Happy Weekend dear readers. It’s Santa Lucia Day! Cue my annual viewing of one of the most fantastic and hilarious holiday movies ever- The Ref, of course. Have you seen it? If you haven’t, you will not believe it’s taken you so long to see this little masterpiece. It’s seriously unbelievably funny with a killer cast- Kevin Spacey, Judy Davis and Denis Leary, not to mention the hilarious Christine Baranski (“slipper socks… medium”- my favorite line of the movie). The script is flawless. If you don’t mind a little profanity and uncomfortable family gatherings in your holiday movies (just the way I like ‘em), you’ll love it.
What are you all up to this festive weekend? There will be brunching, imbibing, playing (never too much play for those bebes) and general merriment around these parts, and maybe some rest too if I can manage to squeeze that in. We’re taking the bebes to Sesame Street Live tomorrow- woohoo- they love that Elmo so we’ll see what they think. I’m hoping to finally get my Christmas cards out, we’ll see how that goes- doubtful.
What I’m Drinking This Weekend:
I’m popping open a bottle of ’11 Volver tempranillo. I’m kind of in a Spanish mood these days, maybe because I’ve been talking to my friend Alana, of the fab Analogue Guides, who currently lives in Barcelona. Volver was recommended by another wino pal. It’s red, it’s rich, it’s hearty, it’s single vineyard, it’s $12 and it shares the same name as the great Almódovar film- ok, I’ll give it a shot. I’ll let you know what I think on Monday. I’m planning on making this City Bakery Pretzel Chicken as an experiment in whether or not the kiddos and the adults can dine on the same dish- maybe not the most perfect match with the Volver, but the mustard-baked chicken promises to be a hearty so we’ll so how it pairs.
A Few Things:
This makes my friggin’ day! Faith in humanity restored.
.A rare Redford interview and it’s 40 minutes long with the incomparable Terry Gross. Awesome.
Maureen Corrigan’s Best Books of 2013. If only I had the time or energy to read more than one page a day. Filed away.
My talented friend Alana Stone has done it again. She and her husband Stefan Horn have just published the three latest editions to their Analogue Guide travel series- Barcelona (where they currently reside with their young daughter), Berlin and Los Angeles, folks. If you’re headed east or west anytime soon, you must pick up one of these little lovelies to accompany you.
Alana is my go-to girl for all things la dolce vita and especially all things done with a crafted and detailed hand. The maps in their guidebooks are impeccable and the photos, beautiful. Little gems. The New York Times just named The Analogue Guides in their 2013 Holiday Gift Guide- “Can a guidebook be artisanal? The almost pocket-size Analogue Guides are about as close as they come”. True that, Times.
The guides are organized by neighborhood so you can take in the city’s spots like a local, not a crazed tourist trying to traverse the city at top speed while checking off the so-called must-sees. These guides really give you an insider’s look into how the locals live from a well-rounded perspective. Great for foodies, art lovers, design mavens, bon vivants and adventurers alike.
If you have a traveler in your life, the Analogue Guide is an awesome gift. Currently available for London, Paris, Copenhagen and New York as well, with more cities on the way.
Read it to believe it.
Alana’s 5 favorite spots in the City of Angels:
1. Intelligentsia Silver Lake
One of LA’s premier coffee spots, Chicago based hipster haven Intelligentsia offers cutting edge brew in the artisanally tiled Sunset Junction outdoor complex, which also houses Café Stella and The Cheese Store of Silver lake. Undoubtedly a place to see and to be seen, Intelligentsia’s tiled bar is an excellent spot to catch up on the latest news while losing yourself in the depths of a perfectly formed flat white.
2. Heath Ceramics
Founded in 1948 by potter Edith Heath, Heath Ceramics grew to become one of the most iconic names in California design. Heath’s wonderfully earthy single kiln fired tableware and tiles, still hand crafted in Sausalito, California, are available for purchase at the attractive LA flagship store. A testament to their lasting quality and artistic value, Heath’s designs are on display at LACMA and MoMA. In addition to phenomenal ceramics, the shop also sells books on craft and design.
3. AXE
Named after a Yoruban salutation, Axe is the brainchild of chef and owner Joanna Moore. Designed in a light and modern mix of congona and black acacia woods softened by handmade lamps, Axe is one of Venice’s most attractive haunts. Open windows and a lovely back patio allow for a constant whiff of Pacific breeze. Dishes are fresh, delicious and inspired, taking full advantage of the diversity of fruits and vegetables sprouting locally. Wines incorporate robust California and Old World selections.
