With the impending release of the last Harry Potter book, there are many celebrations at local bookstores. But there is also one at a local wine store that perked my attention.
The Grapevine Travelers wine store is holding a Harry Potter Mead Tasting on July 20, from 8-10pm.
Here is what they have to say about the event:
"While we wait until the clock strikes midnight to get our hands on “Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows”, join us at the shop as Dr. Jim Pert, aka Wizard Dumbledore (the head of the Hogwart School), tastes us on two different Meads & even does a Mead-making demonstration. Mead, aka “Butter Beer” in Harry Potter’s world, is an ancient beverage with a fascinating history that has been around since 4,000 B.C….& imbibed by Harry during one of his previous adventures. And, after you’ve had your full of Mead, head on next door to ERA Realty where Rob from Bestsellers Café will be hosting the “Harry Potter Book #7 Launch Party” from 4pm to 1am complete with magic acts, crafts & storytelling for grown-ups. For more information about the book launch, contact info@bestsellers-cafe.com"
It sound like an interesting and informative event about Mead.
Grapevine Travelers
18 High St.
Medford, MA
Monday, July 9, 2007
The Phantom Gourmet
Do you watch The Phantom Gourmet? Do you enjoy it? Do you generally agree with their recommendations? Do their opinions sway your decision on whether to visit a restaurant or not?
There are many foodies who dislike The Phanton Gourmet and it was the subject of much discussion on the Chowhounds board. Some feel the show just shills for its advertisers, thus lacks credibility. Others complain how it sometimes glorifies mediocre restaurants and foods that foodies find unappealing. Others dislike the Andelmans as hosts. Some in the discussion did support The Phantom Gourmet though the voices of naysayers outweighed them.
I do watch The Phantom Gourmet and find that it can be both entertaining and informative. Yes, it can sometimes be too cheesy and I sometimes greatly disagree with their reviews. But overall I think it is a good program that provides a service to the public.
I love their credit card roulette episodes. They are just plain fun. I have learned about the existence of certain restaurants from the show that I had not known about before. I can see photos of restaurants that I have heard about but not visited yet.
The Phantom Gourmet caters to all levels of food and restaurant interest. It is certainly not stuffy or pretentious. As with reviews by anyone, you should use your discretion. You will never agree 100% with any restaurant critic. Even critics have preferences that might not coincide with their readers.
Some of the recent backlash against The Phantom Gourmet resulted from their recent BBQ at City Hall. Their were complaints about the long lines at the event. I did not go so cannot verify what happened at the event. But, I can believe there were long lines at times. I have been at other events at City Hall and that has been an issue before. Maybe they could have run the event better.
My preference is the Phantom's fall Food Festival. Tickets cost $40 and then you can eat as much as you want from all the various vendors. The food is not generally haute cuisine. It is more comfort food, though generally good quality. I certainly had an enjoyable time last year at the event. Just get there early as it does tend to get crowded later in the afternoon.
There are many foodies who dislike The Phanton Gourmet and it was the subject of much discussion on the Chowhounds board. Some feel the show just shills for its advertisers, thus lacks credibility. Others complain how it sometimes glorifies mediocre restaurants and foods that foodies find unappealing. Others dislike the Andelmans as hosts. Some in the discussion did support The Phantom Gourmet though the voices of naysayers outweighed them.
I do watch The Phantom Gourmet and find that it can be both entertaining and informative. Yes, it can sometimes be too cheesy and I sometimes greatly disagree with their reviews. But overall I think it is a good program that provides a service to the public.
I love their credit card roulette episodes. They are just plain fun. I have learned about the existence of certain restaurants from the show that I had not known about before. I can see photos of restaurants that I have heard about but not visited yet.
The Phantom Gourmet caters to all levels of food and restaurant interest. It is certainly not stuffy or pretentious. As with reviews by anyone, you should use your discretion. You will never agree 100% with any restaurant critic. Even critics have preferences that might not coincide with their readers.
