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Tips on Hosting a Port Tasting Party
As the weather gets cooler, a port tasting party is a great way to warm up and get cozy. Here's some quick tips on hosting a port tasting party (via WineSkinny.com).
Port makes an outstanding choice for a winter wine tasting. Cold nights, a cozy fire, good friends, fabulous port. What else could you want out of life?
If you are new to port, here are a couple of basics: Tawny port is usually ready to drink, because it's had all the aging it needs before it's bottled. Typically, it has a reddish-brown color and a mature, nutty, dried-fruit flavor that matches beautifully with foods that feature blue cheeses, nuts, certain grains or dried fruits. Vintage port, on the other hand, is bottled after only a couple of years in the barrel and needs quite a bit of aging to soften bitter tannins and to integrate the often harsh spirit into thickly textured, luscious wine.
We're going to focus on tawny ports here, simply because there would not be much point in you going out to buy vintage ports for a tasting party now. We do encourage you to buy some vintage ports, and we've included some great suggestions, but they will need some aging before they're ready to drink.
So, here are a few terrific selections that are currently available.
The Wine:
Tawny Ports:
Rosemount NV Tawny Port South Eastern Australia Solera Aged Old Benson Fine Old Tawny ($24)
Ramos-Pinto NV Tawny Port 30 Years Old ($75). Wow - a blockbuster finish.
Dow NV Tawny Port 20 Years Old ($39). Huge wine. Intense. Sweet. Balanced. Wonderful.
Cockburn NV Tawny Port 10 Years Old ($23). Medium bodied and nicely balanced. Great with food.
Penfolds Club Port Reserve (Australia, $11). Great value on this complicated, spicy port with a long smooth finish.
Seppelt NV Tawny Port Australia Old Trafford ($12). Sweet and lingering, without being cloying. A true dessert wine.
Vintage Ports:
1997 is shaping up to be an excellent port vintage. The '97s are just beginning to hit the shelves, so pricing is still a bit undecided. The bottom line seems to be that if you are a port aficionado, and you see a '97 vintage port that you can afford -- buy it! Here are a few specifics:
1997 Fonseca (should be around $100). You cannot go wrong with a Fonseca vintage port. The '97 has received rave reviews from all corners. Buy it if you can find it.
1997 Niepoort ($60)
1997 Dow ($60) -- a great buy!
Other Ports:
These are unique bottlings that do not fall into the usual categories -- definitely worth a try!
Osborne 1994 Late Bottled Port ($12). One heck of a price and delicious. Not as sweet as the name might suggest.
Cockburn 1994 Late Bottled Port ($17). Rich and raisiny, this is an excellent wine.
The Food:
We know all about the classic pairing of Port and chocolate. Great. Fabulous. But, frankly, we get a little bored with that. Besides, we come dangerously close to lapsing into sugar comas in a pretty short period of time.
Instead, try an assortment of cheeses, nuts, and dried fruits. It's easy and impressive, and your blood sugar levels will thank you.
For a cheese selection, try Parmigiano Regiano (a whole piece, not the canned, grated stuff!), Manchego, Munster, and Stilton (heavenly with port).
Nuts: Toasted almonds, Unshelled pistachios, and lightly-salted cashews.
Dried fruits: apricots and prunes.
If you want to include a sweet, try your favorite recipe for pecan or walnut pie.
Tasting Notes:
We've found that our guests really enjoy the opportunity to "grade" the wines. You can make it as casual or controlled as you like. We tend to put out a pile of our tasting notes sheets and then encourage our guests to take notes. Somewhere toward the end of the evening -- or once everyone has had time to taste the various wines -- we like to have a little group discussion of the favorites. It really is a lot of fun to hear everyone's opinions of the wines, and there are always some interesting surprises.
The most important thing is to have fun with your tasting party. Branch out to wines that are new to you. Don't worry about the results -- everyone will have a great time participating in the tasting.
Visit WineSkinny.com for more details on wine tasting party ideas and wine winners. Their site is tremendously helpful for the novice and experienced wine lover.
September 30, 2005 in All Things Wine, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (2)
The French Chef DVD with Julia Child
French Chef DVD with Julia Child plus Bonus "Cooking Under Fire" --
An eCookbooks.com Exclusive
See Julia Child in 18 of her original PBS French Chef episodes. Long before there was Emeril, Wolfgang, or Rachel Ray, there was Julia, and part of the joy was laughing along with her bloopers when things didn't exactly go right.
Entertaining, fun, and real in a way that influenced every television cooking program that followed, The French Chef embraced Julia’s passion for food and teaching and reflected her joie de vivre: “If I can do it, you can do it…and here’s how to do it!”
