Mrs. CKDH had asked for some Pinot Noir to go with the Mardi Gras meal she was preparing, so I poked around the wine “cellar” (read as “dedicated closet for wine in our garage”) to see what I could find. I was surprised to find a bottle of 2005 Cambria “Julia’s Vineyard” in amongst the … Continue reading
The name might scare you, but don’t let it. There is nothing frightening here, especially if you want a grown-up place to get a good drink and hang out. Strictly speaking, Death and Company is not a speakeasy since it isn’t hidden from view, it’s location is public, and it even has a guy out … Continue reading
At first blush, Please Don’t Tell (or “PDT” as it is often called) takes the nouveau speakeasy concept of Milk & Honey — nondescript entrance leading to bar with limited seating manned by a mixologist — up a notch or two. Despite those similarities, a visit to the two venues feels completely different: where Milk … Continue reading
For me, Milk & Honey is kinda like the music you listened to in high school: regardless of how much your everyday tastes may have changed or your repertoire has diversified, you’ll always have a soft spot for it and return to it often. It may be tough to say who reignited the speakeasy and … Continue reading
For about ten years, I used to travel to New York regularly for business — as often as once every other month. Work took up most of my time, but I usually had opportunities to take in the local scene, both high-brow (Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, 92nd Street Y, Broadway, among others) and low-brow (Broadway, … Continue reading
“I love scotch. Scotchy scotch scotch. Here it goes down — down into my belly. Mmmm mmm mmm.” – Ron Burgundy “Champagne’s funny stuff. I’m used to whiskey. Whiskey is a slap on the back, and champagne’s heavy mist before my eyes.” – Macaulay Connor Scotch tasting events have been popping up with increasing frequency. One day it’s The Glenlivet, the next day Glenfiddich, then an … Continue reading
(Continuing where I left off from my previous post on the subject . . . ) 2007 Etude Pinot Noir Deer Camp Estate Carneros and 2007 Etude Heirloom Pinot Noir Estate Carneros As much as I love California Pinot Noir, I’ve have been largely ambivalent to those from Carneros. Whenever I’ve tasted them in the … Continue reading
The beginning of autumn is a bittersweet time of the year. On one hand, days are getting shorter than nights, dropping air and water temperatures make for less-than-ideal beach conditions, and the family’s free-time and flexibility gives way to more structure and routine. On the other hand, the football season is in full swing, performing … Continue reading
When it comes to wine, I’ll drink anything as long as it’s good: still or sparkling, red or white (or pink), dry or sweet, you name it. Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the pleasure to taste (and drink) a lot more wine than usual, spanning a whole host of varietals. As I mentioned … Continue reading
You know, some things just don’t get old, especially when it involves the combination of two of my favorite things: orchestras and beer. Here’s a real 2007 Australian commercial for Victoria Bitter beer starring the Melbourne Symphony and Orchestra Victoria (playing as the “Victoria Bitter Orchestra”) in a performance of “The VB Stubby Symphony.” Also … Continue reading
As mentioned in a previous post, I visited Red Square in Mandalay Bay as part of my latest Las Vegas misadventures. For those of you who may not be familiar, Red Square is a bar & restaurant with an ostensibly post-communist Muscovite flavor; a giant, headless, faux-guano adorned statue of Vladimir Lenin stands guard near … Continue reading
Typically, when the weekend comes around, Mrs. CKDH & I tend to open a bottle of wine (or perhaps two or six bottles, depending on which folks we happen to be drinking with). Since last weekend was a particularly celebratory one filled special occasions with family, friends, and lots of yummy cuts of USDA prime … Continue reading
I ordered a bottle of “Damnation” by Russian River Brewing Company. Surprise #1 was that it came with a cork like a bottle of sparkling wine. Upon popping it open (turn the bottle, not the cork), Surprise #2 was that there were instructions for choosing the proper glasswork printed right there on the side of … Continue reading
All is Yar 