WineFoodChat

Let’s Go Wine Clubbing!

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:54:27 +0000

We will have access to the hottest and best clubs out there and we will never be stopped by that guy dressed in black and weighing in at about 400 pounds. Instead we will move to the front of the line and move right through that velvet rope. Once inside the club, we will be treated like VIPs, sometimes we will need our secret code to unlock all the magic waiting for us once inside. What am I talking about? Wine Clubs are what I am talking about, winery wine clubs in particular.. (more)

1st Ever Sonoma Restaurant Week Going on Now

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:35:46 +0000

The first ever Sonoma Restaurant Week is being held now through the 28th of February. If you live in the area or will be traveling there, now is the time to try some fantastic restaurants. Sonoma, California has more than wine going for it, it is also home to some world renowned restaurants that will please any culinary taste. Restaurants will be serving special three course dinner menus (some available at lunch) that will not bust your pocketbook..(more)

2010 James Beard Award Semifinalists

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:59:54 +0000

You should review this list and if any of these fine restaurants and semifinalists are near you or when traveling, you should make it a point to have a fine dining experience at any one of them. Regardless of who the eventual winners will be in this list, they all deserve to be honored..(more)

Flowers, Chocolates, Champagne, What’s Up?

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 02:08:00 +0000

Now called Valentine's Day, as we are too impatient to say the full name anymore and it is five less characters to Tweet. I guess it is for the best, as the full name has long been associated with a little skirmish back in 1929 when mobster Al Capone decided there was no love lost between him and Bugs Malone, a rival for the hearts and affections of Chicago's gang supremacy. That day, on a day meant for love and affection, seven men were gunned down in cold blood in what has been called the "Saint Valentine's Day Massacre". Wow, now that I have gotten that out of the way, let's discuss Valentine's Day shall we!

Super Bowl Chow Down: You Say Cajun I Say Creole

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 01:48:56 +0000

This year as all teams in my home state of California had fear of success syndrome, I will be rooting for the Saints, only because of all the things that great city has been through, their will to win (and a good kicker), and I have been to New Orleans and love the place, when it is not Summer that is. This brings us to wine and food...

Zinfandel Festival Begins in San Francisco

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:55:40 +0000

Fun with Zin, I say! Zinfandel, not to be confused with Infidel, is a very diverse wine and it has many loyal fans that know their wine and how to have fun. You see Zinfandel, or Zin for short, is a great wine that goes with almost any kind of food from pizza, Chinese food, tailgate parties, to being part of a seven course gourmet feast. Oh, and it is also good just to sip on while you relax a bit too.

Released Results: 2010 Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:04:10 +0000

Just Released: 2010 Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition Awards. Competition was held in San Diego, California January 23-24, 2010. Wine of the year is California's Gloria Ferrer Sparkling 2002 Royal Cuvee Carneros.

Released Results: 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Awards

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 01:46:07 +0000

Just Released: 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Award-Winning Wines.

Many More Favorite Restaurants Close In San Francisco

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:48:27 +0000

The San Francisco and Bay Area restaurant scene is one of the best in the world. However, like other areas of our country, it is going through some bad times. Restaurants have been hurt as they need customers to help meet the expenses to stay open. There have been numerous restaurant closings over the last couple of months in San Francisco and elsewhere, but below are just a few closing up on January 1, 2010 or shortly thereafter.

Happy New Decade!

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:59:51 +0000

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND TO THE NEW DECADE! Here is hoping that all of you live your dreams by making them happen. May this new decade find you love, peace, happiness, joy, laughter, and whatever it is that you want in life. Never let anything get to you and one of the most important things in our [...]

Oh That Smell of Bacon — Say What?

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:47:54 +0000

Bacon, bacon, and bacon. By itself, in any recipe, and of course with eggs. that pretty much sums up 2009. You see people found a new love for an old fave and there was plenty of it. News stories, endless and creative recipes, photos on Facebook, Tweets, blog posts, wine pairings, and more were everywhere and [...]

Plug-in Headaches!

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 05:03:19 +0000

ALERT: To all my readers that have had problems with individual Post’s pages showing a requirement they needed to log in, I have heard your voices many of them! This was not my doing, well not my intention anyway. You see, I installed a new plug-in that I thought would be a nice addition to the website. This [...]

Part Three: Wine and Food of the Holidays – Happy Kwanzaa!

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 03:22:38 +0000

Kwanzaa is a misunderstood holiday here in the United States, I say that because like Hanukkah, unless it is your own religion or culture not many people go out of their way to fully appreciate it if they do not celebrate it. I asked several people..

