Welcome warm weather… sipping delicious bubbly while dining alfresco on our patio, evenings under the stars celebrating good food and friendship…welcome Spring! Another reason to celebrate… I have new friends at Mionetto that sent me several bottles of their Italian sparkling wines to taste. One of the bottles of bubbly was completely new to me:…
food and wine
Alinea Experience Chicago
There is a fascinating documentary on Netflix “Chef’s Table” highlighting the life and career of Grant Achatz (Chef’s Table, Season 2, Episode 1). The show features Chef Grant Achatz and his restaurant Alinea. Chef Achatz battled tongue cancer which caused him to loose his sense of taste for a period of time. I was hesitant to watch the…
Happy 8th Birthday Mr. Bill’s Wine Cellar, Roanoke, Virginia
On Saturday, September 8, 2018, Mr. Bill’s Wine Cellar in Roanoke, Virginia, celebrated the cellars 8th birthday. Pictured above: Mr. Bill and Rebecca at Mr. Bill’s Wine Cellar. I always enjoy the signs that greet guests outside their front door. We celebrated with a tasting of Francois Montand Brut Blanc de Blancs. ($15 range) In…
Happy Orange Blossom Day!
“A man who was fond of wine was offered some grapes at dessert after dinner. ‘Much obliged’, said he, pushing the plate aside, ‘I am not accustomed to take my wine in pills.’ “ …
Carrabba's Sausage And Lentil Soup Recipe For Father's Day
Potatoes Picante, Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Peaches, Charred Corn Burrata Salad…find fabulous tapas recipes on the Roanoker Magazine blog. Here’s the link: https://theroanoker.com/blogs/behind/it%E2%80%99s-time-for-tapas/ Did someone say SOUP?! Here’s the most delicious soup you can serve Dad on his special day. Tastes like a yummy chili with the spicy addition of Italian sausage. Our bubbly friends Judy and…
Spring Fun With Champagne And Chocolate Lace Cookies!
It’s Spring…time to get out of the house and have some FUN! Oatmeal Lace Cookies are THE BEST COOKIES! Perfect for a Spring picnic. The recipe is compliments of Gloria Smiley, Food Stylist Extraordinaire. She served them for lunch when we visited her in Atlanta, Georgia and I didn’t want to look like a piglet, but I just…
A Toast To Italian Wine ~ Molto Bene! ~ A Favorite Mamma Leone Recipe
Our recent Italian wine experience with the Angelini family at the Shenandoah Club in Roanoke, Virginia brought back many “bei ricordi d’Italia” (fond memories of Italy). I love Italian cooking so naturally one of my favorite cookbooks is Leone’s Italian Cookbook. The author Gene Leone dedicated his cookbook“to the memory of my beloved mother”. He was the…
Champagne And Beef Tenderloin…Yes Please!
Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather, and a little music played out of doors by someone I do not know… …
Why I love Pink Peppercorns and Pink Champagne On National Margarita Day!
Today is National Margarita Day ~ February 22, 2018. Please keep reading to get my favorite margarita recipe ~ Pink Champagne Lemonade Margaritas! But first…let’s talk about another one of my favorites…pink peppercorns and other funky color seasonings… Love Salt and Pepper! Fun facts about Pink Peppercorns: Always good to have pink peppercorns on hand…
10 Helpful Hints For Pairing Wine and Food
“Have you thrown up your hands in despair and confusion with too many choices? In that case, just remember one word: champagne. It’s refreshing, relatively low in alcohol and sufficiently neutral to go with a myriad of foods.One minor tweak might be to have a more full-bodied vintage champagne with red meats and non-vintage champagne…
