Gaylord India Restaurant: Las Vegas

Prior to seeing Penn & Teller at the Rio Hotel & Casino (which turned out to be a superb show), we decided to grab a bit to eat and chose Gaylord India Restaurant, which is located in the Rio. Once you walk past the lucky elephants, their trunks raised, you enter an elegant yet casual restaurant.

As we perused the menu, we received a couple complimentary papadums, crispy spiced lentil wafers. The menu is extensive with plenty of the usual Indian dishes, from pakora to vindaloo, from tandoori to biriyani. Most of the entrees range from $20-$30, making their prices more expensive than usual for such places. Even the appetizers seem a bit more expensive than usual.
We began with an appetizer, the Lamb Samosa (2 for $9.95), a crisp turnover stuffed with spiced ground lamb. This seemed to be the freshest samosa I have ever had, and it was absolutely delicious with plenty of meat and a tasty blend of spices. The turnover was crisp and crunchy, without being overcooked. An excellent start to our dinner and a dish I would highly recommend.

The first entree was the Chicken Pasanda ($22.95), boneless chicken pieces in a mild cashew cream sauce. There was plenty of chicken, which was very tender and moist. It almost fell apart on its own. The cream sauce was very good, creamy with only a mild nuttiness to it and some restrained spices. The second entree was the Chicken Tikka Masala ($22.95), mesquite-broiled chicken in a mild tomato-butter sauce. The chicken was as good as in the Pasanda, and the sauce was also mild and restrained, with lots of subtle flavors and a nice creaminess.

I love Indian breads, and they are one of my favorite items whenever I go to an Indian restaurant. We ordered a Garlic Nan ($5.50) and Paratha ($4.20). I enjoyed the Nan, which had plenty of garlic, but the Paratha was a bit disappointing, seeming to be a bit overcooked from what I usually get elsewhere.

Service was excellent. Overall, the food was very good, though I am not sure worth the extra price. But it is in a Vegas hotel which could explain the higher cost. If you don't mind the extra cost, then you should enjoy your meal here.

Gaylord India Restaurant
3700 W Flamingo Rd
Las Vegas, NV
Phone: (702) 777-2277

Rant: Say Hello to Your Meat

If you only shop at large supermarkets, you may feel very distant from the meat you purchase. You may choose a wrapped package of meat, without thinking much about where it originated, without thinking about the animal from where the meat came. Is that though what you want? Do you really want to maintain a significant distance between you and the animal?

Would it bother you to know the name of the animal you were about to eat? Would it dismay you to dine on "Francine" the lamb or "Arnold" the pig? It does not bother me in the least. In fact, I rather like knowing such details about the animal. I think it creates a deeper connection between me and the meat, helping me better understand what I am eating.

In fact, I think it would be better for everyone who eats meat to get closer to the source, to understand exactly where their food comes from. Visit a farm, spend time with a butcher, chat with a chef. Do something to learn about your meat, to realize that it does not come from the back of a grocery store but actually derives from livestock. It is nothing to fear or be ashamed about.

If you are going to eat meat, to enjoy being a carnivore, then don't shy away from getting closer to the source. Educate yourself. Make that connection and learn how to appreciate your meat even more.

What do you think?

Sportello: More Quick Bites

Since my first visit to Sportello, I have dined there a couple more times and the food has been equally as delicious. Their new fall menu has plenty of interesting choices, much to tempt your palate.

Pictured above, the Chestnut Bigoli ($15) is made with lobster, sage, and brown butter. The pasta, cooked properly al dente, had a nice nutty and slightly sweet taste. There were chestnut pieces in the bowl too, adding to the overall nutty taste. There were five pieces of lobster in the bowl and were complemented by the brown butter and chestnut flavors. This bigoli has lots of potential and I could see it used in various dishes, maybe with a wild boar ragu or duck confit.

