If you haven’t visited Council Oak Steaks & Seafood at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino yet, you’re missing out.

One great way to get that exclusive, chef-inspired, experience is to visit during one of their hosted wine pairing dinners.

Everything from the décor to the music is on brand and luxurious. The intimate gatherings only hold about 50 people, and for good reason.

Before each course on the four course menu, the chef comes out to discuss the dish while the sommelier talks about the wine. Following the course, the chef will stop at each table to answer questions and talk about the dish.

Wines paired at Council Oak’s Wine-Pairing dinner.

For the dinner I attended, dishes were paired with Quintessa wines, with additional wine selections by the Huneeus family portfolio including Flowers and Benton-Lane, from Oregon’s Williamette Valley.

The experience itself is delightful but the food and wine are the stars of the show. Normally, you may not prefer a red or a rose, but when paired with the right meal, the flavors interact so well, you won’t realize you’re indulging in a vino you normally might not enjoy.

The food was tasty, beautiful to look at and there was no shortage of it.

Executive Chef Frank Anderson and Chef de Cuisine Francisco Pomalaza prepared the menu for the evening which included a Rose-Poached Pear with Humboldt Fog cheese, Duck Rillettes, a Prime Short Rib Wellington and more.

My favorite of the evening was the Fingerling-Crusted Halibut. The fish was cooked to perfection and delicious.

Council Oaks has one more pairing night planned in this series on April 17, which will feature Penfolds wine. Tickets are $150 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity. ♦

With limited seating, reservations are a must. Call 813-627-6630.