Tag Archives: Wine

New Michelin Guide for San Francisco Is Out

Michelin announced its selection for the third edition of the MICHELIN guide San Francisco, Bay Area and Wine Country. The MICHELIN guide contains more than 55 new establishments, and features 448 establishments in all — a number that includes 383 restaurants representing 35 types of cuisine, and 65 area hotels.

Among the Michelin stars awarded this year:
— The French Laundry remains the sole Michelin three-star selection
— Coi joins the ranks of Michelin two-star restaurants
— Murray Circle, Plumed Horse, Trevese and The Village Pub join the
Michelin one-star selections

 

The Michelin Guide San Francisco, Bay Area and Wine Country 2009 features the Bib Gourmand category, which indicates Michelin inspectors' favorites for good value. This year's Bib Gourmands include 55 restaurants that serve a menu with two dishes and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less. The restaurants awarded this distinction can be identified by a red pictogram depicting the head of Bibendum(R), the Michelin Man.

The MICHELIN guide San Francisco, Bay Area and Wine Country 2009 also includes 56 restaurants serving a meal (two dishes and a glass of wine or dessert) for $25 or less. In the selection, these establishments are indicated by the coins pictogram.

As a result, almost a third of the MICHELIN guide San Francisco, Bay Area and Wine Country 2009 selection comprises highly affordable restaurants. While the MICHELIN guide is known around the world for its famous stars, these restaurants account for just ten percent of the selection. With more than 1.2 million copies sold in approximately 100 countries, the MICHELIN guide has always built its success on the diversity of its selection and especially on small establishments offering a high-quality dining experience at an affordable price, of which the best are included in the "Our inspectors' favorites for good value" category. Moreover, inclusion in the MICHELIN guide is, in itself, synonymous with quality, since only the best establishments in each comfort and price category are selected.

Also new for 2009, consumers will have the option to access the North American MICHELIN guide selections on their mobile phones through a licensing agreement with mobile content provider UBI UBI. The content for all four U.S. MICHELIN guides, which include New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, will be available by subscription beginning in October 2008. For more information, please visit www.ubiubi.mobi .

The MICHELIN guide San Francisco, Bay Area and Wine Country 2009 includes a total of 32 "starred" restaurants, of which one — The French Laundry — has received three stars, six two stars and 25 one star. To ensure a consistent selection, the same five criteria are used for awarding stars in all countries: product quality, preparation and flavors, the cuisine's personality, value for money and consistency.

One star * means a very good restaurant in its category.
Two stars ** mean excellent cooking, worth a detour.
Three stars *** mean exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.

 

The presentation of each hotel and restaurant in the MICHELIN guide San Francisco, Bay Area and Wine Country 2009 includes a description of the atmosphere, interior decoration, chef's background, etc. These descriptions are intended solely to provide readers with additional information about the establishment.

Present in North America since late 2005, the MICHELIN guide has four city editions: The MICHELIN guide New York City, now in its fourth edition, the third edition MICHELIN guide San Francisco, Bay Area & the Wine Country, and the second editions of the MICHELIN guide Los Angeles 2009 and the MICHELIN guide Las Vegas 2009, which will be announced on Oct. 20.

In Europe, the collection currently comprises 21 MICHELIN guides, including English-language versions of the Michelin Guide France and the MICHELIN guide Paris. The MICHELIN guide's Asian editions include the MICHELIN guide Tokyo, and the MICHELIN guide Hong Kong & Macao debuting in December 2008.

Thanks to a rigorous selection process that is applied independently and consistently around the world, the MICHELIN guide has become an international benchmark in gourmet dining. The selection is made by anonymous, professional inspectors who are Michelin employees and is based on the same working methods in all countries.

The MICHELIN guide San Francisco, Bay Area and Wine Country 2008 goes on sale Tues., Oct. 14 for $16.95. Langenscheidt Publishing Group, premier publisher of map, travel, and language brands, is the exclusive U.S. distributor of Michelin Maps and Guides. For more information, please visit www.langenscheidt.com/michelin .

For more than a century, MICHELIN guides have helped travelers enjoy better mobility by offering qualified restaurant and hotel recommendations throughout Europe. Now representing 22 countries and three continents, the collection of 26 MICHELIN guides includes more than 45,000 addresses. Its team of highly trained inspectors visits establishments anonymously, applying Michelin's international standards for quality across many categories. In North America, the company has introduced MICHELIN guides for New York City and San Francisco, Bay Area & Wine Country, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Michelin has also announced that it will introduce the MICHELIN guide to Hong Kong and Macao in December. For more information, visit www.michelinguide.com .

The MICHELIN guide San Francisco, Bay Area & Wine Country 2009

MICHELIN STARS

Total number One star (*) Two stars Three stars
of (**) (***)
restaurants
383 25 6 1

DINING: 383 Restaurants
56 Establishments offering a simple menu
at less than $25

55 Our inspectors' favorites," establishments offering a
menu with two dishes and a glass of wine or a dessert at
less than $40

Cuisines included in Guide: 35
American Chinese Japanese Seafood
Asian Contemporary Latin American Southwestern
Australian French Mediterranean Spanish
Barbeque Fusion Mexican Steakhouse
Basque Gastropub Moroccan Thai
Brazilian Greek Persian Vegan
Burmese Indian Peruvian Vegetarian
Californian International Pizza Vietnamese
Caribbean Italian Portuguese

MICHELIN RESTAURANT RATINGS

ONE STAR (*) (by neighborhood)
ESTABLISHMENT CITY NEIGHBORHOOD
Acquerello San Francisco Nob Hill
Ame San Francisco SoMa
Auberge du Soleil Rutherford Napa Valley
Bistro Jeanty Yountville Napa Valley
Bouchon Yountville Napa Valley
Boulevard San Francisco SoMa
Chez Panisse Berkeley East of San Francisco
Chez TJ Mountain View South of San Francisco
Dining Room at the San Francisco Nob Hill
Ritz-Carlton (The)
Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant Forestville Sonoma County
Fifth Floor San Francisco SoMa
Fleur de Lys San Francisco Financial District
Gary Danko San Francisco North Beach
La Folie San Francisco Nob Hill
Madrona Manor Healdsburg Sonoma County
Martini House St. Helena Napa Valley
Masa's San Francisco Nob Hill
Murray Circle (new) Sausalito North of San Francisco
One Market San Francisco SoMa
Plumed Horse (new) Saratoga South of San Francisco
Range San Francisco Mission District
Redd Yountville Napa Valley
Terra St. Helena Napa Valley
Trevese (new) Los Gatos South of San Francisco
Village Pub (The) (new) Woodside South of San Francisco