The Anson Mills Polenta Rustica ($14) with veal ragout and parmigiano-reggiano is the perfect remedy for a cold day. It is an ideal comfort food, a stick-to-your-ribs meal. You get a large bowl of hot polenta, the consistency of Cream of Wheat, with veal ragout in the center of the bowl, lots of tender and flavorful meat. The rich corn flavor is complemented by the ragout, which you can swirl into the polenta, mixing it up.

I should also give a shout-out to their Pumpkin Whoopie Pies, served at their bakery. The pumpkin cakes had a delicious flavor without overdoing the pumpkin taste. Pumpkin can sometimes be too overwhelming in a dish, but these cakes had just the right amount of pumpkin and spice. There was a creamy, vanilla filling between the cakes and I very much enjoyed this dessert.

Service was excellent on all of my visits. I continue to be impressed with Sportello and definitely recommend it to my readers.

Sportello
348 Congress St.
Boston, MA
Phone: 617-737-1234

Raku: Las Vegas

The Vegas restaurants on the Strip get almost of the attention and publicity. Yet there are hidden jewels that deserve far more attention than they receive. Yet you may never learn about those hidden treasures unless you have inside information.

I have dined at several Japanese restaurants in Vegas, including a few of the high-end ones. But when talking to a few Vegas residents, eager foodies, they mentioned an exceptional Japanese restaurant that was located off the strip. A small place but with very authentic and delicious food. Raku!

On Spring Mountain Road in Las Vegas, there is a lengthy section of Asian stores, businesses and restaurants. If you are seeking a restaurant, it can be intimidating because there are so many options, so many different cuisines. It seems like there must be dozens and dozens of Asian restaurants in this area. But which restaurants are the best? Raku is located in this region, and I can now attest that it has to be one of the best Japanese restaurants.

Raku (which literally translates as "enjoyment") is located on West Spring Mountain Road, in a strip of stores and other restaurants. There is nothing on the outside to distinguish it from the hundreds of other small Asian restaurants in this area. It is a place you either stumble into by a fortunate accident, or purposefully seek out based on someone's recommendation.

Raku is primarily a robata, charcoal grill, restaurant, using the special binchotan, a traditional Japanese charcoal. It burns at a higher temperature than regular charcoal, and also contains less moisture. Binchotan is supposed to produce excellent results. The restaurant aims to use high end ingredients, such as Kobe Beef from Oregon, free-range organic chicken from California, Kurobuta Pork from Iowa, and fish from the Tsukiji Market in Japan.

It is a small place, with a tiny counter, and if you try to go there on a weekend, you probably should make reservations. It emanates a casual and homey ambiance, a fun place to dine and drink.

Their food menu includes appetizers (cold & hot), salads, grilled items, oden, and rice/noodle/soup dishes. There is plenty of variety, and they usually have daily specials, which may include some sushi dishes and which concentrates on what is fresh and in season. Prices are generally very reasonable, such as most grilled items from $1.50-$9.00. This is not a place that is going to break your wallet, unless you go overboard ordering Saké (like I did).

I ordered a diverse selection of dishes, and essentially everything was delicious. The Juicy Deep Fried Chicken ($8) was very good, with moist, tender meat surrounded by a crisp, flaky crust. It was a very good start to the meal.

The Crispy Fried Shrimp ($6) were also very good, and you could actually eat the entire shrimp, shell, eyes and all. Kind of like soft shell crab. The shrimp were good-sized, with plenty of meat inside the shells.

I tried the Oden ($3) with a potato and boiled egg. Oden is a traditional Japanese winter dish, a soy-flavored sashi broth with a choice of added ingredients. On the menu, there are about fifteen different items you can select to add to your oden, everything from soft fish cake to meat tendon. The broth was delicious, very flavorful and light, and it certainly would help warm you on a cold night. The broth is not overpowering and I can understand how many different items could go into the broth and taste good.

