theBrideScoop

Cellar Princess: Where to Stay When at Wine Camp

October 23, 2011 By Cellar Princess Leave a Comment

Our wine expert Cellar Princess J’nai Gaither shared the fabulous experience of her time at Camp Schramsberg yesterday. And her conclusion: Camp Schramsberg is the Camp of everyone’s dreams! Oh, my… what a time.

www.meadowood.com

Camp Schramsberg‘s fee is only inclusive of the Camp itself but you get your money’s worth and then some. Since lodging is up to you, you can choose any hotel you’d like in the Napa Valley. I chose Meadowood Resort because of its vaunted reputation. It’s somewhere I’ve wanted to visit for quite some time. It was also the hosting property where most of our meals and food and wine seminars occurred. Camp began and ended there every night, so it made it much easier to not have to travel off the grounds when you’re dog tired and full from the day’s activities.

Ahhhh.... Relaxation (Photo from www.meadowood.com)

Meadowood Resort is a storybook 250-acre property scattered high above the hills in St. Helena, California. It’s garnered much acclaim, not only its restaurant, but the property and amenities themselves. Consider it your “bunking” headquarters for your Camp experience although you may never want to leave once Camp has concluded.

Enjoy Poolside (Photo from www.meadowood.com)

You can reward yourself with signature spa treatments at the Spa but only after you’ve played nine holes of golf on the resort’s own course, tennis at its tennis courts and croquet on its own croquet field. Yes, after all of that activity, you’re certainly going to need a relaxing massage. Or, if you feel you’ve spent more than enough money already, feel free to retire to your room to your two person soaking tub to bathe with provided fragrant sea salts and Molton Brown bath products. If a bath isn’t your speed, walk a couple of steps to enjoy a relaxing rain shower in your separate shower. It’s big enough for two… or three or four… just don’t let the Camp counselor catch you! He’s sure to write a note to your parents ;-)

Perfect Pairing ~ Golf & Wine (Photo from www.meadowood.com)

And if the night is still young (it won’t be since you’ll be in Camp all day), check out your beautiful 200 square foot terrace and enjoy each other under the moon and stars and forested area that surround you. There’s nothing more romantic. Except for maybe a perfect night’s sleep in your fluffy bed. The pillows are abundant and the sheets’ thread count is off the charts. Although there are many windows in your room, you’re in a wooded area and the lovely Meadowood sleep fairies have drawn your shades. Sweet dreams are guaranteed. Trust me, you’ll need it. You’ll be doing it all over again tomorrow for day two.

Be One With Nature (Photo from www.meadowood.com)

On Monday, Cellar Princess will share her camp tips for make your stay the ultimate experience.

Your Cellar Princess promises to make all your wine selections royal! Follow her on facebook and twitter.

FOOD FRIDAY: The Story of Norman and Louise

September 23, 2011 By Food Editor ~ Gourmet Rambler 2 Comments

I can cook. Some would even say that I cook well. The kitchen fits me like a glove more often than not. Cooking is in my blood. I have made elaborate dinners for 20, intimate romantic dinners for two, weekly meals for one, lunches, quick snacks – you name it, I have cooked it. With one notable exception. I have NEVER cooked a lobster. Mostly because cooking lobster properly requires, well, dealing with live lobster.

Like any adventurous person, I thrive on conquering my fears. So, when I got a chance to attend the New England Lobster Party cooking class at The Chopping Block cooking school in Chicago, I was chomping at the bit. The Chopping Block is a magical place. Their motto is “We will get you cooking”. Do they ever! The kitchen is fantastic! Global knives, professional cookware and appliances. Chef instructors, who are patient and knowledgeable. A lovely wine list of bottlings under $20 available for purchase. I mean, how great is that?!

New England Lobster Party Cooking Team (Photo by Gourmet Rambler)

The menu sounded delicious: fennel potato salad, Maine lobster with tarragon beurre blanc, grilled corn with dill lime butter and individual blueberry cardamom crisps. YUM! There was only one thing standing between me and my meal, well, two things: Norman and Louise. This, folks, is what happens when you name your dinner. Thankfully, I recruited the delightful and witty Michael Faltum to cook with me. After a few glasses of delicious wine that we bought to help the cooking process along it was time to say good-bye to Norman and Louise.

