Stogie Guys Free Newsletter

Subscribe today for a chance to win great cigar prizes:


Presented by:

Stogie News: Pairing Up with Morton’s and Davidoff Cigars

3 Dec 2009

Tuesday marked the beginning of Virginia’s smoking ban and the end of free choice in the commonwealth’s bars and restaurants. And while we’ve written extensively about the dangers of government-driven regulations on tobacco, this ban hits especially close to home—because we both live in Virginia.

Davidoff Morton's PGSo, as you might expect, Monday night we went out in style. We were lucky enough to attend two of the special “Last Hurrah” cigar dinners, hosted by Morton’s at the steakhouse chain’s three locations in Northern Virginia. These dinners, like last summer’s Paul Garmirian event, featured premium tobacco paired with fine libations and Morton’s signature cuisine.

We thought we’d share our experiences not to gloat, but to inspire you to occasionally treat yourself to a lavish and luxurious cigar dinner. Every brother of the leaf, after all, deserves an expertly paired meal from time to time.

Attended by Patrick A, the Tysons Corner event started with a reception of crab cakes, oysters, and tuna tartare, complemented by a Chateau St. Jean chardonnay and a mild and creamy Davidoff 2000. The second cigar of the evening was the Davidoff Ambassadrice, served with a Duck Pond pinot noir (an exceptional wine for a mild smoke). And finally, after an outstanding filet mignon entrée, a well-balanced and complex Davidoff Special R was paired with a Fonseca Bin 27 port.

Meanwhile, Patrick S, about 15 miles away in Arlington, attended a second Morton’s dinner with Davidoff cigars, which featured a reception with petite lamb chops, poached salmon, and cheeses, paired with a Crossings Sauvignon blanc and a Davidoff Special T. After an palate cleanser of raspberry sorbet, attendees lit the petit corona-sized Davidoff Grand Cru No. 5, followed by a main course of NY Strip with a lively Livernano “Josephine” 2006 Super Tuscan. For a finale, diners were treated to a hot chocolate cake that went well with Taylor Fladgate 10-Year Tawny port and the Davidoff-made Winston Churchill Blenheim—a perfect choice given that the dinner was taking place on Churchill’s birthday.

A third dinner was also held at the Morton’s location in Reston, which included cigars by Paul Garmirian. The highlight of the evening was the world debut of the new PG Symphony 20th Connoisseur. We hope to review this cigar soon.

Before we get to that, though, we’d like to extend our thanks to everyone at Morton’s for recognizing the enormous potential of wine, cuisine, and premium cigar pairings and for executing an outstanding “Last Hurrah” to free choice in the commonwealth. Monday was a memorable night, and we’re sorry we won’t be able to experience anything like it again in Virginia.

Patrick A & Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

One Response to “Stogie News: Pairing Up with Morton’s and Davidoff Cigars”

  1. Mike Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 5:30 am #

    Glad you were able to celebrate the end of an era. At least Virginia's ban gives you a number of options not available in other ban states: smoking in seperate, ventilated dining rooms and not affecting non-restaurant workplaces.

    I'd like to try a cigar dinner again, but back in the mid-1990s, at the height of the cigar fad, I dined at a Mortons and could barely breathe or enjoy my food, let along a cigar. And this was a normal night, not a cigar event.