Daily Loaf

Apparently we missed the call to enter, but let the voting begin for the 2009 American Wine Blog Awards, hosted by FERMENTATION: The Daily Wine Blog. The categories include Best Writing on a Wine Blog, Best Graphics, Best Single-Subject Wine Blog and Best Winery Blog, among others. Nominees include Jonathan Alsop’s In Vino Veritas, The New York Times The Pour, Dr. Vino, Alder Yarrow’s Vinography, Hosemaster of Wine and Good Wine Under $20. Vote your conscience and your taste by March 4 on Fermentation: The Daily Wine Blog.

On sale through March 3 at Whole Foods Market at I-275 and North Dale Mabry:
Borsao Monte Oton Old Vine Grenache, $7.99/bottle

Corkscrew Review, 11/9/2008: Incredible value wine. Medium-bodied, this perfect-for-everyday wine has cherry and raspberry, silky tannins and a pretty, forever finish. 4 stars.

Over 50 people got their drink on at last night’s free CL Wine Club wine tasting at Vintage Wine Cellars (why didn’t you know about it? Get on the email or text lists). The wines, of course, rocked since they were hand-picked by yours truly but the most popular selections were: Matanzas Creek 2007 Sauvignon Blanc ($22) – a soft, fruity, peachy number; Bogle 2005 Phantom ($22) – bold and like biting into a fresh blackberry coated with leather; Molly Dooker Two Left Feet ($29) – complicated with spicy black pepper, strong, green eucalyptus and black cherry; and Condado de Haza 2005 Ribera del Duero ($28) - elegant and sophisticated with dusty cherries and an earthy finish. Read the rest of this entry »

Quizno’s, the home of the toasted sandwich, is giving away one million free subs. They’re already up to 368,000, so hurry. The catch is – there’s always a catch, right? – you have to give ‘em a valid email address. No telling what Viagra/porn/hair replacement spam list you’ll end up on but a free sub is a free sub.

*The fine print: By completing the form, Entrants will automatically be entered into the Quiznos Q-Club marketing database (Entrants may opt-out of the Quiznos Q-Club at any time by visiting the opt-out page located at: www.quiznos.com/offers/Optout.aspx.)

Read the rest of this entry »

This time of year, the heady scent of fresh strawberries reaches out and pulls me to the produce aisle. Plant City strawberries are synonymous with spring’s beginning in Tampa Bay and being the first recipients of this fragrant, vitamin-C-packed fruit gives me reason to stay in Florida. Really. But once I’ve consumed a few plain, I get kinda bored of them. So here are a few tips and recipes to keep America’s second favorite fruit (after the ubiquitous and portable banana) fresh and interesting. Read the rest of this entry »

On Sunday, First Lady Michelle Obama and her chef Cristeta Comerford gave a tour of the White House kitchen to a group of DC-area culinary students. Chef Cristeta patiently answered questions like how to get a job in the White House kitchen and if she sources local ingredients.

Mrs. Obama said this about locally-sourced food: “When it’s local, oftentimes it tastes really good, and when you’re dealing with kids, you want to get them to try that carrot. My kids are more inclined to try different vegetables if they’re fresh and local and delicious.”
Video courtesy of CPAN after the break. Read the rest of this entry »

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about my ideal wine bar, a place I could call home and nuzzle with everyday. At the time, it didn’t exist yet in Tampa, but today, I found a pretty damn close example. It’s not the warm, cozy, fluffy-couch place of my dreams, but the wine list… sa-weet! The only bad thing? It’s in a deli and I don’t eat much bread. Read the rest of this entry »

Until 2/22, get $2 off any 750-ml bottle of wine priced $9.99 and up. Check out the specials on Pillar Box Red (my house wine right now -$9.99), Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc ($12.99) and Bodegas Atalaya ($12.99). See the ad and print out the coupon.

B-21 in Tarpon Springs (delivery available to the entire Tampa Bay area)

From the dry, crusty-looking Montsant region south of Barcelona comes a shockingly good, shockingly inexpensive red blend. Monsant surrounds the Priorat region like a pita sandwich, wrapping snuggly around an area known for its hefty wines and corresponding prices. I can’t afford Priorat so Monsant it is. Read the rest of this entry »

The New York Times published a piece (sure to piss off the industry) about how vitamins supplements, a $23 billion industry, might be hurting, not helping us. An excerpt:

“…are vitamins worth it? In the past few years, several high-quality studies have failed to show that extra vitamins, at least in pill form, help prevent chronic disease or prolong life.

The latest news came last week after researchers in the Women’s Health Initiative study tracked eight years of multivitamin use among more than 161,000 older women. Despite earlier findings suggesting that multivitamins might lower the risk for heart disease and certain cancers, the study, published in The Archives of Internal Medicine, found no such benefit.”  Read more… 

This Sunday, while we’re munching on chips and dip, the VIP invitees to the Governors Ball, the Oscars official after party, will be dining on food prepared by celebrity chef and foodstuffs entrepreneur Wolfgang Puck. This is his fifteenth round of cooking for 1,500 Hollywood elite and this year, he goes Zen with tuna tartare in sesame miso cones, Spring vegetable risotto with black Winter truffles, chopped Chino Farms veggie salad with ginger soy vinaigrette, Pumpkin coconut soup with chicken, shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, and green onions, and main lobster and caviar. Pastry chef Sherry Yard will make Chocolate bento box surprise and create gold-dusted chocolate Oscars. I wonder if those will end up on eBay?

Read the rest of this entry »

Wine Spectator reported that Moorilla Winery in Australia’s Tasmania region is releasing a line of wines with Osama bin Laden’s likeness on the label. Could be a publicity stunt to get their wines imported to the U.S., but it could also be an exercise in pissing people off. What Wine Spectator said:

“… Moorilla Winery, owned by art collector David Walsh, has announced they are outfitting the latest vintage of their Praxis line of wines with graffiti renderings of public enemy No. 1 bin Laden and Abu Ghraib prison. We suppose there’s a debate to be had about philosophical underpinnings that goes something like ‘this is a political statement to test if the U.S. will import the wine.’ But there are so many real things to be outraged by-you know, like actual wars-that we’re having a hard time getting worked up over yet another gimmicky label. And really, like our mom always said, it’s what’s on the inside that counts.”

Normally, case discounts only apply if you buy 12 bottles of the same wine. This coupon gives you 10 percent off a mixed case. Print it out and present the coupon before you ring up. Valid until March 1, 2009 at the Tampa and St. Pete locations.

Although there’s a frickin’ wine and food tasting practically every weekend, most blend in like weak pinot in a sea of bullying cabernet. But a few manage to float to the surface to become worthy of your limited cash.

