Wine, Beer and Restaurant Reviews

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.

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.

Albarino Wine - Friendly, Flavorful, FashionableLolo Albarino - Rías Baixas, España

We have written a lot about Albariño and since Spring is here and Summer is just weeks away we are back again. This Spanish white wine, vino blanco, is wonderful all year round but we especially love it in the warmer months.

It is very food friendly, pairs well with everything from a full bodied fish stew to sushi. It is also very comfortable with Indian, Thai, Mexican or as we enjoyed this Albarino, Lolo, with Brazilian at Samba, Montclair. 

Samba Montclair, Ceia de Novo Um Novo Favorito

People always ask me, "What are your favorite restaurants in Montclair?" Here is a place that is newly on our list.

I had been hearing a lot of good things about Samba Montclair the quaint Brazilian restaurant on Park Street in Montclair. We first dined here soon after its opening in December of last year.

Since then Samba has just gotten better with refinements in service and the menu. We loved our dinner last week, and having chatted it up we find that we are no alone.

We enjoyed a very nice Albarino, a luscious white wine from Rías Baixas, Spain, called Lo Lo with dinner.

From the Valle Central Beneath Andes to Montclair Anakena Sauvignon Blanc

What a world we live in. In minutes I can visit one of my many favorite wine stores and bring home a beautiful piece of South America.

Here's an example, a really really great Sauvignon Blanc from Chile that I found in nearby River Edge New Jersey, from Anakena Vineyard in majestic Valle Central.

Paired this wine with two delicious meals.