Dallas - December 31, 2007

Champagne Supernova

Charlie Palmer Sommelier Drew Hendricks

We will drink no wine before its time. (Translation: not a drop before 3 p.m.)

So for the coming countdown, we got bubbly recommendations from Drew Hendricks, wine dude at the new Charlie Palmer restaurant and its adjacent retail space, Next Vintage.

Stop by the glass-walled shop before tonight’s festivities. Skip the conglomerates (Moët, Veuve) in favor of a grower champagne like Henri Goutorbe or Henri Billiot, Hendricks says. Or try a bottle of Iron Horse Aureole Cuvee mixed by Palmer’s own sommeliers.

No plans? Book a table in the cool, earth-tone downtown space and try executive chef Scott Romano’s inventive a la carte menu (we had a killer lobster corn dog amuse, kampachi sashimi with a tart celery salad, and lentil-crusted monkfish with citrus-endive marmalade). Hendricks will be happy to ring in ’08 with you in person.

Talk about an auspicious beginning.

Charlie Palmer, at the Joule and Next Vintage, 1530 Main Street (214-261-4600 or charliepalmer.com).