The French Chef DVD with Julia Child | $28 (30% off) at eCookbooks.com
includes exclusive bonus "Cooking Under Fire"
The 18 episodes on the three-disc DVD are:
Starters and Sidedishes
1. The potato show
2. Your own french onion soup
3. Bouilabaisse à la Marseillaise
4. The spinach twins
5. Salad Niçoise
6. French fries
Main Courses
1. Bœuf Bourguignon
2. To roast a chicken
3. The lobster show
4. To stuff a sausage
5. Tripes à la mode
6. The whole fish story
Baking, Desserts, and other Classics
1. Queen of sheba cake
2. Cheese and wine party
3. Apple dessert
4. Mouse au chocolat
5. The good loaf
6. The omelette show
Order The French Chef DVD with Julia Child today from ecookbooks.com.
September 29, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)
Eva Solo Garlic Press is Simply Beautiful
We love the design of the Eva Solo line, and their Garlic Press is no exception. Designed in the shape of a garlic clove, Eva Solo designers also eliminated the cleaning hassle of traditional presses using slits instead of holes for their press plate.
Eva Solo 2-pc. Garlic Press with Glass Container, Stainless Steel
$65 at Cooking.com
Related Link: Eva Solo's CafeSolo Coffee Set
September 29, 2005 in Kitchen Gadgets | Permalink | Comments (0)
Three Wine of the Month Clubs from K&L Wines
When you purchase a Wine of the Month Club package from K & L Wine Merchants, you'll be assured that you'll get a great deal and some excellent wines. Reviewed by many as one of the internet's best wine retailers (Inc.com, Time, Wall Street Journal, Forbes to name a few), choose from three wine clubs--Best Buy Wine Club, Premium Wine Club, or Signature Red Collection.
Order your Wine of the Month Club directly from K&L Wine Merchants online.
September 28, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)
Gourmet Magazine's 2005 All-American Restaurant Issue Contents Released
Released September 27th, the October Gourmet Restaurant Issue features split covers: the newsstand cover highlights America's most famous chef, Emeril Lagasse, and the subscriber cover features chefs from the 20th Anniversary of the Chefs' Tribute to Citymeals-on-Wheels--Wolfgang Puck, Larry Forgione, Joachim Splichal, Daniel Boulud, and Nancy Silverton.
Gourmet Restaurant Guide October 2005 Contents
-- Where to Eat Now in 18 American Cities
-- Profiles: Emeril Lagasse (newsstand cover)
-- David Myers: Team Bonding at Sona, in Los Angeles
-- Citymeals-on-Wheels 20th Anniversary: Star Chefs of Tomorrow
-- Two Views on the Las Vegas Restaurant Boom by Caroline Bates and Anthony Bourdain
-- Menus: Ruth Reichl's Favorite Dishes
-- Jonathan Waxman's Menu from New York's Barbuto
-- Robert Sietsema on African Restaurants in the U.S.
-- Roadfood: The Sterns Eat at Diners in Maine
-- Daring Chicago Chefs at Alinea and Moto
-- Chef Tools
-- Mail Order Food Gifts
-- Celebrity Chef-Designed Kitchenware
Gourmet's October 2005 Restaurant Issue, available on newsstands on September 27, includes the annual Gourmet Restaurant Guide. As always, the guide will be indispensable to any traveler, and this year it tells you where to eat right now in 18 American cities. Editor in chief Ruth Reichl, along with several of the magazine's food critics, ate anonymously at hundreds of restaurants across the country, making 132 selections in four categories: restaurants for conducting business, hot new spots with the buzz, classic old favorites, and neighborhood gems that the locals love.
"2005 Restaurant Guide: Where to Eat Now in 18 American Cities" begins on page 169. Gourmet's critics offer restaurant suggestions across the country in: Atlanta; Boston; Charleston, SC; Chicago; Dallas; Honolulu; Houston; Los Angeles; Miami; New Orleans; New York; Philadelphia; Portland, OR; San Diego; San Francisco; Santa Fe; Seattle; and Washington, D.C.
The Restaurant Issue was shipped to the printer prior to Hurricane Katrina. Gourmet will host--along with Mario Batali, Lidia and Joseph Bastianich, and Emeril Lagasse--an October benefit for New Orleans Displaced Hospitality Professionals.
