Oh my little blog, how I’ve missed you. I have been most occupied. There have been many sips, some steps and lots of Pooh in my life as of late. Let me explain.
As some of you dear readers may know, I am helping the folks at Waterfront Market (namely Alexandria’s honorary mayor, owner Jody Manor and his gal Friday, the genius Rashmi Pappu- an artist/photographer moonlighting as a restaurant maven) with their wine list. It couldn’t be more fun. We are stocking the shelves with artfully crafted, terroir-driven wines, it’s such a dream. We’ve got a rosé sparkler from Michigan (yes, you read that right), a killer Chenin Blanc from South Africa and a kick-butt Chinon from the Loire Valley. I’m so proud of our selection, we are working with some wonderful importers and I’m also really proud of our pricing. It’s a little bit of a secret for now, but the word will soon be out that Waterfront’s got some of the quirkiest and most interesting wines around with some seriously excellent pricing. We are in it for the locals- come and get your juice at the Pier. If you live near Old Town Alexandria- go go go. We just put that crazy delicious pink bubbly from Michigan on our shelves. So back to the sips… we’ve been taking lots of them in the quest to develop the wine program. Working with Rashmi has been a blast, it’s a good day when you’re genuinely exhausted from tasting too much wine. And yes, that is possible.
To the steps- I have laced up my character shoes and jumped back on the choreography train, folks. After a few years on the down low with my little ones, I am newly motivated to get back into the theater. I’ll be the associate choreographer on Signature’s “Cabaret” this coming season and have lots of new fun things in the works. Honestly, it’s just great to be back in the theater and in the rehearsal studio again (my favorite part). My body doesn’t quite bounce back the way it once did after a day’s work- oh aging, aren’t you fun- but it’s good stuff and I’m so psyched to be breaking out my jazz hands.
And Pooh, dear Pooh. My kiddos are in love with that Winnie, they cannot get enough. They love watching his Many Adventures and I have to say, I’m ok with it. I would much rather be watching Pooh and Piglet cavort around the Hundred Acre Wood than jump around with those crazy Gabba Gabba whatever-they-are. My mother-in-law used to read the A.A. Milne stories aloud to her fellow showgirls in the “Call Me Madam” Broadway dressing room in the 1950s, how times have changed, so there’s something so sweet and sentimental about my kiddos’ newfound love for Pooh.
Happy Weekend to you all. I hope you are off to some fun adventures. We are headed to the beach (yay!) with some friends, one of them being my talented friend Jess Hartman. We just went to her opening night of Smokey Joe’s Cafe here at Arena in DC last night and folks, it’s awesome. Big congrats to her and the cast. The last 6 or 7 numbers of the show are like going to church. If you want to hear some serious singing (these people are not kidding around) and toe tapping tunes, hit this show up. Back to the weekend at hand- it’s supposed to rain but I’m ok with that, I rather like being holed up with friends and family in a cozy beach cottage. Sounds like heaven to me. What’s not so heavenly- packing with toddlers. Seriously, it’s like preparing for a friggin’ moon launch. What gives with all this gear!
A few things from above that look yummy and inspired:
1. A Sparkling Grapefruit Sage Mimosa. Yum. I spied this juicy image floating around Pinterest with no recipe to speak of, so here’s my version:
1. Fill your cup 3/4 full with sparkling wine or champagne
2. Add a splash of grapefruit juice
3. Garnish with a wedge of fresh grapefruit and a sprig of sage
Voilá. My new favorite drink (other than a great glass of vino of course).
3. Lemon-Dijon Chicken Salad Sandwiches. Come on, how cute are these things- look at them all wrapped up. Truthfully I don’t even like chicken salad but that Anna Watson Carl makes everything delicious and she’s making these like the Frenchies do- sans mayonnaise. Yum. I’m looking forward to making and packing these little beauties up at the beach this weekend.
