Manoavino Taste!

Indian Road Cafe after a Walk in Inwood Hill Park Native American Nature Center - Blocks Away yet Worlds Apart Still Share Sense of Sustainability

Our weekly "explore our local region outing" took us to the fascinating Inwood Hills Park at the very northernmost tip of Manhattan. We're embarrassed to say that after living in or around New York for so long we had never been there before. The park is rich with heritage. We learned about the lifestyle of the Lenapes indians who dwelled there and saw, the mysterious caves, the remains of the R.S. Strauss mansion, and the sight of the purchase of Manhattan, Shorakapok, where Peter Minuit acquired the island for trinkets.

 

We enjoyed a wonderful guided tour by Ranger Martha of the excellent New York Urban Park Rangers. The day became colder and cloudier than we expected and while the authentic Lenape Wigmam offered some authentic warmth we were happy to enter, after our hike, the fabulously cozy atmosphere Indian Road Cafe, less than a block from the Inwood Hills Park Nature Center. Here we had a wholesome brunch and enjoyed some very good beer and coffee.

This is a great site FrugalDad.com for everything you need for a better life whether your are a Dad or not

I take being a dad very seriously, and by that I mean being practical but also having a lot of fun. You see while I can lay down the law when it comes to the need for firm discipline, I find it is rarely necessary when you treat your kids with the love and respect they deserve which includes lots of creative fun. But then there are times for the practical aspects of life and raising kids, luckily this web site covers all.

Frugal Dad is devoted to delivering practical advise on "coupons, career, and money." All important things in life when you live the way I do. Recent articles included a story on the necessity an value of good nights of sleep, and one on how to get through college with out debt and then there are cool coupons likes these from Best Buy. Me and the kids do love our electronics. Please read on....

A California Chardonnay I really liked, why? Because it drank like a fine Meursault, Cameron Hughes Chardonnay Lot 273 Monterey County Arroyo Seco

Enjoyed this lovely Chardonnay from California with a nice home cooked dinner out of Dreena Burton's great cookbook "eat,drink & be vegan."

As we tasted this wine Diana's eyes popped wide open with a big smile across her face and I knew why. She did not believe it was California Chardonnay saying, "I don't usually like California Chardonnay." She happens to love French Chardonnay especially when it comes from Meursault in Burgundy, where they make Chardonnay as nature intended. No heavy Oak. We have had Mersault on many special occasions, a lot of cherished memories.

This beauty won 90 points from Wine Spectator and first came on the market in the mid $20's. Wine competition being what it is, a buyers market, you can now find this most excellent wine for close to $12. Best place to try is www.winechateau.com

Chinese and Chenin Blanc a perfect pairing with two perfect Vouvrays

Met friends for another fabulous dinner at Chef Jon's in Whippany. Love that place. We had Peking Duck this time and while not quite as good as some of the places in Chinatown, NYC it was still right up there. The other dishes we had were the smoked fish appetizer, scallion pancakes, rice cakes with pork this time and stir-fried eggplant in a rich brown garlic sauce. All delicious.

My friend Marc and I usually talk before going out to strategize our wine for dinner. This time we didn't. To our surprise and satisfaction we both brought Vouvray which when made to be semi-dry is just perfect with Asian cuisine.

Durigutti Malbec a tasting of their Classico, Riserva and Familia $15-$70 at a showing of the documentary, Boom Varietal: The Rise of Malbec

We went to screening of the great documentary - Boom Varietal: The Rise of Malbec, it was an entrant in the New Jersey Film Festival which is hosted at Rutgers University. At the screening we also had the opportunity to meet one of the winemakers featured in the film, Hector Durigutti and to taste four of the wonderful wines that he and his brother produce in Mendoza, Argentina.

The film, produced by Rage Productions of Bend, Oregon, was excellent and truly portrayed the passion and struggles behind the great Malbec wines we so enjoy here in North America.

We tasted four Durigutti wines. They were all exceptional but each in a different way. 

Fattori Soave Runcaris - A Beautiful Italian Vino Bianco

I love Soave. And this Soave I really like a lot. I was not surprised to see that it was a T. Edwards wine, they happen to be one of my favorite importers.

We have written a lot about Soave and I hope, if you have not tried one yet you will have a glass soon. I especially like this Soave because in addition to the typical bright tropical fruit with an almondy or straw background it has a delcious creaminess that is so nice. And it is very well priced.

I've had two bottles now, one with a delicious pasta at Giotto and the other with a dinner at home.

Shochu - The Exciting Spirit From Japan

I've heard of Shochu, the national spirit of Japan, but had never tasted it, until today. Apparently it is becoming all the rage in better Japanese restaurants and outstanding cocktail bars in metropolitan America. 

At a fabulous event held at the lovely Astor Center in downtown Manhattan 16 celebrated Shochu producers showed their stuff, Shochu neat and Shochu cocktails created by Junior Merino, The Liquid Chef, it was amazing.

Happy Valentines Day - Drink Some Sparkling Pink

I liked this one, Cantine Riondo "Pink" Prosecco Raboso

"Transparent and very pretty pale rosy pink, frizzante but not fully sparkling; frothy bubbles quickly fall back in the glass. Delicate red berries and fresh herbs on the nose; crisp, prickly and fresh on the palate," Wine Lovers