March 7: Abilities Wine Tasting and Auction
Abilities Wine Tasting has gotten a bit tired in recent years (same restaurants, dwindling wine quality) but this year shows promise since they’re celebrating their 20th year. They’ll feature 40+ restaurants serving food samples, tastes of hundreds of wines and they do have the best auction items of any wine event. Read the rest of this entry »

The good deals at Bay area grocery stores, all in one place. Seems to be a cheap steak week in Tampa… mmm…

Publix (prices good through 2/18):
Choice ribeye steaks, $5.99/lb. (what does “Choice” mean? )
Farm-raised salmon fillets, $6.99/lb.
Fresh asparagus, $2.49/lb.
Dunkin Donuts coffee, $5.99/lb.
Whole chicken roasters, $1.09/lb.
Ground round, $3.49/lb.
Buy one, get one (BOGO) deals: Barilla pasta sauce, Hershey’s Kisses, any Kraft salad dressing, Nabisco Chips Ahoy, Post cereals. See all the specials. Read the rest of this entry »

Look at that face

I eat a lot of chocolate… not mounds of it at one sitting like a PMS’ed tub of lard, but a a few squares of rich dark chocolate beautifully strokes my sweet tooth. So I’m particular about what enters this mouth –  it better be amazing. I’ve spent easily hundreds of dollars – and about two years of effort - finding the best dark heaven and uncovered it, not at some gourmet, hoity-toity place but at grocery stores in Tampa. The winner is:

Read the rest of this entry »

Fred Franzia

Three times wholesale cost has been the unfortunate standard for restaurant bottle pricing for years. But Fred Franzia (who vehemently denies any relation to the same-name boxed wine) and his Bronco Wine Company have worked out a deal with the Ruby Tuesday 800+ location chain to sell their Bronco Coastal Vines Chardonnay for $10 on the wine list. It’s only a one-week-long promotion (that reportedly also includes Beringer and Lost Angel selections) but perhaps if it’s successful, it might make other restaurants take notice. Find Ruby Tuesday locations.

Bronco Wine Company is the fourth largest wine producer in America, has 40 brands under its moniker, and is behind the wildly successful, uber value brand, Charles Shaw or its affectionate nickname, Two Buck Chuck. More about the brand in a profile from SF Weekly in San Francisco: Read the rest of this entry »

Mmm… white wine in the winter. Might seem counter-intuitive but you you’ll be surprised how a little crisp tongue tingle can revive a dull day. Albarino, a grape from a cold, rainy region in northwest Spain called Rias Baixas, delivers the energy. This Brandal version is similar to sauvignon blanc in texture, light-hearted with tart lime and grapefruit but also has toasted almond flavor that washes over the palate. Easy on the wallet too, around $11, but you’ll mostly find it served at restaurants like Wine Exchange in Hyde Park Village.

More about Spain and the Rias Baixas region

This Valentine’s weekend, singles get some love too. Tijuana Flats gives strokes to all 21+, date-less diners with a “Smack My Ass and Show Me You’re Single” giveaway that offers a free beer or glass of sangria with the purchase of an entree. Couple welcome too.
Tijuana Flats locations.

We were busy this week. Check out what the CL food and wine blogs served up.

James raved about BJ’s Alabama Barbecue.

Taylor’s got the goods on a prix-fixe deal at Gallagher’s Steakhouse and how to win dinner for two at Toasted Pheasant, reveals the demise on A&L Fine Wines in Palm Harbor, and talks about how the recession is affecting the wine business.

Brian writes about designer eggs from Disney, Target winning best coffeemaker from Consumer Reports, gives a sneak peak of Datz’s Deli, provides a discourse on vanilla beans, talks about how much stimulus money goes towards food, and where Chef Domenica Macchia has landed. Read the rest of this entry »

mmm… steak

High-end steakhouses (hell, even low-end) are clamoring for business these days, desperately trying to get their share of ever-shrinking dining budgets (and shriveling expense accounts). But if you’ve got $45 to spare, check out this three-course, prix-fixe menu at Gallagher’s in Tampa’s Channelside complex. You’ll have to eat early with the old folks, but the meal’s worth around $57. Read the rest of this entry »

Toasted Pheasant in Carrollwood is giving away a dinner for two if you can guess the actual date of their first year anniversary. We don’t know… do you? Check it out.

Denny’s spent over $5 million dollars serving up over 2 million Grand Slam breakfasts yesterday, in what the company is calling “an awesome day.” John Dillon, VP of Marketing at Denny’s, said, ”The response from customers both existing and new guests, as well as our staff and the restaurants… we couldn’t have asked for more.” Read more.

In yet another sign of the times, this morning Alex and Lydia at A&L Fine Wines sent 
out this email:

“To our wonderful patrons, at the end of March, we will be closing our doors for the final time. We want to thank all of our family, friends, and all of our wonderful new friends for your patronage and friendship throughout the past 3 years. It has been a blast! It has been a pleasure, our honor, and good fortune, to get to know you. Also, it has been so much fun to share a story and a good laugh with you. Read the rest of this entry »

In the first major layoffs by a big wine player, Jackson Family Wines (parent company of Kendall Jackson) cut 170 full time employees from their staff roles, most of them last Friday. Winemakers, marketers and administrative staff were among those who lost their jobs. In mid-2008, the company employed around 810 employees. Read more here.

But now there’s talk that the layoffs violate state and federal notice requirements. Read more here.

Many other wineries have been affected by the economic downturn, like Windsor Vineyards - a high-end, custom-label winery - that cut 16 people at the beginning of January. Blame falls squarely on consumers’ reluctance to spend cash on high-end wines, a segment that formerly saw double-digit growth.

But the pendulum swings the other way these days. High volume wine companies like E&J Gallo and Constellation had one of their best years in 2008 as drinkers grabbed cheaper wines in grocery stores. According to analyst Jon Fredrikson at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, 10 of Gallo’s brands made the “25 best selling list of wines in the nation last year.”

Selling out their inventory in three days after its debut in December, Burger King announced it is bringing back their meat-scented body spray “Flame” this week. In a crowning WTF moment, Brian Gies, VP of Marketing Impact for BK, said, “People simply couldn’t get enough of FLAME – even paying more than $100 for it on eBay… Valentine’s Day presented the perfect opportunity to reintroduce the scent and give those who missed out in December the chance to channel the charms of the King.”

To get your own whiff o’ the ‘burg, visit firemeetsdesire.com.

Has anyone smelled this stuff? If so, do tell…

On Tuesday, February 3 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Denny’s restaurants will give away a free Grand Slam breakfast at all locations across the United States.

The dine-in only breakfast includes two pancakes, two eggs, two links of sausage and two strips of bacon. Customers will also get a coupon booklet for future free menu items. Read the rest of this entry »

Chef Marty Blitz from Mise en Place

Yea, I was lucky enough to grab a $500 ticket to Saturday’s posh, celebrity-studded affair set up on the astroturf at Tropicana Field. Very well organized, I must give kudos to the people who were able to transform a ballpark into an elegant venue featuring 38 dishes from chefs all over the country. Each creation was paired with a different wine from Gallo Family Vineyards and, as a not-so-side-note, an NFL player.