4. Because who doesn’t love these two in the air with jazz hands to boot. Pure happiness.
5. Fig Tartlets. Shhh. Don’t speak. Enough said, I’m sold and making these stat.
What I’m Drinking:
That Sparkling Mimosa above and some delicious Italian rosé. This one in particular from our Waterfront selection, it’s crazy good.
Here’s What I Get:
Get it here if you don’t live in my neck of the woods.
It’s a lazy spring Sunday day over here in the ‘burbs. I’m still trying to get used to the idea that I’m so ‘burby now. I haven’t lived in a true suburban community since my childhood and while the pros outweigh the cons for us, I do sometimes feel like a fish out of water. I’ve met some fabulous people on my block alone, but of course most of my friends live in DC or Alexandria proper, so I’m feeling the need to start throwing some massive dinner parties just so that I can get my peeps out here for some good old fashioned quality time. A good excuse to do one of the most fun things on the planet anyway right? Who doesn’t love a good dinner party?
In the meantime, I’m lappin’ up the rays on my newly painted deck. When we moved in, it was a dingy burnt orange-y color, something that I’m sure looked smokin’ in 1979, but a fresh coat of BM’s Deck Gray has zhooshed her up real good. My brother Matt and my sis-in-law Wendy came over to plant some flowers and plants from their garden into ours- how cool is that- and I’m now the proud caretaker of a real honest-to-God herb garden (see photo above). I’m pinching myself about the glories of a backyard.
That’s about it for me this weekend. We start a massive landscape project tomorrow. I’ll post some before and afters but we’re basically getting rid of all of the pretty but dangerous (for toddlers) ivy on a steep slope in the backyard, planting a Japanese maple tree to provide a little privacy from our neighbors and ripping out all the Chinese holly bushes in our front yard which seriously look like prickly torture devices- not the most welcoming thing to see at first glance of a house.
What are you all up to this weekend? My Texas family is currently grillin’ it up at the Austin Food and Wine Fest (yes, I’m completely jealous), their arms above freshly inked by rock star chef Tim Love. I’m loving this flowering plant in these tear drop vases. I never know what to put in mine, I lugged one home from a Provence flea market a few years ago and it usually just sits alone and empty on our countertop. These fritillaria are so graceful and architectural. (Can you tell I’m loving learning about plants- so much to learn). And I’m thinking about this wallpaper for my girl’s room. I’m on a wallpaper tear- cannot get enough. And this one’s on sale. Sweet and pretty, right?
What I’m Drinking
The Chateau Coupe Roses that I posted about on Friday- can. not. get. enough. Marshy, lavender deliciousness from Southern France. Yum. And some Bandol rosé thrown in for good measure, of course.
35 Restaurants with a View. Because who doesn’t want some good eats and something pretty to look at (besides your date of course).
I love this etsy shop by the Meg A. Myers. Great up-cycled geometric planters.
Fresh and springtime-happy cocktails via Camille Styles.
How are annoying are you on Instagram? This quiz made me throw up a little bit in my mouth. Most of the stuff on this quiz never occurred to me- maybe it’s because I’m 5 years away from Millenial thinking or maybe I’m just too old for this shit. Is this really what’s happening? I know we all have egos- duh, I have a blog- but this whole self(ie) obsession is getting a little out of control.
P.S.: A random side note about the Disney Princess craze. If you don’t have kids, you’ll probably want to skip this next bit.
To all you moms of former, current or soon-to-be toddler girls, I have a theory on the whole Disney Princess craze. Indulge me here. I think it actually could be a little more about our (the moms’) fascination with said Disney heroines than it is our kids’. At least I think that’s where it may start. This is just a theory but it I witnessed this case in point this past week as after watching scenes of “Frozen” over and over again with my little ones (at their request, but honestly, mostly because I really dig it- it is a seriously well-crafted and thoughtful tale with some catchy-ass tunes, after all).
My little miss will not stop belting out “Let It Go”. And this from a 22 month old who doesn’t fully talk yet. She sings out Louise accapella at all hours of the day- in her crib hours after I think she’s gone to bed, at mealtimes, in the car, and when I try to sing something else, she quickly starts in to the power ballad chorus. “Let It Go” is Celine goes to Vegas after all isn’t it.
