Five Things I Love About the Wine Library

The daily sales emails are full of bargains – real ones. The online ordering process is superior in every way: the selection is there; the process is simple and the automated emails are clear and informative.  The packaging used to ship wines offers uber-protection against breakage. The customer service is amazing with fast responses. Couldn’t […]

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Long Valley Pub and Brewery Beer Tasting

Long Valley Pub & Brewery, in Long Valley NJ, is housed in a beautifully-restored 200-year old barn originally built by German immigrants.  The seven-barrel brewing system is by Pub Brewing Company of California.  Don’t expect to see brewing taking place if you visit the Long Valley Pub & Brewery in the evenings as most of […]

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Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bar

Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bar

These Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars are the bomb. They’re perfect for summer parties, hostess gift or to bring to potlucks. The bars are rich with a shortbread-like crust and a rich, chewy, chocolate center. They can easily be made the day before you need to serve them as they keep well covered in foil at […]

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Grilled Salmon in Grape Leaves

4 Large grape leaves, fresh or in brine (if in brine, drain and rinse well) 2 Salmon filet, 8 oz each 2 Teaspoons, red wine vinegar 2 Tablespoons, vegetable oil 1 Teaspoon, lemon juice 2 Slices of lemon, cut in halves 1/2 Teaspoon, garlic salt Salt & pepper Non-waxed dental floss or thin kitchen twine […]

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Say Uncle Nicks for casual New York Greek food

Uncle Nick’s is a crazy little space in Hell’s Kitchen that’s vibrant with patrons and with an energetic staff.  The place consistently puts out unpretentious good Greek food. Whether visiting as a couple or a group, sharing appetizers is a must at Uncle Nick’s.  Some can’t-miss options are the saganaki, or flamed Greek cheese, the […]

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Drinkless in Salt Lake City

So, I’m in Salt Lake City for a conference (nice town by the way).  It’s my first stay in Salt Lake City and I’m here for two days, working hard and playing…very little.  As I picked up my registration packet upon arriving at the venue, the beautiful Grand America, I immediately noticed some interesting information […]

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Casual Indian food at its best at Cinnamon in Morris Plains

Incredible!  One word that describes the aroma as patrons enter Cinnamon Indian Restaurant in Morris Plains, NJ.  The vibrant smell of cloves, cardamom, and yes, cinnamon, permeates the air at this casual restaurant in Morris County to the delight of Indian food fanatics. First, the staff is friendly, helpful and willing to educate Indian food […]

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Wine-Around-the-World Party

Enjoy sampling a variety of wines? Like trying an array of different foods? Hosting a wine-around-the-world party could be the answer. I try to host two such parties every year: one in the Summer and one in the Winter.  The concept is simple: 1) Put together a small group of friends who enjoy wine and […]

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Periyali for good Greek food in an intimate Manhattan setting

Periyali is intimate with its white-draped ceiling, white painted walls and casual tables and chairs. It’s reminiscent of Greece in its looks, the fresh ingredients it uses and the casual demeanor of its staff. The restaurant features French doors at its entrance which can be opened to let some of the patrons dine al fresco. […]

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Mosel Landhaus – The perfect inn for a Mosel River Region wine vacation

Mosel Landhaus – The perfect inn for a Mosel River Region wine vacation

My husband and I are wine lovers and selected Briedern and Mosel Landhaus as a central place to tour the Mosel River Region. What a pleasant surprise it was to arrive at this riverside inn with its welcoming facade. The hosts, Dutch-business-people-turned-inn-keepers, treated us and the other guests like family. They couldn’t have done more […]

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