Wine Pairing

Dinner at Restaurant Latour might break the bank. But according to one national website, a meal at the acclaimed restaurant is worth every penny.

Restaurant Latour, the fine dining establishment that is part of Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, was just named the best expensive restaurant in New Jersey by EatThis.com.

“Located in the Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, Restaurant Latour has a five- or seven-course prix fixe menu with dishes featuring the freshest local produce,” EatThis.com said. “If you choose to imbibe, the restaurant’s wine cellar has won the Grand Award from Wine Spectator every year since 2006.”

Restaurant Latour’s menu features offerings like dan dan noodles with sawagani crab; lamb with mountain sumac, labneh and rhubarb; cold-smoked halibut with kumquat and roasted artichoke; rabbit roulade with black pudding, carrot polenta and leek top hollandaise; and kingfish crudo with ramps, poached mushroom and ginger creme. There’s also an entire section of the menu dedicated to caviar.

Fancy enough for you?

A three-course meal at Restaurant Latour will run you $120, and the full seven-course meal costs $195 —with $75 extra for the wine pairing.

NJ.com reviewed Restaurant Latour back in 2016 and proclaimed, “Latour is pricey but worth it for those who value a restful type of dining experience with intriguing food.”

Such fine dining comes with a dress code. Jackets are preferred for men, and there is no denim, sporting attire, T-shirts, ripped clothing, shorts, sneakers or flip-flops allowed.

Restaurant Latour was joined on the list by acclaimed national restaurants The French Laundry in California and Eleven Madison Park in New York City, which just made headlines for shifting to a completely plant-based menu.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com and followed on Twitter at @J_Schneider and on Instagram.

>>> Don't Miss Today's BEST Amazon Deals!
Originally Appeared Here

While Detroit is in southeast Michigan and a bustling metropolitan area, you’ll also find quaint small towns in the southeast countryside showcasing the Irish Hills and various lakes. In addition, this area is home to the Southeast Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail, which features boutique Michigan wineries that are family-run businesses.

While several southeast Michigan wineries grow some of their own grapes, they may also use grapes produced in one of Michigan’s five American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). An AVA defines a grape-growing region that features specific climatic or geographic characteristics. Michigan’s five AVAs are Fennville, Leelanau Peninsula, Lake Michigan Shore, Old Mission Peninsula, and the Tip of the Mitt. These areas are known for Michigan-grown grapes, but they aren’t the only places in Michigan where grapes are grown.

Here are seven southeast Michigan wines to enjoy. Five are part of the Southeast Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail, some of which grow their own grapes while also using other Michigan-grown fruit. I’ve arranged the wineries on the Southeast Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail in the order you might visit them, starting with the northernmost winery. Then I’ve added two more must-try southeast Michigan wineries.

Amy Piper

1. Burgdorf’s Winery

Located at the northernmost point of the Southeast Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail, just outside of Haslett, Burgdorf’s Winery started as what the wine industry refers to as a Garagiste. This is a European concept where winemakers produce limited production wines called Vin de Garage or Garage Wines. While in the beginning, the term had negative connotations because these small rogue wineries didn’t follow the rules, today, it’s a phrase applied to the vintners that make award-winning wine.

The Burgdorf’s started their winery in a three-car garage, and today they showcase more than 20 styles of wine, many award-winning. Now they no longer make their wine in the garage. Instead, that has become a tasting room, and they shifted to making their wine in a 2,400 square-foot barn behind the tasting room. The country setting is a peaceful spot to sip some wine.

Amy Piper

One of my favorites at Burdorf’s is the 2013 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine. It won Best of Class and a Double Gold Medal at an international show in Sonoma, California. This dessert wine, made from grapes picked while frozen, has concentrated natural flavor. I always taste notes of pear, peach, and nectar when enjoying this wine.

Pro Tip: Look for the Truly Michigan™ seal on wines. Dave Burgdorf trademarked the Truly Michigan™ seal to indicate the product is 100 percent grown and produced in Michigan.

Amy Piper

2. Chateau Aeronautique Winery

While you might expect a winery to sit majestically in a vineyard, Chateau Aeronautique Winery rests on a 3,000-foot grass runway, sized to accommodate single-engine aircraft. The airpark community, located outside of Jackson, is the original location and has grown to three locations, including Irish Hills and Auburn Hills.

The aeronautical theme at Chateau Aeronautique Winery fits the winery, since Lorenzo Lizarralde, an international airline pilot, owns and operates the venue. This is a fun winery with a vintage airplane theme, right down to the cute labels with a sky blue background and its bi-plane logo representing its 1940 Boeing Stearman. You can also see his 1956 Cessna 172 in his dual-purpose hanger, which also serves as a cellar room.

So, while it’s fun to spot all the aeronautical items in the upscale tasting room, the wine receives as much attention. The winery has several award-winning wines, which include a 2011 Syrah and a 2012 dry Riesling.

If you’re into live music, be sure to visit the Irish Hills location when it’s hosting one of its tribute band events.

Pro Tip: If you prefer a craft beer over wine, check out its second location in the Irish Hills that also features Blue Skies Brewery.

3. Sandhill Crane Vineyards

Located off Interstate 94 in Jackson, Sandhill Crane Vineyards is a family-owned and operated winery. It offers more than 35 varieties of wine made from 100 percent Michigan grapes. The eight-acre vineyard supplies about 10 percent of its grapes, and then it purchases more from other Michigan vineyards.

One of my favorite dessert wines is Annie’s Maple Shine, made from maple syrup purchased locally. The company revived an old recipe that uses unfiltered maple sap wine sweetened with maple syrup. Then it’s aged for a year in bourbon barrels. Annie’s Maple Shine is a Bronze Medal winner from the 2017 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. I brought this one home, as it’s rich and smooth.

I like to plan my stop at Sandhill Crane Vineyards around lunch or dinner time. With a chalkboard behind the bar, showcasing local suppliers, it uses local ingredients to create fresh seasonal soups, salads, and sandwiches. When it’s on the board, give the sandwich “Not Just for Thanksgiving” a try. It has turkey, brie, and cranberry sauce, everything for Thanksgiving rolled into a sandwich. Also, be sure to get one of its cookies for the road.

Pro Tip: Enjoy a tasting at $12 per person for a standard flight, and on the winery’s birthday, tasters get to keep the stemware.

4. Cherry Creek Cellars

Situated in the Irish Hills, the Burtkas have been making wine for four generations in the United States. Today Cherry Creek Cellars, a boutique winery, uses Old World winemaking techniques to create its award-winning wines. Housed in a historic 1870s schoolhouse, Cherry Creek Cellars is a great place to get schooled on wine.

One of my favorite wines here is the award-winning Wood Duck Riesling, the perfect example of a Michigan Riesling that isn’t sweet. I often pair this with a mild cheese from a charcuterie board. The dry wine has the expected pear and apple notes with a perfect acid balance.

Cherry Creek Cellars is an excellent place to stop around lunchtime as it offers soups, salads, paninis, and flatbreads that showcase fresh, local ingredients.

Live music events increase the party atmosphere outside under the pergola, where you can enjoy picturesque vineyard views while sipping your wine. In the fall, the colorful landscape is stunning.

Pro Tip: You get to ring the school bell when you finish a bottle during your tasting.