The top dish above contains Pork Ear ($2.50), which might have been the dish I liked the least of the evening, though it had it good points. The outside of the pork ear was very good, crisp and meaty, but there was an inner layer of tough fat/gristle, which was just too chewy. I just ate around that part. The bottom dish above was grilled Unagi ($32), flown in fresh from Japan. This was a special of the evening (and I had not asked about its price before ordering). It was exceptional, light, flakey and very tasty. It sure seemed very fresh. It may have been pricey but you did receive plenty of eel, about enough for four orders of sushi.

The grilled Kobe Beef Outside Skirt with Garlic ($6) was very good, tender meat with lots of oungent garlic. A nice crisp exterior to the juicy meat but with all the garlic, let's hope you are not there on a first date.

I did not get photos of some of the additional dishes, as I was just too involved in the meal. The grilled Potato with Corn ($3), was a core of mashed potatoes surrounded by grilled corn kernels. A nice type of comfort food. Who doesn't like the flavor of roasted corn? The grilled Kurobuta Pork Cheek ($2.50) was superb, such a tender piece of crispy pork. The Grilled Duck with Balsamic Soy Sauce ($4) was another very tasty dish as was the Butter Sautéed Scallop with Soy Sauce ($7). Everything seemed so fresh, and the meats were cooked just perfectly. Moist and tender, with crispy exteriors.

Besides their compelling food menu, they also have an interesting Saké list. The list has Saké by the glass, small bottles, and regular-sized bottles. I ordered the Shichihonnyari Junmai (10oz bottle/$27), Isojiman Junmai Ginjo (glass/$14), and Tamanohikari Junmai Daiginjo (10 oz. bottle/$32). All were very pleasing, as well as very different. The bottles were kept chilled in a bucket of ice, a nice extra. I think they paired well with my dinner and I could have sat there all night, sipping Saké.

Service was excellent and the meal was served at a leisurely pace. Food was delicious as was the Saké. This was certainly one of the best Japanese meals I have had in Vegas, and I highly recommend this restaurant. It certainly deserves far more publicity than it receives, though that might make it far more difficult to get a reservation. I will return here the next time I visit Vegas.

Raku
5030 W.Spring Mountain Rd #2
Las Vegas, NV
Phone: 702-367-3511

Taza Chocolate Open House: Dec.5

If you love chocolate, then you should visit the Taza Chocolate factory in Somerville for their Open House on December 5, from 10am-6pm. I have previously toured their artisan facility and was impressed with what I saw. The upcoming Open House will be a great opportunity for my readers to see what Taza is doing, as well as to taste some of their unique chocolate.

The factory tours are free and open to the public. "Get acquainted with our candy-apple red Barth Sirocco roaster, learn what a winnowing machine does, and examine the hand-dressed grooves in the millstones of our vintage Mexican molinos. Or skip the tour and take your time tasting every one of our chocolates. We’ll also have plenty of tasty hot chocolate on hand made with our own Taza Chocolate Mexicano discs."

The factory is small and they anticipate a high turnout. Because they can only accommodate a certain number of people per tour, they recommend that you come early or late in the day if you’re unable to wait. Families and children are welcome, but are encouraged to come early so as to avoid the crowds.

Elsewhere in their buildingm Peter Rinnig of QRST’s will be screenprinting custom t-shirts for visitors. And Shelley Barendes will spell out the art of letterpress, hand-printing creative designs on 100-year-old machines.

Taza Chocolate
561 Windsor Street
Somerville, MA
Phone: 617-623-0804

StarChefs Rising Star Revue: Foie Gras & Donuts

Seared Foie Gras and Doughnuts! A pairing of two of my favorite foods. That decadent dish stood out to me amidst over a dozen other delicious items. Yet that is also not to slight all of the other treasures I found at the recent StarChefs Rising Star Revue.

I previously mentioned this event, and in brief, 14 of Boston's chefs, pastry chefs, sommeliers, and mixologists received a Rising Star award. These individuls are thought to have the "attributes that make us believe they will be the future leaders of the country's culinary scene." Each of the award receipients prepared a special dish, cocktail or wine for the event, and attendees had the opportunity to taste all of these fine items. Plus, while tasting the food and drink, you got a chance to speak with the chefs too.