Some of the recent backlash against The Phantom Gourmet resulted from their recent BBQ at City Hall. Their were complaints about the long lines at the event. I did not go so cannot verify what happened at the event. But, I can believe there were long lines at times. I have been at other events at City Hall and that has been an issue before. Maybe they could have run the event better.
My preference is the Phantom's fall Food Festival. Tickets cost $40 and then you can eat as much as you want from all the various vendors. The food is not generally haute cuisine. It is more comfort food, though generally good quality. I certainly had an enjoyable time last year at the event. Just get there early as it does tend to get crowded later in the afternoon.
2003 Chateau Patache d'Aux
Must you spend top dollar to get a good tasting Bordeaux? No, there are values out there but it certainly is not easy to find them. I can alert you though to one such value Bordeaux. The 2003 Chateau Patache d'Aux Cru Bourgeois Superieur ($20) is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based Bordeaux from the Medoc area. I recently had a bottle with a steak-tip dinner.This is a dark-colored wine, full bodied and a bit earthy. It has dark berry flavors though there are more subdued, a typical Old World style wine. There are elements of spice as well, maybe some pepper. It paired well with the tips and certainly would do well with any beef. It is a smooth wine and its tannins are not too strong. It is not an overly complex wine but it is not one-dimensional either. It does have character and at this price is a good value for a nice Bordeaux. Drink & Buy.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Eat This!
"Eat This! 1,001 Things To Eat Before You Diet" by Ian Jackman (Harper 2007-Trade paperback $14.95) is a fascinating new book that details the author's culinary adventures across the U.S. It is a smorgasbord of foodie info and trivia. Basically it contains selected information on special, unique and interesting foods all across the country, many being local favorites. It includes food markets, farms, restaurants, gourmet stores and much more. Not only does it describe these places, but also provides contact information, including those which mail their products.
The book is divided into two main sections: Eating In and Eating Out. Eating In basically describes food products that you can buy and make at home. Eating Out basically deals with restaurants.
The author is selective in what items he describes. For example, in the Fruits chapter, he only deals with a handful of fruits rather than touching on all fruits. He ranges from common fruits like apples and peaches to more unique ones like durian and cherimoya. The same applies to all the different chapters. They survey the field rather than try to cover everything. He tries to center on local specialities.
I certainly learned much in this book, about different foods all across our country. It is also a fascinating read, chockful of unique items. It is a great reference book as well where you can find ways to order many types of different food that you might not be able to find locally. The end of the book contains a section compiling all of the contact info from the rest of the book for ease of us.
Check it out!
The book is divided into two main sections: Eating In and Eating Out. Eating In basically describes food products that you can buy and make at home. Eating Out basically deals with restaurants.
The author is selective in what items he describes. For example, in the Fruits chapter, he only deals with a handful of fruits rather than touching on all fruits. He ranges from common fruits like apples and peaches to more unique ones like durian and cherimoya. The same applies to all the different chapters. They survey the field rather than try to cover everything. He tries to center on local specialities.
I certainly learned much in this book, about different foods all across our country. It is also a fascinating read, chockful of unique items. It is a great reference book as well where you can find ways to order many types of different food that you might not be able to find locally. The end of the book contains a section compiling all of the contact info from the rest of the book for ease of us.
Check it out!
Saturday, July 7, 2007
2004 Bellum Providencia
I recently tasted the 2005 Bellum Providencia and met the winemaker at a tasting in Acton. I was very impressed with this wine, especially as it is made from Monastrell, one of my favorite varietals. Food & Wine magazine (August 2007) picks the 2004 Bellum Providencia as one of their Top Five Wines to Try.
This tidbit is an interesting article, by Lettie Teague, about inexpensive wines that manage to convey their "terroir." There are discussions of wines from Italy, Spain, France, Greece and Portugal. It is worth checking out!
This tidbit is an interesting article, by Lettie Teague, about inexpensive wines that manage to convey their "terroir." There are discussions of wines from Italy, Spain, France, Greece and Portugal. It is worth checking out!
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