Amy Piper

5. Pentamere Winery

Pentamere Winery, a boutique urban wine producer located in downtown Tecumseh, offers food and wine pairings instead of vineyard views. While this family-owned winery sources its grapes from Michigan and throughout the Great Lakes region, it produces all its wines in a century-old building. You can observe production by looking over the railing and watch what’s happening in the cellar below.

The name pentamere means five oceans and refers to the Great Lakes, where Michigan touches four of the five. You’ll find the maritime theme running throughout the names of its wines, with offerings like Channel Marker Two, Lady of the Lakes, and Wings of Wind, perhaps a nod to sailboats.

Amy Piper

One of my favorites at Pentamere is the Midnight Plum. It’s a sweet fruit wine that smells like the taste of a summer plum. It has the flavor of ripe plum with a gentle zip and long finish. Pair this with smoked pulled pork with barbeque sauce.

Pro Tip: Pentamere batch size is a few hundred gallons and offers new releases frequently. So, if you enjoy a particular wine, buy it when it’s available as it might not be on your next visit.

6. Flying Otter Vineyard And Winery

Located in Adrian, Flying Otter Vineyard and Winery grows hardy cold-climate varietals. For example, in whites, you’ll find LaCrosse, LaCrescent, Frontenac Blanc and Frontenac Gris, St. Pepin, and Brianna. The red varietals include Marquette, Frontenac, and Petite Pearl. It focuses on sustainable vineyard practices that require a significant amount of hand labor.

The premium wines aged in oak barrels are my favorite. The 2018 Fusion, aged 22 months in used bourbon barrels, gives the wine a complexity I enjoy.

Flying Otter’s fun name comes from the owner, Bob Utter’s interest in aviation and his last name, which means Otter. Flying Otter features live music evenings on Friday and Saturday.

Pro Tip: To learn more about wine and food pairings, check out the Recipe Tab on its website, which offers a section on Food and Wine Pairing 101.

7. Lone Oak Vineyard Estate Winery

Located on Ann Arbor Road, off Interstate 94 in Jackson County, Lone Oak Vineyard Estate Winery is southeast Michigan’s largest and oldest commercial vineyard. It grows 12 European varieties on its 25-acre estate, including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling.

Pro Tip: While the winery isn’t open for tastings and live events due to COVID-19, you can call the winery to arrange a “no-contact” sale.

While you’re sampling some wines along the Southeast Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail, why not visit some of Michigan’s interesting towns:

>>> Don't Miss Today's BEST Amazon Deals!
Originally Appeared Here

One predictable consequence of the current hiring crunch in the restaurant industry is an upward creep in the wage rates food service operators find themselves offering to recruit employees.

With ten states having already reset their minimum wage to $15 an hour, industry observers predict that, regardless of any federal action on the minimum wage, that the $15-an-hour figure will eventually be the de facto “minimum wage” in most parts of the country.

With prices of food and supplies currently increasing at an annualized rate of 5% or more, plenty of restaurant operators both large and small are beginning to ask whether or not they could survive under a $15 minimum wage.

While it’s hard to take exception to a $15-an-hour rate as a “livable wage” for a worker who is solely dependent on it for his or her livelihood, the money to pay that rate has to come from somewhere. For the restaurant industry that will inevitably mean menu price increases.

Some of the major restaurant brands have already put in place upward price adjustments of 2%, 3%, and more since the start of 2021, with the fast food industry having been most aggressive in “taking margin.”

The One Fair Wage advocacy group, a nationwide activist effort agitating to make the $15 wage rate universal, recently publicized its estimates of the impact their wage proposals would have on restaurant menu prices.

The goal of One Fair Wage is a $15 minimum for service worker jobs with “tips on top.” Their impact analysis, prepared with the help of a UC Berkley think tank, asserts that restaurants could profitably afford such a livable wage with, in organization’s words, a “moderate price increase of 20% at most.”

One Fair Wage also suggests that restaurants could use a combination of surcharges and “hospitality fees” to fund higher wage rates.

Of course, the unknown in all of this economic analysis is how customers would react to such price hikes and fees, especially at a time when pandemic-driven inflation is putting pressure on the cost of living overall.

Restaurant purchases, it must be remembered, represent discretionary spending for many consumers, and higher prices might very well result in fewer dining out occasions.

Executive chef Enrico Giovanello of the Table 3 Restaurant Group will be demonstrating Italy’s “cucina povera” (peasant cookery) at Avellino in Sturbridge on Sept. 16.

Part of Giovanello’s on-going “Cooking with Rico” series, the evening’s program will explore the cuisine of Umbria, a style that brings together ingredients such as pork, various cured meats, grains, and mountain herbs to create a food experience that’s minimalist yet full of flavor.

Participants in the program will have an opportunity to sample the dishes prepared, each of which will be matched with an appropriate wine pairing.

The Cooking with Rico evening begins at 6:30 p.m. and costs $57 per person; a no-wine price option is also available. Tax and gratuity aren’t included in the event fee.

Reservations can be made by calling Avellino at (508) 347-2321.

Starbucks, the brand that first popularized that which is now fall’s emblematic flavor, has brought back it pumpkin-spice lineup for the 18th year.

The Pumpkin Spice Latte is back, along with a companion chilled beverage option – the Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew, an iced coffee creation that’s flavored with vanilla syrup and topped with a pumpkin cream cold foam.

Joining these autumn-themed drinks are two seasonal pastry case selections, a Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin and a Pumpkin Scone.

To promote these seasonal pumpkin-spice offerings, Starbucks is providing an online tool for customers to measure the intensity of their pumpkin-spice cravings.

The Starbucks Pumpkin Love O’Meter can be found at pumpkinloveometer.com.

Champney’s Restaurant and Tavern at the Deerfield Inn in Deerfield is currently featuring a Friday evening Prime Rib Night. Every Friday Champney’s will be serving prime rib with mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetable, and horseradish-sour cream sauce.

Dinner starts at 5 p.m. and reservations are suggested.

Call (413) 774-5587 to book a table.

Pioneer Valley Food Tours is once again offering its popular Northampton Local Food Tour program.

A foodie-focused walking ramble about downtown Northampton, the two-and-one-half-hour tours feature in-town food producers, restaurants, and specialty shops.

Each tour visits five or six separate locations and provides opportunities to sample food specialties such as meats, cheeses, breads, pastries, and more.

Participants are provides with bottled water and a goodie bag; tours take place on a rain-or-shine basis. Northampton Local Food Tours are scheduled on Saturday mornings and some Friday afternoons; cost for adults is $60.

Pioneer Valley Food Tours answers at (413) 320-7700. Book tour dates online at pioneervalleyfoodtours.com.

Getting on board with the meat replacement trend, fast-casual Chipotle Mexican Grill has announced that it is testing, in two major markets, a plant-derived chorizo replacement.

Billed as part of the brand’s effort to accommodate those customers who prefer a plant-based lifestyle, the chorizo substitute is formulated from peas, ancho chilies, chipotle peppers, tomato paste, and other spices and flavorings. The chorizo substitute ticks off all the necessary boxes: it’s gluten- and soy-free, all-natural, and “clean”, with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. The chain is promoting this new chorizo replacement as being made “with ingredients grown on a farm, not in a lab.”

Eventual system-wide availability will be determined by the results of the current market test.

Northampton, one of the region’s most popular dining destinations, is currently operating under an indoor mask mandate. Regardless of vaccination status, individuals over five years of age must wear a mask at all times when in “public indoor spaces” (a definition that includes restaurants).