TWO STARS (**) (by neighborhood)
ESTABLISHMENT CITY NEIGHBORHOOD
Aqua San Francisco Financial District
Coi San Francisco North Beach Area
Cyrus Healdsburg Sonoma County
Manresa Los Gatos South of San Francisco
Meadowood, The Restaurant St. Helena Napa Valley
Michael Mina San Francisco Financial District

THREE STARS (***)
ESTABLISHMENT CITY NEIGHBORHOOD
The French Laundry Yountville Napa Valley
BIB GOURMAND (Under $40)

ESTABLISHMENT CITY NEIGHBORHOOD
Aperto San Francisco Mission District
A 16 San Francisco Marina District
BarBersQ Napa Napa Valley
Bar Tartine San Francisco Mission District
Bay Wolf Oakland East of San Francisco
Bellanico Oakland East of San Francisco
Betelnut Pejiu Wu San Francisco Marina District
Burma Superstar San Francisco Richmond & Sunset
Cafe Gibraltar El Granada South of San Francisco
Cena Luna Healdsburg Sonoma County
Colibri San Francisco Financial District
Cook St. Helena St. Helena Napa Valley
Cucina Paradiso Petaluma Sonoma County
Delfina San Francisco Mission District
Espetus Churrascaria San Francisco Civic Center
Farina San Francisco Mission District
Fork San Anselmo North of San Francisco
Hong Kong Flower Lounge Millbrae South of San Francisco
Incanto San Francisco Castro District
Insalata's San Anselmo North of San Francisco
Jojo Oakland East of San Francisco
Junnoon Palo Alto South of San Francisco
K&L Bistro Sebastopol Sonoma County
Kokkari Estiatorio San Francisco North Beach Area
Le Charm San Francisco SoMa
Mamacita San Francisco Marina District
Market St. Helena Napa Valley
Maykadeh San Francisco North Beach Area
Mirepoix Windsor Sonoma County
Namu San Francisco Richmond and Sunset
Nopa San Francisco Civic Center
Oliveto Oakland East of San Francisco
Osake Santa Rosa Sonoma County
Perbacco San Francisco Financial District
Poleng San Francisco Civic Center
Risibisi Petaluma Sonoma County
rnm San Francisco Civic Center
Sakae Burlingame South of San Francisco
Sauce San Francisco Civic Center
Slanted Door (The) San Francisco Financial District
Slow Club San Francisco Mission District
Sociale San Francisco Marina District
South Park Cafe San Francisco SoMa
Tamarindo Oakland East of San Francisco
Tokyo Go Go San Francisco Mission District
Tommaso's San Francisco North Beach Area
TWO San Francisco SoMa
Universal Cafe San Francisco Mission District
Vanessa's Bistro Berkeley East of San Francisco
Venticello San Francisco Nob Hill
Willi's Seafood & Raw Bar Healdsburg Sonoma County
Willi's Wine Bar Santa Rosa Sonoma County
Xanh Mountain View South of San Francisco
Yank Sing San Francisco SoMa
zazu Santa Rosa Sonoma County

 

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Rosen Centre Vine and Dine on Nov. 28

Rosen Centre in Orlando is celebrating the art of the vine and award-winning cuisine with the “Rosen Centre Vine and Dine,” a wine pairing dinner series with an International flair. The 2008 six-part series explores a different region with each dinner, featuring specialty cuisine perfectly paired with that region’s best-suited wines.

“Savor the Flavor of Greece”,” the last of the 2008 series dinners is Friday, November 28 at 7:00 pm in the hotel's Everglades restaurant private dining room.

Each of the on-going series dinners features a different region and an array of wines with a five-course, prix fixe menu. The dinner is $65.00 per person (plus tax & gratuity). Space is limited to 30 diners. Located at 9840 International Drive Orlando, FL 32819. For reservations, call 407 996-9840, ext. 3602. For more information, visit www.evergladesrestaurant.com or www.rosencentre.com.

Each of the on-going series dinners features a different region and an array of wines with a five-course, prix fixe menu. The dinner is $65.00 per person (plus tax & gratuity). Space is limited to 30 diners. Located at 9840 International Drive Orlando, FL 32819. For reservations, call 407 996-9840, ext. 3602. For more information, visit www.evergladesrestaurant.com or www.rosencentre.com.

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Beaujolais Wine Festival on Nov. 21

Get Ready to Uncork
the best of Beaujolais — and Texas!

Beaujolais Wine Festival
25th Anniversary Celebration
France Meets Texas. Celebrate the Harvest.

Friday, November 21, 2008
7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Silent Auction Opens at 6:00 p.m. with Cash Bar

World Trade Center
2050 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas 75207

Celebrities Include:
Miss Texas 2008 &
Yvan Jayne
bareback-riding-winner of the 2007 and 2008 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo

Beaujolais Wine Festival Ticket Price Includes
Commemorative Wine Glass, Food & Wine Tasting
Fashion Show, Blind Wine Tasting, Jugglers, Mimes
Silent Auction and more…

Dancing & Music by Bill Cody's Party Time Production

Cocktail or Business Attire ~ Coat Check will be Available
Self Parking & Complimentary Shuttle Service

Tickets Are Non-Refundable
Guests must be 21 years of age and have a valid photo ID

Order your tickets today…a new festival est arrivé!

_______ Festival Tickets $55 each (tickets at the door $60 each)

_______ FACC Members $45 each

_______ Parties of (4) or more $50 each

_______ Parties of (25) or more receive a 25% discount

_______ “France for Two” Raffle on Air France
Tickets are $5 each or six (6) for $20

Total of enclosed check/credit card charge: $__________

Name: _________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________
City/State/Zip: ___________________________________________

Telephone: ______________________________________________

We Accept: Amex/Visa/MC/DinersClub/Discover

Credit Card #: ______________________________ Exp. Date: ____

Name on Card: __________________________________________

Signature: _______________________________________________

Mail by November 7th to:
French-American Chamber of Commerce
2665 Villa Creek Drive, Suite 214
Dallas, TX 75234
Phone or Fax: Telephone: 972.241.0111 Fax: 972.241.0901

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PartyDigest Dining Diva Blogger

Dining Diva Review: The World’s Best Barbecue–Troy’s Ribs Boynton Beach, Florida

The best ribs I have found in the world have been at Troy’s BBQ in Boynton Beach. I’ve been a BBQ Ho for my entire life and have eaten Q all over the USA and the world and I have yet to find a better rib joint than the little take-out shack at NE 10th and Federal Highway (US 1) in Boynton Beach, Florida. There’s no point in reviewing ambience or service because there isn’t any–it’s a takeout window in a 600 square foot building so close to the railroad tracks that you can’t hear a thing when the train goes by. Troy is only open on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays and you better get there early because when it’s gone you are SOL until the next batch comes out of the smoker–and that takes at least 18 hours. The limited menu features ribs, chicken, beef and pork along with a sweet potato pie that is a really excellent rendition of a humble dish.

