Recent Posts

Skillet Potato Gratin

September 24, 2014September 1, 2016 potatoes, sides

Meat and potatoes. Sometimes it's the simple things in life that offer the most pleasure. I've spent countless hours perfecting dishes, experimenting with recipes, playing with flavors, but you know what? Sometimes, when I've got all day to make dinner, my husband says, "Lamb tagine sounds nice, but can't you... Read More

Cocktails

Vieux Carré Cocktail

September 23, 2014October 2, 2016 Benedictine, Cognac, Rye, Sweet Vermouth, Whiskey, Whisky

Now that the weather is starting to change, days are getting shorter, nights are getting cooler, and I'm craving heavier drinks. Give me a stormy night, and I want to curl up on my couch, binge watch some tv, and have a bottle of red wine, or a good strong... Read More

Pinot Noir Tasting USA Wine

2011 Peay Vineyards Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

September 21, 2014September 9, 2016

Pinot Noir is one of those grapes that can be expressed so many different ways in wine. From silky and light, to complex and rich, it not only expresses where it is grown, its terroir, but also the choices and preferences of the winemaker. Its blessing can also be its... Read More

Breads and Baking Recipe

Parker House Rolls

September 20, 2014January 5, 2017 baking, bread

Who doesn't love bread? From baguettes to croissants, I haven't met a carb-loaded baked good that I don't like. But when you make dinner rolls that are rich, soft, buttery, eggy, and barely sweet Parker House Rolls, people will more than love them. They will crave them, and find you... Read More

NYC Restaurants

momofuku noodle bar

September 13, 2014July 18, 2016

I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again, my favorite ramen in New York City is at Ippudo. But after my fantastic meal at momofuku ssäm bar, I knew I wanted to give momofuku noodle bar a chance to redeem itself. I started my meal off with... Read More

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot Tasting USA Wine

2010 Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve

September 5, 2014September 9, 2016

There are lots of bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet blends coming out of Napa Valley priced in the $30-$40 range. Many are, in my humble opinion, overpriced and banking on the fame of Napa as a wine region. Not so with the Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve. This blend (72%... Read More

France Mouvedre Red Blends/Other Tasting Wine

2010 Domaine Tempier Bandol

September 2, 2014September 9, 2016

In Provence, France, the Peyraud Family is producing some really stunning wines. Founded in 1834, Domaine Tempier uses organic farming, hand harvesting, and family tradition to create a Mourvedre blend that is an iconic expression of the Bandol appellation. When I first opened the bottle, it seemed tight and closed... Read More

Miami Restaurants

Yardbird: Southern Table and Bar

August 31, 2014July 29, 2016

The Yardbird in Miami has been on my list of places to try since it opened in 2012. From the James Beard nominations to the write-ups in food magazines, everything was telling me that this was a restaurant I must try. So when I did a mini-vacation in Miami this... Read More

Italy Nebbiolo Tasting Wine

2008 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Tortoniano

August 31, 2014September 9, 2016

Barolo is one of the iconic wines in the world. Made from the noble Nebbiolo grape in Piedmont, Italy, it's known for being powerful, high acid, high tannin, high alcohol and very long lived. In fact, until recently, the idea of drinking Barolo young would've been sacrilege. The last decade... Read More

Cocktails

The Brooklyn Cocktail

August 29, 2014July 18, 2016 dry vermouth, Maraschino, Ramazzotti, Rye, Whiskey, Whisky

Ah, the Brooklyn. This cocktail was a very tricky sell for me and for a while I couldn't understand why. I love rye whisky, I love Manhattans, so why didn't I love my first ever Brooklyn? Because I made it wrong. Okay, not wrong, exactly, but not right. Making the... Read More