4. Stahl House
In the aftermath of World War II, Arts & Architecture magazine commissioned America’s architectural avant-garde to create a series of efficient yet inexpensive model homes. Many of these Case Study Houses, designed by the likes of Richard Neutra and Eero Saarinen, were built in the Los Angeles area. Overlooking the city from the Hollywood Hills, Pierre Koenig’s Stahl House, or Case Study House #22, is perhaps the most iconic representation of Los Angeles modernism. The house is privately owned but open for visits upon arrangement.
5. Hollywood Bowl
A summer evening concert at the Hollywood Bowl is a quintessential LA experience. Dramatically nestled in the Hollywood Hills with prime views of the Hollywood sign, the Bowl hosts world renowned classical and contemporary musicians, in addition to the LA Philharmonic’s summer season. Bring a picnic and a bottle of wine along or simply book a table at one of the Bowl’s al fresco restaurants.
I’m a pretty smiley person by nature, but I’ve never known a true cheek hangover until now. Not that I haven’t had some seriously smile-worthy moments in life- my wedding, opening nights- but those were all infused with a myriad of emotions. This one was pretty much just all smiles all the time.
I don’t usually do posts like this, I like to share my opinions and ideas and mostly highlight the lives of others, but this one I just had to document. I had the tremendous good fortune to accompany my amazing father-in-law, Jacques d’Amboise, to the White House and Kennedy Center for the 2013 Kennedy Center Honors this past weekend. Cue self-inflicted pinch times ten.
Knowing that I would be Jacques’ guest to this event nearly a year in advance, I planned carefully, which is very out of character me (you know what they say about plans…). I carefully selected- with the help of my fabulous stylist-to-the-stars pal, Katy Robbins- my two Rent the Runway gowns literally months in advance. There would be two nights of events- the dinner at the State Department and the White House gathering/meeting the President and the First Lady followed by the Honors at Kennedy Center. I was all set with an Alice Temperley gown and a David Meister on the way for a grand total of $125- oh yeah, discount codes were in full effect.
Then came last Friday night. 8pm, tick tock tick tock, No UPS special delivery as expected. After a long wait on hold with the parcel service, I learned that the dresses would arrive promptly Monday morning. Hmmm. I’m royally screwed, I thought. My babysitter is out of town, Christopher is working and I’ll have to haul two toddlers to Tysons Corner and frenzily shop for not one but two expensive-looking but reasonably affordable black tie gowns. What the what?
I prepared to wake early Saturday and make the mad dash to Nordstroms. Enter the Norovirus. Around 1am on Saturday morning, my hubby came down with a severe dose of the stomach virus. If you’ve ever experienced this, you know how intense it is. It hits you like a ton of bricks and you are violently ill for a solid 24 hours. Saturday morning 10am and Christopher was starting to come out of his nausea-daze when I started to feel a bit wonky. By noon, it was clear that I would not be going to the State Department much less Nordstroms. At that point, I can honestly say however, that I didn’t much care. We had two toddlers to take care of as two very sick parents who were doing everything we could to keep them from getting sick. How that works with a crazily contagious virus, I have no idea. If you’ve ever tried taking care of small children while you feel ghastly ill, you can empathize. It was a rough day, maybe the toughest yet in my newbie parenthood. These are the days you really want your mommy.
Then that beacon of the week, Sunday morning dawned and all started to look a bit brighter. I didn’t feel great, but Lord knows I was going to that White House. I made the mad dash to Nordstoms, gave the saleslady my budget and after a heartfelt wince from her, she brought me dozens of dresses all of which only emphasized my post-baby bump that has no business being a bump at this point, it’s more like a lump- let’s call a spade a spade. She finally brought me one last dress- this one revelatory -to my dressing room. It was like the popcorn ceiling opened up and the Angels sang “AHHHHH”. I had to have it, it actually made my lump look kind of great. I dashed up to the register only to find out upon ringing up, that this was indeed well above my fantasy and idealized price range. Oh well, it’s the frigging White House, I mean come on. So, dress bought, baubles on, we are ready to roll.
