December ideas- California wine book and fusion holiday foods
Edited by Darryl Beeson
California is known for wine. The new edition of Compass
American Guide: California Wine Country is the perfect guide to fine-tune the
experience of visiting California wineries, with insightful tips generally
unknown to the average tourist. Consider it a perfect Christmas gift for the
wine fan in your life.
California Wine Country, 5th edition (www.fodors.com
$21.95 soft cover) has dramatic photography plus useful, understandable maps.
There are concise, but in-depth winery reviews. Things are brought up to date
by reviews of the latest and most essential tasting rooms, hotels, and
restaurants.
There is expanded coverage of the lately more important Central Coast. This
guide focuses on up-and-coming destination and benefits from a new, locally
based contributor, adding dozens of winery, hotel, and restaurant reviews.
A star rating system makes it easy to find the best experiences. There are
well-designed, day-long "Great Drive" itineraries for each wine region. These
easy-to-follow routes guide readers to both high-profile wineries and
undiscovered gems.
There are numerous tips on wine tasting and touring, plus a look at the art and
science of winemaking. There are activities beyond the tasting rooms, like 'roll
your sleeves up and start working in the vineyard crush camps,' luxurious spas,
and even craft beer tastings.
This California wine country guide is an even better guide for first-time
visitors, repeat travelers, even locals and maybe even honeymooners. The
information is fascinating even if you never make a trip to the California wine
country.
And to all, an Omakase good night
Omakase is the Japanese word meaning "entrust" or "protect," and in a
restaurant, that term means that the customer is provided the chef's choice. It
is a culinary gift. For Christmas Eve, the chefs of SushiSamba have created a
six-course Omakase Dinner, highlighting the exotic flavor profiles of Japan,
Brazil and Peru. To include roasted kabocha squash soup, a great sushi array,
sizzling lamb chops and a more traditional plum bread pudding, all this begins
with the Brazilian flair of a potent, bartender prepared Holiday Sambatini drink
(recipe below), the menu available only Christmas Eve, December 24 from 5pm to
10pm for $60 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). SushiSamba, a blend of
Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine, is located at at The Dallas Galleria.
Visit
www.sushisamba.com or call 214-866-0214.
Holiday Sambatini recipe
2 oz Marani vodka (distilled through milk and honey)
1 oz Cardenal Mendoza brandy
1oz Licor 43
1 ½ oz whole milk
1 egg white
1 bar spoon sugar
2 pinches of cinnamon
Shake vigorously. Strain over fresh ice in a cinnamon-sugar dusted wine glass.
Garnish with a cinnamon stick. Drink profusely, and do not drive.
'tartufi bianchi'- white supremacy
A special evening with white truffles and Barolo wine at the renowned Frasca
Restaurant, 1738 Pearl Street, Boulder, Colorado featuring Silvia Altare of
Azienda Agricola Altare, Piedmont, Italy, will be on Monday, December 10, 2007.
A five course menu to be paired with wines crafted by Elio Altare. The price is
merely $500 per person (not including tax, tip or hotel and airfare). Call
303-442-6966. You decide.
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Darryl Beeson believes not in hum, nor in bug. He reports
upon wine, food and travel. People heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of
sight, 'Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good wine!' |
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