If you love to entertain, knowing how to set the table is crucial. Yet, I always find myself looking up proper place settings, no matter how many dinner parties I throw.
Formal (Photo from www.partystaff.com)
FOOD FRIDAY: The Hill That Sparkles
May 11, 2012 By 1 Comment
The sun isn’t even up yet, but bleary eyed as I feel, I am boarding the train. In moments, it whisks me away from all things urban and fast paced. As I am speeding through miles of green pastures and small villages, my excitement builds. Somewhere out there, on the other side of the farmlands, is the hill that sparkles. There is only one thing in the world, really, that would motivate me to get up on the wrong side of the crack of dawn and ride the train into the middle of nowhere. I am going to drink bubbly today.
Franken's (Photo by Gourmet Rambler)
TIP TUESDAY: The Right Choice
May 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
When dining out at a chef driven restaurant, I have only one small piece of advice. However, that maybe the tip that will change the way you dine drastically. It is simple and requires zero effort. Here it is: let the chef select your menu. Why? Because he or she designed every detail of every dish. They have poured themselves into every bite you will take. And chances are what you will end up with is a perfect progression of dishes that will make your experience truly memorable.
Don't Read The Menu! Let Chef Create One For You!!! (Photo from www.dailyfork.com)
FOOD FRIDAY: Why can’t meatloaf be pretty?
April 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
“Why can’t meatloaf be pretty?” inquires Cynthia Kallile, the owner of Chicago’s own The Meatloaf Bakery, the only place around serving beautiful cupcakes and pastries made out of, well, meatloaf. I stand there, speechless, pondering the question. There is a plate of gorgeous savory bites in front of me that seems to be asking the same thing. Meatloaf? Pretty? Why not?! Granted, those two words never go together. I happen to love meatloaf, it is the ultimate comfort food for me. It brings memories of carefree childhood days and cozy evenings spent at home in chilly Novembers gone by. But pretty? Meatloaf, tasty as it may be, is never pretty. As I feast on several different varieties of Loafies (two-bite treats unique to The Meatloaf Bakery), created with love and dressed up for the occasion, I look over the glass case full of pretty.
Glass Case Full of Pretty (Photo by Gourmet Rambler)
TUESDAY TIPPLE: Spring Into Sangria
April 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment
With the warm weather approaching, we cannot wait to take our drinking alfresco. There is something so decadent and fun about sipping a cocktail outside. Everyone has their favorites, I am sure. But when it comes to outdoor libations my heart belongs to sangria. This is perhaps because I love wine. Or maybe it is because I enjoy boozy fruit. No matter the reason, sangria is my summer drink of choice! Refreshing and slightly sweet, fruity and deceptively potent sangria is infinitely patio friendly.
Sangria at VOLO (Photo by Gourmet Rambler)
FOOD FRIDAY: On a Rampage
April 20, 2012 By 3 Comments
Spring inspires people to do unexpected things (see my previous article FOOD FRIDAY: Spring Inspiration Tour). Among farm visits, drinking rose wine (finally! rose is back!) and tasting a plethora of spring menus all over town, I was inspired to go on a rampage. All because of a little plant called ramp. Several times this week, people have asked me what a ramp is. Words “spring” and “delicious” come to mind when I hear the word. To me, ramps are true harbingers of spring on a plate.
Ramps (Photo by Gourmet Rambler)
TIP TUESDAY: Say No to Singles’ Table
April 17, 2012 By 6 Comments
As the person who attends most weddings solo, I am going to ask a favor that is rather personal: just say NO to the singles’ table. It is hard enough to attend a wedding alone, it is even more challenging to do so, knowing you are going to get stuck in that dreaded seat. I understand the rationale behind kids’ table. And I can almost see the good intentions behind the singles’ table: look how happy we are, we found each other, now look around for your own love connection at this very table! In a perfect world singles’ table would be a great place to meet and mingle. Alas, our world is far from perfect.
The REAL Singles' Table Doesn't Look Like THIS! (Photo from NBC)
FOOD FRIDAY: Goose for Your Maverick
April 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
So, your own personal Top Gun fantasy came true: you met and tamed your Maverick, the rugged guys’ guy Tom Cruise only wishes he could be. Your betrothed wears aviator sunglasses, rides a motorcycle and looks great in leather. His favorite place in town? Local brewpub. He loves to throw back a beer or two in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. And so you want your wedding-rehearsal dinner-big birthday or anniversary party to be something he remembers for years to come. It needs to be fun. It needs to be relaxed. It needs to go with beer. Does this mean that you have to settle for nachos or chicken fingers? Not if you know Goose.
Dinner by Goose Island Catering (Photo from Goose Island Beer Company)
TIP TUESDAY: Keep Your Spices Fresh
April 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Do your know how old your spices are? If you cook at all, chances are you have accumulated a collection of spices similar to mine. But do you know their shelf life? What you don’t know may surprise you. Most spices start to deteriorate very quickly, they lose their flavor and some can become rancid. So, what can you do to prevent adding off-putting flavors to your food?
Love Your Spices! (Photo from www.3.bp.blogspot.com)
MONEY MONDAY: Bubbles & Budgets, Take Two
April 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Looking at the menu at any champagne bar or at the champagne section in the store can be intimidating. Three figure prices are becoming the norm, not the exception, when it comes to bubbly. So, does it mean no more bubbly for you and your wallet? I would suggest seeking out one of my recent finds, Rack & Riddle Blanc de Noir from Sonoma County in California.
Rack & Riddle (Photo by Gourmet Rambler)
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