Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.
Ernest Hemingway
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Quote for today, William Shakespeare
“O thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou has no name to be known by, let us call thee devil....O God, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains! that we should, with joy, pleasance revel and applause, transform ourselves into beasts!”
William Shakespeare (1564-1616) 'Othello'
William Shakespeare (1564-1616) 'Othello'
Monday, March 7, 2011
Todd English PUB, Las Vegas
Located in Crystals at City Center you will find Todd English's latest restaurant concept. He debuted a modern interpretation of traditional English pub fare. Todd English is recognized as one of the most decorated and respected leaders in the culinary world. He has received numerous accolades, just to name a few.....James Beard winner, Best Chef in the Northeast, Restaurateur of the year and named by the James Beard Foundation's as the "Who's who in the Food and Beverage in America". Let's be very clear, when given a chance to visit one of Todd English's restaurants, You need to Go!!!
We went to check it out and grab a quick lunch but as soon as we entered you were very impressed by the layout. It was very welcoming and inviting. We decided to stay at the bar so we could walk around and view all the decor throughout the restaurant. I especially loved the 4x6 sign mounted to the wall showing you where the restrooms are located in a dozen different languages. So weather you were looking for the pissoir, loo, crapper or just the toilet it was clearly marked for everyone to see.
The food was very good, from the Raw Bar to the Carvery.....spot on my man!!!!! As much as the food was great it's definitely a beer drinkers heaven, offering 39 different kinds of beer. You also can get a pint, yard or a pitcher. It's so cool to visit a bar and the staff makes you feel as if your in their own home. Great job with the training. When you go ask for the 7 second Challenge.....Good Luck!! This venue is best with a group of people, we went in for a quick bite and left 6 hours later with half a dozen new friends and that what it's all about.....
Thank you so very much for a great day and our new friends, The Spaniard
We went to check it out and grab a quick lunch but as soon as we entered you were very impressed by the layout. It was very welcoming and inviting. We decided to stay at the bar so we could walk around and view all the decor throughout the restaurant. I especially loved the 4x6 sign mounted to the wall showing you where the restrooms are located in a dozen different languages. So weather you were looking for the pissoir, loo, crapper or just the toilet it was clearly marked for everyone to see.
The food was very good, from the Raw Bar to the Carvery.....spot on my man!!!!! As much as the food was great it's definitely a beer drinkers heaven, offering 39 different kinds of beer. You also can get a pint, yard or a pitcher. It's so cool to visit a bar and the staff makes you feel as if your in their own home. Great job with the training. When you go ask for the 7 second Challenge.....Good Luck!! This venue is best with a group of people, we went in for a quick bite and left 6 hours later with half a dozen new friends and that what it's all about.....
Thank you so very much for a great day and our new friends, The Spaniard
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Tribeca Grill, New York
Whenever given the chance to drive into the city I jump all over it. It's always so exciting and yet so difficult deciding where to go because of all the different concepts. Renowned Restauranteur Drew Nieporent and Legendary actor Robert DeNiro opened Tribeca Grill back in 1990 and it is considered to have been instrumental in helping put the Tribeca neighborhood on the map. After 21 years it is still the cool place to be......
Once I was handed the wine list I knew this was going to be a very special day. The Tribeca Grill is a wine destination, it offers Chateauneuf-du-Pape (over 300 different varietals) and the remainder of the wine list is a sommelier's dream. We found a nice bottle, and started with a cheese course. Definitely check this out. The offerings were plentiful and the price point impressive. All complemented the wine perfectly.
After the Cheese we ordered the Red Wine Braised Octopus Carpaccio, (Hearts of palm & Radish salad with a Jalapeno Vinaigrette). For our main course we ordered the Herb Pappardelle, (Braised lamb Shank, Paprika Onions, Dates & Almonds) and the Seared Sea Scallops, (Caramelized Cauliflower, Chanterelles, Haricots Verts, & golden Raisins).....OMG Good!!!!.
I want to commend the Tribeca Grill for after 21 years for still offering a great amenity and not taking their eye off the prize. I highly recommend this restaurant to everyone......
PS, Check out the artwork in the gallery from DeNiro's late father.
