This week Manhattan Lincoln and Chef Wolfgang Ban of Seasonal and Edi & The Wolf hosted a special Dine and Drive event, showcasing the all new Lincoln 2012 MKZ Hybrid. Guests enjoyed delicious hand-picked wine paired with small appetizers by Chef Ban upon arrival and were able to walk around and car-gaze at Manhattan Automobile Company.

Appetizers included porkbelly, beef tartar, king crab, oysters, tomato bread with basil, and beet gazpacho. Some of the wines accompanying the dishes include Steininger Riesling Sekt, Forstreiter Gruner Veltliner Grand Reserve 2010, and Wieninger Pinot Noir Select 2008, just to name a few.

Chef Ban then entertained guests with a very interesting cooking demonstration, where he showed guests how to make Lachsforelle, or smoked arctic char with white asparagus, tarragon, and lemon (which you can get as an appetizer at Seasonal). Now I think everyone at the event wants to own a smoke gun for easy cooking. I've never had Austrian cuisine before, but after last night I look forward to trying more.

Another highlight of the evening was talk about the importance of sustainability. Chef Ban tries to not waste anything in his kitchens and likewise, the new Lincoln Hybrid, does the same by minimizing the usage of gas. It's a breath of fresh air these days to hear about what others are doing to improve the planet, especially by big car companies and famous chefs. Take a page out of their book and go greener this Spring!