It was also a fun social event, and I got to mingle, chat and meet several other local food media people, including Jackie of Leather District Gourmet, Paul of BostonChefs, Lynne of How2Heroes, Aaron of Eat Boston, and Patrick of Groupon Boston. It is always a pleasure to converse with such people about food and wine, as well as other stimulating topics.

I'll list some of the special highlights of the evening, though understand these are not the only items I enjoyed:

Seared Foie Gras and Doughnuts with Rhubarb created by Chef Wil Gilson of Garden at the Cellar. A silky piece of foie accompanied by a sweet donut hole. An excellent and decadent dish which had me wanting seconds, thirds and more. I have never been to Chef Gilson's restaurant but will make the effort to check it out now.

I finally had the pleasure of meeting Joanne Chang of Flour Bakery and Myers & Chang. We had spoken before on Twitter and by email but had not yet met. It was great to finally meet in person. Plus, she was serving Asian Braised Short Rib Taco with Asian Pear and Sesame-Cilantro Salsa. I have had that taco before at Myers & Chang, and it is delicious, with tender meat and a nice spicy finish to it.

Slow Roasted Leg of Lamb with Lamb-Fennel Sausage was prepared by Chef Jodi Bernhard of Longwood Events. Moist, tender and flavorful meat. I love lamb and this was prepared perfectly.

White Bean Gazpacho prepared by Chef Richard Garcia of Tastings Wine Bar and Bistro at Patriot Place. A creamy and flavorful treat, which also intrigued me sufficiently that I need to check out his restaurant too.

Sommelier Theresa Paopao of Oleana paired the wines for the various dishes, and there were plenty of excellent choices, including the 2004 J. Vidal-Fleury Chateayneuf-du-Pape, 2008 Gurrutxaga Txakoli, Emilio Lustau East India Sherry, Nicolas Feuillate Rose, and 2006 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir.

Mixologist Tom Schlesinger-Guidelli of Craigie on Main created two cocktails, the Camino Cocktail and Northern Lights. The Northern Lights contained Highland Park 12 Year Old Scotch Whiskey, St. Germain, Clear Creek Douglas Fir Eau de Vie, Tiki Bitters, Demerara syrup, lemon juice and orange juice. It had a very intriguing taste, herbal with restrained citrus flavors and a slight hint of smokiness. It was not overly sweet, and was actually refreshing.

Highland Park also had a table where they were pouring their 18 year old Scotch Whiskey. This was an amazing Scotch, incredibly smooth, full of flavor, and with a nice, smoky finish. A perfect sipping Scotch.

If you missed this event, you missed a fascinating and delicious time. Boston possesses some fantastic chefs, sommeliers, and mixologists and these events, which gather together a group of such talented individuals, give proof.

Upcoming Wine Events

I wanted to bring your attention to two interesting wine events that are upcoming.

Central Bottle: November 13, 4pm-8pm
Central Bottle, a new wine store in Central Square, Cambridge, should be opening on November 13. I have previously told you about this upcoming store and I have eagerly been awaiting its opening. They will be having a wine tasting with Mario Zanusso of I Clivi, an excellent winery I have reviewed before. They even currently produce two killer boxed wines.


Wine ConneXtion: November 14, 12pm-3pm:
Wine ConneXtion, a new wine store in North Andover, is having a Grand Opening on November 14, They will be featuring Tom Grella from the Food Network's Next Star series. Tom will be cooking some favorite dishes on site and there will be wines from around the world available for tasting. Check out my review of this wine store. With their incredibly low prices, and about 700 different wines, this is a store to check out.

Beacon Hill Bistro: South Africa Wine Dinner

Three food and wine lovers attended the Skinner Pre-Auction Wine Tasting at Troquet. Yet our appetites were only whetted with the fine wine and cheese. So we needed to decide on a restaurant for dinner.