Troy uses a secret spice rub and then gently smokes the ribs for hours over a wood mix that leaves them incredibly delicious and shake-the-meat-off-the-bone tender. He has a house BBQ that is good, but I rarely use it–those amazing ribs don’t need it!! It’s a sweet mustard based sauce that is very similar to Blue Front BBQ Sauce and it’s good, but the flavor of BBQ is in the meat, not in the sauce. Call ahead for large orders. He also does catering and I have served his ribs at countless parties where my guest ate every single rib and raved about them. Tell him the limo lady sent you, he’ll know! I wish I could talk him into franchising so I could get a franchise here in Illinois!! I used to live 15 minutes from there and now I live in Virginia and every time I come to visit, I bring back 50 pounds of ribs as carry-on luggage to sustain me until my next Florida visit. If there is a heaven, then Troy certainly will have the rib concession because between here and heaven there are no better ribs to be had for love or money, and I am sure that angels will line up for his BBQ! His fame has spread nationwide–I mentioned him to the owner of Pappy’s Smokehouse and he has also heard of Troy’s Ribs. I’d never live in Florida again, but I sure do miss Troy’s ribs–they are one of two places in Florida that I never fail to visit when I am home for a visit with my family!
Dining Diva Review: China Restaurant, Highland Illinois–A Rural Surprise That Rivals Hong Kong’s Finest Restaurants!

Imagine the shock of moving to a tiny town in rural Illinois and discovering a Chinese restaurant on the same level as the magnificent ones I dined in all over Asia! This is the case with the China Restaurant located on the town square in Highland, Illinois. The place doesn’t look like much from the outside, but there’s ample parking and even though the booth seating is a little lumpy, the staff is friendly and they all speak English fluently. The menu prices are VERY reasonable and although the portions aren’t huge, they are more than enough for a substantial meal. The egg rolls are more like spring rolls, but are very tasty. The Wonton soup has big meaty wontons in a lovely chicken broth that was made from chickens instead of soup base. The Hot and Sour soup is one of the best I’ve had in the USA and only equalled by a restaurant in Palm Beach, FL and another one in Richmond, VA who use the virtually the same recipe. The LoMeins are tasy and filled with meats and veggies as is the fried rice, and even though this is ordinary fare, they do a very good job of it–and if you can’t do the basics well, the rest won’t be good either. They do excellent sweet and sour dishes as their meat pieces are mostly meat instead of mostly breading and is very crisp and not greasy.Where China Restaurant really shines is in the Chef Specialties. Their General Tao’s Chicken has a very thin crisp coating and is tossed in a wonderful sauce and served with very fresh steamed broccoli and has a spicy sweet bite that can be adjusted to your taste preferences. Their Orange Beef is likewise a tasty dish with a definite orange flavor and bits of juliennes orange peel prominently scattered through the dish. The Sesame Beef is tender with a light sauce that again will have a spicy bite altered to your taste. They will also add spice to dishes that are not normally though of as spicy dishes if you request it. The Mu Shu Pork (or beef, chicken and shrimp) is wonderfully flavored and rolled up in lovely thin rice pancakes with just the right touch of Hoisin sauce and the Twice Cooked Pork is a classic in brown sauce that lightly glazes the cabbage, peppers and pork. Even the fortune cookies are good–fresh, crisp and individually wrapped. The service is attentive and water and beverage service is prompt, and chopsticks are available on request. They have a small selection of imported beers including Tsing Tao which is a very good Chinese imported beer and a small wine selection. They deliver lunch and dinner locally as well as catering and selling their sauces (sweet and sour, etc.) by the pint or quart for use in home recipes. Friendly service, low prices, fresh ingredients and an excellent chef make this little Asian restaurant jewel shine in the heartland in a place you would not expect to find it!
Food: 4 stars
Service 3 stars
Dining Diva Review: Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Baton Rouge, LA

We dined here with my husband’s parents to celebrate his Dad’s birthday. The ambience was very nice and the table properly appointed, but the meal left a lot to be desired. Fleming’s is owned by Outback, so I was hoping for a great dining experience in the expensive restaurant category, in the class of the Raindancer Steak House. Alas, this was not to be. They did make an effort to make my father-in-law happy for his birthday by bringing him a “birthday salad” composed of a wedge of iceberg lettuce heart slathered in bleu cheese dressing which Dad absolutely LOVES after we declined the cake offer (we had gotten an Ambrosia Cake from Baton Rouge’s best bakery that was at home for later) but while it showed the dedication of our waiter, the rest of the meal was substantially below what we had expected for a restaurant of this alleged calibre. It was WAY WAY overpriced for a steak full of gristle. Service was good but it should be for what they charge. As expensive as Ruth’s Chris and also a la carte which I find annoying–for a steak would it kill you to toss me a 50 cent potato? The salads were good, the wine list impressive, but the steaks were a miserable failure all the way around. I’d never eat there again, I’ve had better steaks at Golden Corral than the miserable piece of meat they served me at this failure of a restaurant. My father-in-law had a good time, but he always has a good time with us–we could have stayed at home and gotten a slew of boiled crawfish like we did last time we were in Baton Rouge, spicy and fresh cooked with corn and potatoes, we dumped them on the patio table a had a feast! Fleming’s needs to find a new meat supplier or they need to lower the prices because their meat supplier is ripping them off in a big way–and apparently their executive chef doesn’t know how to pick out and butcher a decent piece of meat.
Dining Diva Review: Mungo’s Restaurant in Fairview Heights IL–Review

