Where to Find Great Wine

I vividly remember the first time I entered a wine superstore

It was back in the early “00s”, 2003 I believe, when the now famous Wine Library moved from it’s normal sized wine store to a 35,000 square foot mega store around the corner. It was astounding. The boom in wine was just beginning then, fast forward 10 years and now there are superstores everywhere.

I just visited the mammoth, 40,000 square foot, Viscount Wine and Liquors in Wappinger Falls. Now bigger does not always mean better, a lot of the warehouse style stores that have popped up lately are just not that good. But Viscount is not in that category, ask a man who has tasted thousands of wines. This place is amazing. Continue reading Where to Find Great Wine

On a Cold Rainy Night

A very good red wine and comfort food is in order

Imagine Giuseppe Chionetti with his family sitting by the hearth tasting wine of one his early harvests, his son Andrea taking a small sip too. It was April 1914, the rainy season in Dogliani, the wine was still young but showed great promise. Giuseppe glanced a warm smile to his wife as she served their dinner. Farming was a struggle, but life was good, World War I had not yet come to Italy.

Over a century later, on another rainy night, we are tasting Giuseppe’s legacy in a 2008 vintage of his great wine. A tradition carried on by his son, Andrea, and grandson Quinto. And I smile to Diana and she back to me, what a wonderful wine.

Chionetti Dolcetto di Dogliani Briccolero 2008

Continue reading On a Cold Rainy Night

For Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner, Marbled Meat, Cold Spring, NY

You’ll find only the very best, meats, cheeses, condiments and accompaniments at Lisa Hall and Chris Pascarella’s new Marbled Meat Shop in Cold Spring.

Conveniently located next to Vera’s on route 9, MMS has quickly become a regular shopping destination for us. We love Lisa and Chris and everything they offer here. See 4/4/2015 updates Continue reading For Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner, Marbled Meat, Cold Spring, NY

Noodles Anyone? Ramenesque in Peekskill

Ramenesque, Well Prepared Japanese Cuisine in Peekskill

Well our search for really great Asian continues, we enjoyed Ramenesque and loved talking with the owner, chef, former women’s fashion designer, Nikki Lee. Her recipes engage with subtle flavors. Not as exciting as our favorite ramen place, Ani Ramen, in our former town Montclair, but very enjoyable.

Continue reading Noodles Anyone? Ramenesque in Peekskill

I Love How Easy It Is

To Get Here

From Here

For This

Alyssa Vitrano at Seoul Chicken 3

Read On

Forget the Toasts, Ditch the Flute Glasses, Just Drink Champagne!

To get to the dining mecca of the “LES” just take Metro North to Grand Central, walk a few blocks to the F train, cross 42nd to be on the NY Public Library side, hop on the F train, get off at Delancey, walk north on Essex, you are there.

Good Morning Sunshine

I like to start my day with meditation and

a hearty breakfast. I toss the front section of the NY Times aside and go right to the The Arts section. The suffering and injustice of the world can wait, we will address that later. Continue reading Good Morning Sunshine

An Intriguing World of Antique Books, Maps and Curios

Can Be Found at Antipodean Books

a fabulous book store and gallery on Garrison Landing created and owned by David and Cathy Lilburne. David was the first person Diana and I met here in Garrison when we were searching for a new home. His warm personality told us we were in the right place.

That’s Diana and David marveling over one of the many antique prints for sale in the store. Continue reading An Intriguing World of Antique Books, Maps and Curios

Happy Persian New Year 2015

Tonight we celebrate the Joy of Spring, Nowruz, with very good friends

A festivity of the joy of spring. Nowruz (Persian: نوروز‎, “[The] New Day”) it is at least 3,000 years old. The first day of the Persian calendar, this year the holiday began on March 21st and lasts for 12 days. This date makes so much more sense to me than January 1st. For me life begins with spring.

It is a secular holiday, yet Nowruz is deeply rooted in the rituals of the Zoroastrian religion. It is celebrated and embraces the unique cultures of Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Tajikestan, Pakistan and parts of India and among the Kurds. And all over the world by people of these wonderful lands. We will be celebrating in Montclair in NJ.

The photo “Tajik girls celebrate Nowruz in Dushanbe, Tajikestan” is from the website of Dr. Kaveh Farrokh who is dedicated to the Advancement of Ancient Iranian and Classical Studies. Continue reading Happy Persian New Year 2015

Today at Cold Spring Farmers Market

This Saturday There’ll be Music at the Market:

Tall County, the Hudson Valley-based trio featuring local musicians Liz B. Rauch on fiddle, vocals & ukulele, Ned P. Rauch on guitar, vocals, banjo, ukulele, and from upstate, Colin DeHond on bass, vocals & banjo, will be playing from 10am to noon.

Cold Spring Farmers’ Market

Tall County – Shine from Beehive Productions on Vimeo.

This Weeks Cocktail “The French Connection”

An Exciting Negroni Made With French Liquors.

Popeye Doyle was probably a beer man but Alain Charnier would love this. Remember that great 1971 movie, “The French Connection.” Watched it again a few weeks ago on Netflix. Loved that film. This drink really has nothing to do with that film but I love the memory. But, the movie was exciting and so is this cocktail.

Of course the Negroni is a 100% Italian drink but the Italian’s inspire the world and I’ve been inspired to make an all French Negroni. I hope I don’t start a war. Read More at 100 Negronis

Continue reading This Weeks Cocktail “The French Connection”