My girl is into it and in turn asks to watch Anna and Elsa all day long. Now I have to be honest with myself. She didn’t create this passion from out of the blue. I introduced it to her and I myself am overly enthusiastic about the Frozen girls and cannot resist my full-out musical theater belt every time we get to the “Let It Go” scene. So whose fascination is this anyway? It’s definitely hers, but it’s definitely mine too. Have I created a musical theater Disney-loving monster? If I have it’s too late nate. I’m sure I’ll rue the day when in a few years, she’ll wear nothing but a cheap pink princess-ish gown to school, the park and to bed as many of my friends now contend with. Or maybe she won’t, or maybe I’ll love it that she refused to wear anything but her princess gown. Who knows? But honestly, as a generation that grew up with The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast (ok maybe we tail-end Gen-X’ers were a little old for the Princess schtick when these movies came out), but it kind of makes sense that our kiddos would be so into these Disney ladies. Because we are too, like it or not. Feminist debate to be had at another date. What say you?
Austin Food & Wine Fest photo: Toni Terzian Wellhausen
Chim-Chimney Chim-Chimney Cin-Cin-Cheree! My pal Alana Stone, co-writer and editor of the acclaimed Analogue Guides, shares her top 5 spots in London to grab a good drink. The London guide is one of the latest editions of the Analogue Guide to hit the shelves, so of course I had to ask Alana for her picks. There are 3 very good reasons why she’s the go-to-gal here:
1. She’s spent loads of time in the royal city.
2. She’s a bona fide wino (that’s how we met- working together for a French wine importer).
3. She’s a top notch travel guide writer.
So… duh.
Here they are folks, Alana’s top 5 picks to wet your whistle across the Pond:
1. Sager + Wilde
Charlotte and Michael Sager-Wilde’s top notch wine bar lights up an otherwise nondescript section of the Hackney Road. The sophisticated oenological selection spans the globe, from California to Jerez. A sturdy assemblage of various meats and cheeses accompany the wines to perfection.
2. Sketch
Divided into five flamboyantly decorated dining rooms and bars, Sketch is more of an experience than a restaurant. From decadent afternoon tea at the front room Parlour to a multi-course tasting menu at the Michelin starred Lecture Room, the venue caters to every whim. The Gallery, Sketch’s brasserie, offers ever-changing installations by emerging artists to complement your French inspired meal. The bathrooms upstairs, consisting of retro-futuristic giant individual egg-like pods, are otherworldly.
3. Eyre Brothers
Arguably London’s best Iberian restaurant, Eyre Brothers melds culinary artistry with a cultivated, contemporary decor. Every element, from the splash of green olive oil bursting with flavour to the stellar wine list, evokes pure pleasure. Muted lighting, modernist wood panelling, tasteful artwork and a buzzing bar add to the restaurant’s infinite appeal; but its culinary might is certainly worth multiple visits in of itself.
4. Jose
A cracking addition to the culinary hotbed of Bermondsey Street, José is a modern Spanish classic. Primarily a bustling sherry and tapas bar, the list of jerez is concocted by Masters of Wine associated with the neighbouring Wine and Spirit Education Trust, which ensures a rigorously curated selection. The tapas and deserts, including a highly recommended chocolate mousse, are equally stellar. For those seeking more substantial Spanish fare visit owner José Pizarro’s Pizarro (map p 90), a wildly successful full-scale Spanish restaurant just down the street.
5. Brawn
Decked out in warm wood and exuding comfort, Brawn specializes in locally sourced delicacies in a wonderfully unfussy setting. The highlight of Columbia Road’s many culinary treasures, a meal at Brawn can include such divergent delights as Scottish langoustine, braised rabbit leg, soft polenta and gremalata, and the rather more unusual sounding snails, oxtail and salsify pie. Brawn’s predominantly French list of sustainable, organic and biodynamic wines is particularly satisfying.