Off we went. At 3:15 on the dot, Jacques’ appointed driver Carl rolled up into my modest little apartment complex’s parking lot to escort me down the slick ice rink that was masquerading as a sidewalk. I somehow managed not to take a dive, even in my 4 inch heels- and believe me, this momma does not wear 4 inch heels- not since around my 34th birthday anyway. I lost my tolerance for the self-inflicted pain caused by ridiculously high heels, so I had to kind of pat myself on the back for this one.
We arrived at the front gates of the White House and all I could think about was that scene in Dave when Kevin Kline drives up to that very same gate and convinces the guards to let him out. Here I was, at that very gates. What next? We were escorted after multiple security checks up to the White House. Now I’ve never been to the White House, never taken a tour and although I’ve always wanted to, I never got around to writing my Representative about that one. But this was much better, I had an actual invite, I was actually invited by the peeps at the White House- ok as a plus-one, but still.
Entering the White House for a party that it is throwing was a kind of dazzling, surreal moment for this American girl. Another “AHHHH” moment with the angels harking all over the place as I was handed a glass of champagne upon entering. I found myself sashaying down the perfectly decorated hallways in my lump-licious dress, bumping into the likes of Garth Brooks and Sam Waterston all the while with a ridiculously huge smile on my face. Mind you I was completely aware that I was striding down these said hallways with a giant smile on my face, but I couldn’t do anything about it. I don’t want to sound like a naive fresh-off-the-bus farm girl here, I’ve had my share of star-studded evenings and shared the stage with the likes of Hugh Jackman and Tony Bennett (dreamboats- both of them), but this was something entirely different.
Sitting in my little seat with my very own name imprinted on its little white card, I couldn’t believe I was surrounded by less than one hundred people waiting for the President and the First Lady to arrive. They fabulously strode into this little room and almost knocked me over, not literally but quite figuratively. There is a reason why people get elected to office beyond their politics, it’s that old charisma thing. It’s the same reason the Clooneys and the Pitts of the world are our mainstays- star wattage, people. Despite what you may think of them or their politics, the Obamas are stars.
Enter my very un-Presidential comment to the First Lady. Meeting Obama himself was fantastic, he is charming and genuine with a firm handshake and an authenticity that oozes from his sparkly white teeth. He thanked me for coming (uh- thanks for having me!). Meeting Mrs. Obama, I just blurted out, “You are too fabulous!”. She graciously replied, “Thank you” and also thanked me for coming. Seriously, I was kind of mortified and I still can’t believe I said that to her, not the most Presidentially-appropriate behavior to be sure, but honestly, she is- too fabulous. She dazzled in her jade green Marchesa off-the-should gown, she oozed grace and importance and honestly, she’s a modern day Goddess.
Embarrassing moment behind me (I had to have one), we continued to make the rounds and that’s when I found myself standing next the the D-O-double-G. Oh yeah, Snoop. He jokingly asked the Marine Corps band to play “Gin and Juice”- one of my favorite parts of the night. They didn’t comply, too bad- what a miss. I snapped a picture with the hip hop superstah and ta-dizzle-fo-shizzle, we were off to the Kennedy Center.
I arrived at my seat to find my darling hubby all dressed up in his tux complete with bow tie, which I’ve never actually seen him in- he was effortlessly tieless at our wedding. The drumroll began and the the curtain went up. Attending the Kennedy Center Honors is like attending one of the greatest mulit-artist concerts ever. You get opera, you get drama, you get dance, you get music, music, music. In a word, it’s awesome. It’s a proud-to-be-an-American kind of evening. The show airs on December 29th, and is one to watch. The standout of the night for me is the tribute to Billy Joel with a rousing and tear-jerking number by Garth Brooks and a beautiful turn by Rufus Wainwright, not to mention a great performance by Panic at the Disco’s Brendon Urie. Snoop absolutely kills in the Herbie Hancock tribute- don’t miss it.
We capped the night off with a dinner under the giant mod chandeliers in the main hallway of the Kennedy Center surrounded by some of America’s most inspiring artists and Washington’s finest. I had a blast yucking it up with the legendary Eddie Villella all evening and was once again dumbstruck to find myself shooting the sh*t with Billy Joel, who is one of the most down to earth, coolest cats around. After commending him for his career (with lack of anything else to stay, being completely startstruck) he replied, “Hey, I’m just doing what I love”. And that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it.