The order allows face coverings to be removed for purposes of eating or drinking and places responsibility for compliance on “the person or entity in control of [the] public indoor space.”

A fine of up to $1,000 per day for violations is provided for by the Board of Health order, which established the mask mandate. The complete text of the order can be seen at Northamptonma.gov/DocumentCenter.

As part of an effort to rebuild its breakfast business, McDonald’s has introduced a new item to its McCafe baked goods selection.

The “Glazed Pull Apart Donut” is making a Sept. 1 debut and will be available for a limited time, joining the Apple Fritter, Blueberry Muffin, and Cinnamon Roll that are already available. Coated with a sweet glaze, the donut is shaped so it can be easily torn apart into individual bites.

Like the rest of the McCafe bakery lineup, the Donut will be available all day, not just during breakfast hours.

In making their way through the more than 200 entries their Best Sandwich in America 2021 contest received, the editors of “Restaurant Hospitality” magazine have already identified a number of themes in contemporary sandwich crafting.

While interest in plant-based replacements for animal protein continues to grow, meat is still king in the sandwich world, with a number of contest entries like the Chicano, a barbecue-style creation, characterized by a “meat on meat” approach. The Chicano, which is served by The Ridge in Nashville, TN, layers chorizo and smoked brisket into a baguette, finishing the sandwich with queso and pickled jalapenos.

Not surprisingly, chicken sandwiches, especially those made with fried breast filets, were featured components in some menu item entrants.

Mushrooms also starred in a number of sandwiches submitted, their substantial character and hearty flavor profile a key element of the composition.

A dominant ethnic influence in this year’s contest was South Asian street food. Amber India in San Francisco submitted Bun Keema, a slider-style creations inspired by a classic Mumbai snack of ground lamb, tomatoes, and peas. The keema filling is served on buttered buns and garnished with chopped red onion.

More information on the winning sandwich entries can be found at restaurant-hospitality.com.

Caminito Steakhouse in Northampton has returned to full operation, offering both indoor and outside dining Wednesday through Sunday evenings from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a full menu, full bar, and full wine list.

Reservations are requested for either inside or outside dining; the restaurant can be reached at (413) 387-6387.

The restaurant’s menu can be viewed at camintosteakhouse.com.

Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College’s hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 45 years of restaurant and educational experience. Robert can be reached on-line at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com.

>>> Don't Miss Today's BEST Amazon Deals!
Originally Appeared Here

One of Tampa’s most talked about restaurants will welcome previous Bravo’s Top Chef stars and James Beard nominees for an exciting gastronomic experience this fall.

Rooster & the Till invites Tampa’s most dedicated foodies to indulge their senses during the return of its Guest Chef Dinner Series.

The dinner series will feature some of the hottest chefs from around the country, bringing a dining experience unlike any other here in Tampa.

Unique flavors you can’t find anywhere else in Tampa

Each chef’s individual style is showcased during the four-part event, with carefully curated dishes and beverages exclusive to the dinner series.  

Guests will have an opportunity to mingle with the evening’s chef and other Tampa foodies during an intimate champagne-spiked meet-and-greet before sitting down to enjoy the chef’s six-course dinner and wine pairing.

Available only four night this fall, the dinner series kicks off next month.

Sept. 26: Chef Claudette Zepeda

Known for her fearless culinary style and bold approach to Mexican cuisine, Zepeda has been seen in Bravo’s Top Chef Season 15 and Top Chef Mexico. She was the head chef of Southern California restaurant El Jardín, which garnered attention from New York Times, Esquire’s Best New Restaurants and Michelin’s 2019 Bib Gourmand list.

Oct. 24: Chef Maximilian Petty

On Oct. 24, Seattle Chef Maximilian Petty takes over the Tampa kitchen for an evening of cuisine that he likes to call imaginative, purposeful and without boundaries.

Petty is the owner and head chef of Eden Hill Restaurant in Seattle, Washington, and was named a James Beard Rising Star of the Year Semifinalist in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

After learning from the best at Jose Andres’ Zaytinya and King Estate Winery, Petty headed to Austin, Texas, where he earned Zagat Austin’s “30 Under 30” and “Austin Under 40” recognition while cooking at Austin restaurant Olivia.

Nov. 28: Chef Brittanny Anderson

Don’t fill up on Thanksgiving leftovers because Chef Brittanny Anderson is serving up European-American deliciousness from the Rooster & the Till kitchen.

Anderson’s cooking style focuses on flavors from Germany, Austria and the French and Italian Alps. Of course, she tosses in a bit of Virginia-flavored flair for good measure.

She is the owner and head chef of Metzger Bar and Butchery, Brenner Pass and Black Lodge in Richmond, Virginia. She also owns and operates the kitchen at Leni in Washington, D.C. She’s been featured on Top Chef Season 18 and Iron Chef America and was twice named a James Beard Best Chef Mid-Atlantic Semifinalist. Her restaurants have been seen in Food & Wine, Garden and Gun, Elle and Bon Appetit.

Dec. 19: Chef Gerald Sombright

Chef Gerald Sombright will host the final evening of Rooster & the Till’s dinner series with flavors familiar to Florida’s foodies.

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Sombright is the chef de cuisine of Knife and Spoon at Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes in Orlando. He’s been featured on Top Chef Season 14 and was named a James Beard Award nominee while working at St. Louis restaurant Annie Gunn’s.

Sombright has worked with Chef Michael Mina, a well-known name in the Tampa Bay food scene, and helmed Marco Island restaurants Ario and Tesoro.

One of Tampa’s leading chefs showcases only the best

Ferrell Alvarez is the chef and co-owner of The Rooster & The Till.

“I cannot be more excited to bring back our Guest Chef Dinner Series,” said Ferrell Alvarez, chef and co-owner of Proper House Group (Rooster & the Till, Gallito Taqueria and Nebraska Mini Mart). “We’ve selected four of my closest friends and favorite chefs from around the United States to bring some of the most exciting, intimate culinary events to the Tampa Bay area every month for the next four months to close out 2021.”

There will be a 5 p.m. and an 8 p.m. seating for each dinner. The 5 p.m. dinners cost $200/person and $250/person for the 8 p.m. dinners.

Pre-sale tickets for all four dinners go on sale Monday, Aug. 30. All other tickets will go on sale Monday, Sept. 6 and can be purchased via the Rooster & the Till website.

>>> Don't Miss Today's BEST Amazon Deals!
Originally Appeared Here

SINGAPORE – Score deals for mooncakes, check out an art exhibition, or sign up for a virtual run to help raise funds for undergraduates in financial need.

Food & drink

Hard Rock Cafe

PHOTO: HARD ROCK CAFE

As part of its 50th-anniversary celebrations, Hard Rock Cafe has brought back its classic dishes and celebratory cocktails for a limited period. On the Back to Classic Limited-Time Only Menu are Traditional Potato Skins ($17.95), Mud Pie ($18.95), Quinoa Burger ($25.95), Chicken Club Sandwich ($25.95) and Open Faced Sirloin ($29.95). Celebratory cocktails include Groupie Grind ($19.95), Retro Espresso Martini ($22.95), Classic Long Island Iced Tea ($24.95), CMF ($24.95) and Blue Devil ($22.95).