Jackie of Leather District Gourmet, Dale of Drinks Are On Me, and I, walked down to Charles Street and pondered over the possible choices. The Beacon Hill Bistro was mentioned and I remembered they were holding a South Africa Wine Dinner that evening, part of their Wine & Dine Mondays series. This interested all of us so we walked over to check out the menu, and see whether we could get seated or not.

Fortunately, we were able to get a table and participate in the wine dinner. The dinner was four courses, with wine pairings, and only cost $55 per person. Executive Chef Jason Bond had prepared a very interesting menu and we eagerly anticipated our meal.

First up was a Rock Shrimp Salad with grilled pineapple and fennel frond sorbet. This was an intriguing dish, and I was not sure whether the elements would mesh well together or not. Yet they certainly did. The sorbet exploded with fennel flavor, a nice contrast to the shrimp which seemed to be with a creamy, mayonaisse-like dressing. The grilled pineapple slice also contrasted and complemented the shrimp.

Continuing with the fruit theme, the dish was paired with the 2008 Kanu Chenin Blanc, an inexpensive wine (about $10) but with lots of flavor and character. The Kanu had nice acidity and a decent finish too. A very pleasant wine, which would pair well with seafood or light dishes. South Africa is well known for their Chenin Blancs, and this wine is a very good value.

The second course was even better than the first, a Duck Leg Confit over roasted Mussquet de Provence Squash with smoked sea salt and cocoa nibs. The moist, tender duck meat was heavenly and the smoked sea salt really added a deep smokiness to the dish. I even enjoyed the squash, which is no usually one of my favorites. My dining companions and I craved more duck when our plates were empty, wanting to savor more of that tasty meat.

This course was perfectly paired with the 2006 Kanonkop Pinotage, a wine I really admire. It is one of the best Pinotage wines around and its rich, smoky flavors really complemented the duck. The Kanonkop had depths of complex flavor, a lingering finish, and was pure pleasure on my palate.

There is a sign in the tasting room of the Kanonkop winery that states: "Pinotage is the juice extracted from women's tongues and lions' hearts. After having a sufficient quantity one can talk forever and fight the devil."

For the third course, we got to eat an animal where we knew its name, Tan. We had Braised Mangalitsa Pork Shoulder with Boudin Noir, chestnuts, kale, and winter radishes. A Mangalitsa is a type of heritage pig, also known as the curly-hair hog or wooly pig. Their meat has a unique flavor and they generate a lot of fat, which has multiple uses. Chef Bond acquired two Mangalitsa pigs, which he named Black and Tan. Our dinner was Tan's debut, and a very welcome debut. It did not bother me, or Jackie and Dale, that we knew the name of our dinner.

The pork shoulder was excellent, tender and very flavorful, so very different from those "pork chops" you see in ordinary grocery stores. The fat was also very tender, almost creamy, rather than tough and chewy. The Boudin Noir, blood sausage, was also very good. Overall, a super dish.

The wine pairing was the 2006 Rustenberg "John X. Merriman" Bordeaux Blend, a wine I have enjoyed in the past. I did not enjoy it as much this time though as it seemed to have a tinge of vegetal/green pepper flavor, which I don't recall every tasting before with this wine. In general, it was a good pairing for the pork, though I wonder if this vintage was typified by that vegetal flavor.

Dessert was Malva Cake with dried apricot, Meye lemon marmalade and sweet cream sauce. Malva cake or pudding is a common South African dessert. The cake was incredibly moist, with a bit of a sponge cake consistency. The fruit and sweet cream complemented the cake and I enjoyed it very much.

It was paired with another incredible wine, the 2004 Klein Constantia "Constance." This wine has a colorful history, once being a very famous wine, popular with the aristocracy. Napolean was said to have asked for this wine on his death bed. This wine was made with 100% Muscat de Frontignan, and is a very compelling wine. It has a complex melange of flavors, including honey, lemon, peach, orange, floral notes, and more. It is sweet but not cloying so, having sufficient acidity as a balance. The lengthy finish is very satisfying and you could easily sip glass after glass of this wine. Certainly one of the best dessert wines I have tasted in quite a while.

