommelier, Jordan Carver, pairs an exceptional Wine of the Month to compliment the carefully composed plates.
The May featured ingredient is artichoke. It is a flower bud cultivated over 2,000 years ago in the West and Central Mediterranean and North Africa. Many people eat the meat off the leaves of the bud, but the most popular part is the center, referred to as the artichoke “heart”. Today, nearly all artichokes in the U.S. are grown in Castroville, California, the site of the Artichoke Food and Wine Festival. Artichokes have many health benefits, including improved digestion and heart health.
The Wine of the Month is Sassoregale Vermentino from Maremma Toscana, Italy. With notes of citrus and stone fruits framed by fresh herbs and minerality, the fresh and zippy white wine pairs perfectly with the mild, slightly nutty flavor of artichoke.
This exclusive and well-thought-out pairing menu is available May 1-31, 2025. Make a reservation to try this limited-time menu here.
May Pours & Plates Menu
May Featured Pour
Sassoregale Vermentino
Maremma Toscana, Italy
Citrus and stone fruits framed by fresh herbs and minerality. Utterly fresh with zippy acidity and a persistent mineral finish with a touch of sea salt.
May Featured Plates
Grilled Artichoke Hearts
Brie Cream, Lemon Juice, Fried Capers
Roman Braised Artichoke Hearts
White Wine, Garlic, Olive Oil, Grilled Pita
Artichoke Puttanesca
Strozzapreti Pasta, Tomato, Garlic, Capers, Olives, Parmesan