Getting To Know “The Other” Wine Country: Santa Barbara
For years, when someone said they were going to wine country for the weekend, they meant Napa or Sonoma. After all, it’s a short drive...
29 November, 2014
Rosé is More Than a Seasonal Drink
This post originally appeared on FoodableTV.com The weather is finally changing and it’s getting colder outside. And, with the holidays approaching, it’s time to plan for...
26 November, 2014
What Does Pinot Noir Mean To You?
Ahhhhh.......Pinot Noir. Just saying those two works can make most wine lovers swoon. But what is it about Pinot Noir that so many love? A fickle grape that requires optimum growing conditions, Pinot Noir is typically a lighter-medium bodied, fruit-forward red wine. Originally the noble red grape of Burgundy, Pinot Noir is grown today in Oregon, California, New Zealand, Australia, Chile, France, Spain, Germany and Italy. When Pinot Days Southern California came to Los Angeles, bringing more than 40 Pinot Noir producers for an afteroon of tasting, I thought is was a good chance to ask some winemakers, and others, what Pinot Noir means to them.
19 November, 2014
It’s All About Flavor At Cardamom Restaurant
If you like flavor and spice, Cardamom is for you. LA's newest Indian Restaurant opened last month and is already getting noticed by the neighborhood. In the location formally home to India's Oven, business partners, and brothers-in-law, Nasir Syed and Badrul Chowdhury, have created a restaurant that represents all of the regions of India.
Nasir actually worked at India's Oven when he first arrived in the US. So it is a perfect circle that he has come back here to open his own spot. But to do so, Nair and his brother-in-law decided to bring their uncle to Los Angeles to help. A successful restaurateur in London who had 32 locations at one point, Chef Manju Choudhury came to LA and spent 2 months creating the menu and training the staff.
17 November, 2014
Food, Wine and the Best Views at Duke’s Malibu
Nothing is more quintessential California than a restaurant on the beach overlooking the ocean. For Los Angelenos, we sometimes take for granted the ocean that is in our backyard. We tend to think of the restaurants that line the coast as tourist destinations.
But tourist or local, an afternoon or evening spent eating at Duke's in Malibu is a great escape. After a beautiful drive up PCH to Malibu, you will find Duke's 9 miles north of Santa Monica. Opened in 1996, Duke's honors the father of modern day surfing and Olympian Duke Kahanamoku. The Hawaiian themed restaurant continues the traditions of the original "Ambassador of Aloha".
08 November, 2014
One Stop Wine Tasting in Wine Country
This post originally appeared on FoodableTV.com When going wine tasting, the question that always arises is “who is the designated driver?” This is the person (perhaps,...
05 November, 2014
Event Recap: Santa Barbara Vintners Celebration of Harvest
The 2014 harvest is almost complete. Most of the grapes have been picked and the grapes are in tanks and barrels so it was time to celebrate at the Santa Barbara Vintners Celebration of Harvest Festival (Oct 10-13). Over a three day weekend, Santa Barbara wineries opened up their tasting rooms with special offers and other events. The main event of the weekend was the Festival Grand Tasting. The Festival Grand Tasting took place outdoors at the Old Mission Santa Ines in Solvang. More than 100 members of the Santa Barbara Vintners were there, as well as local restaurants and artists. With all of the participants, the question always is, "which wines should we try? where should we go first?".
02 November, 2014
Young Artists See Their Artwork on Wine Labels
We rarely get to see the work of young artists. There is so much talent out there. But, thanks to Hyatt Hotels and the Michael Mondavi Family, young artists are getting the chance at having their artwork displayed on a wine bottle with Canvas Wines. The Michael Mondavi Family created Canvas Wines for Hyatt Hotels. Art students around the country are invited each year to submit their artistic interpretation of the varietal characteristics of the Canvas Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Grigio. All entrants are enrolled in an accredited art program. The winner not only gets a $5000 scholarship but they get their artwork featured as a label on a special bottling of Canvas Wines.
29 October, 2014
Elevating The Movie Going Experience
This post originally appeared on FoodableTV.com As iPic Theaters continue to open across the country, going to the movies may never be the same again. From...
27 October, 2014
The Fun of La Paulée
Traditionally, La Paulée is a Burgundian celebration held at the end of the grape harvest. So, hosting "La Paulée", which comes from the French word for sauté pan, poile, during the Santa Barbara Celebration of Harvest Festival, was fitting.....and lots of fun. To kick off the Celebration of Harvest weekend, La Paulée was hosted on Friday night. In addition to a ticket to the event, the only other requirement is to bring a bottle of wine with you. This BYO event does not mean that you grab the first bottle you find or run to the supermarket on your way. What you want to do is look into your collection of wines and bring something that you are proud to share.
24 October, 2014