Atlanta
Business: Restaurant Eugene
Buzz: Rathbun's
Classic: Pano's & Paul's
Neighborhood Gems: The Globe Cafe Restaurant Bar; Nam; One. Midtown
Kitchen
Boston
Business: Excelsior
Buzz: Neptune Oyster
Classic: Hamersley's Bistro
Neighborhood Gems: The Elephant Walk; Franklin Cafe; Troquet
Charleston, SC
Business: Anson
Buzz: Cru Cafe
Classic: Hominy Grill
Neighborhood Gems: Grace Episcopal Church; Il Cortile Del Re; 39 Rue
de Jean
Chicago
Business: Crofton on Wells; Morton's The Steakhouse
Buzz: Alinea; Blue Water Grill
Classic: Ambria; MK
Neighborhood Gems: Acqualina; Hotchocolate; Scylla; Vinci
Dallas
Business: Nana, Wyndham Anatole Hotel
Buzz: 62 Main
Classic: Duni Latin Kitchen and Baking Studio
Neighborhood Gems: Hattie's; Hector's On Henderson; Local
Honolulu
Business: Chef Mavro
Buzz: Town
Classic: La Mer, Halekulani
Neighborhood Gems: Hiroshi Eurasion Tapas; Nico's at Pier 38; 12th Ave
Grill
Houston
Business: Da Marco; Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
Buzz: Bistro Moderne, Hotel Derek; Noe Restaurant & Bar, Omni Houston
Hotel
Classic: Brennan's of Houston; Pico's
Neighborhood Gems: Cova Hand-Selected Wines; Kubo's; Rioja Spanish
Tapas Restaurant; Shade
Los Angeles
Business: The Grill on the Alley; Sona
Buzz: Beacon, An Asian Cafe; Providence
Classic: Michael's; The Restaurant, Hotel Bel-Air
Neighborhood Gems: Chameau; Enoteca Drago; Mandaloun; New Concept
Restaurant
Miami
Business: Bizcaya, Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove
Buzz: Prime 112, The Browns Hotel
Classic: Norman's
Neighborhood Gems: Captain Jim's Seafood Market & Restaurant; Pacific
Time; Tamarind Thai Restaurant
New Orleans
(The Restaurant Issue was shipped to the printer prior to
Hurricane Katrina. Gourmet will host--along with Mario Batali, Lidia
and Joseph Bastianich, and Emeril Lagasse--an October benefit for New
Orleans Displaced Hospitality Professionals.)
Business: Emeril's Delmonico; GW Fins
Buzz: Cobalt; The New Orleans Grill, Windsor Court Hotel
Classic: Brigtsen's; Gautreau's
Neighborhood Gems: Casamento's Restaurant; Dick & Jenny's; Liborio
Cuban Restaurant; Liuzza's
New York
Business: Michael's; The Modern
Buzz: Gusto Ristorante e Bar Americano; Nobu Fifty Seven
Classic: Gotham Bar and Grill; Peter Luger Steak House
Neighborhood Gems: Bistro Du Vent; Devi; Momofuku Noodle Bar; The
Queen's Hideaway
Philadelphia
Business: Barclay Prime
Buzz: Marigold Kitchen
Classic: Susanna Foo Chinese Cuisine
Neighborhood Gems: Southwark; Sovalo; Standard Tap
Portland, OR
Business: El Gaucho
Buzz: Gotham Bldg Tavern
Classic: The Heathman Restaurant & Bar, The Heathman Hotel
Neighborhood Gems: Alba Osteria & Enoteca; Noble Rot; Nuestra Cocina
San Diego
Business: Arterra, San Diego Marriott Del Mar
Buzz: Cafe Chloe
Classic: The Marine Room, La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club
Neighborhood Gems: Dumpling Inn; Extraordinary Desserts; Fresh Seafood
Restaurant
San Francisco
Business: Farallon's; Michael Mina, Westin St. Francis
Buzz: Americano; The Dining Room, The Ritz-Carlton
Classic: Bix; Tadich Grill
Neighborhood Gems: Bocadillos; Fish; La Suite; Limon
Santa Fe
Business: Trattoria Nostrani
Buzz: Kasasoba
Classic: Tomasita's Santa Fe
Neighborhood Gems: Aqua Santa; Cafe Pasqual's; Copa de Oro
Seattle
Business: Barking Frog
Buzz: Ibiza Dinner Club
Classic: The Georgian, The Fairmont Olympic Hotel
Neighborhood Gems: Crow; Lola; Monsoon
Washington D.C.
Business: Charlie Palmer Steak
Buzz: Cityzen, Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Classic: Kinkead's
Neighborhood Gems: Buck's Fishing and Camping; Burma Restaurant; 2Amys
The "2005 Restaurant Guide: Where to Eat Now in 18 American Cities" is published in the Gourmet October 2005 Restaurant Issue, on sale at newsstands on September 27, 2005. Gourmet is published by The Conde Nast Publications.
via Restaurant News Resource
September 27, 2005 in Restaurant News | Permalink | Comments (3)
What Makes Hawaiian Coffee So Special
Coffee was first introduced to the Islands by Chief Boki, the Governor of Oahu, in 1825. He acquired coffee plants in Rio de Janeiro while aboard a British warship, the H.M.S. Blonde. These first coffee plants were planted in Manoa Valley, on Oahu, where they flourished. From this original planting, coffee trees were introduced to locations around the Islands, including the now famous Kona Coast.