My husband and I had dinner at Mungo’s tonight (9/5/07) and it was quite a distressing experience. I grew up in the restaurant business, owned a very profitable one for a while and spent 2 years at Le Cordon Bleu in Tokyo–along with having been cooking for almost 40 years. First, there was some sort of black gunge in my iced tea–not a big deal, the tea was replaced immediately but I couldn’t figure out what it was that was in there–but it made a yukky dark brown smear on the tacky white butcher paper they put over the tablecloths–what’s up with that by the way? Can’t they afford tablecloth laundry? It looks REALLY tacky to have white paper over a burgundy tablecloth–here’s a hint–spring for the Plexiglas cover if you can’t afford tablecloths or better yet no tablecloth. Anything is better than the white-trash ambiance of the paper-covered table! I had the Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken and asked for the chicken to be well done since I’ve been served MORE than my share of raw chicken and shrimp over salads and pastas and I hate sending food back. The fettuccine was good, but the chicken was ROCK HARD and obviously had been microwaved–there wasn’t a grill mark or browning of any sort to be seen on it and I could barely cut it with a knife–really bad. I told the waiter this but didn’t send it back because in all fairness I DID ask for well-done chicken and I figured the chef wanted to make sure it was not coming back. The waiter insisted that it hadn’t been microwaved, but it had been not that I cared to argue about it, I just wanted to eat after a stressful day of wedding planning and auditioning restaurant and caterers. I had forgotten about it; when to my utter astonishment, a man dressed in blue-jean cutoffs claiming to be the OWNER (who looked like he’d been nipping a few at the bar) came to my table and began screaming that the chicken had not been microwaved and that it had been sauteed in olive oil and that I had insulted his restaurant and that I shouldn’t tell them how I wanted my food cooked–just let them handle it. Up to this point the crud in the tea, the tacky butcher paper over the tablecloth and the rock-hard microwaved chicken were basically non-issues and I would have given the restaurant another try somewhere down the road since I always eat somewhere twice before reviewing or deciding never to eat there again. In the limo/wedding/hospitality biz one has to be a little flexible and realize that doo-doo does happen–regular chef is sick and the replacement pops a piece of chicken in a microwave to try and give the customer what was requested, but for the owner to come out and scream at dinner guests is an experience I have never had–and won’t repeat. I didn’t understand why the place was so empty at the dinner hour, but after being lambasted by the owner, it all makes perfect sense and I understand why the poor chef lied about microwaving the chicken to his enraged boss–who then turned his rage on the customer, a super no-no in the hospitality industry. As a retired restaurant owner, professionally trained chef and limousine business owner, I do have more than my fair share of cooking and hospitality experience and I wouldn’t eat there again if I were STARVING to DEATH. My wedding guests CERTAINLY won’t be subjected to a dining experience at Mungo’s and the owner should seriously consider some etiquette lessons–which would be a tax write-off because it would help him manage both his restaurant and temper. I was so stunned that I didn’t even think to get up and walk out–which astonished my husband to be who told me later that he was fully prepared to get up and walk out. This man has a LOT to learn about the restaurant business–treating customers badly explains why he can’t afford a good chef, table linens and iced tea without crud in the bottom of the glass!
Food: 1 star
Service: 2 stars
Screaming and Possibly Drunken Owner: Unbelievable!
Dining Diva Review: Dewey’s Pizza, Kirkwood Missouri

We visited Dewey’s Pizza in Kirkwood, MO on Saturday and were delighted by the entire experience. There was a 10 minute wait for a table, which wasn’t a big deal but we were surprised that the restaurant was so busy since Saturday lunch is historically the slowest day of the week for most places. We were seated at a booth that was spotlessly clean, (as was the restroom I visited while waiting for a table) given menus, and our drink order was taken promptly by our server, Annie. The menu was clear and concise and unusually informative, something I really appreciated as I like to know what’s going to be on my plate. Even though there was a team service concept going on, Annie was our main server and returned quickly with our drinks. She patiently told us about the pizza and answered our questions even though they were very busy and when I asked for a slight variation on my salad, her “no problem” reply was instant and came with a genuine smile. She also told me that there would be a slight extra charge for what I wanted, which was no big deal–fifty cents–but it was nice to be told in advance and not get the check and see it there. I love informed consent! She left with our order and the other wait staff members refilled our drinks at hal
-full cheerfully, albeit hurriedly, as they were still slammed. My salad arrived promptly and was delicious and unusual. The usual iceberg lettuce was nowhere to be seen, but the cold, crisp mix of field greens was a pleasant change! Since I was unable to decide between the peppercorn ranch and the house balsamic vinaigrette, Annie brought me a waffle cup of each on the side, and as a sidebar, she is one of the best wait staff I’ve ever had at any restaurant. She could easily make the jump to fine dining at any 5 star establishment in the country, I was very impressed with her and hope she realizes her potential. Both of the dressings were so good that we saved them after the salad course, something I normally do NOT do.Annie also told us that we could have a half white and half red pizza, a choice I have never been given before and was delighted to have since I like both red and white pizza. I finished my salad and one of the server team (not Annie) whisked away my plate, but took my used silverware off of the plate and placed it back on the table–the ONLY service flaw in the entire experience, I would have expected clean silverware to be offered and if it wasn’t, the dirty utensils removed–I left them on the salad plate for a reason. Service plates and extra napkins were left in advance of the arrival of the pie, and the plates were shiny clean. The pizza arrived and it was magnificent–plenty of toppings and perfectly done with a satisfyingly thick layer of cheese on both sides. I prefer my toppings under the cheese to hold them down and prevent them from escaping off the pie, but it’s a minor point. The red side was spicy with just the right bite and amount of sauce and the white side was just as good with the hint of garlic that could have been stronger, but that’s a personal preference. The crust was crispy on the outside, pillowy on the inside and totally delicious–one of the best pizza crusts I have ever had. I’m ashamed to admit that we ate every single morsel of the pizza between the two of us–we are hogs to be sure–but we couldn’t stop eating the delicious pizza which is why there is no dessert review included this time. Annie came by to make sure the pizza was the way we liked it and the tea refills were continued until we finished the pie and declined any further refills. The check was presented right after the empty pizza dish was removed, and the credit card was whisked away and returned for signature promptly but we were not rushed to leave even though they were STILL very busy. I have not had a service or dining experience to beat this one at any pizza establishment I have ever visited and it rates many returns and a top rating–the best I have ever given any pizza or family casual dining establishment in my life! Keep up the good word–I’m a customer forever! When I have 6 months to live, I am having my bed moved to the store!! I have also dined at their sister restaurant in University City Missouri and the food is just as good, but the service at the Kirkwood store is a little better. It’s nice to see consistency in a chain!
Service 4.75 starsFood 5 stars
Dining Diva Review: Millenium Hotel Restaurant–A View To Die For, And A Chef Who Should be Shot!

City: St. Louis, Missouri, Top of the River Restaurant, Millennium Hotel.

