Happy New Year, 2012

I wanted to wish everyone a healthy and happy New Year, may 2012 bring you and your family everything you desire.

The Spaniard

Roy's, San Francisco or Philadelphia

We have been to the one in Philly but when heading to Napa we always stay one night in San Fransisco, this city has some amazing culinary treasures. One being Roy's.

In Hawaii, there are two things of equal importance—food and the "aloha" spirit. The blending of these two dynamic principles is how Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine was born. European techniques and Asian cuisine meet Hawaiian hospitality to create a fine dining experience unlike any other. Where the "aloha" style of service comes straight from the heart, and where any occasion becomes an unforgettable evening.

In 1988, James Beard Award-winner Roy Yamaguchi opened the first Roy's in Honolulu, Hawaii. Today there are 31 Roy's locations around the world—23 in the continental U.S., six in Hawaii, one in Japan and one in Guam. The restaurant was designed around a unique experience through spacious dining rooms, an expansive lounge and Roy’s signature exhibition kitchen in full view.

Listed below are some of the items we had, I recommend getting everything...you will not be disappointed. I also highly recommend getting his book, Roy's fish & seafood recipes from the pacific rim....page 9, butterfish...OMG good.


Ahi Poke* Kukui Nut Inamona Jus, Yuzu Infused Sour Cream, Avocado & Tobiko 14.95
Grilled Szechwan Spiced Pork Ribs Smoked & Glazed in Roy's Original Mongolian Sauce 11.95
Crunchy Golden Lobster Potstickers Spicy Togarashi Miso Butter Sauce 12.95
Thai Beef Salad Wagyu Tri-tip, Fresh Herbs, Spicy Lime Vinaigrette 15.95

http://www.roysrestaurant.com/locations/CA/san_francisco.asp

Roy's get four out of four corks

The Spaniard

Hostil Grape, Las Vegas

When in Vegas you need to visit the M Resort, I posted the link below for you to check out all the  amazing offering's.


Loved the Hostil Grape, 160 different wines to try, I was a kid in a candy store. Simply said, if you love wine you will love this place.

http://www.themresort.com/dining/hostilegrape.html

The venue gets four cork out of four

The Spaniard

Grilled Prawns

So simple and so good. Salt & pepper, lemon and a grill....Nice!!!!

The Spaniard

Julian Serrano, Photos from Dinner

They say that you put on the plate define you, So true, Great job Chef.

Listed below are only some of the item we had, OMG.....Good!!!!

 

http://www.arialasvegas.com/dining/julian-serrano.aspx

The Spaniard

Happy Holiday

Merry Christmas from the Spaniard, May you have the happiness I have with your family on this beautiful day.

Nothing's better then sharing food and drink together with family and friends, God Bless you all....

The Spaniard

Love My New Garage...

Love my new room, We can park the cars outside....Priorities!!!

The Spaniard

Julian Serrano, Las Vegas

The love for eating is something that I feel needs to be researched, explored and most of all shared with friends and or love ones, must be shared....this is the key to enjoying the dining experience.

Growing up in a Spanish home I didn't know any other way to eat, Daddy comes home, we all sit down together and my Mother would just keep on bringing waves the food and we keep eating and eating....

I go to Vegas ever year for the Food and Beverage convention and I finally discovered what's at the end of the rainbow.....Aria, this new mega resort destination has it all and it's lined up with the best of the best when it comes to eateries. Maybe because I'm Spanish and I love the tapas way of eating I was so happy to fine Julian Serrano place.

When you go bring friends with you, we ordered from the special event menu, tapas for the table @ $55 a head. This menu allows you to pick 2 items from each group. You have four different catorgories and being a table of four we basically eat the whole menu.

Check out the web site below.

http://www.arialasvegas.com/dining/julian-serrano.aspx

The Spaniard

Garces Trading Co., Philadelphia PA

Garces Trading is a U-shaped gourmet market/cafe -- and in a first-of-its-kind arrangement with the state Liquor Control Board -- has a mini-State Store inside. Buy a bottle and uncork it right there, or take it home. The cafe is 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Full service meals: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Wine shop hours will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

We loved this place, must check out the Cheeses and Charcuterie. Loved the Lyonnaise Salad and the Duck fat fries are a must....this Iron Chef is amazing.

Looking forward to his restaurants offering's in Atlantic City, coming soon..... check out his web site

http://garcestradingcompany.com/

The Spaniard

Chef Hunter, Food Network

Best new show about the industry we love so much. This show is truly realistic, just watch and you will understand....