Lobster Named Norman (Photo by Gourmet Rambler)

I will leave out the details. Suffice to say, I STILL have never cooked a lobster (I left it to Michael). I did help make a mean fennel potato salad and had my hand in the blueberry cardamom crisps. The point isn’t who cooked what. We worked as a team and bonded with our instructor, Chef Ortiz, and a couple of total strangers (Hi, Alex and Heidi!). We laughed, we shared a meal and some wine. What a fantastic way to spend an evening! I think that even Norman and Louise would approve.

Maine Lobster with Tarragon Beurre Blanc (Photo by Gourmet Rambler)

Cooking classes at The Chopping Block are great for people on dates, groups of friends or just about anyone with an open mind and a love of food. Hands-on classes in particular allow you the opportunity to get your hands and your aprons dirty. At the end of it all you enjoy the fruits of your labor. And they are that much sweeter. Don’t believe me? Try one yourself.

The Chopping Block
Downtown in the Merchandise Mart, Suite 107, Chicago, IL 60654 ~ (312)644-6360
Lincoln Square at 4747 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625 ~ (773) 472-6700

Hungry? Want more? Follow me on Twitter at Gourmet Rambler.

Come Sail Away With Me

September 22, 2011 By Food Editor ~ Gourmet Rambler Leave a Comment

I think I was born in the wrong era. I love the Rat Pack, black and white movies, crooner tunes (and crooners themselves), flapper dresses, feather boas and vintage shoes. I love men dressed in suits and fedoras and wingtips. There are days when I want to be transported to the time, when men could swing dance and women got squired about town, wined and dined, twirled around a dance floor. Dinner and dancing, what a quaint concept.

Looking for that same time machine? Good luck. The closest I have found was my recent dinner cruise on Odyssey. Let me paint you a picture. People dressed up to the nines. Gorgeous, sleek ship. The crew in crisp uniforms welcoming you and your date aboard. Tables covered with white linens, stiff with starch. Champagne flowing. Martinis are cold. The band is crooning by the dance floor. The view of Chicago skyline at dusk is your backdrop. In this setting, how do you not feel like Frank Sinatra or Grace Kelly?

Beautifully Set Table (Photo by Gourmet Rambler)

But I digress. I am a Food Editor after all. What I should tell you about is the food on the Odyssey. The menu here is a throwback to that same era: shrimp cocktail, duck en croute, lobster bisque, steak, pasta. It is full of American classics. In this day and age, when molecular gastronomy rules supreme, I find it refreshing to actually know WHAT I am eating and HOW it was prepared from time to time. Nothing here is “deconstructed” or comes with “foam” or “scented air.” Just good food.

Zesty Shrimp Cocktail (Photo by Gourmet Rambler)

I loved the zesty Mojito shrimp cocktail, spiked with lime and jalapeno, served over silky salmon mousse. The lobster bisque, while unadorned, packed a wallop of lobster flavor and was breaming with lobster meat. I ordered short rib for my entree, succulent, yet presented simply, with braising liquid, mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli. While some things were a bit heavy handed (ravioli the size of your palm, anyone?) and the wine list underwhelming, nothing could tarnish my enjoyment. I was surrounded with celebrations! Birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions. I was out on the open water on a beautiful ship (piloted by oh, so cute captain, which didn’t hurt!), and I was dancing! Our service was impeccable, our views spectacular and our dancing shoes tired.

Gorgeous Night View of Chicago (Photo by Gourmet Rambler)

At some point in the evening, our server made a heart out of rose petals on the table next to us, that was celebrating their anniversary. Hand written thank you card was delivered to our table, assuring us that our business was appreciated. It’s the little things that count. Good food, good people, good times. What else do you need to have a party? To book your own lunch or dinner cruise, please check out Odyssey Cruises.

Thanks for the smooth sail, Odyssey Cruises.

Hungry? Want more? Follow me on Twitter at Gourmet Rambler.

The Wedding Salon in Chicago

September 17, 2011 By theBrideScoop Editor Leave a Comment

We invite you to join us at The Wedding Salon on October 3, 2011 at The W City Center!