Part Two: Wine and Food of the Holidays – Merry Christmas!

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:52:46 +0000

This will bring us to the second in the three part series on the major holidays in December. Merry Christmas! I know there are some, for political correctness, that want this known as Happy Holidays. Let’s face it, on December 25th of every year it is Christmas — not another holiday. I do agree with [...]

Part One: Wine and Food of the Holidays – Happy Hanukkah!

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:08:03 +0000

Hanukkah offers a lot of tradition that has followed one generation after another. Besides the ritual of the Hanukkiyah lighting every night, there are gifts given every day, games played, and lots of music. On top of this a lot of eating, wine is enjoyed, and time for family get togethers..

Top Chef: The Cain and Abel Saga Continues

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:41:55 +0000

Tonight ends this season’s Top Chef. One of the final three, that we have grown to love or hate, will win the big spatula – bragging rights to the title, Top Chef. It has been a long battle to the finish and now the best will win, at least as determined by the judges. Last week was disappointing to say the [...]

Weekend Wine Event in Rutherford, California

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:12:13 +0000

Only a few miles from Napa, California is a wine appellation in Rutherford, California and they are showing their best this weekend. Beginning on Saturday, December 5, 2009 and ending Sunday, December 6, 2009, The Rutherford Appellation Winery Group will host “Rutherford Passport Weekend”. The participating wineries will have various enticements for Passport holders, among winery offerings: [...]

Top Chef Napa a Nice Way to End the Season

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:18:39 +0000

After a whole season in Vegas, Top Chef will now end the season in Napa, California. Napa is of course well known for its excellent wines and will now host one of America’s favorite cooking shows that is full of despair, anger, joy, egos, excitement, fun, great food, and should I also say tattoos — lots of [...]

Ok, Had Enough With the Turkey!

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:10:18 +0000

I am thankful for having such a wonderful Thanksgiving feast that I cooked (not kidding!). However, after leftovers on Friday night my husband and I had some leftovers last night as well that I fixed as turkey salad sandwiches for lack of anything better — or time. Guess what, there are still leftovers! Had it, no more, cannot [...]

Happy Thanksgiving at Least for Some ..

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:55:05 +0000

I wish all my American readers a very Happy Thanksgiving. Whether you will be with friends and family you adore or with family you have not seen in years (there is a reason for that!) or you will have house guests from Hell — it is, nonetheless, a time to enjoy some good wine food and chat. Funny Jib [...]

“First Sip” Reflections (Part 6 of 6): Jessie’s Grove and Berghold Wineries

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:36:10 +0000

This the last of the series of articles and tasting notes on Lodi, California wines tasted over the First Sip wine event held November 14-15, 2009. The wineries covered in this article are: Jessie's Grove Winery and Berghold Estate Winery.

“First Sip” Reflections (Part 5 of 6): Van Ruiten and Michael-David Wineries

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:50:33 +0000

Fifth in six part series on "First Sip" Wine Event held in Lodi, California November 14-15, 2009. Series covers nine Lodi Appellation wineries. Tasting and pairing opinion with overview of each winery and the wine, food, and entertainment they provided to guests.

“First Sip” Reflections (Part 4 of 6): Harmony Wynelands and Vino Piazza Wineries

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:04:49 +0000

This article will cover the last two wineries visited on the first day of the 1st Sip event in Lodi, California held November 14-15, 2009. They are Harmony Wynelands and the various wineries of Vino Piazza. The last two articles will cover: Michael-David, Van Ruiten, Jessie’s Grove, and Berghold wineries that we visited the last day of the event. Harmony Wynelands This is another [...]

“First Sip” Reflections (Part 3 of 6): Harney Lane Winery and Vino Con Brio

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:34:25 +0000

Yesterday, in the second of this six part series on “First Sip” held in Lodi, California November 14-15, 2009, I highlighted d’Art Wines. Today I will reflect upon two more wineries, Harney Lane and Vino Con Brio. Harney Lane Winery This is a true family winery. The Mettler family has a long history in Lodi and have been grape growers since [...]

“First Sip” Reflections (Part 2): d’Art Wines

Susan Harris-Kennedy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:32:27 +0000

This is the second in a series on the event “First Sip” held in Lodi, California on November 14-15 2009. On the first day, we went to: d’Art Wines, Vino Con Brio, Harney Lane Winery, Harmony Wynelands, and a few wineries in the Vino Piazza Wineries. I will cover d’Art Wines in this article. d’Art Wines (AKA: [...]