Where: Hard Rock Cafe Singapore, HPL House, 02-01, 50 Cuscaden Road; Hard Rock Cafe Sentosa, Resorts World Sentosa, 01-209 The Forum, 26 Sentosa Gateway
MRT: Orchard and HarbourFront
When: Till Aug 31, 11.30am to 9.30pm
Tel: 6235-5232
Info: Website

Tindle Bar Bites & Booze

PHOTO: TINDLE

Alternative meat brand Tindle has challenged chefs and bartenders from 10 bars and restaurants to come up with their own Tindle Bar Bites & Booze menu. The dishes are made with the brand’s plant-based chicken. For instance, Indian restaurant Adda is offering the Southern TiNDLE 65 ($14), comprising spicy, deep-fried chicken pieces, and Pineapple Rumtini ($18). Moonstone Bar is serving The Tind(l)er (from $12), a chicken burger, and 2Good2Beetroot ($22), a cocktail with ingredients such as whisky, beetroot and wine.

Where: Adda; Laut; Levant Bar; Moonstone Bar; Erwin’s Gastrobar; Senor Taco; The Perenakan; Three Buns; TXA Gastrobar; Selected Harry’s outlets
When: Till Sept 30
Info: Website

Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant

PHOTO: WAN HAO CHINESE RESTAURANT

The lobster menu features dishes such as Braised Local Lobster with Sea Urchin Sauce & Rice ($48++ a portion); Steamed Rock Lobster with Black Garlic and Egg White ($118++ a portion); and Black Truffle Custard Lobster Ball ($48++ a portion).

Where: Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, 320 Orchard Road
MRT: Orchard
When: Till Oct 30, 11am to 11.30pm
Tel: 6831-4605
Info: Email mhrs.sindt.fb.reservations@marriotthotels.com or go to bit.ly/3B4W7j7

Zafferano Italian Restaurant & Lounge

PHOTO: ZAFFERANO

Enjoy a four-course dinner alongside wines from the award-winning Vignano vineyard in Italy. The Vignano Wine Dinner ($158+) includes a saffron pappardelle, paired with the award-winning 2015 Vignano Merlino Merlot; as well as a black Angus beef striploin, paired with purple red Malbec of 2016 Vignano Matrio IGT.

Where: Zafferano, Ocean Financial Centre Level 43, 10 Collyer Quay
MRT: Raffles Place
When: Aug 29, 6.30 to 11pm
Tel: 6509- 1488
Info: info@zafferano.sg or go to Zafferano’s website

The Gyu Bar

PHOTO: THE GYU BAR

Celebrate Yakiniku Day, which is celebrated in Japan on Aug 29, with the yakiniku-focused menu ($108++ a person). It features eight premium wagyu cuts, such as beef tongue and tenderloin and rare yields like the flap meat and rump, cooked using smokeless Shinpo grills. The meal also comes with a chilled appetiser of Kumamoto tomato with kani, uni and ikura, steamed Hokkaido rice as well as soup of the day. Available for dine-in only.

Where: The Gyu Bar, 01-08, 30 Stevens Road
MRT: Stevens
When: Aug 27 to Sept 5, noon to 8pm
Tel: 6732-0702
Info: Email reservations@thegyubar.com.sg or go to The Gyu Bar’s website

Putien’s Madam Leng Homemade Mooncakes

PHOTO: PUTIEN

The mooncakes, back for the eighth year, are made using two unique ingredients – premium Thai yam and first-grade purple sweet potato from Japan. They can be purchased as a single piece or in boxes of two or four pieces. There is an early-bird discount of 10 per cent for all orders placed before Sept 1, while Putien members enjoy the same discount for the entire season. To order, call the outlet at least three days before the collection date.

Where: All Putien outlets
When: Till Sept 21
Price: Yam/sweet potato: $16 (single), $32 (box of two), $60 (box of four). Yam/ sweet potato with single yolk: $18 (single), $36 (box of two), $62 (box of four). One of each flavour: $68 (box of four)
Tel: 6295-6358
Info: Putien’s website 

Handcrafted Mooncakes at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel

PHOTO: SINGAPORE MARRIOTT TANG PLAZA HOTEL

Choose from 12 mooncake flavours. For baked mooncakes, flavours include Golden Black Truffle Baked Mooncakes with San Daniele Ham, Single Yolk and Pistachio; and White Lotus Seed Paste Baked Mooncakes with Single or Double Yolk. Snowskin mooncakes flavours include Pure Mao Shan Wang Premium Grade Durian Snowskin and Champagne Truffle with Milk Green Bean Paste. Order at least three days before the collection date.

Where: Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, 320 Orchard Road
MRT: Orchard
When: Till Sept 21, 10am to 10pm
Price: Baked mooncakes: from $74 for four pieces. Snowskin mooncakes: from $74 for eight pieces
Tel: 6831-4708
Info: Email singaporemarriott.festive@marriott.com or go to website

Mooncake Marketplace 2021

PHOTO: MOONCAKE MARKETPLACE 2021

This one-stop online shop for mooncakes features more than 19 brands from hotels such as Marina Bay Sands and Sheraton Towers Singapore, restaurants like The Marmalade Pantry and Peach Garden, as well as bakeries. Two overseas brands, including Hong Kong Bay, are also available.

Where: Mooncake Marketplace’s website
When: Till Sept 21
Info: Email sales@mooncakemarketplace.com

Jibiru Time at Japan Rail Cafe

PHOTO: JAPAN RAIL CAFE

The eatery has brought in a range of Japanese craft beers ($15 a bottle) from Ishikawa and Kanagawa prefectures – made by Kanazawa Brewery, Yokohama Beer, Waku Waku Tezukuri Farm Kawakita and Kamakura Beer Brewing Company. There is a one-for-one offer for dine-in, while every retail purchase of three bottles is entitled to a 20 per cent discount.

Where: Japan Rail Cafe, 01-20 Guoco Tower, 5 Wallich Street
MRT: Tanjong Pagar
When: Till Sept 30, 11am to 9pm
Tel: 9873-9631
Info: Japan Rail Cafe’s website

White Rose Cafe

PHOTO: WHITE ROSE CAFÉ

The restaurant is offering four Teochew bento sets ($15 each) for takeaway or delivery. For instance, one set includes Braised Chicken with Ginger and Spring Onion, Onion Omelette, Deep-Fried Bean Curd with Chai Poh, and Stir-Fried Eggplant with Minced Pork; while set another comes with Braised Pork Belly with Preserved Vegetables, Chai Poh Omelette, Sambal La-La and Chap Chye. Available for pickup or delivery via Oddle.

Where: White Rose Cafe, York Hotel Singapore, 21 Mount Elizabeth
MRT: Orchard
When: Till Sept 30, noon to 10pm
Tel: 6737-0511
Info: whiterosecafe@yorkhotel.com.sg or bit.ly/2VRYaIh

LeVeL33

PHOTO: LEVEL33

The rooftop restaurant will present a 4 Hands Collaborative Vegan Dinner ($98++) with vegan retailer 4MY and gluten-free bakery Locaba. The four-course menu features Yeti Cheese, made with 4MY’s plant-based caramelised cheese and served with fresh diced artichoke, artichoke chips and housemade sauces. Desserts include chocolate sponge, earl grey mousse, fermented dry blueberries and more. Wine pairing is also available at an additional $58++.