Midnight struck and we were jolted back into our real lives remembering that we promised our sitter we would be home by 12:30. We dashed down the marble halls of the Kennedy Center like Cinderella running for her carriage, in this case our minivan, and raced home before the clock struck 12:30. We made it. No pumpkins here and the kiddos were all nestled snug in their beds. What a whirlwind, but how great to be back in our tiny home with our tiny bebes.
Happy Weekend dear readers. These Kate Spade cards are rocking my world. If I didn’t do holiday photo cards, I would have these little beauties addressed and ready to send- seriously stylish and fun!
I hope you all enjoyed a warm and blessed Thanksgiving. We are laying low this weekend after all that cooking and holiday hoopla. We might try to catch a showing of Catching Fire, I hear it’s pretty good, have you seen it? Do tell. What are you all up to this weekend? Black Friday anyone? I can’t bring myself to do it although I am curious. Maybe I’ll pop my head in Walmart to see what all the fuss is about. Or maybe not.
House-hunting update: we got the house! Yippee- suburbia here we come. Even though I am a wee bit scaredy-cat about life in the ‘burbs, to be honest I’m completely psyched for a change and some real grown-up space. We will be able to do a bit of renovations too, so my 5,200 Pins will not go to waste. All Pinning and No House Makes Kelly a… well, you know.
What I’m Drinking This Weekend:
It’s that most wonderful time of the year so I’m breaking out the- what else- bubbly. It’s officially the start of the holiday season- hooray! It’s on baby, deck the halls and bust out the bubbles. I’m popping a fizzy rosé tonight, an Austrian Pinot Noir/Zweigelt blend. I usually find Austrian bubbles to be finessed and feminine, we’ll see how this one shakes out. Check back on Monday for my Tasting Note to follow. If this one’s a winner, at $15 it’s a perfect holiday party wine. Huber Hugo Rosé Sparkling, $15
If you’re anything like me, this will make your freaking day. I’m more than a little late to the party (how have I not seen these!) but better late than never. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to watch old comedians kvetch, it’s really indescribable. I feel the same sort of giddy, warm and fuzzy happiness that I do when sitting front row at a Wayne Newton or Tom Jones concert. Weird? Sure. Again- unexplainable. Is it strange that I would rather go to a Don Rickles show than a Louis CK show. Probably. Hey, what can I say?
Jerry Seinfeld’s webisodes of comedians in cars getting coffee is an awesome little glimpse into the old (and sometimes new-ish) Hollywood comedy guard. My best friend Amy sent me this one featuring Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks. I won’t spoil it for you, it’s a treasure. All I have to say is that Carl Reiner has his bestie Mel over every night to watch Jeopardy and a movie (anything where they say “secure the perimeter”) while they eat dinner on tv trays. I mean seriously, do you love that or what?
True Story: I once played charades with Mel Brooks- one of the greatest nights of my life. Charades and the King of Comedy in one night? Seriously ridiculous.
Happy Weekend dear readers! Aren’t these leaves gorgeous? I snapped this yesterday on my daily walk through town with the bebes. I love the herringbone-bricked streets and those lavender-tinged leaves. I am really loving fall this year and trying to soak up this beautiful town while I still live here.
We recently sold our New York apartment (fingers crossed we will close by the end of the year) and while it is truly a bittersweet farewell from our little piece of the Manhattan pie, there is something satisfying about the resolute choice to plant some serious roots with family. We have decided to officially call Virginia home after a couple of years testing out the waters here. It is beautiful and a really lovely place to live with a kick ass wine scene to boot. A little challenging financially if you’re on the artsy side of things and not a lucrative lawyer or lobbyist but what’s new? We always seem to land in the most expensive places. We’ll find our little diamond in the rough. I’ve been scouring redfin trying to find that dream home that is somewhat architecturally interesting, close to a town with a vibrant and active community and in a great school district. It’s a tall order and a little tough-going with our budget, but I’ll keep you posted. Wish us luck. Northern Virginia real estate is not messing around, it is no joke here. Hot properties sell within hours of being on the market. Another rat race. Sigh.
In the meantime, I’m loving Old Town and trying to take in every moment here as we’ll likely head west to Fairfax County (still only 20 minutes from this cute little town but far enough that I can’t walk out the door and stroll the bebes along these Colonial streets). But we must make the move for the schools. Ahhh, parenthood.
What are you all up to this weekend? We have no big plans. Just hanging around, enjoying the fall.