This event brings together the best of the best in the weddings industry featuring amazing names including a couture fashion show by Jenny Yoo, The Knot, Saks Fifth Avenue Beauty featuring Laura Mercier and Giorgio Armani, The Registry at Bloomingdale’s, David Rothstein Music and many more.

Other treats include cocktails, cake tastings and a luxury gift bag for the bride. Brides can additionally enter to win honeymoon giveaways from top destinations including the Mexico Tourism Board.

We would like to extend complimentary tickets to you to this event! To register, simply use the code WPBC at www.WeddingSalon.com.

WED LIVE! Jacqueline & Michael at Knickerbocker

September 14, 2011 By theBrideScoop Editor Leave a Comment

CONGRATS to Jacqueline and Michael!

Wedding: Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Reception: Millennium Hotel Knickerbocker Chicago
Wedding Consultant: AS YOU WISH EVENTS
Decor: Kehoe Designs
Photography: Pret A Poser Photography
Videography: R.E.M. Video Production Group
Entertainment: Sway Chicago
Wedding Cake: Sarah’s Pastries & Cakes
Linens & Chair Covers: B&B Chair Covers Company
Transportation: Windy City Limousines
Hair: Solo Salon
Makeup: Beauty by D’Works

Mazel tov!

Paul Saini: Photographer Engagement

September 2, 2011 By Paul Saini Leave a Comment

It is the beginning of the end of the wedding season 2011. I am taking a moment to look back at all the unusual and visually stunning locations that I have shot weddings this season and the beach at North Aveue or Oak Street stand out the most.

Nancy and Mike wanted a low key, personal ceremony, so they chose a perfect spot for their wedding: sunrise on Lake Michigan. When they contacted me to inquire about booking, I went through a number of emotions, from excitement “the images are going to be jaw dropping” to the nightmare of many photographers: super bright sun in the background with water and sand reflecting the light.

Setting Up for North Avenue Beach Wedding (Photo by Paul Saini)

How the heck am I going to photograph people in front if a giant magnifying glass?

Technically speaking, a wedding photo shoot is a simple formula, however, with a dynamic backdrop like the beach and early morning, all bets are off. I needed to de-emphasize nature and create my own light.

Nancy & Mike's Wedding Ceremony at North Avenue Beach (Photo by Paul Saini)

It is critical for me to visit the ceremony and reception locations around the time of the actual events. This allows me to account for all the variables and problems and compensate or modify my process to eliminate the issue. When meeting the bride and groom for the first time, I prefer to meet at the place of the venue and, if this is not possible, I ask the couple to snap a few cell phone images to share.

Engage your photographer as early as possible into the planning of the table settings, colors, flowers, the dress and anything else you can think of that might be important. Invite the photographer to the rehearsal - especially if you are planning a outdoor, early morning or evening ceremony. This will lead to a happy photographer and an ecstatic couple in the images.

Paul Saini is a Chicago-based photographer whose passion is to capture amazing and unique images of weddings, models, celebrities and professional athletes. To get to know Paul better, check out his work and follow him on facebook, twitter and Google+.

TIP TUESDAY: Make Your Plan B, Your Plan A

August 30, 2011 By SQN Events Leave a Comment

I have seen one too many brides become absolutely OBSESSED with the weather during the week leading up to their wedding. Reading every forecast, tracking radar and plain old freaking out over the slightest chance of rain or extreme heat on their wedding day. Dreams of an outdoor ceremony or cocktails on the terrace hang in the air (literally) and instead of relaxing during that final week, they become more stressed out than at any other time during the wedding planning process.

Rainy Wedding Ceremony (Photo from www.sarabethevents.com)

There is an easy solution for this: make your Plan B (everything indoors) your Plan A (on that note, please read: Outdoor ceremony? It won’t rain!). That means do not book a venue only because of its amazing views, meticulously manicured lawn or English Garden appeal. Choose one that you love on the inside as much as you like the outdoor options. It is much easier on the facility and planner to move things outside (especially a cocktail hour) than in. And it takes SO much stress away. Why wake up on your wedding day in a panic if the skies look a bit grayer than you hoped, when you should be thinking of marrying your soulmate and being with your closest friends and family.