The coffee tree needs six specific conditions to thrive: rich soil, proper elevation (between 500 and 3000 feet is ideal), sunshine, cloud cover, rain and a moderate slope for proper drainage of roots. While some good coffee comes from climates which offer just a few of these conditions, The Hawaiian climate offers all six elements. This perfect blend of conditions provides coffee trees with the ideal environment, and allows Hawaii to produce some of the richest coffee in the world.
The growing season in Hawaii begins in January and ends in June. Coffee growers watch expectantly for coffee blossoms to appear on the trees after rains early in the season, and these flowers eventually turn into coffee cherries. Much like the grapes destined for fine wines, coffee cherries are allowed to ripen on the tree, under the close watch of the farmers. When they are bright red and ripe, each coffee cherry is harvested individually.
At Maui Coffee Company, meticulous care goes into each phase of the ensuing coffee-making process, from roasting to flavoring to dry milling. You will taste the time we put in with every cup you brew! For more information please visit our website http://www.mauicoffeecompany.net
Source | EzineArticles.com
September 27, 2005 in Coffee & Espresso | Permalink | Comments (0)
Chocolate Fondue Fountain for Holiday Parties
Wow your guests with your own chocolate fondue fountain! Perfect for holiday celebrations, birthdays, weddings, and turning any party into a memorable one. Be careful - your friends might want to borrow it for their parties too.
Chocolate Fondue Fountain
$69 at Chef's Depot
Sephra Chocolate Fountain
$249 at Chef's Depot
September 26, 2005 in Chocolate, Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (0)
How to Bake Bread in a Dutch Oven
Dutch ovens were made for baking. In the hands of a practiced baker, a Dutch oven will create beautiful breads and desserts. (Though some of us tend to burn breads in a Dutch oven.)
You can always bake bread in a well-oiled Dutch oven but instead of baking directly in the oven, consider this method: Put the dough in a baking pan and the pan in the Dutch oven.
Recently, a reader from California told us of her success baking bread with a pan inside of a Dutch oven. She used a mix for Irish Potato Bread. This mix creates a large loaf and she made it according to package instructions. She formed the dough into a round loaf and placed the dough in a greased nine-inch metal pie pan. She then set the pan atop small rocks in bottom of her twelve-inch Dutch oven. She put the lid on the Dutch oven and the oven on ten briquette coals. Another fourteen briquettes went on the top. She baked the bread for 45 minutes, turning the lid occasionally. She was baking at an elevation of 7,000 in the Sequoia Mountains.
“I was surprised and delighted to find that the bread was perfect,” she said. “The crust was brown on top and it was a real treat . . . a great success.”
You should have similar success baking rolls in a baking pan or a loaf in a traditional bread pan. To get the right-sized loaves for a Dutch oven, consider bread machine mixes or recipes for single loaves. A bread machine mix will give you that single loaf or smaller batch of rolls, just right for a Dutch oven. If you crowd two loaves into a Dutch oven, there may not be adequate air circulation between the loaves. Without adequate space, the loaves will tend to be lopsided.
It is important that you elevate the pan off the bottom of the Dutch oven using small stones so that it does not burn the bottom of the bread. Make sure that you have enough top clearance so that the rising bread does not reach the lid.
You can use this same technique to bake great desserts or pastries. Consider baking sweet rolls or pasties in a raised pan in your Dutch oven.
Dennis Weaver is the general manager at The Prepared Pantry with recipes, ideas, and the best selection of mixes and ingredients. Visit the free Bakers' Library for more articles like this, free baking guides, and tested recipes.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
September 25, 2005 in Baking | Permalink | Comments (0)
America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook is All You Need
From Cook's Illustrated Editors, America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook is the hottest cookbook in the country right now. With 1,200 foolproof recipes, this comprehensive cookbook is written simply and clearly, with photos showing every cooking technique. This could be the one basic cookbook that you'll ever need, covering every course, from appetizers to desserts, plus chapters on breakfast, sandwiches, sauces and condiments, and beverages. Friendly and to-the-point test kitchen tip boxes accompany the recipes and point out either where you might go wrong, or a special technique or ingredient that makes the recipe successful.
Includes classic Cook's Illustrated charts and test kitchen tips and fast recipes.
America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook | $20.97 (40% off) at ecookbooks.com
September 24, 2005 in Cookbooks | Permalink | Comments (0)
Fresh Wild Salmon Shipped Direct
Get wild salmon caught by hand with hook and line by The Alaska Wild Salmon Company, and have it shipped directly to your door. While farmed salmon contains added colors, antibiotics, or vaccines, these hand caught fish are quickly dressed to preserve its freshness, taste, and Omega-3 nutrients. Run as a family owned business, every order comes with a satisfaction guarantee.
