127 Days of Food and Beverage, In Pictures

For the past 127 life-altering days, the main goal around here has simply been to keep everyone’s physical and mental health as strong as it can be. As any of you can attest to daily it isn’t easy to deal with, but hopefully we can all find some pockets of time to be able to sit back and appreciate what we have. During these times of quarantine/lockdown/social distancing, I have always been able to count on Friday Pizza & Movie Night, takeout dinners to support a local restaurant once per week, and the Sunday Cocktail & Appetizers right here at home. Of course, there is the occasional Thursday Happy Hour on our deck with oversized chess, checkers, and “four-in-a-row,” or even the Tuesday night where I decide, “screw it…I’m getting a beer.”

Seeing as I haven’t shared anything with you all in a while, I figured now is as good a time as any to do so. I have taken some of my favorite moments of food and beverage experiences over the last 3+ months to help you get caught up. Think of it as a “Best Of” mini-guide to help you the next time you are looking to cook something up or pick up something new at your local liquor mart.

Drink from the fire hose, and feel free to share what you have tried since March…I’d love to hear about it! In the meantime, hang in there and be good to one another.

Local Oysters with Bacon Butter

I normally go for raw oysters, but the technique of using a bed of hot rock salt was amazing.

Garlic Scape Pizza with Proscuitto

You need to try a garlic scape.

Misty Cove Sauvignon Blanc

It’s like drinking passionfruit lemonade. No other wine I ever had went down easier.

Bodegas Garzon Cabernet Franc Reserva

Ever try a wine from Uruguay? This is a great place to start. Loaded with berries and spices.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

One of my favorite pastimes is taking a carcass and cooking it over wood and charcoal for several hours.

Chicken Shawarma

A new adventure for me, using marinated boneless skinless chicken thighs held together with red onions and metal skewers led to a tasty meal in a pita.

Strawberry Beer Coolers

Not a bad little beer cocktail!

Cabernet Franc Vine

These are doing much better than our Gruner Veltliner vines. More than anything, I’m just thrilled they are alive

Wines of Dry Creek Vineyard

Had a fun virtual tasting, learning the winery’s story and philosophy. I contend their Chenin Blanc is one of the best values on the market for any wine.

Pink French 75

Gin, sparkling rosé, simple syrup, and a squeeze of lemon

Grilled Vegetable Bounty

Pick up as many veggies as your arms can carry and grill the lot of them.

Brisket pizza

Because that’s what you make out of the leftovers from…

Smoked Beef Brisket

Not bad for an Italian boy from Brooklyn.

Oven-Fried Eggplant Pizza

Crispy, salty goodness.

Maple Bacon Donuts

Greatest Wife In The World calls, I haul.

Michel Schlumberger Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Did a virtual tasting for an old friend, featuring this wine. A really well-made Pinot Noir that deserves your attention.

French and Italian Rosé

Campuget is from southern France, while the Planeta is from Sicily. Priced about the same and they may look similar, but the flavors are totally different. This is why you taste wine side-by-side.

Sancerre

This is the Greatest Wine In The World, didn’t you know?

"Wine Diamonds"

Sometimes in an unfiltered white wine, you may see these harmless calcium deposits at the bottom of the glass. Especially in a wine like…

Domaine a Deux Touraine Sauvignon

A zesty, yet full-bodied Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley that has incredible creamy-citrusy finish.

Château Charrier Bordeaux

Everyday red Bordeaux wines have been so good lately. 2018 is shaping up to be a really good vintage.

Burgundian Grape Varieties

Did a virtual tasting where we discussed the ins and outs of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Pacific Pinot is a fantastic way to get to know the grape for less than $20, while the Louis Jadot wines are a great way to get introduced to individual villages and communes within Burgundy.

Celery Gimlet

I dare you to find a better way to awaken the appetite. Muddled celery, lime, and simple syrup shaken with good quality gin.