Thank you Drew & Robert for a great day, The Spaniard
Once I was handed the wine list I knew this was going to be a very special day. The Tribeca Grill is a wine destination, it offers Chateauneuf-du-Pape (over 300 different varietals) and the remainder of the wine list is a sommelier's dream. We found a nice bottle, and started with a cheese course. Definitely check this out. The offerings were plentiful and the price point impressive. All complemented the wine perfectly.
After the Cheese we ordered the Red Wine Braised Octopus Carpaccio, (Hearts of palm & Radish salad with a Jalapeno Vinaigrette). For our main course we ordered the Herb Pappardelle, (Braised lamb Shank, Paprika Onions, Dates & Almonds) and the Seared Sea Scallops, (Caramelized Cauliflower, Chanterelles, Haricots Verts, & golden Raisins).....OMG Good!!!!.
I want to commend the Tribeca Grill for after 21 years for still offering a great amenity and not taking their eye off the prize. I highly recommend this restaurant to everyone......
PS, Check out the artwork in the gallery from DeNiro's late father.
Thank you Drew & Robert for a great day, The Spaniard
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Tuckahoe Inn, Beesley's Point
I've been to the Tuckahoe Inn many times over the past years but the last time we went we really had a bad dining experience. I wrote it off as just a bad night. We went again last week and I must say that I was very dissatisfied. They really need to change their menu and get out of the 80's.
As we sat down the table was rocking and I had to use some sugar packets to stabilize the table. The bus boy brought over the bread basket and it just confirmed my feeling's that we had traveled back in time as if I was in a twilight zone episode, the cold loaf of bread in the wicker basket served with rock hard butter pc's. We ordered a couple of glasses of house Pinot Noir from the waitress and it was a horrible glass of wine and the glass was soapy. I'm sure the bottle didn't cost them more then three dollars. For our first course we ordered the Steamed Clams and a cup of New Jersey Clam Chowder. Both were very good but I was upset to see our salad on the tray stand waiting for us to finish our first course. For our entrees we had Chef Tyson's Crab Cakes and the Veal Piccata, the crab cakes were OK, (clearly the presentation hasn't changed since the opening). You can always tell when the veal is good when you can cut it with your fork, I needed a steak knife to cut my veal and it was very tough and chewy and the piccata sauce was also a gelantinous mess on the plate.
I was looking forward to having a nice cup of coffee with his famous New Orleans Bread pudding. I was very upset to be served a cold block of bread pudding....how does something go from being so good at one time to being so sadly presented.
The Tuckahoe Inn was a great restaurant at one point but clearly the years have caught up to them. Every restaurant needs to change with the times and continue to offer different concepts and amenities.
The Spaniard
As we sat down the table was rocking and I had to use some sugar packets to stabilize the table. The bus boy brought over the bread basket and it just confirmed my feeling's that we had traveled back in time as if I was in a twilight zone episode, the cold loaf of bread in the wicker basket served with rock hard butter pc's. We ordered a couple of glasses of house Pinot Noir from the waitress and it was a horrible glass of wine and the glass was soapy. I'm sure the bottle didn't cost them more then three dollars. For our first course we ordered the Steamed Clams and a cup of New Jersey Clam Chowder. Both were very good but I was upset to see our salad on the tray stand waiting for us to finish our first course. For our entrees we had Chef Tyson's Crab Cakes and the Veal Piccata, the crab cakes were OK, (clearly the presentation hasn't changed since the opening). You can always tell when the veal is good when you can cut it with your fork, I needed a steak knife to cut my veal and it was very tough and chewy and the piccata sauce was also a gelantinous mess on the plate.
I was looking forward to having a nice cup of coffee with his famous New Orleans Bread pudding. I was very upset to be served a cold block of bread pudding....how does something go from being so good at one time to being so sadly presented.
The Tuckahoe Inn was a great restaurant at one point but clearly the years have caught up to them. Every restaurant needs to change with the times and continue to offer different concepts and amenities.
The Spaniard
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Daniel Boulud, Las Vegas
As I was going over my notes and reviewing my photos I was saddened to see that Daniel's in Wynns, closed in August.
Since the restaurant is closed I'm not going to go into any detail about our amazing meal but I did want to say that all six of us had a tremendous dinner. I love going down the circular escalator into the atrium. We had a cocktail at the bar while we waited for the rest of our party to arrive.
