I have been fortunate to have sampled a lot of alcohol on my travels around the planet, ranging from regional beers, to homemade rice wine, local concoctions in various villages including illegally made home-wine in a remote Iranian dessert village and some truly special beverages that were memorable due to their quality, pedigree and age along with external factors including companions and location. But there are a few drinks I count as being … [Read more...]
Bugs for Breakfast? Will Bugs Ever Be a Sustainable Food Source in the United States?
I was recently in Fort Lauderdale and of all places in a very touristy part of town I stumbled into a bar with multiple screens playing American Football and was surprised to find Chapulines (certain type of grasshopper) on the menu among a variety of 'normal' American foods. I've been thinking about the general lack of demand for edible insects in this country and seeing this on the menu made me think even further. Of course I ordered the … [Read more...]
Pebble Beach Food & Wine Weekend
The Pebble Beach Food and Wine Weekend is only in its seventh year yet remarkably it seems like it should be much older than that. In such a short time it has become the West Coast's premier food and wine event. It is an intriguing pairing - matching some of the world's best wine with top chefs in a location that is visually stunning. The inspirational rugged coastline and natural beauty is the backdrop for a long weekend of decadence and at … [Read more...]
The Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, Hottest Chili in the World
The Trinidad Scorpion is currently the hottest known Chili pepper on the planet. It is native to the Moruga district on the tiny island nation of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. I acquired a few seeds earlier this year. I saw references online from those cutting up a number of these particular peppers indicating they wore latex gloves. The potency of these peppers was such that they wore through these gloves! I finally picked my first … [Read more...]
What a night, “Appellation Tasting” – Flavor Napa Valley
The Napa Valley is the only region in the world where I can go to an event and feel right at home because I know so many people and instantly recognize so many faces - and that feels good. Flavor Napa valley is the latest in a number of world-class food and wine events to come to Napa. This is only its 2nd year; the event features five days of incredible food, wine, and education. Tonight was the "Appellation" tasting at the CIA (Culinary … [Read more...]
Enjoying downtown Napa
We spent the evening enjoying two fine Napa restaurants. Usually I'm perfectly satisfied with one meal but on this one evening we opted for two full course dinners at two different restaurants! First we popped into the new restaurant Charlie Palmer Steak at the Archer hotel but didn't eat anything. We then hit up Eiko's on 1st Street, downtown Napa. This is a restaurant that specializes in authentic Japanese cuisine including seasonal dishes … [Read more...]
Napa Valley Mexican-American Vintners Association Tasting
The first ever tasting of the Napa Valley Mexican-American Vintners Association was held Saturday July 30, 2011 at Maldonado Vineyards in the far northern reaches of the Napa Valley. This was the best tasting we've attended so far this year in Napa. Very personalized, great wine - dignitaries came up from Los Angeles, a historic tasting. The association is fairly new (2010). It was formed after a number of vintners poured their wines in Mexico … [Read more...]
Sense Yountville, 2011
Another successful Sense Yountville was held on a beautifully sunny warm Saturday May 7th under the "big white tent" at V Marketplace 1870 in downtown Yountville. This, only the third annual "Sense Yountville" has already become the appellation's premiere wine & food event. Thirty wineries were represented offering their pre-release wines and large format bottles, and culinary pairings were provided by local restaurants. Highlights included … [Read more...]
California Cabernet Society Tasting
The California Cabernet Society's annual Spring "Passport to Cabernet" tasting will be held Monday May 2 at the Bently Reserve from 3:30pm to 5:30pm. Tickets are $45. This is a rare opportunity to barrel taste the latest 2010 harvest from over 75 producers, as well as taste their newest releases while speaking with the actual wine makers and winery principals. The member wineries are heavily based in Napa. Several of the producers present aren't … [Read more...]
Culinary Institute Napa Japanese Tsunami Relief Dinner
This is a last minute event for Napa Valley California residents or those in the area, or those wanting to help support the Japanese Tsunami relief effort. Rising Sun, Raising Support Thursday, April 21, 2011 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. CIA Students, Faculty and Staff Invite You to a Feast of Japanese Cuisine and Wines of the Napa Valley to benefit The American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund Location: … [Read more...]