Service was excellent and overall this was a top-notch dining experience. Add to that two good friends, both interesting and witty conversationalists, and it became an exceptional experience. For the quality of the food and wine, this dinner was a value at only $55. Chef Bond is a skilled and creative chef and you must visit his restaurant to taste the products of his culinary skills.

There are two more Wine & Dine Mondays this year so maybe you want to make reservations. On November 16, the wines will be from the Languedoc region of France, featuring Wines from Gerard Bertrand. On December 7, they will have Sparkling Wines from Around the World.

Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro
25 Charles Street
Boston, MA
Phone: 617-723-7575

Thanksgiving: More Choices

Here are some more Thanksgiving options if you decide not to dine at home this year.

dante – 40 Edwin H Land Blvd., Cambridge, 617.497.4200
1:00-9:00pm, ($69 per person; a la carte menu for children under 12)

Restaurant dante is offering a Thanksgiving 3 course prix-fixe menu with something for everyone. It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the turkey dinner. Chef Dante is roasting a naturally-raised free-range Vermont turkey with stuffing, potato puree, sweet potato fries, maple brussels, cranberry sauce and gravy. If meat isn’t your thing, Chef Dante is also preparing a vegetarian thanksgiving option. Additional menu items include chestnut porcini soup, roast duck and a variety of delicious appetizer, entrée and side options. Finish off the meal with dolce – a sampling of four delicious pies with housemade ice cream, and a selection from the special Thanksgiving cocktails.

Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse – 2 Locations
Boston – 75 Arlington Street, Boston, 617.357.4810
Foxborough – Patriot Place D-1, Foxborough, 508.339.4810
12:00pm-8:00pm, ($29 per person; $11 per child under 12 years old)

The prix fixe menu includes everything from Oven Roasted Vermont Free-Range Organic Turkey to Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes and homemade gravy. To top it off, a $9 Holiday Dessert menu is available which includes favorites such as: Pumpkin Pie and Warm Apple Pie. Also available is the Tomorrow’s Turkey Sandwich – “To Go,” an on-the-go rendition of a favorite post-Thanksgiving treat: Oven Roasted Turkey, Stuffing, Cranberry Apple Chutney, Gravy.

Legal Sea Foods – All locations state-wide
Hours vary depending on location, ($21.95 per person)

Legal Sea Foods will celebrate Thanksgiving this year by providing guests with traditional Thanksgiving fare. In addition to their regular menu, Legal Sea Foods will prepare the time-honored feast with all the fixings: Slow Roasted Turkey Breast served with Sausage Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Butternut Squash, Gravy and Cranberry Sauce.

Spirit of Boston – 200 Seaport Boulevard #75, Boston, 617.748.1499
*Friday, November 27th – “Day-After” Thanksgiving Cruise
Board: 6:30pm; Cruise: 7:00-10:00pm, ($57.90 per adult)

Once the turkey is eaten and the dishes are done, escape from the chaos of Black Friday and unwind with a fun and festive evening on the water. Receive a complimentary glass of champagne while boarding the Spirit of Boston for an exceptional dinner cruise. Enjoy a unique dining experience with ever changing views of the Boston Harbor. Indulge in a taste tempting buffet, drinks, music and entertainment for an unforgettable experience.

Beijing Noodle No.9: Las Vegas

Do you enjoy noodles and dumplings? If so, and you are visting Las Vegas, then you might want to visit Caesar's Palace. Tucked within the casino, you will find Beijing Noodle No.9, a very striking restaurant serving Northern Chinese cuisine. Bon Appetit magazine recently declared it as one of the Top Ten New Asian Noodle Bars in the U.S.

Executive Chef Li Yu has created an interesting menu of noodle dishes, dumplings, soups, pancakes and numerous speciality dishes such as Braised Sea Bass in Clay Pot, Sauteed Diced Beef with Macadamia Nuts, and Beijing Salt and Pepper Chicken. They also have a full bar, including a small list of Japanese Sake. An interesting aspect of their menu, is that the price for each item ends in .09.

