Motown Rocks and Japanese Delights at Quinn’s in Beacon

After getting a taste of Yukie Schmitz’s fine home-style Japanese cuisine at a Manitoga event this past Saturday, we could not wait to get to the restaurant her husband Tom and she opened recently in the old Quinn’s Luncheonette in Beacon — for more!

Last night they were also hosting a Motown DJ which was great incentive too, we loved both. Or should I say everything! Fabulous Japanese small plates and noodle dishes, great booze, and sweet music. All in a place with classic atmosphere and great staff. Continue reading Motown Rocks and Japanese Delights at Quinn’s in Beacon

An Italian Rose with a Dinner Fresh from the Cold Spring Farmers Market

With Sunday dinner, Had this fabulous Italian Rose, or Rosato as it is called there, from one of my favorite Tuscan producers, La Spinetta. Also know for their excellent Piedmont wines.

Our dinner that was all from the Cold Spring Farmers Market except the pasta which came all the way from Puglia, and the cheese.

Available at:

Artisan Wine Shop
where food meets its match
180 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
845.440.6923
www.artisanwineshop.com

Continue reading An Italian Rose with a Dinner Fresh from the Cold Spring Farmers Market

Hudson Valley Weekend Fun
May 9th & 10th

Lots of fun things to do this weekend in the Lower and Mid Hudson Valley and beyond.

We are excited that one of our favorite farmers’ market moves outdoors on Saturday, Cold Spring Farmers Market. The Hudson Valley Fair continues this weekend, 2015 Hudson Valley Fair. It is Mother’s Day weekend which does traditionally mean flowers. Check Out this great listing from our friends at Good Homes Hudson Valley, Mothers Day.

Continue reading Hudson Valley Weekend Fun
May 9th & 10th

It’s Spring, Drink Pink

Or salmon, coral, peach, just make sure it is a Rosé.

It can be a rosado from Portugal or Spanish or a rosato as it is called in Italy, but for spring drinking, all summer long for that matter rosés are a great choice.

Sipped this fabulous wine from Domaine de Sulauze in Aix en Provence called Pomponette, perfect with a simple salad. A little more flavor and nose than a white, but the real show is the color! Continue reading It’s Spring, Drink Pink

Cocktail of the Week – “Classic Negroni” at Gleason’s Peekskill

We have enjoyed Gleason’s in Peekskill for lunch and dinner and will get around to writing about that.

Today we would like to applaud the fabulous cocktails they are known for. In particular this classic Negroni. The star of this drink is the Greenhook Ginsmiths American Dry Gin, that really makes the cocktail. That and the bartenders skill, slipshod bar work can ruin a drink, here they craft their cocktails well. The rest of the ingredients are pretty standard. Continue reading Cocktail of the Week – “Classic Negroni” at Gleason’s Peekskill

Lettie Teague Inspires Me Again

Wine in Words: Notes for Better Drinking

If you have any interest in wine you’ve no doubt read Lettie Teague. While she was with Food and Wine Magazine, or in her current columns for the Wall Street Journal. Her insightful observations on how wine plays in life inspired me to write about wine. Which meant drinking more too! Continue reading Lettie Teague Inspires Me Again

A Fanciful Visit to Benmarl Winery Marlboro NY

As I drove higher and higher on the tiny road to Benmarl, I felt more and more like I had somehow been transported to Italy. Yet, I was still in New York and about to have the pleasure of meeting Matthew Spaccarelli and his father Victor owners of Benmarl Winery in Marlboro, NY.

Benmarl wines have enjoyed the favorable focus of wine writers and critics for some time. I think the wines here are reaching a whole new level as Matt has gained the knowledge and confidence to try new techniques. We loved what we tasted.

Read our full article at New York Cork Report, Benmarl Winery, Very Ready for the Next Ten Years

Continue reading A Fanciful Visit to Benmarl Winery Marlboro NY

Cocktail of the Week, I’ve Been Saving This One For You

Called “Hudson Valley Pleasure”

You may have noticed, we are off booze this week, doing a spring cleanse, it is great. Feeling like a million bucks! But, no new cocktail this week. Luckily, I’ve been saving one for you.

I created this special Negroni, it is #50 on our 100 Negronis Blog, to celebrate the warm weather and a milestone on the blog. We are actually up to 68 there. It is a celebratory drink finished off with Michele Chiarlo Nivole Sparkling Moscato.

So here is Negroni #50! “Hudson Valley Pleasure”

Continue reading Cocktail of the Week, I’ve Been Saving This One For You

Just Because We Are off Wine This Week for a Cleanse

Doesn’t Mean We Can’t Write

about the great Shiraz we had last week and the great dinner from Marbled Meat Shop and the Cold Spring Farmers Market.

As you may note we are on a bit of a Syrah kick, both the great Syrah’s from France, Rhone Valley in particular, and the same grape by another name, Shiraz, from Australia, especially the McLaren Vale region. We love these robust earthy wines for all sorts of summer dishes. Our cleansing fast this week is in preparation. Continue reading Just Because We Are off Wine This Week for a Cleanse

Artisan Wine Shop, Beacon
Another Great Wine Store

I am one very lucky guy

to have many great wine stores so nearby. I have been anxious to check out Artisan Wine Shop in Beacon. Wanting to see what they have to offer but reluctant because some small wine shops are just too specialized for me. I was so happy to find a store that is very approachable, offering many interesting selections, which are well presented, and at reasonable price points.

Being CIA graduates, that’s Culinary Institute of America, not the other CIA, owners, Mei Ying and Tim Buzinski bring a unique angle to their provisioning of fine libations, which is how well they go with food. Which is to my mind essential.

That’s my friend Jonathan, a wine geek like me, he found a lot he liked too.

Continue reading Artisan Wine Shop, Beacon
Another Great Wine Store