WINE

While in San Francisco for an Italian wine event, a meal at St. Vincent was apropos. After all, St. Vincent, named for the Patron Saint of Vintners, is owned by David Lynch who wrote the book Vino Italiano. With a great passion for Italian wine, David has put together an extraordinary wine list of Italian wines but also features wines from France, Spain and California and beyond. David Lynch We ordered a bottle of the Cascina Luisin 2011 Dolcetto d'Alba "Bric Trifüla," Piemonte, Italy. With delicious notes of blackberry and violets, this juicy medium-bodied Dolcetto was velvety on the palate. The bottle was a great value, costing only $36. And, even better, all of the wines at St. Vincent are available through their retail store. So, if you like a wine, buy a bottle and take it home for later.
11 March, 2015
This story was written for and posted originally at Capture Wine Tour.  As we all watch with baited breath to see who wins Best Picture at the 2015 Academy Awards, the team at Capture Wine Tour has pulled together a line-up of wines we feel pair best with each nominee. And the awards go to… American Sniper – Based on the story of Chris Kyle, oneof the most skilled snipers in US military history, American Sniper needs to be paired with an impactful wine that leaves a lasting impression. Like the sharp bullet of a sniper, we suggest pairing this heart pumping film with a Sauvignon Blanc, a wine that is bright and crisp with excellent acidity. Our Wine Suggestion:  J Christopher 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, Willamette Valley
22 February, 2015
Awards season is here and nothing says celebration more than a glass of bubbly. So, to get in the spirit of the Oscars, we headed to a little pre-glam party hosted by Champagne Piper Heidsieck, the official and exclusive Champagne of the Academy Awards. Piper Heidsieck Brut Piper Heidsieck Rose Sauvage We sat down for a little pampering, compliments of the newly launched The Glam App, which lets users order from a menu of services covering hair, makeup and nails, at various levels of pricing based on experience. It's really beauty on demand at your door.
22 February, 2015

This post originally appeared on FoodableTV.com Often Port is seen as a drink for older British men sitting in high-back leather chairs with a cigar in...

11 February, 2015
Is Santa Monica the new drinking and dining destination in Los Angeles? It's definitely one of them, especially along Wilshire Blvd. First Brilliantshine and Chestnut Club opened last year. Then Cadet and Tacoteca opened just before the holidays and now Aestus opened just after the new year. 2015 in Santa Monica is off to a great start. Aestus is owned by Kevin O'Connor, who also acts as the restaurant's sommelier. Former Spago wine director, Kevin is also co-owner of Lioco Winery. He selected the name Aestus, which is a Latin word that means heat, fire, tide, the surge of the sea, because it just seemed to perfectly represent what they are doing. Aestus is about expressing passion through food, wine and drinks. Located on the ground floor of the Arezzo residental builidng on Wilshire Blvd, between 5th and 6th streets, Aestus is a large open mid-century modern space. There is a 15-seat brass bar when you first walk in and a 60-seat dining room. And, from everywhere in low-lit room, you can see the brightly lit open kitchen where Chef Alex Ageneau is at the helm.
29 January, 2015
Living in Los Angeles, I am happy to drive anywhere in the city in search of good food. But, it's even better when the restaurant is only a couple minutes from home. Cadet opened at the very end of 2014 in Santa Monica and it couldn't be a more welcome addition to the area. Located in the former The Shack space, next to the Verizon store on the corner of 26th and . It feels like you have entered your own living room. Exposed brick walls, low lighting, comfortable banquets and a bar in the center of the room are so inviting. And one of the inviting elements is the wood fired grill that can be seen through a glass window when you first walk in. The menu is presented like a deck of cards and you lay them out in front of you like you are reading tarot cards. Cadet Menu
27 January, 2015
Saint Martha may be aptly named for its namesake, the Patron Saint of cooks and servants, but it also pays homage to Saint Vincent, the Patron Saint of wine. But you might not know this from the outside. Located in a run-down strip mall in Korea town, it's neighbors are a "dentista", an acupuncturist, an Allstate insurance office and a shoe repair shop. Saint Martha Exterior And among these business sits Saint Martha behind a heavy wooden door.Saint Martha Exterior But, open the heavy door and enter the cozy, low-lit windowless room, and find a world that honors and celebrates wine and food.
21 January, 2015
When I went to lunch at Spago a few months ago, I saw that a new place was going in next door called Spaghettini. Silly me thought that meant that it was a "little Spago." But it's not. It's actually the second location for a successful restaurant and music venue, owned by Laurie Sisneros and Cary Hardwick, that has been in Seal Beach for 26 years. Spaghettini is a large rectangular space that is wide open. With white walls and dark wood and blue accents, it is rather simple in its décor, but also modernly elegant. Spaghettini Dining Room We started at the bar and ordered a couple drinks to start the evening. We ordered The Home Slice (apple ginger soda, Angel's Envy Bourbon, citrus) and The Duet (El Dorado 12 Year Rum, Rhum JM, honey, Italian sweet vermouth, Angostura, grapefruit peel). The Home Slice was refreshing with the sweetness of the bourbon on the finish. But, I would have liked a bit more acidity or bite on the front of the palate. The apple ginger soda seemed a bit muted. The Duet on the other hand was a well balanced cocktail. Perhaps not the first drink you want for the night on a chilly night, it was perfect. The cocktails range from $15-$18 and are a bit steep.
15 January, 2015

This post originally appeared on FoodableTV.com It’s been six months since I unlocked the key to wine country in Santa Barbara. Last time it was summer...

14 January, 2015
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