I stopped here for lunch and was immediately struck by the decor. As you enter the restaurant, to your left you can watch while they make homemade noodles. You can see that in the photo above.

As you walk from the entrance into the dining room, you will pass huge fishtanks containing what seems to be a horde of Ryukin goldfish. The restaurant has a new, modern look and a very casual vibe. There is lots of white in the decor, making for a very bright look. Besides the tables, you can sit at a counter near the kitchen.

Chef Yu's Pork & Chive Dumplings, pan fried, (6 for $11.09) were delicious, filled with plenty of flavorful meat and spices, and the dumplings had the right consistency. They were some of the best dumplings I have had, very fresh and plump. Chef Yu's Special Beef Pancakes (2 pieces $9.09) were also fresh, plump and flavorful. The pancakes had a nice consistency to them, and were filled with plenty of meat.

I also had a bowl of the Chef's Special Handmade Noodles with Sliced Pork and Mushroom (Beijing style) ($15.09, serves 1-2). The noodles were thick, reminding me of udon noodles, and had a bit of a chewier, doughy texture, unlike thin yakisoba noodles. The sauce atop the noodles was very good, a milder gravy, and the pork pieces were tender and meaty. The mushrooms added a slight earthiness of the taste.

Service was excellent. Overall, this was a very good lunch. I really like the freshness of the food, and the flavors blended well. They were not heavy handed with the spices. I recommend this restaurant and hope you also enjoy the noodles, dumplings and rest of their food.

Beijing Noodle No.9
Caesar's Palace
3570 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV
Phone: (702) 731-7110

19th Annual Boston Wine Expo

In about two months, the 19th Annual Boston Wine Expo will take place at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston. On January 23 and 24, 2010, the Expo will give wine lovers plenty of opportunities to taste and learn about wine.

The Grand Tasting showcases over 350 international and domestic wineries from 13 countries pouring over 1,800 different wines. Special features include the Grand Cru Wine Lounge, where reserve level wines will be featured in a separate setting.

This year's seminar program includes Marilisa Allegrini, founder of Poggio al Tesoro; Gloria Maroti Frazee, Wine Spectator; Paul Hobbs, owner/winemaker at Paul Hobbs Winery and Vina Cobos; Leonardo LoCascio, President, CEO and Founder of Winebow, Inc; Leslie Sbrocco, award-winning author, Adventures of a Thirsty Girl; Tim Mondavi, Continuum Estate; Christian Tietje of Four Vines Winery; and Gary Vaynerchuk of WineLibraryTV.com.

This years keynote speaker Kevin Zraly, noted author and lecturer, leads his highly acclaimed one-hour, fast-paced, action-packed wine seminar. Zraly will take you on a tasting tour of Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

Ticket Prices:
Saturday Single Day $85 prior to Jan. 16/$95 beginning Jan. 16
Sunday Single Day $75 prior to Jan. 16/$85 beginning Jan. 16
Two Day Ticket $125 prior to Jan. 16/$140 after Jan. 16
Grand Cru Wine Lounge $175 prior to Jan. 16/$195 beginning Jan. 16

*Plus $2.50 administrative fee per ticket ordered in advance. Price includes tax. Seminars and other events priced separately

As the time for the Expo draws closer, I will provide some suggestions for making your trip to the Expo more fulfilling. I will be attending the Expo this year so maybe I will meet some of you there.

Wine Impediments in Massachusetts: Update

In my Monday rant, I mentioned that the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals was hearing arguments on the appeal concerning the wine shipping law.

The state was represented by David Hadas, an assistant Massachusetts attorney general. It was his claim that the Massachusetts wine shipping law was actually "pro-competition and pro-small business. Out-of-state wineries that exceed the law’s production cap have no problem selling their products in Massachusetts through the wholesale and retail system."

The Court of Appeals probably won't issue a decision for 3-6 months. So we have to wait even longer, hoping the Court agrees with the lower court that the law was unconstitutional.