What I’m Drinking This Weekend:
I’m going back to Cali. I’ll be sipping the ’10 Anthill Farms Syrah this fall weekend. Made by 3 rockstar winemakers formerly of Williams Selyem, my Somm friends love Anthill Farms, so I will give it a go. Tasting Note to come.
What I’m Reading This Weekend:
I’d like to say I’ll be reading Searching for Zion or something deep like that but I’m afraid I’m too tired for serious reads these days. Sleep habits of 17 month olds= not conducive to long lingering novels. Instead, I’ll sip my Syrah while reading about one of my best pals, Cristy Candler in the latest issue of Anthology, shot by the fabulous and talented Amy Dickerson (whose work and Sideshow Stories are constant inspiration).
Cristy is one of my best girls from back in the day. We grew up together on the Broadway scene. By grew up, I mean we were already in our 20s, but we hustled and got our first Broadway workshop together- Dirty Dancing directed by the now Tony-award winning Diane Paulus. What fun. Cristy is the definition of a free spirit, she cracks me up and always inspires me with her love of life, creativity and vintage-chic style. The whole issue is beautiful. Check it out.
I don’t know how to feel about this. Martin Scorcese directs this gorgeous ad for Dolce and Gabbana with Matthew McConaughey and Scarlett Johanssen. Is it just me or does it feel like you’re watching a student film with superb cinematography?
How pretty is this little breakfast nook. Those doors and that fixture- so simple and pretty, I could manage my cup of coffee and morning emails at that table. Happy Weekend to you all, dear readers! I hope you are all off to some fun and festive fall activities. We going on a fall family vacation with friends to a Dirty Dancing-style resort in West Virginia. I CAN NOT wait. A full report and post to come. What’s in the planning for you all?
A little link love and a few things that caught my eye:
1. A D.J. school for babies- only in Brooklyn folks.
2. Eric Ripert bans e-cigarettes at Le Bernadin because they’re tacky. I love him.
4. Oversized portraiture is invading Pinterest. I don’t know, I’m on the fence about these, except for Dylan of course- I kind of love the way that looks. What do you think?
5. AND… Shark Tank’s back. I know, I’m a dork but I love that show.
6. Anna Nicole- the new opera presented by NYC Opera at BAM gets a rave.
{Images: Breakfast Nook- Design Within Reach, Anna Nicole- Sara Krulwich, e-cigarette- Reuters, Cameron Diaz’s apt and Bob Dylan oversize portrait- Elle Decor}
I love a gallery wall. I shall one day enjoy one complete with a striped settee- totally going to copy this look.
Happy Weekend dear readers! I hope you have an excellent Labor Day as we officially kiss summer goodbye. Arrivederci summertime- ’til next year. I hope you have some fun plans. No biggies over here, just hangin’ round.
So… among more important things that occurred this past week, this happened:
I had to google the word “twerk”.
I endured a 7 hour bus ride to NYC (should have been 4.5). I know, whoa is me, right- 1st world problems- but when you get into the wine industry because you have a good “nose”, there is inevitably a downside. This said bus was wafting with an intense bouquet of ripe b.o. Yes you read that right. Having an acute olfactory system is awesome when you’re sniffing the good stuff but man oh man, I wish I could turn this thing off when things go wrong.
I caught up with my fabulous and dear friend Cristy and we stayed up talking way past my bedtime.
My kiddos are just getting funnier by the minute- it’s awesome.
I played charades with mom and brother via text. I did. And I guessed the clue with only a few characters. It’s a new world, folks.
Matt Damon comes to Ben Affleck’s rescue, “You know, he’s not playing King Lear. It’s Batman!”. Nice. What are you trying to say Damon? Affleck can’t do Lear? Ha. I personally think Ben will be a stellar Batman and loved Patton Oswalt’s thoughts.
“I’m the King of the Barbarians!” Tortured though he may be, Mike Tyson never disappoints with an amazing sound bite.
And as always, a little link love:
1. Support our dear friend Super Maeve by sporting one of these cute tees in her honor. Her inspiring parents are hoping to raise awareness for children’s cancer with this project. Maeve is the most amazing two year-old bravely fighting a rare form of cancer and kicking its butt. All hail Super Maeve!
