Wine, Beer and Restaurant Reviews

New Montclair Restaurant, Escape, Innovative Farm to Table, Southern Fine Cuisine, is sure to be favorite and "Liked" a lot.

I had a friend who liked to start her meal with dessert, why save the best for last she would ask. Hey to each their own, I say. 

At the artful new "Farm to Table" restaurant, Escape in Montclair, I could start anywhere in the menu. As long as somewhere along the way I get another one of these chocolatey, crispy, gooey, nutty, melt-in-your-mouth brownies.

The array of, sensibly priced and sensibly sized, fresh creations on the menu are a delight to behold. Executive Chef and Owner, Bryan Gregg's "Innovative Farm" "Southern Fine" cuisine is destined to be favorite and "Liked" a lot. 

Vive Le Sud-Ouest - The Exciting Wines of South West FranceFrench Institute Alliance Française Wine Tour de France 2013

  There could not have been a better time to be introduced to the exciting wines of the "Sud Ouest", South Western France. These bright and festive wines make for wonderful summer sipping.

You see, just to the east and south of landmark Bordeaux there is a resplendent populace of wine regions with an almost dizzying diversity of wines to enjoy.

Fortunately, Pascaline Lepeltier, Wine Director at Rouge Tomate, was able to bring them all to focus at a fabulous event at French Institute Alliance Française.

French Wine Lovers, All Wine Lovers, Rejoice and Look for Cotes De Bordeaux on your Wine Label

We are very lucky in America, especially here in our greater New York Metro area, able to enjoy a world of world class wines.

With so much to choose from, so many great wines, I've let French wines drop off my radar.  But this spring they have become much more than a blip, they are in full focus as French wine makers bring their bright message to the States. 

FIAF wines events, and many tastings in and around our fair city have afforded great opportunities to revive our love of French wines.

Now, you certainly know Bordeaux, with all its wonderful appellations, but do you know Cotes De Bordeaux? You should.

Natirar, Ninety Acres Culinary Center - A Return to My Roots by Chrissy Katz

There is a need to return to one’s roots after being away for a long period of time and so I headed to Somerset County, NJ where I used to go riding.

Natirar (anagram for Raritan) is a special place, offering old world charm with a modern feeling and time to step back and reflect on how we lost perspective and appreciation for how food comes to our table.

Spring Brings Flowers and Rosé, Rosato and Rosado

Spring is the time I like to drink these luscious pink, salmon, rose colored wines. In France they are called Rosé; in Italy, Rosato; and Rosado in Spain. This one called Vitiano Rosato Umbria paired so nicely with a dish inspired by friend Stacy who creates the recipes and writes Stacey Snacks, a perfect pairing for her Grilled Salmon w/ Red Quinoa & Pistachios.

Yakatori 39 - Like Being in Tokyo in Nearby ティーネック

We went to Tokyo last night. Well a little town nearby, thanks to the super sonic, Saturn Sky time machine , it  just took 30 minutes to get to ティーネック (Teaneck) where a little place called Yakitori 39 takes you as close to Tokyo as you can get without a jet plane.

This place is amazing with a fabulous menu of Japanese food that is, yes you guessed it, mostly grilled, but not only chicken.

The other fabulous thing about this place is the long list of great Sakes and for those who want a bigger hit Sochu, the exciting distilled spirit from Japan.

Two Very Special Wines For Spring and Summer Sipping. South African Chenin Blanc & Austrian Gruner Veltliner

We chose these two wines for a recent wedding party we sommeliered*. The bride was buying the wine and we had not actually tasted these before, our research was positive, and they turned out to be exceptional.

I find that, while relatively unknown here in the US, Chenin Blanc & Gruner Veltliner have universal appeal. Everyone loves these wines.

No One Does Wine Like the French, Art de Vivre : A Wine Tour de France at French Institute Alliance Française

One could easily argue, and win the debate, that no one does wine like French winemakers.  And in NY no one does French wine events like the French Institute Alliance Française.

We have attended several and are very excited about their spring 2013 event. More Info and Tickets Here

Local Adventures – Manhattan’s Upper West Side - By Veronique Deblois, Food & Wine Chickie

My friend and fellow wino and foodie Veronique Deblois shares her recent local adventures on the Upper West Side for our "Being a Tourist in Our Own Backyard" section.

I live 40 minutes from Manhattan and love to play tourist every chance I get. Each time my girlfriends come to town, I plan a foodie adventure across the city. What that consists of is drinks, appetizers, lunch, wine or dessert at different places throughout New York City. Fun, no?

On our last gathering, we focused on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. We arrived at this upscale neighborhood just in time for brunch on a Saturday.