Reportedly – and I might add, not surprisingly – less attended than other years, there were no lines, no waiting for the food and wine samples. But people ate up the NFL players – current and retired players signing autographs, taking pictures, chatting people up. Some bigger names: Read the rest of this entry »

Each year, hundreds of people come together on the ‘eve of Superbowl to nobnob with celebrities, taste specially created dishes prepared by some of America’s best chefs (this year, paired with matching wines from Gallo Family Vineyards), and raise awareness and funds for hunger charities. It’s a big hooha. On a weekend with plenty of sports activities, Tropicana Field tomorrow night will be THE place to be a foodie. I’m just psyched to be a media peon with a ticket. At $500 a pop, they aren’t exactly within my reach, so I got lucky. I’ll report back on what I saw, what I ate and whether it was worth it. Taste of the NFL website.

Besides a cool name, Bodacious bears a boatload of juicy, easy-drinking fruit. 100 percent cabernet sauvignon, this wine has silky tannins, fragrant, violet-infused black cherry, blackberry, vanilla and an aroma you want to live in. It’s easily worth twice the price because of its quality (retail around $45).

Toad Hall Cellars is a partnership between John Komes from Napa’s Flora Springs Winery and Bob Bettencourt, a 25-year wine industry veteran and former Tampa Bay resident.

Read the rest of this entry »

Cleanscores.com, a website that compiles local health inspection reports of restaurants, has made it easy to sneak a peak in the kitchen of your favorite restaurant. According to the site, the CDC estimates more than 76 million cases of foodborne illness occur each year in the United States. To prevent this, your local government sends out health inspectors to visit a location 2-3 times per year on average.

Cleanscores reveals all the goods, from the worst violations (inadequate or improper food storage) to minor stuff like proper linen storage. I checked out a few of my favorite spots to see what’s cooking (or growing) behind the scenes. Read the rest of this entry »

On Monday, Donn Reisen, president of famed zinfandel producer Ridge, was found dead in his car, an apparent suicide victim. Although winemaker Paul Draper represented the face of this favored winery, Reisen worked 32 years in sales and marketing and propelled it to cult status. A quiet yet incredibly passionate man, one of the best things about Reisen was his dedication to spreading the zeal for zinfandel, our most homegrown grape variety. He served as past president of ZAP (Zinfandel Advocates and Producers) and continued to serve on the board of directors. He told the San Francisco Chronicle in 2004: “America is a melting pot of cultures and Zinfandel, like the European immigrants to the U.S., is part of our American history.” More information. He’ll be missed.

Taylor Eason’s homage to Ridge

In a surprising twist (or pull), Corbett Canyon’s non-vintage 3-liter box Merlot won Best of Class in this year’s San Francisco Chronicle wine competition. Since the judges taste all wines blind, no one knew they were loving the box.   Read the rest of this entry »

In a decidedly “run, don’t walk” preview of Ocean Prime, the new seafood concept at International mall, Laura Reiley gushes about the service, the atmosphere and the food. Read her blogpost.

My review of their wine list.

To celebrate the official opening of Five Guys Burgers and Fries at Skypoint (777 North Ashley Drive in downtown Tampa), they’re giving away a free burger, hot dog and fries (at that location) to anyone who befriends them on Facebook. Read the rest of this entry »

CL's Obama Cupcakes

Not only did he publicly and deliciously diss George W. Bush in his forever-etched-in-textbooks inauguration speech, now Barack Obama is actually following through on the what seemed like over-the-top promises he fed us during the campaign. I ate it up like cold pizza leftovers but shamefully and silently thought, “Whatever, like he’s ever going to do anything he’s promising.” But, ohmigawd, he is. Unlike so many other politicians, not only is Obama clearly in love with his wife, his rhetoric wasn’t said in a void. Closing Guantanamo Bay? Check. Read the rest of this entry »

Next Thursday from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m., NBC’s Today Show will broadcast celebrity weatherman Al Roker’s segment from Ybor City’s Teatro on Seventh, a restaurant that opened in October 2008.

Read more about Teatro on Seventh
Teatro’s website

Evan Sung for the New York Times

The best of the best food sections, all organized into one place.

St. Pete Times:

Janet Keeler gives her take on Chef Tom Pritchard’s Roast (read ours) and provides a recipe for roasted vegetable mac & cheese

Laura Reiley reviews Zeko’s Mediterranean Grill in St. Pete and Ybor City’s Teatro on Seventh.

Read the rest of this entry »

Hidden inside the bland box architecture of Westin’s brand-new hotel on Tampa’s Courtney Campbell Causeway lies the posh, sleek Aquaknox, a new restaurant featuring fine-dining seafood. Once you see the uber-cool waterfall wall veiling the wine room, you kinda know something different this way comes.

A recent sneak peek of the dining room — dripping with modernity — and the goodies emerging from Chef Jim Sheibler’s kitchen — thanks to a soft opening lunch — confirmed my suspicions. Read the rest of this entry »

Keith Sedita and Chef Ryan Mitchell

Recession relief alert: Fleming’s Steakhouse three-course dinner for $35.95 (plus tax and gratuity). Throw in a glass of wine and you’re in for a damn good meal. The menu choices:

Choice of appetizer:
Caesar salad or New England clam chowder

Choice of entree:
Filet Mignon Vigneron – olive dijon butter and mushrooms forestière
OR
Spicy grilled shrimp – tomato pesto cream sauce and crispy risotto cake
OR Read the rest of this entry »

People must be eatin’ cake to get over their recession depression. The obviously successful Tampa location just celebrated their one year anniversary and owners Nicole and Doug Longo are opening their second Cupcake Spot location this Thursday.  Read Brian Ries’ review from last year.

Tampa
2401 S. Dale Mabry Ave.
813-258-3111

St. Pete
Snell Arcade Building
405 Central Ave.
727-825-0572
www.thecupcakespotinc.com

Krispy Kreme is honoring Obama’s Inauguration Day by offering a free doughnut of choice to every customer on January 20th. No purchase necessary and limit one per person. How sweet it is!

Store locator
Press release

Not that we need yet another high end fish and steakhouse, Ocean Prime is set to open this Friday at International Plaza at the Westshore Blvd. entrance (next to Crate and Barrel). Rumors abound that it will give its neighbors Fleming’s, Shula’s, Ruth Chris and Capital Grille a meaty run for the gold, shrinking corporate expense accounts be damned.  

An advanced preview of Ocean Prime’s wine list shows delicious promise, although only if you prefer new world wines. French, Spanish and Italian only make up about 20 percent of the wines, but the place is billed as an “American supper club” so that seems in order. 

Read the rest of this entry »

Capital Grille’s wine list is a relatively staid, cab-centric collection of big names. Possibly in an effort to liven it up a bit, Capital Grille has retained George Miliotes, currently the corporate sommelier for Seasons 52 (another Darden-owned concept). We’ll see if the new guy (who has a background in winemaking) can make some waves at this corporate steakhouse. Maybe he can do something about the overinflated prices too.