My beloved husband and I went to celebrate our FIRST wedding anniversary tonight. He picked a restaurant that had a carousel top revolving 28 floors above the St. Louis streets: The Millennium Hotel’s Top of the Riverfront. The Arch and the river made for a beautiful view as the sun slowly sank in the west and the lights of the big city came on as we watched. Our waitress Brenda was a darling, and the evening began with the promise of wine, romance and a sumptuous meal. But, sadly, like the song says, two out of three ain’t bad. John did his very best and the romantic atmosphere was delightful–the view, starched white table linens and crystal clear goblets filled with a crisp German Riesling made for a wonderful beginning. Then the baby at the next table began to scream–and the evening that had started with such promise unraveled into an unparalleled dining disaster. We made our displeasure at having to listed to the screaming brat known to dear Brenda who did everything but toss the miserable spawn of Satan out the window to make the noise stop. My first instinct was to finish the wine and soup, pay the bill and leave but John said the periodic 110 decibel shrieks were tolerable so we stayed. I do not know why restaurants of this supposed calibre allow children under the age of 12 when the world is full of Denny’s and McDonald’s where even though screaming brats are still annoying, they are “family oriented”. At for a 9 oz filet, I don’t want to hear anything but the lovely sound of the talented piano player. We asked if we could move but that apparently wasn’t an option, but I digress. We started our dinner with the Apple Jack Onion soup which was topped with a thick and satisfying layer of melted cheese and two pieces of crispy garlic crostini. For some unknown reason, pieces of RAW purple onion were placed in the soup under the cheese, but after I picked them out, the soup had nice flavor even if they did add pepper by the boxful, but we like spicy food so it was an interesting twist on a classic recipe. The crisp Riesling was a nice counterpoint to the soup and the screams from the next table were intermittent and barely made me jump more than 2 or 3 inches. Brenda went to the table several times to try to quiet the demon seed, and to her credit (and tip) had some success in silencing the lamb and blowing them out of the restaurant in the way a good waitperson can do when s/he wants the table turned and fast! God bless Brenda. John ordered his steak medium and I opted for my standby of Pittsburgh rare (black and blue by any other name is still burnt and cold) and as I have come to expect in 99% of the steakhouses in the world, they didn’t know how to do it. They did manage to make John’s filet Mignon so raw that he barely nibbled around the edges (and to avoid the large chunk of gristle in the middle of his steak–the first time I’ve ever seen gristle in a filet Mignon) so that it wouldn’t bite him back since it was still alive and brought mine out barely pink and minus the burnt crust that I so love–and am willing to forgo overcooked centers for that burnt flavor I crave. The first bite of my steak was filled with gristle, the second bite flavorless and the third bite had another huge chunk of gristle and I didn’t bother with a fourth. I didn’t know that Dollar Tree had a meat section, but doubtless that’s where the restaurant buys their steaks. The “Bearnaise” sauce was from a mix and tasted of flour and tarragon with none of the buttery tartness of a Bearnaise made with tarragon, wine vinegar and egg yolks with butter lovingly beat in to form the emulsion that makes Bearnaise sauce what angels dine on, the “Yukon gold” potatoes were ordinary white potatoes with no cheese flavor and I didn’t bother to taste the lone baby carrot because I didn’t care by then, so it might have been the world’s best carrot ever–but I somehow doubt it. The 3 small asparagus spears were quite good though, they were the highlight of the meal. Brenda was mortified by the huge chunks of gristle and the errors in cooking and we ended up paying for the soup and the wine (and of course tipped her on the entire amount of what the bill was before they removed the steaks from the check) and then we left, John very disappointed in the food and me very disappointed that the wonderful evening that John planned for our first wedding anniversary went south since he had tried so hard to make it a special evening. He gets an A+ for effort because he really went to a lot of trouble, and I was astonished that the restaurant didn’t require jacket and tie. I guess when your food is that bad, you let anyone in–squalling babies and jeans and flip flops are welcome. The view was breathtaking as the sun went down and the lights of the city came up, but the food ruins the whole experience. I expected so much more from this gorgeous venue, it was a total disappointment. I might go there to have some wine and watch the sunset but I’d never eat there again. Service 3 stars Food 1/2 star

 

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BlackBerry Bold Launch Party

BlackBerry Bold Launch Party FEATURED

Car_Tel Communications (Center City)
1701 Market St. Philadelphia, PA 19103 view map

Start: Thursday, Nov 6, 2008 6:30 PM
End: Thursday, Nov 6, 2008 8:30 PM

Event Features: Business-Related, Educational, For Singles, Happy Hour, Light Food Included, Liquor Tasting, Networking, Open Bar, Private Area, Shopping, Special Event

Car-Tel Communications and BlackBerry are hosting an exclusive Blackberry Bold Launch Party on Thursday November 6th where you will have the very first chance to hold, posses, and purchase the very much anticipated brand new BlackBerry Bold. The new Bold features GPS and Wi-Fi capabilities and a sleek new look.

The first 100 people will receive a Free BlackBerry gift bag. There is no cost to attend this event, please click below to RSVP.

This is a great event to network while you sample complimentary foods by Mission Grill, enjoy complimentary beer & wine from Public House, and learn about the brand new Blackberry Bold. Be there first to own this incredible new Blackberry!!!

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Are You Crazy, a Winery in Miami?

When wine distributor Carlos Lerena and entrepreneur Gabriel Goldberg glance around the massive building that will soon become their winery, there's not a grapevine in sight. It turns out that's the whole idea: to bring the grapes straight from the expert growers, and bottle the wine close to the wine lovers.
The benefits of the Planet Wine operation, explain Carlos and Gabriel, lie in having access to a wider variety of grapes, increased quality control and better availability. These benefits are then coupled with major savings on transportation and storage, savings Carlos and Gabriel can pass on to their customers, big and small.
Inside Planet Wine's historic, 7,000-square-foot warehouse in Miami's trendy Design District, there's plenty of space for making, bottling and storing wine. Built in 1939 as a Bus Station, the building is one of the region's best surviving examples of Miami Growth architecture. Soon, it may become Southern Florida's first urban winery. According to Carlos, urban winemaking is common in Europe, and it's fast becoming popular in larger cities in the United States, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York. With Florida now the second largest state in consumption of wine, Miami deserves to be next.
The current plan calls for making, bottling and storing wine inside the massive facility. “This is an ideal building for wine storage,” says Carlos, adding that with its high wood ceilings and a state-of-the-art temperature control system, “it's far superior to the facilities of most wineries in the world.” Gabriel then pointed out more tantalizing prospects, like a tasting room to sample and decide before purchase, a permanent show room for Argentinean and Spanish wines and an art gallery to bring life to the Design District's industrial core. “After all,” says Gabriel with a smile, “winemaking is an art.”
What exactly are they going to doä
The business will have a wholesale side, where distributors and retailers, such as supermarkets, hotels and restaurants, can have their own wine label. Planet Wine will also cater to wine lovers who want personalized wines for a private cellar, an event, or a special occasion.
Clients can choose between large runs (75-2000 cases), of different varietals of wines from Argentina and Italy, or small runs where the customer can participate in almost the whole process of winemaking, except for the crush. They will be having tours starting soon and will be picking guests up at local hotels using a motorhome rental.
Planet Wine will launch in July 2009, when wines from all over the world will arrive in their facilities and a new page in the history of both winemaking and Florida business will begin.