Tune in; Thursday at 10pm/9c

 

 

The Spaniard

Casa Mono, New York City

It's a very difficult decision to make when you have 17 different offering's from Mario Batali & Joe Bastianich....being Spanish and a true foodie I'm up for the challenge to eat my way around all of them. Casa Mono is Mario's Spanish taverna with a New York sensibility that will make you long to stroll down Las Ramblas in Barcelona. Choose from over 500 wines and another dozen Sherries. Tapas-style small plates are all the rage, but traditional appetizers and entrees are also spun beautifully by Mario and Chef Andy Nusser. Marion Burros of The New York Times says Mario has " …another hit on his hands." How do you not love a restaurant that has a whole Iberico ham, sliced paper-thin on antique Berkel slicers. It took me back to days when I was young and watching my Father go into the basement and slicing the whole ham as thin as possible. He would come up with a plate full and and a big smile on his face. He would sit down and open a nice Rioja and dive in. I would sit their salivating until he finally said "want some???", it was so cool having parents that knew how to eat..... We almost ate the whole menu, listed below are just some of our favorites and the wine list is awesome, great job Joe. Head on Shrimp with al Ajillo, Scallops with Concord Grapes and Brussels sprouts & Foie Gras with Cinco Cebollas.......  Check out their web site below and I implore you to go....

http://www.casamononyc.com/restaurant.cfm

The Spaniard

Joel Robuchon, Las Vegas

Chef of the Century

Winner of Michelin's Three Star, Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five Diamond, and Wine Spectator's Grand Award, Joël Robuchon has redefined Las Vegas fine dining. Joël Robuchon was named France's Chef of the Century by the esteemed Gault Millau restaurant guide. Coming out of retirement to open his first restaurant in the United States, Joël Robuchon caters to a sophisticated palate that features a menu of his finer specialties

The only word I can use to explain our dining adventure at Joel Robuchon is Amazing....

I'm going to do a course by course next week with all the photos from our dinner, all I want to say for now is that they carved the butter for the bread.....TABLE SIDE.....yes table side butter!!!!

www.joel-robuchon.com

The Spaniard

Wine Corks....

I love making wine boards using corks from wines I have shared with my close friends.
I've had some really amazing wines over the years and look forward to the next one....everyone needs to drink good wine.... 

The Spaniard

Life is good.....

Everyone needs to drink good wine....
Send me your wine photos to post on my site.

The Spaniard

Benziger Family Winery, Glen Ellen, CA

If you want to know what a family winery is all about, ride to Glen Ellen and visit the family that is truly a "Family Winery".

Hats off to this family, their entire portfolio of wines is certified sustainble, oranic or Boidynamic. For this family it's placing the Wine first before it's profit....check out their web site.  

www.benziger.com

The Spaniard



Francis Ford Coppola, Geyserville, CA

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Heaven on Earth.....

Another great winery, check out the eatery Rustic, simple said, a must....you will thank me later.

Photo below is the outside dining room @ Rustic, Check out the web site below.

www.franciscoppolawinery.com

The Spaniard

Juices of the Gods, Opus One, Oakville CA

Not many people get into the back room of Opus. It was as clean as an operating room.

The Spaniard

Opus One, Oakville CA

Built in July 1989 and completed in 1991 Baron Phillippe, his daughter Phillippine and "The Man" Robert Mondavi opened what I consider the best winery in the world, for me. On one of our trips to Napa we're able to arrange a private tour and tasting of the winery. As you drive up into the winery you find find yourself amazed at what you are looking at. So simply, so elegant, so beautiful...perfect.

As you walk into what I call "The Nursery" viewed below in a photo. You realize that this is all they do, one kind of grape and only one focus. I highly recommend doing what ever it takes to see this place.

If you wish to see heaven on earth visit this winery or at least check out the web site below.

www.opusonewinery.com/

The Spaniard

Publick House, Mountainside NJ

On the way home I located a new watering hole, Beautiful, So many bars miss the boat on the most simply things, proper lighting, music, bar stools.... aka, ambiance

As I was @ the bar reviewing the menu I was amazed of the offering's, Garlic Shrimp, Baby Back Ribs braised in Guiness, Pan Roasted Scallops, YellowFin Tuna and Branzino.....I'll defiantly be back to eat it all....I've posted their web site below, check it out and enjoy.

www.publickhousenj.com

The Spaniard

Maggiano's, Bridgewater NJ

I said it before and I'll say it again, if you want a bang for your buck you must go to Maggiano's. I don't know how they do it and maintain a proper food cost. If you order a "Classic Pasta" dish you get to take another full order home with you, yes...another full order for free and I must say that it was the best Spaghetti and meatball I've had in a long time.

The Spaniard

Gingerbread House Showcase, Seaview

Yhe Seaview hosted the Inaugural Holiday Dinner and Gingerbread House Showcase on Friday, December 2nd and benefitting the Community Foodbank of New Jersey.Southern Branch. The Gingerbread Showcase was sponsored by Seaview-A Dolce resort and featured gingerbread creations including the winning entry by Bally's . Other entrants included Trump Taj Mahal, Caesars Atlantic City, Tropicana, Smithville Inn, Kramer's Beverage, Gourmet Bakery, and The Bake Works. Executive chef Sean Kinoishito told Around Philly all the entrants created beautiful cakes.

PhotoEssay by Lou Perri


The Spaniard