Thank you Alana!
Images: Sager + Wilde: Rob Greig, Brawn: Britta Jaschinkski, Eyre Brothers: Square Meal, Sketch: Ed Reeve
This one is a duh, but I have to say, it’s new to me. As C said last night after I poured him a Black Velvet, “this is the way I always want my Guinness- with a little Champagne.” Blasphemy, you say? Especially for a man who is 1/4 Irish? Well, I say- why not? The Black Velvet still gives you a rich, mealy, manly stout with a bit of bubbly thrown in for that feminine balance. Hey, I’m all for a tall, dark glass of Guinness when the occasion calls for it, I’ve always been a big fan, but the bubbles here lift that dark, brooding drink to a more lighthearted level. It doesn’t take itself so seriously- like a little J.K. Rowling-infused Joyce.
Invented in London, this cocktail still qualifies as an Irish lassie. After Prince Albert’s death in 1861, the bartender at London’s legendary Brooks Club deemed that all should mourn- even the Champagne- so he mixed it halfsies with the Guinness. A tasty surprise was born.
The Black Velvet: Guinness Champagne Cocktail
What You Need:
Guinness
Bubbly
What You Do:
Pour half your flute or wine glass with Guinness.
Top off with some bubbly, just make sure it doesn’t lean toward the sweet side. (I went in for a bottle of Gruet- a great mix with the Guinness.)
Cin Cin and Happy St. Paddy’s Day!
P.S.: Thank you all for voting in the Saveur 2014 Food Blog Awards. Fingers crossed Volatizing will receive a coveted nom. Thanks again!
Well, it’s official folks. After 30 years on the Great White Way, my sister-in-law, Charlotte d’Amboise, is officially a Broadway legend. She’s got her illustrated mug on the walls of the legendary Sardi’s- that bastion of Broadway glory. If you ask me, it’s a little late in the coming, she’s only been nominated for a Tony twice over and starred in over 10 shows but I digress… I’m thrilled that her lovely and sparkly face is now hanging on those legendary walls alongside the likes of Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon, just where she belongs.
If you’ve never been to Sardi’s, it’s worth a trip. Saddle up to the bar on 44th St. right smack in the heart of Broadway’s best theaters and order up a classic NYC cocktail. They serve lots of Rusty Nails, Cuba Libres and Manhattans here, the usual suspects in the tried and true midtown drink lineup, but my favorite at Sardi’s is The Sidecar. It just feels right. Pre-show at Sardi’s with a Sidecar- yeah, it’s good stuff.
Vincent Sardi wrote the Sardi’s Bar Guide back in ’88- it’s chock full of “drinks of the rich and famous” and reads a little bit like you’re sipping champagne and sharing caviar dreams with Robin Leach. Old. School. This is the stuff of dreams baby- I can’t get enough. The whole place is oozing with Broadway lore. You can hear the industry chatter pouring out of the walls from decades past and admire the smiles and smirks of the stars that have adorned the walls at this institution since 1927 . If you’re a fan of the old guard and the theater, Sardi’s is a spot to put on your list to be sure. Pop in for a cocktail and a whole lot of ambience- it’s kind of perfect.
As a toast to my sis-in-law, here’s a very classic Sidecar cocktail recipe- you can never go wrong with this drink.
Cheers Char!
*My hard and fast rule is that you MUST use brandy and never vodka in your Sidecar. This classic drink’s rep was tarnished for years with the onslaught of the 90′s vodka cocktail craze. It’s brandy all the way or it just doesn’t work at all.
Happy Valentines Day dear readers. Are you all celebrating this lovey dovey holiday? I have to admit, I have always loved this syrupy-sweet day. But let’s get down to brass tacks on this one already, its origins are not as sweet-hearted as you may think. While I admit, I don’t love this lover’s day for the doilies and bon bons as much as I do for the excuse to celebrate, I had no idea the possible origins of St. Valentine’s Day were so dark.