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'Sip, Savor and Sleep' Package for Cleveland Wine Festival

Wine needs to breathe. So do you. During the Cleveland Wine Festival, taking place on Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27, 2009, why not take a couple of days to wine, dine and unwind with the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center's new “Sip, Savor and Sleep” Cleveland hotel deal. The property was recently named the event's host hotel in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.

Presented by Giant Eagle, the annual festival provides attendees the opportunity to sample more than 220 wines from around the world. Wine seminars and cooking demonstrations by event sponsors, area chefs, exhibiting wineries and restaurateurs will be showcased. Local musical talent will also be performing live each day.
A portion of the proceeds from the Cleveland Wine Festival will be donated to the Bright Side of the Road Foundation, which aims to help find a cure for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
The “Sip, Savor and Sleep” Package includes:
— Concierge room Cleveland, Ohio accommodations (one king or two double
beds) with stunning city and lake views
— Complimentary valet parking
— A featured bottle of wine
— Admittance for two to the festival
— Complimentary festival tasting at the Marriott Downtown at Key Center
booth
— Breakfast for two the following morning
— Rates from $219

— Valid through June 28, 2009

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National Harbor Wine & Food Festival

 

That's the legendary Doc Hayes (extreme right gold necklace) with his posse from the Erikka A. Hayes Foundation. Shows Inc., the event organizers, worship him, because the Man makes all the permits happen. And if you're dealing with alcohol, you know how much a connection like Doc is worth. He had a booth as soon as you came in and they were raising funds for a good cause in the name of Mojitos!

Diagonally across from Doc was the Watermelon Lady! Of all the things one can pedal, there's always watermelon! So that's Jessica Haden (in tiara) the 2009 Maryland-Delaware Watermelon Queen with Candice Hales whose real job is to push watermelons for a living. Yeah, she actually works for the Mar-Del Watermelon Association.

Taking a stab at some business at the winefest was a knife-wielding purveyor of Hammer Stahl knives which you can get at different sites as all-knives.org and others.

A few doors down we ran into Nichole Benolken, General Manager of aloft Washington National Harbor, a stylish new hotel property envisioned by the W Hotel chain. When we told Nichole about our last weekend getaway at Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center and the resulting press, she said she couldn't wait to invite us back to the man-made island so we could check out her hot property. We're gonna take her up on her invite and our readers will only be as proud!

An unusual contraption at the winefest was being served/sold by George A. Papendick who fronts for a company called Soiree. So, what is this test-tube babyä It helps aerate your wine by bringing the pour in first contact with Oxygen and than your glass, a process called double-decanting. Go figure!

Not too clear on the double-decanting, we double-dipped on the Vodka – Svedka Vodka, we were reminded by Larry Brookman (left) who promised to send us some of the V-decanters. Hopefully, he won't recant!

Before we were accused of abandoning the wines, we found ourselves in the "Black Box" lounge with some Hollywood-types. That's Heather Ackroyd in the black and white dotted dress with Publisher Lak Vohra. Heather is the niece of Dan Ackroyd, repping for VinOne, a Constellation Brands company, that handled many of the big box brands in town for the festival. Heather tells us Uncle Dan has happily branched out into the wine, vodka and horror regalia business. She's got the family look, doesn't sheä

Chilling in the Black Box wine lounge three unidentified patrons. No wine, just cameras! 

That's a familiar family! John A. Harrington (who assembled his family for the festival) has known us for over a decade and all this while he's been loyal to Trefethen Family Vineyards of Napa. One family sticking with the other. We like that. Go John!

Lot's of foodie luminaries from around the nation descended at the festival. Caught taking a break with her entourage was Barbara Fairchild, Editor-in-Chief of Bon Appetit magazine.

We saved the last word for the Robert Mondavi Pavilion – by far the coolest winetrap we have ever seen in ages perched high above the festival asphalt in cool climes resembling an African safari mission. As you can see, the hourly tastings and special demonstrations had standing room only with local chefs pairing mini-meals with Mondavi wines. The sessions were led by Nick Padula, Area Manager, VinOne (holding the microphone). The pavilion fatured hi-def flat screen TVs and very chic serving stations run by flight-attendants-by-day-and-wine-pourers-by-the-hour damsels (above) who made khakis a word you could keep rolling around your tongue around dreaming of flights you couldn't have enough of. Salud!

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American Wine & Food Festival Slated for Oct. 2-4

For its 27th year, the American Wine & Food Festival, hosted by the Puck-Lazaroff Charitable Foundation, is serving up a world-class culinary celebration benefiting Los Angeles Chapters of Meals On Wheels.  With generous contributions from our returning top sponsors Audi and MasterCard®, AWFF is delighted to deliver a weekend of feasting and fundraising.  This star-studded food Festival taking place October 2 – 4, 2009, in Los Angeles, features world-renowned chefs, vintners and spirit purveyors at the most anticipated epicurean event of the year.

 

The Festival features a spectacular spread of delectable dishes, superb libations, fantasy auction items and amazing entertainment in three events – each offering a different level of participation for culinary connoisseurs to contribute to the cause.  
 

 

Red Hot @ Red Seven Kickoff Event
Date: Friday, October 2, 2009 – 7 p.m.
Location: Red Seven by Wolfgang Puck at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood
Designed to whet the appetites of Festival first-timers and alums alike, this party offers chic eats and innovative libations in an intimate lounge setting.  Mingle with philanthropists and foodies who are newcomers and well-knowns on the Los Angeles scene.

 

Friday Evening Event tickets are available for $150 per person.  For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.AWFF.org.

