I recently spoke with Robb & Madeline Ahlquist, the owners of the Worcester Restaurant Group, after we did a Worcester, MA radio show called "Dining Out Metrowest." While we were chatting I suggested that I interview the wine director of their three restaurants for the Boston Wine Buzz. They suggested that I speak with Aaron Francisco, the General Manager of the One Eleven Chop House at 111 Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA. The One Eleven Steak House opened in 1999 and is an award-winning New York-style steak house. The theme of the chat was, as always, “Why is your restaurant a destination for wine lovers?”BostonWineBuzz (BWB): Aaron, please tell me a little about the One Eleven Chop House wine list?
Aaron Francisco (AF): The One Eleven Chop House wine list is very heavily driven towards California Cabernet and Meritage wines. People like Cabernet with their steaks. About 85% of the wines on the list are from California. We have about 200 or so offerings on the list. It is an attractive and interesting list. The wine list is also very "red" focused. There are a lot of Cabs, Red Blends, Pinots, Syrahs, & Zins. We also have some Italian reds that do pretty well as the restaurant is located in the Italian section of Worcester. We pay a lot of attention to Wine Spectator. Wines that are listed on the Wine Spectator Top 100 list are highlighted on the wine list. The One Eleven Chop House has received the Wine Spectator Award for Excellence every year since 2001.
BWB: What makes the One Eleven Chop House wine list different?
AF: Again, the list is very heavily focused on CA wines, but the best part about the list is it is priced to move wine. We are very, very competitive with our wine pricing. We draw you in with our wine. Our high end wines are not marked up that much, so they are very attractive to our customers. We serve a lot of exclusive wines that don’t last very long on the list.
BWB: What are a couple of your favorite wines on the wine list?
AF: I’m a huge fan of the Joseph Phelps “Insignia”. There is not one that I’ve tried that I have not loved. The 2001 is the current Insignia listed. It goes for $140. The other wine that I enjoy and like to recommend is the 2002 Altamura Cabernet from Napa. That is listed for $89.
BWB: What bottle would you recommend to your best friend if he/she and their spouse came to the One Eleven Chop House for their anniversary?
AF: If not the Insignia, I think the 2003 Robert Craig Howell Mountain Cabernet $90 is a special wine. I would recommend that wine for such a special occasion. Another new wine that I would recommend is the 2004 Shafer “One Point Five” Cabernet from Stags Leap. That wine is listed for $87.
BWB: Aaron, what are a couple of the best deals on the wine list? And is there a steal on the list?
AF: We have some wines on the list that are bigger and better than their price tags. For instance, the 2004 Sebastiani Alexander Valley Cabernet is a deal at $58. Also the 2004 Etude Pinot Noir is another deal for $75. Etude makes such great wine. As for the steals on the list, I would say all the wines priced over $90. The reason is that we don’t mark up our high end wines that much. They are priced to move and priced to be enjoyed. We make these special wines accessible to our customers. For instance, the 2001 Silver Oak Cabernet for $125 is a steal.
BWB: Please talk a little bit about your wines by the glass program?
AF: We have about 30 wines by the glass. They are priced aggressively so they move. We have many standard pours and crowd favorites like the 2005 Meridian Chardonnay for $7/glass or the 2005 Toasted Head Chardonnay for $8 per glass. On the red side, I would say the 2003 Renwood “Old Vines” Zin is a popular pour for $9/glass and the 2002 Rodney Strong Merlot for $9/glass moves like water.
BWB: What is the best deal in your wines by the glass program?
AF: I would say we have 3 right now. The 2003 Newton “Claret” for $11 per glass. The other 2 are Chardonnays. The 2005 Ferrari-Carano $10/glass & the 2004 Chalk Hill “Imagine” $9/glass.
BWB: Finally, why should the wine lovers of New England come to the One Eleven Chop House?
AF: Wine lovers should come to One Eleven because we have many attractive wine values on our list. You are not going to find the wines we have on our list at other places with such great prices. Our customers enjoy a great wine experience with their steaks.
BWB: That sounds just great, Aaron. If our readers want to stop by for some great wine and steaks, where can they find you?
AF: We are located at 111 Shrewsbury Street in Worcester, MA 01604. You can call us @ 508-799-4111 or visit us on the web at www.111chophouse.com for hours, directions, and reservations. Hope to see you soon.
I know we will be in for some dinner soon.
Cheers,
Ken
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