Ecstatic about the hire, Capital Grille in Tampa issued this release to the staff: Read the rest of this entry »

I still remember Eric Stolz from Some Kind of Wonderful where he played a geeky, un-loved loser in love with a drum-playing, boy-ish tomboy played by Mary Stuart Masterson. He’s come a long way from John Hughes teen flicks, landing a brilliant three-part leading role in Grey’s Anatomy as a terminally ill death row patient. Last night’s episode showed a serial killer with a heart (or liver) who wants to donate his organs to a dying kid. Meredith Gray has to come to grips with her compassion and their interaction is priceless and loaded with talent. See the episode called Sympathy for the Devil.

Grey’s Anatomy
Thursdays at 9 p.m. on ABC

Bern’s Fine Wines and Spirits in Tampa is running a special on Borsao 2005 Crianza at $15.95 per bottle, $172 per case. A grenache, tempranillo and cabernet blend, my notes from a recent Spanish wine tasting: “bright cherry fruit, raspberry and sultry, elegant tannins. Plenty of depth and structure in a really inexpensive wine.” This is a frickin’ steal.

What Kevin Pelley at Bern’s says: Read the rest of this entry »

The stalwart brand’s shipments fell 7.5 percent in the fourth quarter, freaking out the company used to wallowing in cash. The MillerCoors’ flagship brand has struggled in recent years, with small wins and losses but in a sign ‘o the times, this one was the hardest and the worst since the early 1990’s. More information.

Pinot Blanc is one of those obscure grapes people hear about but don’t get to taste very often. Originally from the Alsace region in France, the grape sports tart acidity and citrus but tastes full bodied like a chardonnay. This Oregon version has pear, lime and green herb flavors with a refreshing mineral finish. Decent value too. HS, S, T (what the hell does this mean? – Take the budometer test here). $14.

A perfect warming element on a cold winter Florida night.

1 pound dried Great Northern beans (canned beans don’t work as well)
3 slices applewood-smoked bacon
2 c. chopped onion (about 2 medium)
6 garlic cloves, minced
6 c. chicken broth
2 c. water
1 1/2 T. minced fresh thyme
1 T. minced fresh rosemary (or you can use 2 t. dried)
1 bunch kale, stemmed and cut into 2-inch pieces (about 5 cups)
1 (2-ounce) piece Parmesan rind
2 T. fresh lemon juice
Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation: Read the rest of this entry »

An amusing satire on the rise of texting in the dating world today:

http://current.com/items/88906818/texting_your_way_to_love.htm

On Monday night at St. Pete’s Coliseum, hundreds gathered to honor Chef Tom Pritchard, local hero and executive chef at numerous restaurants including Salt Rock Grill. I’ve only seen “roasts” on TV, laden with celebrities embarrassing a friend. Mostly, they’re small, sentimental gatherings, but Chef Tom’s Roast on Monday night extended its warm fuzzies to the entire Tampa Bay foodie community. The event honored Tom’s phenomenal 30+ year career and what better way than to eat, drink and be merry like he has his whole life.

The $100 four-course wine dinner included 40 chefs stuffed into a cramped makeshift kitchen at the Coliseum, 600 attendees eating and drinking and 200+ misty-eyed industry people. I was floored that the event sold out at $100 a pop, but as many guests stated: “Hey, it’s for Tom.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Alder Yarrow, headmaster of the excellent and humorous Vinography wine blog, recently posted a piece on the travesty of wine and social class in America (read it) and it struck home. His basic premise is that wine is associated with the wealthy in America because of our original inability to grow grapes easily. By the time we figured out how to make the fruit flourish, beer and liquor, with plentiful ingredients at hand, had taken over the public’s alcohol desires. And of course religion, the Puritans and Prohibition didn’t help the matter either. Read the rest of this entry »

NPR Morning Edition January 12
Ina Jaffe, 3 minutes, 57 seconds

Constellation Brands, one of the largest alcohol companies in the world, is selling off 40 of its “value” liquor brands, including affectionately remembered Mr. Boston, Skol, and Barton. The $334 million deal is with New Orleans-based Sazerac Company, Inc. and should close by the end of February. According to Constellation Brands CEO Rob Sands, the transaction “allows [Constellation] to continue the process of reducing debt, generating free cash flow and creating efficiencies…” They are retaining SVEDKA Vodka, Black Velvet Canadian Whisky and Paul Masson Grande Amber Brandy within their portfolio.

More information about the sale

Although I’d love to report that SoHo’s new wine bar, Cork, was packed at a tasting this week, it wasn’t. But not due to a lack of desirous customers — the City of Tampa won’t allow the new hotspot to have more than 50 people inside at one time. In an effort to curb the youngster drunkfest on hoppin’ South Howard, the City is forcing management of the three- week-old establishment to jump through upteen hoops. Per the fire department, the updated and remodeled former gelateria (La Casa Dolce) can hold up to 150 but it won’t be until probably the end of the month that Cork can welcome the world.

General Manager Dave Kendall, a restaurant and wine industry veteran of 27 years, is understandably frustrated. Co-owner Barry O’Connor of MacDinton’s and Kendall spent countless hours (and dollars) getting the concept right. They hope to fill the void of downscale, casual bars in this party district, where people can chill and not be bombarded with live music or a crew of drunken revelers.

18 wines by the glass (whites, reds, sparklings that will change quarterly) Read the rest of this entry »

Just in time for your recessionary palate, Roy’s has a prix fixe menu worth $35. Available January 12 – March 31 at Roy’s Restaurant across from International Plaza.

MENU:
First Course (Choice of one):

Pulehu Style “Kalbi” Sirloin, Kimchee & Edamame Fried Rice
Seafood Chowder, Shell & Fin Fish
Crispy Chicken Katsu Salad, Creamy Asian Ranch Dressing

Read the rest of this entry »

Not sure when the nightmare will be over, but see how it will all end up: View the full 3D flash video of the new 275 from Howard Franklin to the Hillsborough River.

In the St. Pete Times food section this week:

Is cooking your new resolution? Janet Keeler touts the filling carb goodness of gnocchi, simple Chicken Tortilla Soup made from rotisserie chicken and Sweet and Sour Pork Stir Fry.

John and Colette Bancroft review the Argentinean 2007 Silvertop Torrontes.

Read the rest of this entry »

Florence Fabricant discusses how Sherry’s bitter half is gaining exposure. (Read more about Sherry here). Tara Parker-Pope lists 20 healthy foods that cost under $1. Kerri Conan tells a tale of two snacks, featuring flatbread with leeks, pears and blue cheese. The Times staff investigates Champagne. Mark Bittman offers up 101 simple appetizers prepared in 10 minutes or less and how to make the classic Italian dish Pizzoccheri (buckwheat noodles bathed in butter).

This week’s New York Times food section, all wrapped up.

