Neat Thoughts About Food, Wine, Travel & More
Crystal Springs will celebrate Bastille Day with a French wine dinner in the resort’s Wine Cellar on July 16. An American Chef in Paris – Bastille Day Wine Cellar Dinner will feature a reception, four-course dinner by Executive Chef Anthony Bucco and wines showcasing the breadth of French winemaking regions with selections from Alsace, Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Rhone Valley and Champagne from the resort’s award-winning fine wine collection. Wine Educator Becky McNulty […]
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Summer’s a perfect time to squeeze some lemons for icy cool lemonade. This party-friendly drink can be served with or without booze, satisfying most guests at your next BBQ. For lemonade that’s extra lemony, follow these simple steps: Cut a lemon into quarters. Remove the seeds and discard. Cut off the ends with a sharp […]
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This week, I was invited to explore unexpected wines from Napa Valley via a virtual tasting. I’ve explained the idea of virtual wine tastings in previous posts but for those who are new to the concept, here’s how they go: Get wine in the varietal or brand being sampled. Invite some friends to try the wine(s) and […]
[Continue reading...]While I thought everyone knew this helpful tip already, I was just speaking to a friend who didn’t, so I’m sharing as we’re right in grilling season and this might come handy! For glass bottles of Heinz Ketchup, the smart folks at Heinz added a tiny “57” in the glass directly above the label. There’s […]
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Summer’s almost here and that means chilled white wine for many of us. For instances when you need to chill room temperature wines in a hurry, there’s an easy way: Wrap your bottle in a wet towel or several layers of paper towels. Place the wrapped bottle in the freezer and chill for 20 minutes. […]
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This Wednesday, June 17, Zod Arifai, the beloved Chef/Owner of Blu and Next Door in Montclair will host what he dubs “Eat What You Want, Pay What You Want”. Chef Arifai, known to combine modern cuisine with French, Italian and Asian influences, has wanted to bring this eating concept to fruition for a long time. […]
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June 13th is World Gin Day and to help celebrate, I’m sharing an inventive cocktail recipe by Allison Kave, Butter & Scotch, Brooklyn, NYC. This drink is made using Caorunn, the small-batch Scottish gin made with foraged Celtic botanicals. Ingredients: 1 ounce Caorunn Gin 1/2 ounce sweet vermouth 1/2 ounce dry vermouth 2 scoops vanilla ice […]
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Last night, I was invited to attend the Montclair Food & Wine Festival Gala Dinner at The Manor in West Orange. The Gala Dinner is an exclusive night of collaborative culinary magic showcasing a six-course dinner designed and prepared by some of the area’s most talented chefs. A fun part of the event this year […]
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This Father’s Day, treat the dads in your lives to BBQ and beer…lots of beer at the 7th annual NJ Beer & Food Festival on Saturday 6/20. This year, the popular two-day event at Crystal Springs Resort is even more suds-packed than ever. On Saturday June 20th from 3PM – 7PM, the Brews & BBQ Fest will feature over […]
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I’m a big fan of anything Lucien Albrecht wines and highly-recommend you familiarize yourself with them. Appearance: Coral/pink in color with fine and small bubbles. Nose: Light strawberry intensity with a hint of yeast. Palate: Juicy strawberry continues with a hint of sweetness that’s balanced by bright acidity. Creamy yet crisp mouthfeel. Assessment of quality: […]
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