Visit GoodSalmon.com for your fresh caught wild salmon.
September 24, 2005 in Special Delivery | Permalink | Comments (0)
Fast Food My Way - Great Meals in a Hurry
Fast food Jacques Pepin's way is as effortless as seasoning a salmon with fresh herbs and nutty bread crumbs and cooking it right on the serving platter in a low oven. Every dish in this beautifully photographed cookbook is special enough to serve to company.
With this cookbook, it's inspiring to know we can prepare great meals even with little time.
Fast Food My Way by Jacques Pepin | $18.00 (40% off) at ecookbooks.com
September 23, 2005 in Chef Books | Permalink | Comments (0)
Magnetic Spice Rack
Save space, and mount this beautiful stainless steel spice rack above your counter or stove.
Magnetic Spice Rack | $88 at UnCommonGoods.com
September 23, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (0)
Sushi on Martha Stewart's Apprentice
On Martha Stewart's first week of The Apprentice, the winning team was treated to sushi made by the hand of Tadashi Ono of Masuri. With this being the first celebration by the winning team, Daily Olive got the feeling that not everyone was totally comfortable with each other or appreciated the beautiful sushi. They may have "ooohed and aahhed" the presentation, but not sure if everyone enjoyed the meal. Seemed like a shame. Plus, who thought Martha seemed too polite and on her best behavior in this first episode?
Read Matsuri Restaurant Review via NYMag.com.
Technorati Tags: Martha | Apprentice
September 22, 2005 in Restaurant News | Permalink | Comments (0)
Jamón Ibérico - Coveted Spanish Ham to be Available in U.S.
Jamón Ibérico, a ham that Americans have only enjoyed overseas, has finally cleared USDA government regulations for import into the United States, possibly before Christmas. Pre-orders are being taken now by Spanish gourmet food retailer, La Tienda.
(Via PRWeb.com) The Spanish government has just approved the first Jamón Ibérico production facility that meets USDA standards for export to the United States. LaTienda.com, a family-owned gourmet Spanish food retailer based in Williamsburg, VA, will fly in the first Ibérico products as soon as they are available. In fact, the Harris family has worked for more than eight years to make this possible. Soon this prized Spanish gourmet food, perhaps the finest of all hams, will be available in the US. Jamón Ibérico, marbled with rich golden fat and infused with the flavor of acorns, is also remarkably good for you. The curing process converts the fat of the ham into heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fat. This gives the ham beneficial qualities similar to olive oil.
Read more about La Tienda's quest to bring Ibérico ham to the U.S.
Pre-order your Jamón Ibérico at LaTienda.com.
Jamón Ibérico is perhaps the finest of all hams, as much a national treasure to Spain as caviar is to Russia, truffles are to Italy, and Kobe beef is to Japan. Jamón Ibérico hams are the pride of Spain, and Spaniards consume the most of the annual production in their own country. Some producers even have waiting lists of several years for their best products.
The unique flavor of Jamón Ibérico comes from the pigs themselves and from the way they're raised. The rare Iberian black-foot pigs ('pata negra') live only in Spain, where they have foraged for acorns in the cork oak forests of western Spain for millennia. This diet of acorns contributes to the flavor of the ham, and causes their beautifully marbled meat to be high in heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fat, giving the ham beneficial qualities similar to olive oil. This quality is apparent to the naked eye: thin slices of jamón glisten on the plate as the golden fat melts with room temperatures rises above 70 degrees F.
September 21, 2005 in Food News | Permalink | Comments (1)
Visit "Sideways" Wine Country without the Crowds
The movie "Sideways" brought mixed blessings not only to the folks and wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley, where the movie was set, but also to the people who visited. Where there once was a peaceful getaway location to a lesser known California wine country, now there's lots of traffic and lots more people.
Los Angeles Times food writer Ann Herold writes about her experiences in Santa Ynez to find the road less traveled, and some smaller wineries that maybe are better than the Sanford's and Fess Parker's. All in all, she uncovers a more peaceful way to enjoy your weekend trip and Pinot Noirs in "Sideways" wine country.
Read "Unsideways: The Tour | Secrets of the Santa Ynez Valley" via LA Times
September 21, 2005 in All Things Wine, Food & Wine Country Travel | Permalink | Comments (0)
Culinary Events Benefitting Hurricane Relief
Here are some upcoming food events that will benefit the relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina.