Kim Severson says Obama might be a foodie. Wine critic Eric Asimov suggests a few inexpensive bubblies for NYE. Julie Scelfo writes about how the FDA ia reconsidering the plastic bottle risk. Steven Stern wallows in nostalgia for punch. Pete Wells pays homage to bacon. Holiday party flub ups – it’s the booze talking, by Glenn Eichler.  

This week’s recipes:
No Knead Whole Wheat Bread, Blender Eggnog, Pranna Winter Spice, Winter Berry Punch, Manhattan Bay Scallop Chowder with Fennel, Stuffed Duck Breast Sienese Style (Ducketta) (shown, courtesy of NYT)

Jasmine Thai, for years one of the more popular Thai joints in Tampa, recently moved from their former location on Kennedy and Henderson Boulevard to South Westshore Boulevard. Here’s hoping they can lift the restaurant curse from this beleagured stripmall where former residents include the defunct Habana Madrid, Black Beans and Zaheem Palace. Jasmine Thai moved because the Kennedy location fell into the dead zone – not enough businesses for a lunch crowd and attracting diners at dinner proved difficult. SoHo Sushi now occupies the space where they used to be.

If you visited any of the former incarnations, Jasmine Thai made startling improvements to the decor, adding windows to dramatically open up the once cramped, dank dining room. The husband and wife team, Nunta Lertpanit and Kent Suksawatnamchok, are pretty proud of the renovations, as they should be since they completed it all themselves. They even built the furniture.

Chef Suksawatnamchok features a similar menu to the former home, with favorites like crispy fried Thai Spring Rolls, Panang Curry Shrimp, spicy Nam Sod and tangy Yum Seafood.

Open for lunch and dinner
Delivery offered within a three-mile radius
3333 S. West Shore Blvd, Tampa
(813) 831-8881

The original Jasmine Thai, located at 3248 N Dale Mabry Hwy. in Carrollwood, has been open for 28 years and family members opened a second location in Brandon a few years back at 1947 W. Lumsden Road.

With a high fat content and universal likeability, quiche defines Christmas morning decadence. You have the whole day to burn off the calories and it’s hearty and satisfying enough to hold you over ’til dinner. The smoked salmon adds a little class and the dill a dash of earthy green.

Smoked Salmon and Dill Quiche

3 eggs
1 ½ c. heavy whipping cream
Dash salt, pepper
¾ c. chopped smoked salmon
2 T. chopped dill
1 refrigerated, prepared pie crust, like Pillsbury 

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Place dough in a deep dish pie pan and mold it to form the pan. Crimp sides with flat side of fork. Bake ten minutes. Allow to cool.
3. In a small bowl, beat eggs with whisk until fluffy. Add cream, salt, pepper and stir until combined.
4. Evenly sprinkle salmon and dill into the baked pie crust. Add egg mixture.
5. Bake 20-25 minutes or until the quiche is firm and doesn’t jiggle. It should be puffy and lightly browned. 

* receipe adapted from Silver Palate Cookbook

Composting is definitely the least sexy part of “going green.” But after learning that grinding food in the disposal contributes to water pollution, I considered it an environmental duty. To start the composting process, you throw all your kitchen, yard and leaf refuse in a pile and the discarded items decompose over several months, morphing into a nutrient rich fertilizer. The transitional process, however, isn’t pleasant – swarms of insects buzz about, half rotten grapefruit halves stare back at you and there’s sometimes an odiferous whiff.

Although initially intimidating and bordering on gross, composting is simple. I established Project Compost by mounding anything I’d normally throw down the disposal and a load of dead gutter leaves in a shaded corner next my house. If you don’t enjoy the luxury (or curse) of a yard or want to take the cleaner route, you can buy or make a compost bin.

An important step of composting is aeration, achieved by placing holes in the bottom of your compost bin and/or stirring or “turning” your pile if you’ve mounded it on the ground. This also allows the microbes to burrow their way into the fray to facilitate the composting process. I turn my vegetation heap using a pick-hoe about once a week but some websites recommend everyday. Purchased bins make the turning process easier.

Other key steps for composting include the paying attention to the nitrogen/carbon ratio – the 50/50 brown to green percentage. A blend of leaves, grass cuttings and bark should be mingled with your kitchen scraps to aerate, to chemically prevent strong odors and to speed the composting process along. In addition, your compost needs to be moist at all times. Too dry and the microorganisms become dormant; too wet and the aeration process stalls. And one more thing… don’t throw meat, bones or fish scraps into the pile – they attract critters.

More resources for composting:
Scientific stuff on howtocompost.org
Easy instructions on Treehugger.com
Mother’s Organics Humus Farm

Classes on how to compost at:
Sweetwater Organic Farm
Hillsborough County Extension
Pinellas County Extension

Last night, I caught the sneak preview of Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett’s odd new movie, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Long as hell (159 minutes!), it borders on chick flick, although open-minded men might find the story intriguing. The film (written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in the 1920’s) documents a love story between Benjamin, who is born “old” (the hideous baby creature has cataracts, arthritis and wrinkled skin) and grows younger and a girl/woman who ages normally, Blanchett’s character Daisy. Thought-provoking and contrary to what a couple of my friends predicted, the plot doesn’t sink to pedophilia levels. But perhaps in the hardcore porn world…

Things I liked: The fascinating tale itself, the superb acting by Pitt and Blanchett (although she only shows up midway through), the emphasis on family and its importance (thus the Christmas Day release date), how the oft-depressing subject of death is handled, and the film’s ability to make you think about implications of Benjamin’s circumstances (”what would I do?”).

Things I didn’t like: The addition of real-world themes like the overlay of Hurricane Katrina – it felt forced and useless, the special effects for Pitt as an old manchild were a bit lame, the length – drama-ladened scenes droned on, and the lack of addressing the race relations present in the time periods (not everyone loved each other, especially in the south).

Definitely worth a look, even at $10. It’s nominated for five Golden Globes, including Best Picture.

Fleming’s has a sweet discount going on through December 30 that offers a $25 deduction off your bill if you make reservations online: Check it.

Apparently, there’s no catch…

In the St. Pete Times:
Colette and John Bancroft review Don Miguel 2007 Gascon Malbec from Argentina
Janet Keeler presents a side dish to the everyday rotisserie chicken: Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower with Lemon and Garlic as well as side dishes no Who in Whoville could resist.
Laura Reiley shares her thoughts about the Lakeview Grill in Clearwater.