Where: LeVeL33, 33-01 Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1, 8 Marina Boulevard
MRT: Downtown
When: Aug 30, 6 to 10.30pm
Tel: 6834-3133
Info: reservations@level33.com.sg or LeVeL33’s website

Arts

A Most Absurd Guide

PHOTO: MAMA MAGNET AND ULTRASUPERNEW GALLERY

Presented by Mama Magnet and UltraSuperNew Gallery, this exhibition features new artworks by Jogja-based printmaking studio Krack!, Filipino artist Soika Vomiter and Singapore’s HelloPigu.

Where: UltraSuperNew Gallery, 168 Tyrwhitt Road
MRT: Lavender / Bendemeer
When: Till Sept 11, 11am to 7pm
Admission: Free with pre-booking
Info: bit.ly/3sHTscq

New Now V: Towards Unlearning

PHOTO: GAJAH GALLERY

This exhibition features young Singaporean and Singapore-based artists who have recently graduated. The works on display include book sculptures, clay sculptures as well as meditative drawings and engravings.

Where: Gajah Gallery, 03-04, Tanjong Pagar Distripark, 39 Keppel Road
MRT: Tanjong Pagar
When: Till Sept 19. 11am to 7pm (weekdays), noon to 6pm (weekends and public holidays)
Admission: Free
Info: Gajah Gallery’s website

1+1+1+

PHOTO: ART VILLAGE

Art Village presents this show, led by Burmese artist and founder Ms Nyein Su, at their new studio gallery at Katong V. It aims to raise funds to aid Myanmar in its fight against political unrest and the pandemic. Art Village will donate half of the sale proceeds to charities and support organisations in Myanmar.

Where: Art Village Tanjong Katong, Katong V 03-20, 30 East Coast Road
MRT: Dakota
When: Till Sept 11, 11am to 8pm
Admission: Free
Info: Art Village’s website

Virtuoso Series II: Bow

PHOTO: SINGAPORE CHINESE ORCHESTRA

Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) celebrates its 25th anniversary with a series of concerts. Concert master Li Baoshun and Erhu I principal Zhao Jianhua will perform timeless classics from the string section’s repertoire.

Where: SCO Concert Hall, Singapore Conference Hall Level 1, 7 Shenton Way; Online at Sistic Live
MRT: Tanjong Pagar
When: Aug 28, 8pm. Live-stream available till Sept 5, 8pm
Admission: Live concert: $20
Info: Sistic’s website

An Audience with No One

PHOTO: BORED WHALE THEATRE

Presented by Bored Whale Theatre, the play is written and directed by Wisely Chow. Talia and Charlie are the last remaining vampires until they discover another of their kind, Maya.

Where: Black Box, Goodman Arts Centre, 90 Goodman Road
MRT: Mountbatten
When: Sept 8 to 10, 8pm; Sept 11, 3 and 8pm
Admission: $35 (single ticket) or $65 (pair of tickets)
Info: Peatix’s website

Festivals

Singapore Food Festival – Sunday Luxe WellSpent Experiences

PHOTO: AT-SUNRICE GLOBALCHEF ACADEMY

At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy presents a series of events as part of Singapore Food Festival. Chefs will give tips on upcycling food by combining spent ingredients normally discarded in food production with traditional ingredients and heritage recipes to produce innovative dishes. Also available are a produce market (free with registration), cooking classes ($88 a class), high tea ($50 a person) and fine-dining dinner ($128 a person, $228 for two, add-on of $100 a person for wine pairing).

Where: At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy, 28 Tai Seng Street
MRT: Tai Seng
When: Aug 28 and Sept 23, 9am to 5pm
Admission: Registration is required for both free and ticketed events
Info: bit.ly/3DfNBQw

Ignite! Music Festival

PHOTO: IGNITE! MUSIC FESTIVAL

Republic Polytechnic’s annual student-run music festival returns in a digital format and viewers can tune in via the school’s social media channels. On Aug 28, the finals of the band auditions premieres on the festival’s YouTube channel. The public can vote for their favourite acts on Instagram and the winner will get to perform on the festival’s main stage alongside other local bands on Sept 17 and 18. There is also a Virtual Village featuring voluntary welfare and social service organisations, including Cat Welfare Society and Design For Good.

Where: Ignite! Music Festival’s YouTube, Instagram and Facebook channels
When: Aug 28 to Sept 18
Admission: Free
Info: Ignite Music Festival’s website

Classes

Skill UP

PHOTO: YISHUN HEALTH

In this virtual workshop, learn about the basics of healthy living through interactive activities and discussions. It is facilitated by healthcare professionals from Yishun Health, which runs a network of medical institutions and health facilities in the north of Singapore, including Admiralty Medical Centre and Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

Where: Zoom
When: Sept 1, 8, 15, 7.30 to 9pm
Admission: Free with registration
Info: bit.ly/38dEBge

Mindfulness Training for Parents and Children with Additional Needs

PHOTO: AWARENESS HUB

This five-session workshop provides support to parents and children in managing different types of stresses, including those brought about by children who are hyperactive, lacking concentration or unable to sleep. It is led by Ms Chan Suit Fong, an accredited mindfulness coach who is trained in trauma and has a master’s degree in counselling.

Where: Awareness Hub, 03-39 Bras Basah Complex, Block 231 Bain Street
MRT: Bugis / City Hall / Bras Basah
When: Every Sunday from Aug 29 to Sept 26, 3 to 4.30pm
Admission: $160 a person
Info: bit.ly/3yiewax

Charity

The Art of Sharing Over the Rainbow

PHOTO: REN CI HOSPITAL

Ren Ci Hospital is hosting its first online auction, which features 35 art pieces inspited by the theme, ‘The Art of Sharing Over The Rainbow’. The works were donated by artists Loh Yuen Leang, Chew Swee Fah, Mark Luo PC, Ng Peng Sing, Susanna Wong and Victor Ang. A set of photographs was donated by Madam Wang Chun. The auction aims to raise $100,000 through direct donations and sales proceeds from the artworks.

Where: Online
When: Till Sept 30, 8pm
Admission: Free
Info: Renci’s website

SMU SMOO Challenge 2021

PHOTO: SMU SMOO CHALLENGE 2021

Organised by Singapore Management University (SMU), the virtual race aims to raise $400,000 for the SMU Bursary Fund, which helps undergraduates in financial need. Participants should try to achieve a collective distance of 50,000km in 21 days.

Where: Online
When: Sept 3 to 24
Admission: $21
Info: bit.ly/3BoV3qP

Pets

Chimichanga Holland Village’s Doggy Day Out

PHOTO: CHIMICHANGA HOLLAND VILLAGE

Every last Saturday of the month, partons of the Mexican restaurant and bar can take their canine partner to brunch. They can also enjoy 10 per cent off a full grooming and daycare package as well as free temperament assessment by Chimichanga’s partner, Pawd Pet Daycare & Services. When making reservations, patrons should indicate if they are bringing their dog.

Where: Chimichanga Holland Village, 01-02/03, 3 Lorong Liput
MRT: Holland Village
When: Every last Saturday of the month, 11am to 3pm
Tel: 69747185
Info: Chimichanga’s website

Others

Vaccination Perks at Golden Village

PHOTO: GOLDEN VILLAGE

In a bid to encourage more people to get vaccinated, Golden Village is introducing vaccination-differentiated safe management measures for movie screenings in its Vaxed Halls at selected cinemas. Movie-goers who meet the criteria stand a chance to win a movie pass and hotel stay at lyf Funan Singapore.

