Manoavino Taste!

Porteno Red Wine - From Home Liquors Verona, NJ

I picked this wine up at Home Liquors in Verona and thought it was a Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina.  upon closer inspection I found that the wine's label gave no indication of its nature other than the proclamation of "Porteno 2005 Red wine Mendoza, Argentina." I became very curious.

According to Wikopedia Porteño is the Spanish demonym for those born in the Argentine city of Buenos Aires. Its feminine form is Porteña.

It is also a cocktail that The Professor a San Francisco Bartender whips up on Demand Portena Cocktail.

Tassert's - Restaurant Review - Florham Park, NJ

Made a wonderful discovery in Florham Park, Tasserts is just the kind of restaurant I love. They have been around since 2003. I am surprised I have not heard of this restaurant before.

Tasserts combines "New York sophistication with an innovative menu. Focused flavors that are so well balanced each bite is a delight. The menu is updated seasonally to showcase the best of the season."

“Wine & Chocolate Wine Trail Weekend”, February 9 & 10

Garden State Wine Growers

Smooth, rich wine meets creamy, soul-satisfying chocolate for a romantic weekend on the verge of Valentine's Day. Join the participating wineries of the Garden State Wine Growers Association on February 9 & 10 from 12 noon to 5:00 pm to find out why when pairing wines with chocolate, your best bet is to match lighter, more elegant flavored chocolates with lighter-bodied wines; likewise, the stronger the chocolate, the more full-bodied the wine should be. Event Details

Irving's Deli - Restaurant Review- Livingston, NJ

Irving's is a new classic Jewish deli, modeled after Katz's on the Lower East Side. Katz's bills itself as New York best deli since 1888. Irving's may be able to claim that title for NJ since 2007.

I've had lunch at Irving's many times and it is a winner. No place to loose weight, but you will walk away with a full happy tummy.

Located in Livingston, NJ on Route 10 just east of Okner Parkway.

I Love Restaurant Blu - Montclair, NJ

I have always loved the food at Blu, all my friends love Blu. If you have read my past reviews I did not enjoy the room and felt the staff was too casual. Well that has changed. Diana and I met at Blu last night for a fabulous dining experience.

Stone House Restaurant - Stirling Ridge, Warren NJ

I attended a corporate event at the newly created Stonehouse Restaurant and Event Center, on the site of the old Chanticler Chateau in Warren, NJ. The restaurant and facility is spectacular.

"Stonehouse opened this fall as part of the Stirling Ridge catering complex, a $15 million project evolving on the site of the old Chanticler Chateau, a fixture in the area for decades. It has been completely redone by the new owners, Jeanne and Frank Cretella, the couple behind Liberty House in Liberty State Park. They can see a vision through from start to finish because they also have a construction company. Their longtime chef, Jerry Villa, runs the kitchen, while the creative desserts are by Lee Yong J. Wong, who worked previously at the Pluckemin Inn and the Bernards Inn." Nj.com

Raymonds and Amanti Vino always a perfect combo in Montclair, NJ

A last minute dinner invite brought me to Raymond's this past Friday night. Stopped by Amanti Vino for a bottle of white.

As usual found a great selection in Amanit's perfect temperature wine refrigerator which is around 48 degrees Fahrenheit, not the 35-38 of the average refrigerator, that is much too cold for a good white wine. The chill stifles the flavor. 

A Sancerre was the selection, Gerard Boulay, Chavignol, 2006. Perfect with the Mediterranean Platter, Truffled Grits and Wild Mushrooms with Fontina Cheese, and a Tile Fish Special we had for dinner.

Mano a Vino moves from 97th to 56th place

In top 400 blogs list http://alawine.com/wine-blog-rankings.html.

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