Holiday party cocktails from mixologist LaTonya White, like the “Speyside Christmas Carol” made with Glenlivet and Godiva caramel liquor.
And rejoice in the warming potential of grits in the slow cooker, featuring recipes from Andrew Schloss

In the NY Times:
Julia Moskin says butter holds the key to the best holiday cookies.
Recipes:
Currant Ginger Shortbread
Orange Butter Cookies
Wine critic Eric Asimov’s best wine books, including Robert Parker’s Wine Buying Guide
Jeff Gordinier interviews celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito
Featured recipes: Risotto with Roasted Winter Squash, Pureed White Bean and Winter Squash Soup, Fennel and Citrus Salad, Braised Flanken with Pomegranate

During my hunt to find the best $100 case of wine at Bay area retailers, I noticed Publix doesn’t particularly cater to the poor and thirsty. At the Neptune and S. Dale Mabry location in Tampa, nary a $7.99 bottle is found — shocking since they have behemoth bargaining power with wholesalers. Perhaps the better deals are found on the greener side of grocery: Whole Foods. My $100 case of wine at Whole Foods: Read the rest of this entry »

You’ve stumbled past this tucked away SoHo location hundreds of time, but if kids aren’t part of your world, you probably never noticed it: Practically Pikasso has changed ownership. The founders of this quaint location quietly called it quits mid-October and Kelly Grillone, a Tampa newcomer from the Destin area, stepped in and renamed it Pikasso’s Kiln and Kork.

Although she has no experience in the bar and restaurant business, Grillone wants to make it a wine café in addition to the pottery design studio. She’ll offer 10 wines by the glass ($6-$10) and by the bottle ($28-$34) with labels like Cosentino Cigar Zin and Artesa Pinot Noir, numerous craft beers like Flying Dog Old Scratch and, in a partnership with her neighbor Circles Restaurant, a selection of food. In the works are a deck addition, cigars and a pizza oven.

Pikasso’s Kiln and Kork
2502 West Azeele St., Tampa
813-877-8238

St. Pete Times:

This week, Laura Reiley reviews the new location for Z Grille in St. Pete. She also instructs on how to make your own infused vodka. Colette and John Bancroft feature Concannon 2006 Chardonnay as their wine of the week. Janet Keeler provides weekday dinner inspirations, including quick white bean and ham soup and pasta with fresh herbs. And guest columnist Tammar Stein writes about the new food history lesson and cookbook called Milk written by Anne Mendelson.

New York Times:

Luxury on sale – Melissa Clark trumpets that lobster prices are at their lowest in 25 years. Check out this recipe for sauteed lobster with oyster mushrooms and ginger. Harold McGee, the Curious Cook, explains the mystery of autumn’s persimmons. According to Marian Burros, Americans are dining out less and cooking more, but it’s not the cooking you think. And Mark Bittman makes sorbet short and sweet.

With New Year’s Eve approaching, and with the inflated Euro jacking the cost of French Champagne, ’tis time to look for more affordable options for your day-after-decadence hangover. Thankfully for the financially challenged, the Italians make Prosecco and the Spaniards craft cava.

Cava, named after the caves in which this sparkling wine is stored, is Spain’s solution to Champagne. And it should be yours. Producers create the bubbles in the same fashion – with a second fermentation in the bottle (called “Methode Champenoise” or Champagne Method) — yet cava’s flavor can be earthier and a bit stronger, likely because of the usage of indigenous macabeo, parellada, and xarello grapes in addition to the traditional French grapes chardonnay and pinot noir. Tightly regulated under Spanish wine laws, Cava is principally produced in the Penedes region in east central Spain. Good ones: Read the rest of this entry »

This entry of $100 case of wine is found at Vintage Wine Cellars, located at 3629 Henderson Blvd, (813) 879-2931. Visit Michael, Jimmy and David to find these deals:

3 bottles Borsao 2007 Campo de Borja, $7.99
2 bottles Borsao 2007 Rose, $7.99
1 bottle Paso a Paso Verdejo La Mancha, $9.99
1 bottle Gnarly Head Zinfandel, $9.99
1 bottle Segura Viudas Brut Reserva, $8.99
1 bottle Callaway 2005 Cabernet Temecula, $9.99
2 bottles Luis Felipe Edwards 2007 Chardonnay, $8.99
1 bottle Luis Felipe Edwards 2007 Sauvignon Blanc, $8.99

4 whites
2 rosés
1 sparkling
5 reds
Total = $105.88 (pre-tax)

Two years ago, right after Cork & Olive set up shop in Tampa, I went to check out the place. My reaction was a combination of admiration and nausea: great service (they’ll open anything in the store for you to taste!) but the wines – mostly unknown private labels from other countries – sucked. (Read the column). After the story broke, the C&O folks hated me, openly criticizing me to anyone who would listen. But I shrugged it off, figuring the public would discover the wine crappiness for themselves. Apparently, they did: Cork and Olive declared bankruptcy in June.

But a couple of months ago, the fashionable and energetic Frank Henselmann and his team of investors plucked the ailing company from the flames. Believing the concept could yield big returns with a few tweaks, they emerged Cork & Olive from bankruptcy in October. Read the rest of this entry »

This week, the Times staff compiled a list of 26 holiday cookie recipes, including one that sounds so sweet and gooey, my teeth hurt: Crunchy Fudge Bars. In keeping with the cookie theme, these lucky bastards also taste tested ready made, refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough. Then Janet Keeler served up some really useful cookie baking tips. 

On the fast food front, food critic Laura Reiley took a tour and taste of the takeout selections at the new Publix Greenwise. Her review includes the Asian hot food, Mediterranean pizzas and sandwiches. 

Chef Chad Johnson

Little ‘ole Tampa hits the big time this Thursday, as SideBern’s sommelier Kevin Pelley and Executive Chef Chad Johnson head to New York City to match wits and palates with four other restaurants from across the country. They head to semi-finals of Copa Jerez where restaurants compete by offering up their most innovative food paired with Spain’s historic yet completely misunderstood beverage, Sherry. (Read more about Sherry here).

In its third year, the competition is sponsored by the Sherry Council of America, whose main purpose lies in introducing our rich, affluent market to their food friendly alcohol. Copa Jerez could effectively do this as higher-end restaurants start to warm up to the idea of pushing Sherry to the masses. After working on their three entries for two months, Pelley is pretty pumped for the competition — especially the part about the free trip to New York — and hopes this encourages more of their guests to try his favorite Sherries. If you’re curious about the concoctions, the duo has already placed one of their creations on their tasting menu at SideBern’s… Read the rest of this entry »

Over the past several weeks, I’ve poured 40 or so sparkling wines and Champagnes down my gullet (and I’m not done yet), attempting to uncover the best deals for the holiday season.  Although that may sound like nirvana, I can say that, like the jitters commencing after that third cup of Jamaican Blue or the last gluttonous bite of an overly rich chocolate cake, too much of a good thing can be painful. But, despite my initial doubts, I’ve discovered some pretty damn good bubbly values out there so far:

*Fantinel Prosecco, $11. Light, a tiny bit sweet, pear and lemon.
*Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Blancs, $12. Clean, refreshing tangerine and lime with a ginger spiciness.
*Domaine Ste. Michelle Blanc de Noirs, $12. Mildly sweet on the tongue, earthier than the BdB with light n’ fruity raspberry and strawberry.
*Zardetto Prosecco Brut, $15. Delicate, crisp, lemony, tangerine with an enticing baked bread aroma.
*Gruet Brut Rose, $19. Slightly off-dry and heavier bodied with pomegranate, strawberry and a minerally, slate finish.

