Manoavino Taste!

Dolcetto d' Alba by two greats Pio Cesare and Marchesi Di Barolo

While in Minneapolis, a trip you'll hear all about soon, I picked up these two beauties at the great Hennepin Lake Liquors for a dinner at home, my Minneapolis home.

Upstairs Montclair - Cocktails, Wine and Small Plates

You may be wondering where we've been. Three and a half weeks of the flu can suck the creativity right out of your bones.  Well I'm back with a lot of stories to share.  Sunday night at Upstairs got me inspired again.

This is consistently one of Montclair's best places without a doubt.

Exciting New NJ Dining Club - Fork & Cork - Inaugural Dinner "Winter in Germany’s Black Forest"

Chef Thomas Ciszak of Chakra in Paramus and Blue Morel in Morristown has come up with an idea which we think is absolutely terrific, a dining club called Fork & Cork which will present a series of intimate monthly dinners for adventurous diner, like us.

The first dinner sounds so interesting. The theme is “Winter in Germany’s Black Forest”  and will highlight the flavors of Thomas' childhood in western Germany Where can you find a dinner like that around here?

Max, a Hidden Gem in the Heart of TriBeCa

Our Manhattan based guest author, Dana Polonsky, writes about this great Italian tratoria. 

In an effort to support local businesses downtown following the effects of Superstorm Sandy, it was important to head down in search of dinner, and most specifically, some delicious Italian comfort food. We landed at Max, an intimate little rustic restaurant perfect for a relaxing dinner with friends or an intimate date. With the lights low and faces framed by candlelight, it was exactly what we were looking for and the food made it that much better.

New Jersey Wine & Food Festival at Crystal Springs Resort

Who says you have to leave New Jersey to find great food and wine events. The Fifth Annual New Jersey Wine & Food Festival at Crystal Springs Resort is on for March 15 – 17, 2013.

We attended last year and let me tell you this is a great event. This year the Guest of Honor is Chef José Andrés of Made in Spain. Recognized in 2011 by Conde Nast Traveler’s as the “Hot Restaurateur” of the year, Jose is credited with introducing Americans to both avant-garde and new age in traditional Spanish cooking.

There is an amazing line up events.Get the full listing and ticket info here: www.njwinefoodfest.com or call 888-881-6991.
 
Proceeds to benefit James Beard Foundation and World Central Kitchen

Try Dolcetto d’Alba Tonight - Why We and Eric Asimov, Love This Perfect Every Day Wine

What makes perfection? It can be defined in so many ways. In wine, to me, it is in a balanced well crafted juice with facets of aroma and flavor  that are just right. Not too little not too much. And when asked, Peter, what's a good wine to go with....  So often I say Dolcetto d’Alba. And you are likely to say Dolcetto d’What?

Mano a Vino - Best of 2012, It Was a Very Good Year

Cheers, here is a toast to you, our loyal, occasional and random readers, thanks for stopping by. 2012 was a really great year. Here are some of the highlights just in case you missed any.

We ate and drank and traveled a lot this year, shared over 200 hundred stories and had so much fun.

We hoped you enjoyed all our adventures in "Being a Tourist in Own Backyard," dining at the many exciting hip new restaurants in Montclair. Craft Beer was big for us, as was a fabulous trip to Italy.

Here are some of our favorite posts:

Anna de Codorniu Cava, our New Year Sparkling Wine

This year we started our New Year celebration with the wonderful sparkling wine of Spain called Cava. This one from Codorníu winery near Barcelona carries on a tradition of fine wine that dates back to the 1500's.

It is named after Anna, the Codorníu heiress who married the viticulturist Miguel Raventós in 1659. It fulfilled my every wish and expectation with persistent yet gentle effervescence and lucious flavors of pineapple, grapefruit and lime.

Over the last couple of years I've been purposely introducing friends and clients to Cava. It is always a hit.