It all started in Rome as much in our Western history has- those Romans really had a way with making some serious history. Apparently, young women would line up at the chance to have Rome’s men hit on them and by that, I do mean quite literally hit them. What seems nuts to us, was ceremonial for them- part of the annual feast of Lupercalia. The women of the time thought that these whippings and lashes would make them fertile. A (potential) mother’s love knows no boundaries. Not exactly the Hallmark holiday we’ve come to know and love, filled with cut-out hearts and tangy candy, is it?
In any case, we celebrate Valentine’s Day. Well, I do anyway. My hubby does by default. If it weren’t for me pointing out this day on a yearly basis sometime around say January 15th, it would come and go without him batting an eye. I don’t blame him, it is sort of silly. Why celebrate love on this one specific day? Why not show it in small ways throughout the year? But then again… why not? For me, any excuse to take time and celebrate is aces in my book. I’ve officially put C on Valentine duty. He has obliged and apparently planned something fun and wacky (which is one of my specifications) for us this evening.
Valentine Cocktails and a Few More Thoughts on Love and Some Other Random Things:
What I’m Drinking:
This lovely little Valentine rosé champagne cocktail cut to be a bit less sweet (nothing worse than a super sweet cocktail- blech!) to start St. Valentines evening off the right way- a classic cocktail and it’s pink. And… maybe this Prickly Pear Fizz too.
A Few Things:
1. 10 Best Love Stories. Says who? Says Jennifer Rose Smith at Camille Styles. Ok, I was a bit dubious when I clicked on this article but it had me at Paul and Joanne- pretty much my personal all-time favorite couple in the history of coupledom- so much so that one of the dinner tables at our wedding was named after them (we had a favorite couple theme for our long family style tables). Paul and Joanne- it just doesn’t get any better than you two.
5. Is this custom heart stamp cute or what? What a great engagement or Valentines Day gift, if you go in for that sort of thing.
6. Rome. The obvious choice for a destination Valentine getaway. I mean come on, as far as we know this whole holiday originated there, a couple of people by the name of Valentine were executed there and above all else, the eternal city is absolutely dripping with amor and gigantesco Italian passion. Paris- nah, it’s Rome all the way. At the very least, we should go and pay homage to all of those poor souls who endured those ridiculous whippings in the name of love- read the full story here.
And A Few More Things:
When in Rome… check out American food and travel writer/sommelier/art historian/travel guide Katie Parla’s Rome Restaurant Guide and App. She’s an expat whose been there for years and knows the eternal city like the back of her hand. An insider’s guide to eating well in Rome, to be sure. Do as the Romans do, right?
And while we’re still talking about Roma, this recipe for the classic Roman pasta dish, Bucatini all’Amatriciana looks divine. This dish was my dad’s favorite so I’ve always had an affinity for it (mine senza guanciale)- a great dish for a cold winter’s eve and a good bet if you’re staying in tonight and want to make something molto bene.
A fun look at a day in the life of designer Clare Vivier.
Want to make some cute heart-shaped cookies for your cupid but no cookie cutter in sight? Fear not, here’s a great little DIY heart-shaped cookie cutter.
The dinner party plates of my dreams- vintage Fornasetti Malachite- Come. On. If only I could find a full set. Pricey but totally worth saving up for.
Ha ha. I would love to be sitting next to this guy.
And totally randomly, don’t you wish you were here right about now?
Can you stand this fabulous image of Jacqueline Bisset from Casino Royale circa 1967? That eyebrow says it all. Oh Jackie, I love your wily ways and your crazy award acceptance speeches. What a hot dame.
Happy Weekend dear readers! What are you all up to? My mom is in town- hooray- so we’ll be hanging with the bebes. They are cracking us up these days. My little lady has some seriously fancy footwork and the little dude can really jump- they love their after-dinner dance off- we do too, it’s quickly become my favorite time of the day.
What I’m Drinking This Weekend:
It’s the Olympics, reason enough to celebrate. Bust out the Champers. It’ll be Moutard this weekend, which I haven’t had it in a while, I’ll let you know what I think.