As foodies we ordered many different items to review and share and we truly loved every one of them. We had an fabulous wine, 2006 Goldeneye Pinot Noir. I look forward to visiting one of his other venues in New York City. I'll have to forgo the mortgage payment that month but I'm sure it will be truly worth it and it is must closer to home.
Daniel, thank you for a great dinner.
The Spaniard
Since the restaurant is closed I'm not going to go into any detail about our amazing meal but I did want to say that all six of us had a tremendous dinner. I love going down the circular escalator into the atrium. We had a cocktail at the bar while we waited for the rest of our party to arrive.
As foodies we ordered many different items to review and share and we truly loved every one of them. We had an fabulous wine, 2006 Goldeneye Pinot Noir. I look forward to visiting one of his other venues in New York City. I'll have to forgo the mortgage payment that month but I'm sure it will be truly worth it and it is must closer to home.
Daniel, thank you for a great dinner.
The Spaniard
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Canaletto, Las Vegas
This is going to be the first of many amazing posting's about our adventures in Las Vegas. I've been going to Vegas for the past six years and I've been so fortunate to have dined and explored the worlds best Chef's. From Wolfgang Puck, Emeril Laggasse, Bobby Flay, Tom Colicchio, Michael Mina, Todd English and the king Joel Robuchon.....
We arrived in Vegas around 10am and after unpacking and due to the time change we all found ourselves very hungry and thirsty. Being surrounded by so many choice restaurants one doesn't just grab a cab and visit the In & Out Burger for a quick lunch, we're not animals. Located in the Piazza within the Venetian you will find many different great venues. This time we chose Canaletto. Whenever in Vegas you must go to the Venetian and make it a point of dining in the Piazza, every table makes you feel like your outside on a clear and beautiful day overlooking the Grand Canal as the gondolas are passing you by.
As I sat down with my two dining companions, "Dirk Diggler" and "Connie Corleone" we ordered a bottle of wine. As for our food selections we started off with a margherita pizza and destroyed the first bottle. We called "garconie" over for another bottle, hoping to finally crack a smile and Dirk's face, and picked three more dishes for us all to share. I highly recommend the following items, the Venezia Antica, (risotto with asparagus, saffron, and chicken breast), Cozze alla Marinara, (mediterrancan mussels with garlic, peperoncino baked in a spicy marinara sauce) and then the Tagliatelle Alla Castellana, (pasta ribbons tossed with pork tenderloin, bacon, shiitake mushrooms with smoked mozzarella and a bechamel and tomato sauce) OMG!!!! Good....
We always set up an agenda and make reservations for dinners because it's not an easy task at times with some of the places we like to visit but for lunches we don't make plans, main reason... "Kar nee vall!!" Carnival Bar located at Harrahs, but that's another story and can't be shared (remember what they say about Vegas). Canaletto was great from the moment we sat down....
Thank you, The Spaniard
We arrived in Vegas around 10am and after unpacking and due to the time change we all found ourselves very hungry and thirsty. Being surrounded by so many choice restaurants one doesn't just grab a cab and visit the In & Out Burger for a quick lunch, we're not animals. Located in the Piazza within the Venetian you will find many different great venues. This time we chose Canaletto. Whenever in Vegas you must go to the Venetian and make it a point of dining in the Piazza, every table makes you feel like your outside on a clear and beautiful day overlooking the Grand Canal as the gondolas are passing you by.
As I sat down with my two dining companions, "Dirk Diggler" and "Connie Corleone" we ordered a bottle of wine. As for our food selections we started off with a margherita pizza and destroyed the first bottle. We called "garconie" over for another bottle, hoping to finally crack a smile and Dirk's face, and picked three more dishes for us all to share. I highly recommend the following items, the Venezia Antica, (risotto with asparagus, saffron, and chicken breast), Cozze alla Marinara, (mediterrancan mussels with garlic, peperoncino baked in a spicy marinara sauce) and then the Tagliatelle Alla Castellana, (pasta ribbons tossed with pork tenderloin, bacon, shiitake mushrooms with smoked mozzarella and a bechamel and tomato sauce) OMG!!!! Good....
We always set up an agenda and make reservations for dinners because it's not an easy task at times with some of the places we like to visit but for lunches we don't make plans, main reason... "Kar nee vall!!" Carnival Bar located at Harrahs, but that's another story and can't be shared (remember what they say about Vegas). Canaletto was great from the moment we sat down....
Thank you, The Spaniard
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