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

Washington DC

Our Nations Capital is an amazing place and more people need to revisit it. My son was extremely excited to see all the sites and monuments. The Smithsonian is huge and so many interesting sites to discover.

The one thing as a foodie I must say is that I was shocked that our only eatery option was the corner trucks selling typical old school truck food items, ie hot dogs, pretzels, chips, bad coffee, sodas and cheap touristic t-shirts. I was jonesing for a real food truck, you know the new wave age ones that feature items like escargots, carpaccio, chatcuteries, cheeses and gourmet food on four wheels. We had to settle for all beef hot dogs swimming in a bath of hot unknown water. Talk about a missed opportunities.

Anyone want to make some really money, get a food truck and park it anywhere in DC. You have 1000's of government employees aka "customer" wandering the streets looking for something to eat.

The Spaniard

Hola from Washington DC

So many wonderful foodie hangout. Looking forward to sharing them all with you.

The Spainard

The Cheesecake Factory, Short Hills

Check out the bar and visit the bartender Melissa, very nice even when the bar is three deep.

Melissa gets four cork out of four. Go pay her a visit.

The Spainard