Wine, Beer and Restaurant Reviews

Le Salbuen, Yes every bit as wonderful as they say. The Cafe & Market Montclair has been missing.

With excited anticipation we drove downtown for our first visit to the wonderful new cafe and market, Le Salbuen, Monticlar.

The day which became our first on the beach, 2012, was promising to be quite beautiful. Looking for a desperately needed break in routine, we skipped our usual morning espresso or french press at home and jumped in the car, top down, and motored down Grove to Walnut.

Early Farmers Market vendors were setting up their stalls and people were wandering the streets. We were greeted with visual delights as we stepped into La Salbuen which is destined to be a darling of Montclair. There are barely words to describe how much we love this place and the spirited hardworking owners Christina and Jon Salierno.

I'm leaving. I am NOT drinking any F&#%ing Merlot! Oh Yes We Are! Bohemian Highway Merlot

Any one who saw the game changing film about wine, Sideways, will never forget that line. They say Merlot took a big hit in sales as a result.

Years later the grape is regaining popularity especially with creative wine marketing efforts like this from Bohemian Highway Wine who bottle and market this delightful wine, Bohemian Highway Merlot.

This very inexpensive Merlot is really a great, bright flavorful, beautifully faceted ruby red wine that is just so pleasing. The wine went great with this simple Asian Chicken salad inspired by a lunch at Yotel, NYC.

New Jersey Wine Festivals and Events Blues and Wine at Natirar Park

There will be a lot of opportunities to experience the wines of newly liberated New Jersey wine makers this Spring and Summer.

You can find information on the Garden State Wine Growers web site.

One great one that we have attended in the past is called Blues and Wine and is being held at the scenic Natirar Park in Somerset County Memorial Day Weekend (May 26-27)  Over 20 New Jersey Wineries will exhibit and great music will be offered up.

Another is bieng sponsored by The Lakewood BlueClaws will host the 2^nd annual Jersey Shore Wine Festival June 2^nd and 3^rd at FirstEnergy Park, Lakewood.

Gabrielle Hamilton's Restaurant Prune on a Warm Spring Night

You have probably heard of Gabrielle Hamilton from all the press on her popular memoir "Blood, Bones and Butter." You may have read the book, like almost everyone else I know. I had the pleasure of meeting her at a signing at Watchung Book Sellers last year.

You have not really experienced Gabrielle until you dine at Prune her tiny but very fulfilling restaurant downtown on 1st Street, between First and Second, NYC.

It is particularly nice in the Spring when the front windows are opened facing the park on this quite street.

Simple Beer Cocktails are Fun and Easy

Although my beer purist friends may groan when they read this, I love a lot of variety in my life and mixing things with the beers I love is included.

Lately I've been trying different cordials with beer and have found that one of my favorites Pama, a Pomegrante liquor that I usually mix with Vodka, also goes great in a simple IPA like this one from Dogfish Head. 

Creme de Framboise, a Raspberry Liquor, is really tasty in a dark chocolate stout, the taste reminds me of Baskin Robins chocolate raspberry ice cream.  

You can get fancier. With these beer cocktails.

I'm Calling This "The Summer of Cava" The Great Sparkling Wine of Spain

I've had two fabulous Cavas this weekend. The first was Castellroig Brut that started a wonderful dinner at Prune in New York. 

The second was Poema that I poured for a Bridal Shower in northwestern New Jersey. Both were exceptional.

We have written often about this wonderful sparkling, Spumante, wine called Cava. Summer Wine - Cava the New (Old) Hot Sparkling Wine and A Fabulous Summer Cocktail - Watermelon, Cava, Lime, Agave Nectar

The Hippest Beer Bar I've Ever Been To - "anotheroom" Tribeca

Just up the street from Maslow 6 is a drinking establishment of another kind, devoted to beer rather than wine. They serve no food but you are certainly nourished by the exciting vibe, great music, and the abundant offerings of rich fabulous ales and lagers on tap and in bottles.

My bro in law, Perry Weinstein led us here after some very nice cheese and wine at Maslow 6, which followed a fabulous dinner at Prune. The night was not ready to end and anotheroom proved to be the perfect place for a night cap. Not that anyone was sleeping any time soon.

Anotheroom is creation of Craig Weiss, a man with a true vision who set out 5 years ago to open great "no Bud allowed" beer and wine bar for real people like you and me.  His first place in SOHO was and still is so successful that he opened 4 more.  

the otheroom west village
the room soho
anotheroom tribeca
the room miami beach
the otheroom venice beach

I just wonder, why did it take me so long to get here. But better late than never, thanks brother!

New Tribeca Wine Bar - Maslow 6 Wins My Heart

As we rounded the corner of Varick and Franklin in one of my favorite Downtown neighborhoods, Tribeca, and spotted our destination, I wondered about this place called "Maslow 6."  .

I had heard great things about the wine shop's reputation for specializing in fine boutique wines from the best small producers and off the beaten track places like Tunisia or Uruguay, even our own Finger Lakes. But what will the new wine bar they opened this month be like?

Could not tell much from the outside, but from the moment I stepped in and had my first sip of a beautiful Sparkling (aka Sekt) Gruner Veltliner I was in love.