Then, if you awake to the “perfect day” and a portion of your wedding can be held outside, it will make your day that much better. What a lovely surprise and wedding gift from Mother Nature. Instead of cursing her, you’ll want to give her a big hug. And be sure to follow up with a personal, handwritten thank you note.

Beth Bernstein is Owner and President of SQN Events. To read more about what Beth has to say, read her blog or follow her on twitter and facebook or give her a call at (773) 469-6095.

Style Down the Aisle

August 29, 2011 By theBrideScoop Editor Leave a Comment

All things fashion, lifestyle and fun for the urban couple, now and after their stroll down the aisle, come alive at Sofitel Chicago Water Tower! Fashion’s best in special occasion, bridal and resort from top retailers Bloomingdale’s, Nicole Miller, Mira Couture, Belle Vie Bridal Couture and Sofia make their way down the runway and unique vignettes fill the fashion lounge to entertain, inform and inspire.

Sofitel Chicago Water Tower partners with Oak Street Design, Factor Runway, The Bridal Team, Fig Weddings and Fragrant Design to create a one-of-a-kind experience with inspired floral, film and sound paired with the best models, styling, hair and make-up in the industry.

Guests will enjoy passed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from Sofitel Executive Chef Gregg Biggers, along with Whispering Angel Rose from Chateau D’Esclans.

Sofitel Chicago Water Tower
20 East Chestnut Street
August 31, 2011
6:00 – 8:00 pm

Tickets are $65 per person and may be purchased here.

A portion of proceeds will benefit Designs for Dignity.

Thank you to Chicago Social Brides for the heads up of this event.

Bride to Mrs. ~ I am back!

August 10, 2011 By Mrs. Jen 1 Comment

Hi Everyone!

Wow ~ where to even begin! Mike and I had the most amazing wedding ever on July 23! Thanks to our wonderful planner Claudia we worried about nothing and everything went off without a hitch.

The weather was a little rainy in the morning but then cleared to beautiful sunshine in the afternoon. The ceremony at Holy Name Cathedral was perfect and for the most part I held off the tears. The reception at the Palmer House exceeded my highest expectations and it was so nice to have so many friends and family come in from all over the country to help us celebrate!

After such a wonderful day, we left for our 11 night honeymoon in Hawaii which included three islands. It was the perfect time to relax and reflect back on what a great party it was.

Mai Tais at the Royal Hawaiian (Photo by Mike Lewis)

Well, now it’s unfortunately back to reality. :( We got home on Saturday and Monday was back to work for both of us. Let’s just say it’s been quite an adjustment settling back in to the real world. Coming off such a high is tough and we are both feeling it. Wish us luck in getting through the rest of the week!

Thanks for reading!
Mrs. Jen

Travel Messiah: Asheville, N.C.

August 1, 2011 By Travel Messiah Leave a Comment

Asheville has been nicknamed Land of the Sky, Paris of the South and San Francisco of the East. Combine those and you have a glimpse into one of the most diverse and vibrant small cities in the South.

Romantic Asheville
If you want to be pampered, look no further than the Grove Park Inn and Spa, a four-diamond, Historic Hotel of America and a premier wedding destination that offers a number of wedding packages.

Weddings at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa (Photo from www.groveparkinn.com)

For a taste of Europe, visit Biltmore, the family-owned, French Renaissance château-style retreat of George Vanderbilt, which opened in 1895. Did I mention there’s also a winery?

Asheville Nightlife
Stay at the Hotel Indigo, whose bar, 151 Boutique Bar & Kitchen, is popular among locals and visitors.

Asheville is home to nine microbreweries. They’re open to the public on weekend afternoons and often have live music. Lexington Avenue Brewery is both a brewery and a bar. For a complete list, visit Romantic Asheville Beer.

Let’s not forget wine! Asheville has a number of wine bars, including 5 Walnut Wine Bar, Santé Wine Bar and The Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar. For other libations, visit Sazerac and the Sky Bar, atop the historic flatiron building, for the best view in town.

Asheville’s Great Outdoors
Asheville, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is a stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway and close to Chimney Rock Park, Grandfather Mountain, and Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in the east.

Our Travel Messiah, Beth Smith, will introduce you to places you have only dreamed about. Please follow Beth on facebook and twitter or visit her website or read more of her travel musings on her blog.