2. Twerk Schmerk-this guy can take Miley any day with his mad Vogue-ing skills.
4. I love Caitlin MacGauley’s illustrations. I just bought this leopard print for my desk.
5. And then saw this photo with my envelope in her bike basket via her instagram account- what a weird world.
6. I can’t wait to read this. Marilyn Hagerty’s book on food in America with a foreword by Anthony Bourdain. You probably recognize the 87 year-old Hagerty from her numerous tv appearances when her review of an Olive Garden restaurant went viral. Her earnest review started a snarkfest and Bourdain quickly rushed to her defense. In the foreword he writes that, “this book kills snark dead”. I like it.
7. On the flip side, I’m psyched about all of the chic-chic fall restaurant openings – especially Contra and Ivan Ramen in NYC (and if I still lived in Hell’s Kitchen I’d be psyched about Gotham West Market), Shoo-Fly in Baltimore and Maketto in DC.
And… this is silly and worth a few minutes: Sh*t Southern Women Say- this sh*t is funny- these gals are great.
{Images: Jenny Komenda Little Green Notebook, Nowness, Caitlin McGauley}
Wow, glamorous train travel. The passing of the breakfast tea on the railway between Peshawar and Lahore, Pakistan circa 1983. On the job hazards for sure, but these guy don’t look like they mind. In any case, I don’t think I’ll be seeing this anytime soon on my monthly Amtrak Northeast Regional train to NY. Nope.
2.2003 Auditions for The Office- so many great actors up for these roles. I spied this over at Cup of Jo, but couldn’t find an existing link that worked on youtube, so it may have been pulled. Check it out.
4. 50 Things That Look Like Your Childhood (for the youngish Gen Xers, and Gen Yers, is there a Gen Z yet?)
-just a little sidenote, that mountain in number 7 was actually climbed by my brother Ben who was a real live contestant on Nickelodeon’s GUTS- and he won (it was kind of imperative for the future of his well-being that he did, as both his opponents were girls and at 12, you kind of can’t lose to a girl). And I was a real live contestant on Teen Win Lose or Draw and didn’t win. That’s right, that’s what growing up in Orlando gets you.- spots on cheesy pre-teen game shows.
5. The Dog That Will Not Kiss His Owner: hilarious. I’m not really a pet videos-on-youtube kind of gal, but this is funny. The whole culture/language thing helps too.
7. Bon Appetít unveils this year’s 10 Best New Restaurants. This list always makes me want to jump in the car and road trip to each and every restaurant. {Photo by Peden + Munk}
This one is seriously so genius. Easy, healthy & delicious- a great way to do raw veggies. I have to share this revelation I picked up from America’s Test Kitchen’s Jack Bishop.
Zucchini Parmesan Summer Salad with Fresh Herbs and Olive Oil:
What You Need:
4 Small Zucchini (the smaller and darker in color, the better, more flavorful and less diluted they will taste)
Handful of Chopped Fresh Herbs (whatever you want, I used chives, basil and mint)
Good Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Sea Salt or Fleur de Sel
Pepper
Shaved Parmesan
A Pretty Platter or Plate
A Plastic Mandolin (or just use your kitchen knife, but the mandolin is a time-saving game-changer- I got mine at Williams-Sonoma for $19 bucks)
What You Do:
1. Slice the zucchini on the bias
2. Spread out on your pretty platter
3. Sprinkle with fresh herbs
4. Sprinkle with shaved parmesan
5. Drizzle with olive oil
6. Sprinkle with salt and pepper
DONE. So genius, so simple, so good for you. Get your raw veggies right here- I’m hooked.
Total time to prepare this puppy: 5-7 minutes depending on how quickly you can chop up those herbs. That’s what I’m talking about.
I served this summer salad for my brother and sister-in-law over the weekend. (P.S.: Thank you Matt for the AMAZING paninis!) and this platter went quick. I should have made another.
A Perfect Pairing:
I would sip a Grüner with this dish. We had rosé in the fridge and that was fine too but the Grüner would have been better, it’s my pick for your perfect pairing- I would pick this one up- a great producer’s starter Grüner: inexpensive and bright with lemony citrus flavors and that classic dash of white pepper, you really can’t go wrong. Weingut Hirsch Veltliner Number 1, $13.
Listen to the Fresh Air interview with America’s Test Kitchen hosts Jack Bishop and Bridget Lancaster here- it’s chock full of so many great ideas like grilled peaches and pork and oven-dried tomatoes, my mouth was watering just listening to the story. A recent discovery for me, America’s Test Kitchen is my new favorite show.
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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