Where: GV Plaza, GV Suntec, GV Vivo City and GV Funan
MRT: Dhoby Ghaut, Promenade, HarbourFront and City Hall
When: Till Sept 12
Admission: From $10
Info: bit.ly/3endcMx

How to get your event listed

The listings appear online at The Straits Times Life page. We will only accept listings submitted online. Go to str.sg/happen at least two weeks ahead. Required information includes the name of the event, organiser, venue, date and time, ticket prices and nearest MRT station, as well as your name, address and contact number. We reserve the right to edit or reject items.

>>> Don't Miss Today's BEST Amazon Deals!
Originally Appeared Here

[  By Dawne Belloise  ]

Dancin’ Dan’s nickname isn’t from the big smile he usually has, or because he breezes through life, sashays down the ski slopes or because he’s just a happy-go-lucky kind of guy. Its origin goes way back to his childhood days when, at six years old, he decided he wanted to fancy foot it and take dance lessons. The name, Dancin’ Dan, has fittingly stuck with him all these years.

“My sister was taking dance and being an inquisitive six-year-old, and I wondered what was going on behind the curtain on stage. I took tap and jazz lessons for 10 years of my childhood. It was a little more expensive than hockey so that didn’t go over very well with my parents, but they were encouraging.” Dan quit lessons when he was 16 because, he laughs, “It turns out that when your name is Dancin’ as a young child, it’s not that cool. Imagine being in a hockey locker at 10 and being called Dancin’ Dan and how the other kids dealt with that.”

Growing up in Des Moines, Iowa, Dan’s entire extended family played a lot of hockey and baseball. “We have a big family, like 30 cousins.” As far as growing up in a metropolitan area, Dan says, “In the world of cities, it’s not a city at all, maybe half a million people.” School wasn’t his favorite thing, he confesses. “I would rather have been playing hockey and hanging with my friends.” He graduated in 2001 with not a clue as to what he wanted to do but he enrolled in Des Moines Area Community College, which lasted for six months before he bolted to Boulder. “I had friends there and wanted to be out West and I was ready for change. I was very good at the college lifestyle,” he grins and confirms, “but school wasn’t my favorite thing. I was 19 years old and being reckless.”

Dan wanted access to the mountains so he could snowboard. “I started boarding in high school on random small-hilled resorts in Iowa.” Meanwhile, back in Boulder, he was waiting tables at the Cheesecake Factory during the winter of 2002.

One day, he and a childhood hockey buddy, who was now playing for Western State College (now Western Colorado University) crossed paths in Denver. ”We got loaded and had a good time. I wasn’t happy and I wasn’t enjoying the city,” says Dan of his brief move to Denver. When his buddy told him that a roommate was moving out in a month, Dan jumped on the Gunnison opportunity, exclaiming, “I’ll be there in two weeks!”

“I moved to Gunnison with a box, a backpack and a lamp, recalls Dan. The next day, he came up valley to Crested Butte where, he says, “It clicked for me, it made sense.” He got a summer job at The Trough in Gunnison and that winter started working as a cook for CBMR at the Paradise Warming House. “The whole point was getting the pass. I was hitchhiking to work, back and forth to Gunnison, for three years.” He moved to CB on July 5, 2005.

One summer, Dan trekked off to Alaska, citing the high wages made working in the fishing industry there. “I lived on Prince of Wales Island, where you have to take either a float plane or boat to access it. It’s definitely isolated.” Dan was working shoreside operations at a charter fishing lodge. “Processing and shipping a lot of fish for fishing tourists. They pay well, feed you and board you but it was a lot of work every single day, so I didn’t do a lot of outdoor things,” he explains.

Dan returned to CB in the fall, working at the Grand Lodge. It was in the fall of 2008 that he went to work at Soupçon, initially as a back waiter. In the time since, Dan became a server and now, he’s the wine director. “I developed the wine director position in 2015 because I had begun to take wine very seriously in my life and knew I was interested in trying to make a career out of wine.”

Dan notes that working with the long-term staff and then owner Jason Vernon at Soupçon taught him tremendously. “Wine studying itself is something you have to take upon yourself. You read a lot of books and taste a lot of wine. There are tests you have to take to achieve sommelier and there’s a court of master sommeliers who give the tests. It’s all about learning wine rules and the geography of where and why wines come from where they come from.” As wine director at Soupçon, he jokes, “I’m basically a well dressed bus boy who sells wine.”

With his love and knowledge of wines, Dan started his business Elevated Wine Source (elevatedwinesource.com) five years ago, offering his services to others as a wine cellar consultant. “I stock and manage private wine collections in Colorado,” he says of his clients in Denver, Telluride and various other places, although most of his clients are in the Crested Butte area and Gunnison Valley. “I saw it as an education situation because it was an opportunity to see different wines and producers I didn’t know.”

He realized with his first clients that there were probably more people who could benefit from this service. “Taking care of a wine collection means organizing, inventorying and developing a plan for storage from short-term to long-term. Most of my clientele’s wine is for consumption. Every wine collection is so different because each person wants their collection based on what they like. I learn about a client’s flavor profile, the wines they like and then you can expand and teach them about different parts of the world with regards to wine. I feel very lucky that I get to be passionate about what I do everyday.” Dan’s also at Soupçon five nights a week sharing his wine pairing expertise.

Like most locals, Dan works hard and long but certainly gets to do the things he loves. “The year before COVID hit, I caught the travel bug and spent six weeks in South America, mostly Peru and Chile. Peru stole my heart, the people were amazing, the food is world-class and the mountains are all-time. You can get up to 20,000 feet quickly in the Andes.” He then went to the Philippines to dive for six weeks. “That’s all I did. I got certified over there for open water, advanced and enriched air. I was diving 100 feet and seeing turtles, sharks and coral,” he says of his island-hopping adventure. When he’s able to travel again, Dan is planning a trip to Italy and France for wine and hopefully, sometime in the future, New Zealand. “I’d love to get back to South America and skiing in Canada. I want to go everywhere in the world, it’s a massive place,” he smiles. He recently completed his fifth trip down the Grand Canyon, and as he puts it, “I’m a whitewater enthusiast.”

“Crested Butte is home, no question about that,” says Dan. “I’m a die-hard ski bum who figured out that wine can enable me to do the things I love,” he says, and he was fortunate to have recently found an affordable rental house on the notorious Bad Girl Alley in town. “I was in my last house on Third Street for a decade. It was a dump but the landlord put it on the market, so I had to move out. But it’s all good. It sucked to have to move in July but it shined a bright little light on some changes I think I needed in my life. My current landlords were wine clients of mine and I met them at Soupçon, then they became friends,” he says of the second homeowners who decided that renting to a local would benefit the community. “When I moved to the valley, I definitely met the best friends of my life. The core group of friends, we’ve all found our niche, you figure out what you have to do to make it work. Life is all about costume changes. I am a CB citizen, a dirtbag who loves to live in the woods and have fun with my friends, but I put on a suit and I aspire to be the best at what I love. We all wear many different costumes in this town.”

>>> Don't Miss Today's BEST Amazon Deals!
Originally Appeared Here

Pull up your maps app and pick a spot in the middle of the Atlantic ocean – not as far west as Bermuda but south of the Azores. It will take some zooming in to locate this tiny, volcanic island, but once you find it, you’ll never want to leave.

