Based on the number of Xavier students present at the Rookwood Whole Foods this past Friday, I would hazard a guess that Five after
Five is already a popular go-to for Xavier upperclassmen. But, if you have not heard of it, or you have but have never been, it is well worth your time.
This past Friday was the first time I had ever attended, though I had certainly heard good things prior to my experience. As its title would suggest, Five after Five, begins at 5 p.m. and gives the attendee the chance to sample five different wines (occasionally beers) paired with hors d’oeuvres meant to accentuate the wine’s best flavors.
Conveniently for the college budget, the price of admission is also only $5 and includes a wine glass. Bring the same wine glass back the next week and you will only pay $4.
This most recent tasting, “A Night of Rose,” gave customers the chance to sample five different rosé wines. I can honestly say that I liked every one that I tried. The appetizers did not disappoint either.
My favorite was the Chicago Macaroni Salad, a tangy twist on the traditional macaroni salad we all find at Fourth of July picnics.
In addition to the other hors d’oeuvres offered, the affair finished
with a delicious raspberry and chocolate mousse in honor of Valentine’s Day.
I had a wonderful evening, and only one critique: there’s not really any place to set your glass down to eat the appetizer! Don’t let it deter you from trying it out, however.
Here are a few pointers if you are interested in attending. One: get there as close to five as you can. Due to the event’s popularity,
Whole Foods has had to limit the number of guests to 225 people—and those spots go fast. Two: bring a friend. You are likely to spend a decent amount of time in line waiting for the next taste, so make sure you have someone to chat with. Three: they do card at the door, so don’t forget your ID and four: check out the theme of the night before heading out to Whole Foods. Sometimes they give you five different samples of the same type of wine (i.e. red, white, blush); it would be terrible to get there and realize it is all white wine if you don’t like white wine.
For those of you interested in attending, information can be found on the Whole Foods website.
This Friday, all five wines will be red in honor of heart health. Cheers!