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Archive for category Pairings

A Cotes du Rhone Celebration

Jul 8

Posted by admin in dining out, Pairings, wine

Bastille Day has turned into a two-week celebration with the help of  the Rhone Valley Wine Council and their partner, Maitres Cuisiniers de France, the Master Chefs of France. “Two Countries, Two Holidays, Two Weeks of French Culinary Delights” aptly describes the special chef menus: 3-courses, $30 prix fixe. “Celebrate Summer the French Way” continues until July 18th at a significant number of restaurants throughout the country.

French chefs view this as an opportunity to highlight the versatility of the Cotes du Rhones, the reds, whites, and roses, and show how they pair perfectly with the seasonal ingredients that highlight any French meal. The website has a complete list of participating restaurants. Check for the individual menus as many of the chefs plan separate menus for each week.

As for the Cotes du Rhones, there are over 6,000 wine grape growers in the Rhone River region between Lyon and Avignon. One should have little problem finding his favorite Rhone wine for everyday drinking at home, too. They pair wonderfully with so many summer dishes.

The promotion is a perfect excuse to Dine Out, Enjoy Summer, and Celebrate French cuisine.

Then take your new French recipe food and wine guide (a present from the participating restaurants) and create perfectly paired French-style meals, regardless of the season.267thm

Bonne Chance.

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A Perfect Triple Play: Wine, Food, and the Countryside

Jul 6

Posted by admin in news, Pairings, wine

The weather’s supposed to be grand on the East Coast this coming weekend–how about a little travel for an event that promises to fulfill your wine and food desires? Bluemont, Virginia, about an hour from the metropolitan Washington, DC area, a short drive from Leesburg or Winchester, Virginia, and near enough for a good outing is hosting the 1st annual DC’s Wine Country Food & Wine Festival at historic Whitehall Manor, at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.festival-poster_small

So many good options here: 20 different Virginia wineries pouring their specialties, a summer buffet dinner in the Manor House, wine tasting seminars (led by Virginia’s sommelier ambassador, Mary Watson), glass blowing demonstrations, and the opportunity to meet regional artisans. The adult-only evening events (July 10-12) provide a perfect excuse for daytime regional travel culminating in the creative festival environment. If you want to turn it into a weekend and skip the after-sipping driving ritual, then take advantage of the special lodging/transportation package with nearby Lansdowne Resort.

This is a good weekend to plan ahead as reservations are necessary for general admission, dinner, and picnic boxes.

Take advantage of this reasonably priced festival with so many food and wine options.

You’ll understand why Virginia is For Lovers!

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Coffee And…Why Not Doughnuts?

Jun 4

Posted by admin in coffee, life, news, Pairings

I’m clueless. There’s little wrong with the coffee+doughnut equation (no matter how you spell the treat). On a regular day, especially a rainy one, the combo of hot coffee and a circle sweet bring an instant smile. On sunnier, warmer days, an iced coffee and a doughnut–you get the picture.

Now, regardless of weather, and this is no cruel calendar joke, tomorrow, Friday, the 5th of June is a calendar keeper–it’s National Doughnut Day.  This is no made-up holiday but one that traces its roots back to 1938. If you’re more interested in the food possibilities, plan ahead and do your own personal best taste test. The options are not limited to the national brands, check with your local bakery and entice them to join in on the fun. In the meantime, consider these two specials:

–Dunkin’ Donuts (see the spelling) will let the customer choose any donut with the purchase of any beverage. 

–Krispy Kreme thinks you might want to get a drink, but they are enticing with free doughnuts, no purchase necessary.

Hmm, imagine those will be some impressive lines! 

What a perfect combo: A Friday and a free treat. Sweet.

Walk to the doughnut store; there’s less guilt.

Enjoy.promoSmallDoughnutDay09

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Still NOT Quite Right

Mar 4

Posted by admin in Advertisers, coffee, Pairings

OK, remember me, I said you could pull it out. Well, I was almost right, and almost only counts in horseshoes. For Starbucks to borrow a word from the food and wine world and come up with an affordable “pairing” is the good news. The bad is the insensitive, limited thinking approach.

It is true that bacon, sausage, and ham sandwiches may sound like the universe of sandwiches to many people. NOT everyone eats pork products. The new pairing promotion offers a 12-oz tall brewed coffee and a choice of a pork off-shoot sandwich. Or a tall latte and a slice of coffee cake or oatmeal. What happens if you want an egg sandwich, a turkey sandwich, or any number of other non-pork possibilities?

Seriously, who is doing your market research? The concept is good; the estarbucksxecution is a killer.

Think. Make the changes.

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The Importance of the Crackle

Jan 12

Posted by admin in life, New York Times, Pairings, Uncategorized

No, I do not mean Rice Krispies , but they are a food product that I will always hold dear with positive memories: my Mom’s favorite late night snack. This “crackle” comes from a wood-burning fireplace. There’s nothing quite like it. All the sounds, the smells, and the sense of warmth as it saps the heat from the rest of the house. That’s a shame, but  the fireplace room is its own haven of content.

There is something about the world that seems all right while you read in front of cacophonous fire. Just as long as you read sections of the newspaper that have nothing to do with real world issues. Start with the Sunday Styles section of the New York Times and rush to the back, to the wedding stories. They are so much fun. Of course, there are the Bill Cunningham party photos. Skip over the real life, potentially sad articles, and  go for the morning fun and begin your day with a relaxing tone.

Then, you can ease into that splendiferous cup of espresso. Did I mention I made it to Wegmans. From earlier posts, you’ll know it’s not around the corner but worth the drive. I get less expensive gas in Virginia and then head over to the shopping mecca which somehow seems to do as much damage to my credit card as a trip to Costco. Bad financial week, hit both of ‘em in a matter of a few days.

Now it’s time to analyze what it is about their whole bean dark roast espresso that keeps me hankering for a true cup. Maybe it’s the price. Certainly doesn’t hurt that the 32-ounce bag of beans is under $10. Flavor wins from the bean’s oily richness that engulfs the coffee machine’s bean holder. It transcends any other coffee bean experience of late. Hit the buttons, grind, and punch up a double espresso.

Now the morning has promise, a crackling fire ,and a true cup of espresso. I haven’t even started the potatoes yet. More on that later.

Crackling sounds and a steaming cup of coffee. A perfect pairing.

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