I had never been somewhere as remote as Madeira. Although it’s one of two autonomous regions of Portugal, the island has its own rich culture and a completely unique landscape of dramatic cliffs and botanical gardens.

But it wasn’t a smooth introduction to this island paradise.

Touching down at the main airport in Funchal, one of the shortest runways in the world, is not for the fainthearted. Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (yes, Madeira is the birthplace of the famous footballer) is known for being dangerous – its 1,600 metre runway is cut short by high mountains and the sea.

The extreme gusts of wind created mean pilots have to take special training before being allowed to land here.

But after some turbulence and bonding over the adrenaline rush with those sitting near me, we make it onto the ground, only to be met by rigorous COVID checks (probably the reason Madeira has managed to remain on the Green list!).

What were COVID checks like at the airport?

Once you get through airport security and grab your luggage, you pull up your previously downloaded ‘Madeira Safe’ app which has your own personal barcode to show a team of officials.

At this point you get directed to either a light green or a dark green queue of people, with markings on the floor to show you the way.

Dark green means the app has processed your negative PCR fit-to-fly test (mine was from Qured) and you’re free to leave, but light green means the result hasn’t been accepted yet so you have to speak to a team of nurses. They inspect your app and ask for proof of either a double vaccination certificate or your PCR test before you can finally leave the airport.

Despite the slightly lengthy process, I found that I had a lot of respect for this thorough infrastructure as it made me feel safe and secure in a new country.

‘The best hotel on the island’

The smell of eucalyptus lingers in the air as we drive into the main town of Funchal, lush forests on one side and a vibrant city on the other. We arrive at the Savoy Palace hotel (‘the best hotel on the island’, my taxi driver exclaimed on the way there) late on a Friday night.

The taxi journey had given me a good overview of Funchal – lights glistening up into the hills and down into valleys, with the sea shining under the full moon. I certainly got a good first impression of Madeira.

The Savoy Palace Hotel is grand, with sumptuous interiors of chandeliers and marble staircases, yet cosy, with velvet armchairs and plants lining the windows.

The hotel was a joint venture between the island’s top designer, Nini Andrade Silva, and RH+ Architects, telling the story of Madeira’s traditions and culture through striking design.

After a light meal overlooking the pool by night, I happily collapse into my king-sized bed on the 16th floor.

Soaking in the panoramic views of the ocean, I fall asleep, ready to explore all the island had to offer.

A haven for outdoor adventure

As the winner of ‘Europe’s Leading Island Destination 2020’ at the World Travel Awards for its outdoor adventures, it is clear Madeira isn’t going to be a beach holiday. In fact, there aren’t many beaches at all due to the mountainous topography, but the cliffs are even more impressive.

I spend my days trekking around the island, visiting black sand caves and swimming in natural pools. A jeep tour with Madeira Mountain Expeditions takes us to the famous forest of Serra do Fanal.

On the way up, our tour guide tells us to stand up at the back of the jeep to really inhale the fresh forest air and duck every time we encounter a branch. It is completely exhilarating and the views, 1,150 metres above sea level, are breathtaking.

Fanal, as it is known locally, has some of the oldest trees in the world.

It’s home to the largest surviving area of laurel forest, which is protected by UNESCO world heritage and is an eerie sight to behold. This part of the island is subtropical and the volcanic microclimates mean it is often shrouded in mist, giving you the feeling that you’re on a film set.

Huge, gnarly trees stretch out in front of you, in and out of fog, and the air is wet and warm.

We do some forest yoga while up in the clouds with a local teacher – which feels as if I am sinking into the earth itself as I manoeuvre into downward dog.

Another highlight is Cabo Girão, the highest cliff in Europe and the second highest in the world. The viewpoint has a suspended glass platform (I tried not to look down) where you stand directly over the ‘fajãs of Rancho’ with a magnificent view of the fishing town Câmara de Lobos.

In the evenings, I would come back from a cliffside hike or a waterfall excursion and slide into the rooftop infinity pool to shake off that hard earned sweat from the day. I even opt for a massage at the spa one evening because – why not?

The leafy room mirrors the island’s landscape with lagoons and cascades and a rare Himalayan salt room.

Espada and ponchas

As for Madeiran food, there are several delicacies that take my fancy. Many restaurants serve the typical dish of tuna steak with fried maize, which is delicious.

Then there’s some of the gooiest garlic bread you’ve ever tasted, called “bolo do caco”, which comes as a starter with almost every meal.

But I fall in love with Espada, the signature dish of the island.

It translates to ‘Black scabbardfish’ and is a soft, white fish that is very light in the mouth. The best bit is that it comes covered in fried banana and maracuja (passion fruit)…somewhere between a sweet and savoury dish.

Alongside the seafood, dinner time in Madeira calls for a ‘poncha’, the traditional Madeiran aperitif, made from honey, fresh lemon juice and a white alcohol deriving from sugar cane.

Just like a Cognac or strong whiskey, it hits the back of your throat as you swallow, but soon turns into a fuzzy glow which keeps you warm all evening, even when the sun goes down.

Spoilt for choice by the restaurants

We find there is no need to leave the hotel for dinner as it has so many restaurants to choose from.

I go for a light bite at the Alameda during the day, indulge in some sushi at Jacarandá or visit the real showstopper – Galaxia – the rooftop restaurant where we dine on our last evening.

With a view of the island by night and a ceiling full of stars, Galaxia is a palatial restaurant. Of the five-course tasting menu, I am won over by the tender Wagyu beef skewers and fermented fish with mango avocado and chilli.

It all comes with a wine pairing, which is a mixture of fortified wines, white, red and rosé – a chance to taste real Madeiran produce from the many vineyards on the island.

Safe to say I had a cloudy head the next morning…

After four days of adventures, followed by unwinding at the hotel and some excellent food, I am still not ready to leave.

I will take a lot away from Madeira. The exceptional service in every restaurant and some of the most welcoming locals I have encountered in Europe. Even as a non-Portuguese speaker, it’s easy to get around. Everyone I met was almost fluent in English, as the island is so heavily dependent on tourism.

Being so remote, in the middle of the Atlantic and just west of Morocco, allowed me to cut off from the digital world and immerse myself in nature. It is a truly magical island that definitely deserves a spot on your bucket list.

Maeve Campbell travelled as a guest of the Savoy Palace Hotel in Madeira.

>>> Don't Miss Today's BEST Amazon Deals!
Originally Appeared Here

When I’m not doing this, I’m usually writing about fashion. Sometimes it’s as frivolous as you might think. Louis Vuitton recently put up the prices on some of its bags by 25 per cent. Why? Because it can. Prada put its logo on a pair of classic Adidas Superstars last year with a price tag of £400. I’ve worn the original version of those trainers for about as long as I’ve had feet, for about 50 quid a throw. Their affordability and simplicity has always been their appeal.

But fashion is still important. It is culture, it has meaning. As I walked around Henley-on-Thames last week, for the first day of the Royal Regatta, I was transfixed by what people’s clothes signified. This year, for the first time, women were allowed to wear trousers inside the Stewards’ Enclosure. Katharine Hepburn probably never made it this far west along the Thames, and couldn’t have cared less. But hurrah for feminism. There were men in blazers and red trousers everywhere. It was The Wind in the Willows, with a local Wetherspoons. Most fascinating was the omnipresence of salmon-pink sweaters tied loosely over the shoulders, a 1980s look that is still at home today in the Angel on the Bridge, a pub that dates from 1728 but plays Swedish House Mafia on Spotify. 