September 20, 2005 in New Orleans Restaurant Updates | Permalink | Comments (0)
Organic Food Writers Wanted
Daily Olive is looking for organic food writers who would like to contribute to our new Organic Food section. Daily Olive is a growing gourmet food and wine blog website dedicated to today's contemporary food lifestyles. Our postings are selected to highlight the people, trends, and products that are shaping the food world today.
We are seeking contributions from food writers, journalists, growers, distributors, and other interested parties on any facet of the organic food world. Each posting will include the contributor's by-line for credit and weblink to their website.
Please submit writing samples and your resume to robert[at]dailyolive[dot]com.
September 20, 2005 in Daily Olive News, Organic Food | Permalink | Comments (0)
Have an iPod and Drink?
Imagine taking your favorite drink recipes on the go with you on your iPod with the iPod Bartender. Well, maybe not all your favorite drinks but 230 of them. That's enough to give you and your friends some variety on your night out.
Download iPod Bartender here.
Related: Win a Free iPod.
September 19, 2005 in New Food Trends | Permalink | Comments (0)
Who Needs a Barbeque Tool Belt
Yeah, summer's over, it's after Labor Day, and it's time to think about Halloween. But I just saw this ultimate barbeque belt on BBQ with Bobby Flay (Food Network), and just had to have it. Have all your spices and sauces and tools right with you, along with a beer holder. See - you're excited too.
Barbeque Belt | $29 at RedEnvelope.com
September 17, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide | Permalink | Comments (1)
Autumn California Wine Country Bike Tours
Fall weather is the perfect time to enjoy a bike tour of California's wine country. Offered by Backroads, a 25 year old active travel company, enjoy a six day wine country tour that runs through Napa and Sonoma Valleys, through Healdsburg and Bodega Bay.
Wine Country Bike Tour | via Backroads.com
September 16, 2005 in All Things Wine, Food & Wine Country Travel | Permalink | Comments (0)
Cookie cutters for Halloween cookies
Make your spookiest cookies with these Halloween themed copper cookie cutters.
Halloween Cookie Cutters | $19 at Sur la Table
September 16, 2005 in Baking, Halloween | Permalink | Comments (0)
Crystal Wine Duck Decanter by Ravenscroft
Ravenscroft Duck Wine Decanter, made of lead-free crystal, is hand blown to give your wine maximum aeration.
Ravenscroft Crystal is the embodiment of old-world European craftsmanship and a modern understanding of how the composition and shape of a wine glass can significantly enhance the tasting experience. Our designs, developed out of the deepest respect for great wine, are hand crafted in nearly 30 different styles. Each style is the result of thousands of years of glass making trial-and-error, and is individually crafted to enhance both the bouquet and taste of the wine or spirit for which it was made.
Ravenscroft Crystal Duck Decanter | $68 at CalVines.com
September 16, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)
A Stainless Steel Refrigerator on Steroids
Sub Zero introduces the Pro 48 line of refrigerators showing that the leader in luxury refrigeration isn't resting on its laurels. Made of 100% stainless steel inside and out, the Pro 48 line also includes dual refrigeration, triple evaporation, and advanced controls. Most impressive is that these refrigerators are Energy Star efficient, consuming less energy than a 100-watt lightbulb.
Link: SubZeroPro48.com
September 15, 2005 in Kitchen Design | Permalink | Comments (0)
New Orleans Restaurants: The Road Back
It's been a few years since I was last in New Orleans to walk the French Quarter and enjoy eating in its restaurants. Since Katrina, we've all wondered about the difficult long road back for the people and businesses who lived and thrived in New Orleans. Just looking at the recent pictures, one thing's for sure, the city will be back but probably not ever the same again.
For Daily Olive readers, we want to track the news and stories of the journey back for the restaurants that gave the New Orleans its heartbeat and culinary culture. We are certain the richness of its regional history will survive Katrina, however long and hard that journey may be.
We invite our readers to post any news and stories they may hear about the return of their favorite restaurants.
Today, we'll start with an article from our local paper, The Los Angeles Times, about the first efforts of New Orleans' local restaurateurs and some prominent chefs to reopen their restaurants.
Read "Only until further notice" via LA Times
September 14, 2005 in New Orleans Restaurant Updates | Permalink | Comments (0)
Coffee & Art at the Illy Galleria NY
Visit the just opened temporary Illy Galleria in NY until it closes December 15th. We've seen many of these temporary retail concepts recently that gives retailers some buzz and traffic that might not otherwise come with a permanent location. Illy's NY Galleria is certain to generate some exciting buzz with people who are coffee lovers, art lovers, or "where's the hot scene" lovers.
Get your coffee and bomboloni while you can at Galleria illy in SoHo, which opens tomorrow and closes on Dec. 15, at the end of its lease. With a chandelier of espresso cups overhead, above, coffee lovers can indulge in hot or iced drinks ($2 to $5), along with confections like bomboloni from Osteria del Circo, espresso nuggets from WD-50 and peanut butter sandwich bars from Tru in Chicago ($4 to $6).