 

Saturday Evening Event at Universal Studios Backlot
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2009 – 5-11 p.m.
 *5:00 PM Wolfgang Puck VIP Cooking Demonstration
*VIP entrance available only with tickets purchased through Festival Patron and MasterCard promotions.
  6:00 PM Festival Opens
Location: Universal Studios Back Lot
Staged against the backdrop of movie sets, the signature Saturday night event returns, once again, to Universal Studios Back Lot.  As dusk falls, a spectacularly lit movie set provides the stage for a culinary scene like none other: An unrivaled epicurean feast prepared by world-renowned chefs, superb libations including fine wines and smooth spirits, and a silent auction filled with luxury items – all set to swinging sounds of live bands. 

 

Saturday Evening Event tickets are available for $300 per person.  Table reservations are available from $3,500.  For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.AWFF.org.

 

Chefs Grand Tasting Dinner
Date: Sunday, October 4, 2009 – 6:00 p.m.
Location: Spago Beverly Hills
Wolfgang Puck, Lee Hefter & Barbara Lazaroff with Chef de Cuisine Thomas Boyce & Executive Pastry Chef Sherry Yard welcome several of the world's finest chefs to prepare an elegant six-course dinner at the 10th Annual Chefs Grand Tasting Dinner.  This limited-seating event at Spago Beverly Hills is filled with exquisite dishes paired with select wines and a live auction featuring one-of-a-kind items and experiences.  Celebrity chefs Thomas Keller of Bouchon; Dean Fearing of Fearing's at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas; Jereme Leung of Jereme Leung Creative Concepts Pte Ltd; Laurent Gras of L2O; Nobu Matsuhisa of Matsuhisa & Nobu LA; Gina DePalma of Ristorante Babbo.pair up, each preparing one course, for the grand gala dinner.

 

Reservations for the Chefs Grand Tasting Dinner are available for $750 per person or $7,000 per table.  Please contact Ellen Farentino, Spago, at (310) 385-0880.

 

In addition to the spectacular Festival line up, AWFF is pleased to announce special events and perks.

 

For a second year, Audi's charitable support will help set the scene for an unforgettable Festival.  In addition, Audi will host a special wine tasting in the month of September featuring distinguished sommelier Christopher Miller of Spago Beverly Hills.  Sommelier Miller has been dubbed "2008 Best Young Sommelier in the World," "2007 Best Young Sommelier in the U.S." (both Chaine des Rotisseurs International and National Competitions), and Wine & Spirits magazine's "Best New Sommelier of 2008."  Miller's expertly executed, yet approachable, wine tasting is the perfect entrée into wine season.  Stay tuned for more details in early August.

 

We are also honored to have MasterCard® return for a third year as the preferred card of the American Wine & Food Festival.  In addition to its philanthropic presence making for a memorable weekend, MasterCard® is serving up palate-pleasing perks to its cardholders.  World and World Elite MasterCard® cardholders can savor the full weekend of festivities with VIP packages and ticket purchase perks customized for the culinary connoisseur.  Please contact MasterCard at 1-800-964-4742 or offers@octagon.com to purchase special packages and tickets.  Reservations are limited in number and subject to availability, and are only valid if purchased via MasterCard using your World and World Elite MasterCard®.

 

Saturday Participating Chefs & Restaurants (to date):
Alan Wong of Alan Wong's; Alex Stratta of ALEX, Wynn Las Vegas; Larry Forgione of An American Place; Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier of Arrows Restaurant; Jonathan Waxman of Barbuto; Paul Bartolotta of Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare; Laurent Tourondel of BLT; Thomas Keller of Bouchon; Robert Del Grande of Café Annie; Rene Mata of Chinois; Walter Manzke of Church & State; Mark Miller of Coyote Café; Ken Oringer of Clio; Tom Colicchio of Craftsteak Restaurants; Ari Rosenson & Matt Hurley  of CUT Las Vegas and Beverly Hills; Roger Stettler of Four Seasons Resort Maui, Hawaii; Ilan Hall of Gorbals; Frank Ostini of The Hitching Post; Richard Sandoval of Ketsi, Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita; Lydia Shire, Mario Capone & Simon Restrepo of Scampo; Traci Des Jardins of Manzanita Lake Tahoe; Cal Stamenov of Marinus Restaurant at Bernardus Lodge; Nobu Matsuhisa of Matsuhisa & Nobu LA; Gino Angelini of Minestraio Trattoria; John Cuevas of Montage Beverly Hills; Nancy Silverton of Mozza; Octavio Becerra of Palate Food + Wine; Joachim Splichal of Patina; Francois Payard of Payard Patisserie & Bistro; Julian Serrano of Picasso; Jimmy Schmidt of Rattlesnake Club; Richard Reddington of Redd; Sam Choy of Sam Choy's; Charles Phan of Slanted Door; Kerry Heffernan of South Gate; Mark Ferguson of Spago Bachelor Gulch; Wolfgang Puck of Spago Beverly Hills; Sherry Yard of Spago Beverly Hills; Lee Hefter and Thomas Boyce of Spago Beverly Hills; David Robins and Eric Klein of Spago Las Vegas; Cameron Lewark of Spago Maui; Stephan Pyles of Stephan Pyles Restaurant; Lissa Doumani and Hiro Sone of Terra, St. Helena, and AME, San Francisco; David Walzog of SW Steakhouse, Wynn Las Vegas; Tommaso Tarantino, Luciano Pellegrini and Nicola Chessa of The Valentino Restaurant Group: Santa Monica, Las Vegas and Houston; Yuji Wakiya of Wakiya Ichiemicharo, Tokyo; Marc Djozlija, Aram Mardigian, John Lechleidner and Dustin Lewandowski of WP Bar & Grill; Mat Bencivenga, Yoshi Kojima, Scott Drewno Ben Hong & Sara Johannes of Red Seven, Source, Jai and Five Sixty.

 

Sunday Participating Chefs & Restaurants (to date):
Thomas Keller of Bouchon; Dean Fearing of Fearing's at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas; Jereme Leung of Jereme Leung Creative Concepts Pte Ltd; Laurent Gras of L2O; Nobu Matsuhisa of Matsuhisa & Nobu LA; Gina DePalma of Ristorante Babbo.