Henley is a time-warp mash-up of tribal shires tradition, tourists and taxi drivers ready to gouge you for the shortest of journeys – cash only. 

Somewhere amid the Union flags and bunting is Crockers, a thoroughly modern restaurant with rooms that opened last year, as fresh as anywhere I’ve been recently. The only nod to the locality is a pre-dessert refresher of Pimm’s, reimagined as a super-fresh palate cleanser involving liquid-nitrogen clouds billowing from the open kitchen.

There are actually four Crockers in one: the Grill, a casual dining room with a specially commissioned robatayaki charcoal grill; the Thames chef’s table and the Gardiner chef’s table – two 16-seater counters serving modern British and pan-Asian food respectively; and the Quarters, one of the best sets of rooms attached to a restaurant in the country. Often these are an afterthought, squeezed into the corner of an old barn and acceptable for a night when you’ve had an epic wine pairing and can’t drive. But I’d stay in a room here for a week. Ali Hearn, the interior designer, has mixed industrial supersized lamps with concrete desks, leather upholstery and lovely bathroom fittings (slipper baths for all!) to create rooms in which to linger.

>>> Don't Miss Today's BEST Amazon Deals!
Originally Appeared Here

Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition, the touring exhibition that is currently set up in downtown Charleston, is hosting an intimate dining experience at Festival Hall on Friday, August 27th from 7:30 pm to 10 pm.

This Taste of Italy event features a chef-driven menu by Charleston’s Rosemary & Rye catering and wine pairing selected by Squeeze Cocktails of some of Italy’s most classic dishes, such as:

• Arancini – An unforgettable blend of risotto & perfectly-aged mozzarella prepared in the Eastern Sicilian style and delightfully served handheld
  • A unique spin on a classic, this dish harkens back to Santa Lucia’s Day 1646
• Prosciutto & Melone – Refreshing and savory; the lesson learned from centuries of Italian trial and error: Eat melon with prosciutto for a happy and healthy day
• Chicken Parm Bite – Experience the Northern Region of Emilia-Romagna to the city of Parma, said to be the home of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, all served in a perfect bite
• And more

Paired with Italian wines that enhance the tasting notes of the dishes, guests will be transported to one of Rome’s most treasured sites.

Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at https://charleston.chapelsistine.com.

>>> Don't Miss Today's BEST Amazon Deals!
Originally Appeared Here

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 21, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Vivino, the world’s most downloaded wine app, and SOMM TV, the wine-focused streaming service, have partnered to bring exclusive educational and shoppable wine content to millions of members of both platforms in the United States. Vivino has more than 10 million registered users in the US, and SOMM TV has a large base of subscribers, with content expanding soon to iTunes, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. The partnership was developed to introduce wine drinkers – from the wine curious to the wine enthusiast – to new wines through engaging and exclusive content.

SOMM TV’s films and shows take a story-driven approach to showcase the myriad ways that wine has been and continues to be a part of the human narrative. The partnership between these two brands marks a milestone in the democratization of wine by allowing people to learn, laugh and love wine while also being given an easy and streamlined way to purchase and share their experience with others.

Vivino’s users will get first-look access to upcoming SOMM TV content and trailers. SOMM TV users will have access to purchase wines mentioned in content directly from Vivino, whose marketplace offers over two million wine prices. The partnership kicked off in July, starting with Vivino premiering the trailer of SOMM TV’s new original film on Lafite Rothschild. The partnership integrations are slated to continue with a watch-along series of the famous SOMM films. Hosted by members of the movie series’ cast, wines mentioned in the movies will be available for purchase on Vivino so viewers can enjoy and discuss them during Livestream events.

Vivino and SOMM TV both pride themselves on aiding consumers on the journey of learning about wine and providing intimate access to producers by telling their stories or putting their wines in the hands of consumers. The two companies are incredibly excited about promoting wines from up-and-coming discovery regions and making them more accessible to wine consumers. The ultimate goal of this partnership is to empower wine discovery through learning and tasting.

General Manager of the Americas Region for Vivino, Andrew Perroy, says, “We are excited to offer this new way for users to interact with Vivino while exploring all the rich content SOMM TV has to offer. This new way of getting bottles straight into the hands of our users with shoppable content on both Vivino and the SOMM TV platform is perfectly on target with our goal to make wine more approachable and accessible.”

Chief Creative Officer of SOMM TV Jason Wise stated, “There is no wine buying experience more seamless for users than Vivino and now It has never been easier to learn and be entertained while drinking the actual bottles seen on screen and heard in our podcasts. With this partnership, the full story of wine can finally be experienced by the viewer, the collector, and the adventurous drinker. SOMM TV is thrilled to work with the innovative team at Vivino to change the way people drink, learn, and enjoy the best wine and food content on TV.”

Two projects, in particular, spotlight the new integrated features and content:

1. Verticals: Lafite Rothschild – Newly released this summer, this film is a new installment in SOMM TV’s Verticals series and focuses on giving wine lovers a first-ever behind-the-scenes look at the famed first-growth chateaux. Featuring interviews with Baron Éric de Rothschild, his daughter Saskia de Rothschild, and international wine experts, including Dlynn Proctor of the SOMM movies and the late Steven Spurrier, the film tells the tale of European viticulture through the Rothschild’s wines. To augment the viewing experience, many wines made by the Rothschild family will be available to purchase on Vivino, straight from the SOMM TV platform.

2. Sparklers – This will be SOMM TV’s first cooking and wine pairing competition show featuring some of the greatest sparkling wine producers from around the world. Vivino’s own wine curator Greg Bybee will be a guest judge, and retail offerings for the entire show will be offered and fulfilled through Vivino. Sparklers will be released in fall 2021, and both Vivino and SOMM TV are excited about this brand new cooking competition show that involves pairing sparkling wine from around the world with world-class cuisine. The six wines featured will be available for purchase through Vivino.

The Vivino and SOMM TV teams are also working on co-branded events to further educate and inspire wine beginners and aficionados alike.

-END-

About Vivino: Vivino empowers people to enjoy wine to the fullest. Wine is about so much more than just a great label; it’s about an experience and community and, of course, what’s in the bottle. That’s where Vivino comes in. As the world’s largest online wine marketplace and most downloaded wine app, the Vivino community comprises millions of wine drinkers from around the world, coming together to make buying the right wine simple, straightforward, and fun. Vivino uses crowd-sourced data to personalize wine recommendations so that every community member feels confident about their wine choices. Created for everyone who likes wine—from the wine curious to the wine enthusiast—the Vivino app is available for free on Apple and Android devices.

About SOMM TV: SOMM TV is the first SVOD (Subscription Video On Demand) streaming platform and full podcast network in the wine, food, and travel space with exclusive new shows, films, and educational content created from the ground up by the team that made the award-winning SOMM documentary series. SOMM TV is available on every device and smart TV worldwide through the custom app and website. The full podcast network can be found on all major platforms, including iTunes and Spotify.

Media Contact

Pia Maria Szabo, Colangelo & Partners, 9175107865, pszabo@colangelopr.com

 

SOURCE Vivino

>>> Don't Miss Today's BEST Amazon Deals!
Originally Appeared Here