The shop has a coffee and art library, a coffee-inspired painting by James Rosenquist, espresso makers to try out, and classes: 382 West Broadway (Broome Street); (877) 455-9347 or illyusa.com.
via NY Times
September 14, 2005 in Coffee & Espresso, Gourmet Food Events | Permalink | Comments (0)
Halloween Brownies by Fat Witch
Just in time for Halloween, give the Fat Witch Brownie Gift Tin made in NY. Fat Witch brownies were chosen by Oprah in 2002 as one of her Favorite Things. This chocolate gift tin includes 27 brownies in dark bittersweet, chocolate walnut, and blonde chocolate chip.
Brownie Gift Tin | $39 direct from Fat Witch Bakery | 888-41-WITCH
September 13, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Chocolate, Halloween | Permalink | Comments (0)
Inspired Trail Mix by Sahale Snacks
Bored by the usual selection of trail mixes and quick snack choices? So were Sahale Snack founders, Josh Schroeter and Edmond Sanctis. Active outdoors enthusiasts, they were motivated to create their own natural and healthy snacks that tasted great too.
Available in four mixes and sealed in 2.5 ounce foil bags, Sahale is available at local Whole Foods and health stores. Their Valdosta Blend, pictured here, features almonds, flax seeds and dates lightly seasoned with balsamic vinegar and cayenne.
via CoolHunting.com
September 13, 2005 in Food News | Permalink | Comments (0)
Bodum Insulated Glasses for Coffee Lattes
Bodum's Canteen Latte Glasses are made with a unique glass-in-glass technique to allow you to serve hot coffee and tea that's cool to hold without burning.
Bodum Canteen Latte Glasses | $19 for two at Crate and Barrel
September 12, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Coffee & Espresso | Permalink | Comments (0)
Winemaking and Golf Vacation Package - Perfection!
Combe two loves, golf and wine, into one weekend. Golf professional and winemaker Kris Moe has managed to bring together a travel package that involves golfers and wine lovers in the process of both improving their golf and making wine.
The Golf and Winemaking A-Z school is a program designed for people willing to roll up their sleeves to improve their golf then get in the vineyard and do some picking and stomping of the grapes.
"It may seem like a silly analogy", says Moe, " but improving your golf game is a process much like winemaking, you work with what you got and with some blending here and there you should develop a game that is satisfying to you. As golf coaches we assist golfers on the blending of ideas or motion."
Visit Golf and Winemaking A to Z for details.
September 12, 2005 in Food & Wine Country Travel | Permalink | Comments (0)
Mini Halloween Caramel Apples
Surprise your trick or treaters with a special treat--a mini Granny Smith apple covered with caramel and chocolate decorations.
Mini Halloween Caramel Apples | 4 for $29.50 at Williams-Sonoma
September 11, 2005 in Halloween | Permalink | Comments (0)
New Water with a Hint of Flavor
Finding a refreshing drink these days that's not loaded with corn syrup is near impossible. And if you're a parent who wants to make sure that your kids don't drink soda all the time, you know it's hard to get them to drink plain old water. All they're looking for is some flavor!
Well, here comes a new drink called Hint. Their catchy slogan "Drink Water, Not Sugar" rings true to the ears of health conscious adults and children too.
Flavors include Apple, Grape, Cucumber, Tangerine, Lime, Raspberry-Lime and Pomegranate-Tangerine, and others.
For availability in your area, visit drinkhint.com.
HintKids is flavored just for kids.
Unlike similar looking “water beverages,” HINTKIDS premium water has NO artificial sweeteners, NO sugar, and most importantly no artificial flavors, additives or preservatives. HINTKIDS is pure water with natural flavors. The refreshing hint of GRAPE, TROPICAL PUNCH and APPLE finishes cleanly, not sweetly.
Experts agree: sweetened drinks and juices are the biggest source of empty calories for kids and are a major contributor to life long obesity. Every can or juice box is like giving kids a 200 calorie hit of sugar. Water, they say, is the cure.
“It starts early, this addiction to juices, sugar and sweeteners,” says HINT CEO, Kara Goldin. “As a parent you read the statistics on obesity and diabetes and it’s nothing short of alarming. And everyone talks about the 1000% increase in behavioral and attention problems like it’s some mystery. All I have to do is watch what happens when my kids have too much sugar. It’s like Dr. Jeckyll/Mr. Hyde. Mothers call it the ‘sugar meltdown,’ a tantrum that inevitably follows a sugar overdose.”