• Laura Reiley gives props to the dining destinations found at Wesley Chapel’s new Wiregrass shopping mall: Cosi and Cantina Laredo, as well as beer hall Brass Tap.
• Collete and John Bancroft offer up value-conscious Thanksgiving wine suggestions.
• Janet Keeler inspires us create something different with Thanksgiving leftovers: Turkey and Potato Casserole.
• Panicked in the kitchen? Get holiday meal help over the phone.
• Laura Reiley says mash more than just potatoes this Thanksgiving.

In a new, semi-regular feature, I’ll be shopping for a $100 case of wine at Tampa Bay area retailers. First up, I browsed with Steve, Tim and Paul at Wine Warehouse at 3310 W Bay To Bay Blvd. in South Tampa, 813-839-5601: 

1. Bodegas Ateca 2007 Garnacha del Fuego Catalayud, $6.99 – Taylor’s review
2. Fortitude 2006 Rosé Napa, $8.99
3. Douglas Hill 2007 Chardonnay, $4.99
4. Crios Rosé of Malbec, $9.99
5. McManis 2007 Viognier, $9.99
6. La Playa 2006 Carmenere, $7.99
7. Clayhouse 2006 Adobe Red, $12.99
8. La Playa 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, $7.99
9. Dominio de Eguren Protocolo 2006, $5.29
10. Pacific Rim Dry Riesling, $8.99
11. Carpineto Dogajolo Toscano, $9.99
12. Masi Masianco Pinot Grigio, $9.99  - Taylor’s Review

4 whites
2 rosés
6 reds
Total = $104.18 (pre-tax)

Citing a different soil structure, high elevation and a commitment to organic farming, a band of vineyard owners and wineries are seeking approval for a tenth AVA in Washington State: Naches Heights. The Associated Press reported: “At 13,254 acres, the proposed appellation would run from the confluence of the Naches River and Cowiche Creek to the confluence of the Naches and Tieton rivers, all northwest of Yakima in central Washington. The elevation ranges from 1,182 feet on the eastern border to 2,100 feet on the western tip, making it one of the highest appellations in Washington State.” Read more…

If you missed CL Wine Club’s Wine Rave at the West Tampa Center for the Arts last Saturday, sucks for you. If you were smart enough to be there, we know you had fun
See the pictures
See the handout with all the wines listed

350 people strolled two packed floors of this historic cigar building, staring intently at collections of 24 local artists, dancing to the tunes of DJ Coro and Jen Saavedra and sipping cocktails and over 60 wines. The vibrant social scene completely rocked. Smiles on everyone’s faces. Plenty of tipsy imbibers. The graffiti wall – where everyone gathered to paint their own brand of art (including a crudely classy sketch of the male anatomy) – proved a popular destination, as did the live body painter from Artworld. One of our fearless Street Teamers, Emma, bravely stripped half naked and had her skin airbrushed with grapes and vines. Like a married man with his wife at the mall, men timidly stole glances as her breasts slowly disappeared underneath the paint. Emma only giggled. 

West Tampa Center for the Arts apparently wants us back, so we’ll have another bigger and better one next year with Wine Rave 2009. In the meantime, we have cool wine events each month so sign up here to receive our weekly wine education newsletter to find out about them. OR, if you’re interested in being a part of our exclusive VIP wine tastings and winning tickets to wine and food events around Tampa Bay, sign up for our text alerts: send the phrase CLWINE to 50618 to be in the know.

Heard about Florida’s Afterburn? I hadn’t, but asked CL’er Elke Lockert and to report back: 

Elke and Jeff

“About 24 of us arrived on Friday to a very special greeting at the Maddox Ranch gate near Lakeland, where they asked us to get out of our vehicle, explained what MOOP was and gave us a spanking. Ok, this is cool, we are all about this experience, so we were like, whatever. Costumes, wigs, whips, tricks, gifts, food, 200 jello shots, our camp gear and anything else you can think of for an adventure…oh, and did I mention alcohol?  Between all of us, we had every kind of it imaginable… we could have probably opened a bar and set up shop for the weekend. 

We quickly set up Camp Love, made a cocktail, got into a costume and made our way around the scene, easily changing from one to costume the other or one wig to the other. It was hard to actually keep everyone straight since no one really looked like themselves.  After making our way around and exploring different things, we came across a girl named Lizzy who had this really cool teepee-style tent… a good place to have an unplugged session. We quickly gathered up some of our peeps, sat on the floor and had a little J-love acoustic concert.  Read the rest of this entry »

Held in an opulent house on Tampa Bay, this is one holiday wine tasting you don’t want to miss. Mike Kwasin, who owns Fine Wine and Spirits Warehouse on Gandy, opens his home to the public every quarter to offer up tastes of super premium wines no one else does. The $35 ($60 per couple) ticket price benefits charity — this one for the Abilities Foundation. Appetizers and 40 wines from producers like Pahlmeyer, Opus One, Geyser Peak, B. R. Cohn, Silver Oak, Duckhorn, and Rombauer. Friday November 14^th  from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at 3613 S. Beach Dr., Tampa.  For more information Call (813) 837-8941.

Not sure if it’s the extra caffeine running through my veins, but I’m effusive. It… could… happen. Things could actually change with Obama in office (here’s hoping!). I’m a registered independent, painstakingly choosing candidates based on merit and stance rather than party and this is the first election ever that I’ve been excited about the outcome. Or, rather I should say, optimistic.

I’ll admit I was on the fence about backing McCain versus Obama, until McCain chose that horrifically unqualified running mate. Hey, as a woman, I’d love to have a female VP, but one that’s prepared enough not to tripped up by reporter “lite” Katie Couric. How embarrassing… for the whole gender.

Perhaps I’m not alone in being psyched? Record turnouts from formerly apathetic Americans, and 4.3 million early and absentee ballots already in the works, out of 11.2 million registered voters. I’m getting out the Champagne…

Follow CL’s political coverage today at: http://tampa.creativeloafing.com/electioncentral

Dixon Smith, former General Manager of Charlie’s Wine Cellar and Wine Bar in SoHo (next to the now defunct Whaley’s), sent out a plea this morning to generate investors:

“I am trying to raise investment dollars to renew the lease and re-stock the wine shop and wine bar. I know economic times are tight right now, but so many of you have asked me to try and re-open Charlie’s.  To this end, I have a few investors already on board and want to offer all previous customers an opportunity to own a piece of Charlie’s.  There is a well thought out and positive investment return business plan developed.  I will be most happy to email it to you or talk to you about it in person.  Should you desire more information about our plan feel free to email me at PartiesbyDixon@aol.com or call me at (813) 944-9792.”