A Few Things:
Did anyone watch the Olympic Opening Ceremonies? This image pretty much sums it up.
Olympic Cocktails! Get your Sochi on- Sochi Sugared Champagne- ok, sure.
If you’re not that psyched about Sochi and don’t know what in the what is going on over there, here’s a pretty good breakdown.
Shaken not Stirred? Well, actually according to The Kitchn, Bond will go in for a glass of champagne over a martini any day. Interesting- a man after my own heart.
A DIY feather pendant? Love this. I’m not nearly crafty enough to pull this off but it’s pretty great.
These pink roofs make me happy. Happy Weekend dear readers! What are you all up to this first weekend of February? Yay- it’s February, let’s hope Punxsutawney Phil is in the clear on Sunday- come on Spring! We’ll be drinking our Caip-beer-inhas and watching the Super Bowl, maybe take in a Frozen Sing-A-Long matinee with the bebes (their first official movie outing- we’ll see how that goes), make an IKEA run (AHHHHH! Am I crazy to attempt a weekend run?- Yes.), and continue our reno/home improvements. Our furnace conked out on us less than 2 weeks after owning our home. Ha. Homeownership- woohoo.
Tina Fey grabs coffee and a cronut with Jerry Seinfeld. I can never get enough Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. Does Jerry Seinfeld have the life or what? Just driving around in cool cars grabbing coffee and pastries with the quirkiest and coolest cats- come on!
It’s that time of year again kids. Football fan or not, it’s fun to plan a little party around the annual helmet mash. What to drink? I like to mix up a signature drink of some sort and personally think it’s a bit blasphemous to not include beer in that mix. So… a beer cocktail is the way to go.
I’m going with the Caip-beer-inha- that’s a mouthful isn’t it- maybe not the best name for this twist on the classic cocktail, as Caipirinha is hard enough to spell as it is, but it sure is tasty.
Created by mixologist extraordinaire, Jacob Grier at Portland’s Metrovino, the Caip-beer-inha is a sure-fire hit with your Super Bowl eats. Citrusy and minty by nature, this cocktail turns hoppy and floral with a tasty bitter note, when you add your IPA. The trick is not to use a drop more than an ounce of beer or your beer-inha will become a bitter-inha.
A great match to your Super Bowl spread, this little baby will match up fantastically with wings, dips, chili, nachos- you name it and is a real crowd pleaser. It drinks like a holiday which is sort of what Super Bowl Sunday’s all about.
CAIP-BEER-INHA (makes 1)
What You Need:
2oz cachaça
2 wedges lime
2 wedges lemon
6 mint leaves
0.5 oz agave nectar
1oz of IPA beer
What You Do:
1. Muddle citrus and agave nectar with a non-laquered cocktail muddler in a cocktail shaker
Record Scratch: Ok, if you haven’t muddled before, you don’t know what you’re missing.
Two things about muddling:
-If you don’t know how to muddle- watch this goateed-guy show you how to do it, he means business.
-If you don’t have a muddler, here are 6 great ones.
2. Add the mint and cachaça to your muddled mix
3. Shake with ice
4. Pour into a serving glass
5. Top with beer
6. Cin Cin and Enjoy!
What are you all drinking this Sunday? Will you watch the Bowl that is Super? I’m rooting for Seattle, I’ve always loved Denver and Peyton Manning but I think Seattle’s defense will clench it. I sound like I know what I’m talking about right? I don’t. Ha. Just thinking Seattle may have this one, plus it’s a pretty town, so go Seahawks. Although, it is now officially the Chinese New Year and the year of the Horse, so… the Broncos have that on their side. May be the best team win. Cin Cin- go Seahawks.
Former showgirl, forever travel junkie, sometime sommelier, and mom to twin bebes. This little blog is a mixed bag of tasting notes, travels, tales of motherhood, and current musings. Thank you for stopping by. Cin Cin! (photo by Amy Dickerson for Anthology Magazine)
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