 

Participating Vintners (to date):
Baker Lane Vineyards; Beckmen Vineyards; Beringer Vineyards; Bernardus Winery; Betts and Scholl; BISOL Prosecco; Bonaccorsi Wine Company; Bouchaine Vineyards; Chappellet Winery; Charles Krug Winery; Chateau St. Jean; Cielo Malibu Estate Wineyards; Crimson Wine Group; Domaine Drouhin Oregon; Domaine Serene; Dreyfus, Ashby & Co.; Duckhorn Wine Company; Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery; Flowers Vineyard & Winery; FOXEN; Francis Ford Coppola Winery; Frank Family Vineyards; Frog's Leap Winery; Gramercy Cellars; Grgich Hills Estate; Gridley Family Cellars; J Vineyards & Winery; Joseph Carr; JUSTIN Winery; Laetitia Vineyard & Winery; Lancaster Estate; Layer Cake; Loire Valley Wine Bureau; Long Shadows Vintners; Luna Vineyards; Malibu Family Wines; Malibu Vineyards; Mason Cellars; Melville; Miner Family; Morgan Winery; Ortman Family Vineyards; O'Shaughnessy Winery; Paradigm Winery; PEJU; Rosenthal-The Malibu Estate/Surfrider; Semler & Saddlerock; Silver Oak Wine Cellars; Tantara Winery; Topanga "TV" Vineyards; Waters Winery; Whitcraft Winery.

 

Participating Spirits (to date):
Ultimate Vodka, Patron Tequila, PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, Ventura Limoncello.

 

Event Sponsors (to date):
Audi, MasterCard, Fiji Water, Campbell Soup, Southern California Gas, Pure Blue Meat Australian, Tillamook Cheese, Solaire Wines by Robert Mondavi, Ultimate Vodka, Patron Tequila, Loire Valley Wine Bureau, Idaho Potato Commission, EvansHardy+Young, Mansour Travel Company, American Airlines, Wynn Encore Las Vegas, PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, Ventura Limoncello, Wolfgang Puck Bistro, Wolfgang Puck Catering, Wolfgang Puck Coffee, Wolfgang Puck Culinary Coffees, La Brea Bakery, Integrated Transportation Services, Republic Master Chefs, Universal Studios, Acteva, Mighty Leaf Tea, Oikos Yogurt, L.A. Specialty Produce, Knork Flatwear, Southern California Wine & Spirits, Tsar Nicoulai Caviar, SYSCO Los Angeles, Miele, Urbani Tartufi, US Foodservice Los Angeles Division,  Classic Party Rentals, Clear Channel Outdoor, Jacob Maarse, Renaissance Hotels, The Tasting Panel, SingularCity.com.

 

About Audi
Audi of America Inc. and its 270 dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. The Audi lineup is one of the freshest in the industry with 23 models, including 12 models launched during model years 2008 and 2009. Audi is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. In selling one million vehicles worldwide in 2008, AUDI AG recorded its 13th consecutive record year for sales growth. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.

 

About World MasterCard®
MasterCard understands that consumers have re-evaluated what's important in life, so MasterCard has provided a card program that delivers personalized value – World MasterCard®.

 

In these current economic times, it's important to have a card that gives you value beyond your purchases.  In addition to delivering a diverse collection of premium offers, special amenities and great customer service, World MasterCard® also gives you personalized features to manage your account.  Visit www.priceless.com/world to start experiencing your value and rewarding journey with World MasterCard®.

 

About the American Wine & Food Festival
Since its inception in 1982, the Puck-Lazaroff Charitable Foundation has supported the American Wine & Food Festival, raising more than $15 million for Los Angeles Chapters of Meals On Wheels.  This organization serves thousands of meals each day to Los Angeles' homebound senior and disabled citizens.
As a result of their efforts on behalf of Meals On Wheels, the Austrian-born Puck, renowned for feeding Hollywood glamour at the annual post-Oscar extravaganza, and leading restaurant designer Lazaroff, are also celebrated for their philanthropic spirit.  
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New York Wine Expo Is Back!

The 3rd Annual New York Wine Expo, February 26th – 28th, (28th for trade only) is an opportunity to swirl and sip wines from around the globe. French wineries and vineyards will have a significant showing this year, and as always, attendees can continue to look forward to Italian, German, Australian, and South American favorites. Not to be missed of course, local New York, Oregon and California wines. In all, the Grand Tasting offers attendees a chance to sample more than 600 wines from over 170 winemakers from around the world.  Attend the Expo not just for the sampling, but for the learning experience as well. To date, seminar presenters include Gloria Maroti Frazee and Leslie Sbrocco.  PRICE: Save on tickets purchased before February 19 Friday admission: in advance Saturday admission: in advance  TO PURCHASE: Go to: www.NewYorkWineExpo.com  Check web site for regular updates on Seminar schedules and special guests. Time: Fri., February 26th 6PM – 10 PM; Sat., February 27th 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM; Sun., February 28th *Trade Only 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Co-Chairs and Honorees (when applicable): Location: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York City. Ticket Price: Save on tickets purchased before February 19. Friday admission: in advance; Saturday admission: in advance. Contact: Email:  Phone:  Website: Click to Visit

 

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Ultimate Cocktails, Spirits & Wine Blast

 

On October 15, 2010, the founders of the Ultimate Beverage Challenge, F. Paul Pacult, Sue Woodley and David Talbot,hosted more than 1,600 of their closest friends and fans at their first ever ULTIMATE COCKTAILS, SPIRITS & WINE BLAST at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.

ultimate

The Ultimate Beverage Challenge/Ultimate Blast team: 
founders David Talbot, Sue Woodley, F. Paul Pacult 
with Assistant Judging Chairman Sean Ludford of BevX

The hotel’s grand ballroom was completely transformed into the city’s largest nightclub featuring spirits, wines and cocktails prepared by some of the best bartenders in town, find this Event Bartenders with the best expertise in party serving and jamming cocktails.

ultimate

The jazz band and the floor of Ultimate Cocktails, Spirits & Wine Blast

Guests entered an elegant, dramatically lit space to the sounds of a live jazz band and were free to roam the more than 55 tables and five cocktail lounges that featured tastings of more than 250 spirits, 95 cocktails and 60 wines.

ultimate

The Broker’s Gin table

Guests could choose from artisanal single malts, well-aged cognacs, single estate vintage wines or indulge in a Mai Tai or perfectly chilled Manhattan made by some of the city’s hottest mixologists (Jim Meehan/PDT and Ryan McGrale/Flatiron Lounge, Charlotte Voisey just to name a few)

ultimate

Meghan Balser from Pegu Club at the Remy Cointreau Lounge

And if you wanted to sit back with friends and share in some communal toasting, you didn’t have to go further than one offive ultra-swank lounges hosted by Chatham Imports, Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Rémy Cointreau or US-SINO Liquor Group,who presented a portfolio of Chinese spirits many of which have never been tasted in the United States.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR NEXT YEAR’S ULTIMATE BLAST:
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011
at the Marriott Marquis, New York City.

See more images here. 
Photos by: Michael Gold/TheCorporateImage 

 

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