Visited Monteillet Fromagerie, an organically farmed 30-acre dairy in Walla Walla, Washington (eastern part of the state) - a haven for goats, sheep, dogs, a family of pigs, a flock of free range fancy-looking chickens and lambs. Although this carnivore admits to getting as hungry as Wile E. Coyote, petting them was almost as satisfying. Almost.

Then I tasted the cheese. Fresh goat and sheep’s milk blended cheeses as well as aged, including the best one, a tasty grapeleaf, ash-covered Le Roi (”the king”).

Joan and Pierre-Louis Monteillet, a warm and inviting hippie couple, founded the dairy in 2002, after many years in the wheat farming business. Although they admit they don’t have “two nickels to rub together,” they survive with the tireless help of young and inspired cheesemaker interns from all over the world, seeking to live the good life on a farm. It’s tempting but I ain’t that young anymore. But great cheese.

Their production is a super small right now, so it’s not here yet… until those interns get crackin’ and make more.

I’ve been exploring eastern Washington State wine country since Sunday, but there’s so much more to this arid desert than vineyards. I checked out apple orchards and a goat cheese dairy. My photojournal follows over the next few days.

Col Solare is an alliance between Italy’s Antinori family (in business since 1385) and Washington’s Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. The resulting red Bordeaux blend isn’t particularly cheap ($50 per bottle), but the new vines (two years old) cost money, the water costs money, and the winery isn’t too shabby either.

They invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into a state-of-the-art winery that opened in 2006, filled with equipment (but you’ll learn in my blogs this week, this stuff isn’t needed to produce great wine). They buy the best fruit from around the Columbia Valley and hire the best talent in the industry. It was astounding how clean the winery was, filled with shiny new equipment, and smiling faces doing plenty of grunt work. A few winery pix:

Lynea Lattanzio, a dynamic woman living on a farm four hours north of Los Angeles, brings new meaning to the phrase “animal lover.” She owns Cat House on the Kings, a no-kill animal shelter with no cages and open space for the animals to roam free. Lattanzio currently feeds, houses and cares for more than 700 cats and packs of dogs. It’s a non-profit organization, so if you’d like to find out more or to donate, the website is http://www.cathouseonthekings.com/

Washington and the USDA just passed the COOL bill – Country of Origin Labeling -which requires food producers to identify where your produce and meat were grown. Just in time to allay the Chinese milk, Mexican peppers and California spinach fears. But, like all other legislation these days, there are plenty of loopholes.

“It will be a very good thing because we’ll have a lot more information,” said Jean Halloran of Consumers Union. But, “you can still be fooled by the COOL label.”

How? The labeling rule doesn’t apply to processed foods that have been cooked or altered in any way. For example, raw pork chops apply but not smoked bacon. Even bagged salad mixes with more than one ingredient may or may not have the COOL label. Glaringly large loopholes if you ask me, but it’s at least a start.

One advantage: it will be easier to identify locally grown produce.

Want more information?
Minnesota Public Radio
Associated Press
The Goverment’s FAQ

I’ve asserted for years that Disney’s corrupt rat should perish, but in a “this can’t possibly be true” story out of the UK, a Saudi Arabian cleric, Sheikh Muhammad Munajid, proclaimed the lowly mouse impure. Therefore, all must die… especially the animated ones. Read the story.

This is the headliner at the Hillsborough County Education Foundation Comedy Night on Thursday (9/18) at Tampa Theatre… great comedian, great cause. More info.

 Brian Bradley

As a female, it feels strange posting this, but it was so freakin’ hilarious, I had to share…  

Fair and balanced singin’!

In a nod to the increasing popularity of wine outside of the snobbery set, internet retail giant Amazon.com announced they will begin selling wine as early as October. Napa Valley Vintners, the non-profit marketing arm of this region, has even started workshops to teach wineries (typically stuck in the nineteenth century) how this internet thingie works.

According to Reuters, total U.S. wine sales in 2007 were between $30 billion and $32 billion and it looks like Amazon wants a piece of that. The strictly domestic (for now) wine selection will be sold to 26 different states, and, lucky us, Florida is one of them. The logistics of navigating each state’s murky alcohol law morass has been outsourced to Napa-based New Vine Logistics. Now I’m really curious if the choices will be what we can already find on the shelves at Publix and Total Wine, or will it be more interesting? Stay tuned. More information here.

I bet you didn’t know that the largest wine producer in Washington State, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Crest, Erath and others), is owned by one of the largest tobacco companies in the world, UST Inc. Ste. Michelle doesn’t tout it much but their parent company owns Skoal and Copenhagen chewing tobacco brands, and in November of 2007 acquired Stag’s leap Wine Cellars. Kinda dichotomous, no? Looks like the cigarette boys, Altria Group Inc., of Marlboro and Virginia Slims fame, want to reverse their shrinking profits and diversify into the smoke-free realms.
The price tag? $10.4 billion.

Bill Haines and Chef Phil, formerly of Bernini in Ybor City, have left to open their own concept in the beautiful and historic space where Big City Tavern used to be – next to Samurai Blue in Centro Ybor. Called Teatro on Seventh, it opens in mid-October. More information and menu items posted here soon.

Charlie’s Wine Cellar in SoHo has opened for lunch, slipping in where Whaley’s (RIP) reigned. Menu.

For years I’ve suspected the uber snooty, elitist-driven Wine Spectator Magazine of nefarious and economic-driven activities, with great wine reviews (”95 points! Stellar!”) mere pages away from the same winery’s glorious, full page ad spread. But those exceptional write ups have never been proven purchased… but this scandal is almost juicier. Robin Goldstein, writer and obvious WS non-believer, tested their venerated “Award of Excellence” program for restaurant wine lists around the world by entering a fictitious restaurant name, wine list and menu. He also sent in the required $250 to enter the ring. Goldstein’s fake wine list featured loads of low WS rated (80 points and under) wines as well as hundreds of others. In the August 2008 issue, his fake restaurant — Osteria L’Intrepido — was awarded the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, one of 22 in Italy. When faced with the embarrassment, here’s what WS had to say:

“Wine Spectator learned yesterday that, for the first time in the 27-year history of our Restaurant Awards program, a fictitious restaurant has entered its wine list for judging. To orchestrate his publicity-seeking scam, Robin Goldstein created a fictitious restaurant in Milan, Italy, called Osteria L’Intrepido, then submitted a menu and wine list to Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Awards as a new entry in 2008. The wine list earned an Award of Excellence, the most basic of our three award levels. Goldstein revealed his elaborate hoax at a meeting in Oregon last week. He is now crowing about the fraud on his own Web site. The story has been picked up in the blogosphere, and now Wine Spectator would like to set forth the actual facts of the matter.” Read the extent of their squirming.

I find this banter simply fabulous… even though Goldstein’s elaborate hoax may have taken some liberties and poked a little fun at Wine Spectator’s expense. But it does prove that $250 goes a long way.