September 10, 2005 in Food News | Permalink | Comments (0)
Search All Internet Recipes Sites in One Click
Tired of searching for a recipe online by hopping from one recipe site to another? Check out FoodieView.com, a new recipe search engine that will search all online recipes sites for the recipe you're looking for.
The site also helps narrow your search results by specific ingredients, type of dish and cuisine, and even by chef name. It's a great tool that will help simplify your recipe searches. FoodieView even includes a "recipe box" feature that lets you save your favorite recipes.
Visit FoodieView.com. It's free, too!
September 9, 2005 in Cooking | Permalink | Comments (0)
Luxurious Leather Wine Tote
Two special wine bottles will travel in style with this leather wine tote from Mulholland Brothers--made by hand in San Francisco.
Endurance Two-Bottle Wine Carrier | $220 at eBags.com
September 9, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (0)
Magnum Plus Pepper Mill - Reader Favorite
The Unicorn Magnum Plus Pepper Mill is a reader favorite for their kitchens. Also chosen by Cook's Illustrated in their Best categories.
9-in. Unicorn Magnum Plus Pepper Mill | $45 at Cooking.com
September 8, 2005 in Kitchen Essentials | Permalink | Comments (0)
Relax in a Wine Barrel Folding Chair
Made from salvaged California winery wine barrels, Whit McLeod has designed and constructed a folding chair out of 100% white oak barrel staves. Each chair is numbered and branded with the name of the winery where the barrel was used.
Order online directly from Whit McLeod Chairs.
September 7, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, All Things Wine | Permalink | Comments (1)
Accelerated Culinary Degree Program at New Kitchen Academy
Kitchen Academy announces their grand opening of a new professional culinary school located on Sunset Boulevard. Kitchen Academy features an exclusive Accelerated Training System™ focused solely on the techniques and skills needed to succeed in today’s fast-paced professional kitchens.
Visit the official website at www.kitchenacademy.com.
Students concentrate solely on hands-on cooking and baking skills in well-equipped workstations and kitchens. The program has been designed by chefs and has been developed to allow students to earn their Professional Culinary Arts Diploma in as little as 30 instructional weeks for $18,000. The program is uniquely positioned as providing fast-track, real world training at an affordable price.
September 6, 2005 in Cooking Schools | Permalink | Comments (0)
1950's Retro Refrigerator without the Defrosting
Big Chill Fridge, located in Boulder Colorado, is making retro design 1950's refrigerators with the guts of "21st century insides". Energy Star efficient and no defrosting necessary. Available in 10 candy colors.
Visit and order online at www.bigchillfridge.com.
September 6, 2005 in Kitchen Design | Permalink | Comments (0)
Contemporary Party Invitations
Use Fabulous Stationery party invites to set the tone for your cocktail and dinner parties. Choose over 100 contemporary invitation designs with signature envelopes included. Personalization is available too.
Visit Fabulous Stationery.
September 6, 2005 in Parties & Entertaining | Permalink | Comments (1)
Coffee Made Simple - CafeSolo Coffeemaker
Designed by Eva Denmark, the CafeSolo Coffeemaker makes a pot without any filters or machinery. Zippered jacket keeps your coffee warm.
Eva Solo Cafe Solo Coffee Maker Gift Set | $89 at Cooking.com
September 5, 2005 in A Food & Wine Gift Guide, Coffee & Espresso | Permalink | Comments (0)
Secrets of the Perfect Burger by Nancy Silverton
What better time to have a burger than on a Labor Day weekend barbeque. Nancy Silverton of Campanile and La Brea Bakery talks about her love of "one of the great American dishes", and shares her recipe and preparation secrets in "The Perfect Burger".
What surprised me was her desired fat content of 20 - 28% fat for her burger. I knew I always wanted a fattier burger than lean, but 28%? Sounds delicious, if not a bit higher fat content than I ever would have thought to try.
Read more at "The Perfect Burger" via Los Angeles Times
September 2, 2005 in Chef News, Cooking | Permalink | Comments (0)
Best New Asian Restaurants
Try one of these new Asian restaurants as reviewed by Food and Wine Magazine. Has anyone been to these new restaurants?--from New York, to Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco to Atlanta, St. Louis, Las Vegas, Seattle, and all the way out to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
They've certainly found our two recent favorites in Los Angeles--Beacon and Orris.
Best New Asian Restaurants via Food and Wine Magazine
September 2, 2005 in New Food Trends, Restaurant News | Permalink | Comments (0)
Survey: What's Your Favorite Restaurant in Napa Valley?
Here's our first reader survey!
If you have a favorite Napa Valley restaurant you love, share your experiences with other Daily Olive readers. Leave your comments below.
September 1, 2005 in All Things Wine, Food & Wine Reader Surveys, Restaurant News | Permalink | Comments (0)
