I’ve been busy.

Thanksgiving is here!  Huzzah!   What was consumed at my house?  There were two major food-related parts of the day, and both were delicious.

For noshing earlier in the day, we had a cheese board with smoked Gouda, unie kaas, a summer sausage and a sliced cameo apple.  Wine was Yalumba Muscat, an Australian dessert wine that was perfect with the cheese!

For dinner?  Goose!  The menu was goose (stuffed with apples and onions), stuffed pumpkin (stuffed with stuffing), mashed potatoes, mashed yams, green beans with garlic, roasted beets, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.  The beers for today were Stella Artois and Smithwick’s, although I’m not sure either of us drank an entire beer.

The goose looks kind of creepy, doesn’t it? “Hello, Clarice.” Anyway, here’s dinner:

The verdict on goose?  It was alright!  The preparation is different from a turkey, and the overall flavour is a bit more gamy, but it was a nice change.  (Edit:  it turns out goose is really good when it’s cold–come to me sandwiches, I am going to eat you now…)  I would probably choose a turducken or another festive meat over this in the future, but it’s good to have a new thing in my kitchen repertoire.

We haven’t gotten into the pie yet…I’ll put up a picture of that when I get to it.

Ingredients
1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1 cup French vanilla flavored powdered non-dairy creamer
2 1/2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups unsweetened instant tea
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cardamom

Directions
In a large bowl, combine milk powder, non-dairy creamer, vanilla flavored creamer, sugar and instant tea. Stir in ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. In a blender or food processor, blend 1 cup at a time, until mixture is the consistency of fine powder.
To serve: Stir 2 heaping tablespoons Chai tea mixture into a mug of hot water.

at Vinopolis

Ok, seems I’m not the only one making up words. Friday Nov. 27th and Saturday Nov 28th Bibulous is coming to the Great Halls of Vinopolis in Borough Market. 

Bibulous billed as The Drinks Experience  is a “pop up” drinks extravaganza, going on over the next two days. A chance to get out of the office early on Friday and head on down. There are 4 shows and  2 timed entries over Friday and Saturday afternoons. First entry is 1:30 on Friday afternoon, second entry at 6pm. Your ticket  gets you the chance to browse and sample various beers, gins,vodkas, ports, tequilas, absinthe, cocktails galore and a heck of a lot more.

Chairmans' Reserve vintage shack van

Tasting tables, cocktail tables, cocktail stations, tuitions and taste-ins hosted by top experts in the mixology field. Here’s just a taster what’s going on:

• Gin Genius Gin Time with expert and author Geraldine Coates presenting 6 premium gins
• Chairman’s Rum shack vintage van serving cocktails created by the Hoxton Pony
• Green&Red Bar and Cantina Tequila taste-offs from the highlands and lowlands of Jalisco, Mexico
• Beers from Around the World with beer experts, authors and bar reviewers Ben McFarland and Tom Sandman with Utobeer

mixing it up

Along with “mixology mayhem” with TV mixologist and Bibulous Tastemaster, Andy Pearson, who will be joined by various other expert mixologist from the top London bars. If anything, it should be a good time after you make your way through all those bibilicious* drinks. Tickets are £16 single or £25 the pair, also available at the door. I’ll be there on Friday afternoon so if you see me, be sure to say Hey!

*I’m pretty sure bibilicious is a word in the English language

It’s very easy to think of topics to write about on a blog devoted to Austin night life, but when I go home to Podunk, USA (okay so Midland is far from Podunk, but it seems that way when contrasting night life to that in Austin) I can only think of three things to do. One is to go to the drive in movie theatre, and the other two I can’t even mention here.

I’ve compiled a list of the best Thanksgiving Day drinking games to give you all a way to get wild on the holidays without even leaving home. They are sure to make the festivities memorable, even if you can’t the next day.

Here they are:

College Jolt’s Thanksgiving Day Drinking Game

This one’s pretty basic.  Just take a drink anytime someone says the following:

1. “Can you pass the (insert any food item here)?”
2. “White or dark meat?
3. “Just a small piece.”
4. “Mmm…I love (again, any food item)”
5. “How’s school going?”
6. “This is really good.” (or any other compliments to the host)
7. “Would anybody like any more…?” (This could be anything)
8. “I’m going to need a nap after this.”
9. “What’s the score?” (referring to football)
10. And the most obvious which I cannot pass up-”I’m so full!”

Pax Romano’s Thanksgiving Day Drinking Game

1. Every time someone says, “If I eat anything else, I am going to burst” – TAKE A SHOT
2. Every time someone compliments the host/hostess on the bird, “Gee Aunt Flossie, this turkey is so moist!” – TAKE A SHOT
3. When the gay or lesbian cousin/son/daughter uncomfortably introduces their date/partner to the other guests as “My friend” – TAKE A SHOT
4. When the host/hostess proclaims, “I forgot the cranberries!!” – TAKE A SHOT
5. If someone says, “I hate sweet potatoes.” – TAKE A SHOT
6. Every time a relative says, “I can’t believe its Thanksgiving already.”- TAKE A SHOT
7. If someone follows this up by saying, “It’ll be Christmas before you know it!” – TAKE A SHOT.
8. If the host/hostess is playing holiday music in the background – TAKE TWO SHOTS, you’ll need them.
9. Per food compliment (“great yams” “excellent stuffing” “fabulous turnips” etc…) TAKE A HALF SHOT.
10. Family arguments that escalate to physical confrontations – TAKE THREE SHOTS
11. Inappropriate sexual remarks made by anyone to any of the other guests. – TAKE A SHOT
12. Depending on how many there are, TAKE A SHOT, per passed out guest on the sofa in the living room while football game is one – if pants are undone, TAKE A SHOT AND A HALF.
13. If some one curses out someone else – TAKE A SHOT: If they are related: TAKE TWO SHOTS.
14. When the first big dramatic proclamation occurs (“I’m gay” “I just quit my job” “My therapist says that I am so screwed up because of you, Uncle Jake!” “Yee haw, I just got my third DWI”) TAKE A SHOT (Note, IF YOU MAKE THE PROCLAMATION, YOU HAVE WON, THE GAME IS OVER)

Drink Wiki’s Food Network Thanksgiving Special Drinking Game

Tune into the Food Network and take a drink when:

1. Any time Alton Brown shows a Chemical Formula
2. Giada says ‘crisp’ or ‘light and delicious’.
3. Alton says ‘brings flavor to the party’ or ‘wash those ____ hands!’.
4. Emeril says ‘BAM!’, ‘kick it up a notch’ or ‘Yah, babe’.
5. Paula talks about buttah.
6. Rachael Ray says ‘EVOO’, ‘yummo’, ‘delish’, or ’sammie’.
7. Sara Moulton uses any form of the word “simple” or “simply”.

The Bachelor Guy’s Official Thanksgiving Football Drinking Game

During the games, everyone takes a drink whenever any of the following happens:

1. CBS and/or their announcers show off their incredibly lame Thanksgiving Game MVP trophy.

2. Any close-ups of celebrity “fans” that are in attendance at the game – who (as coincidence would have it) also happen to star in that network’s shows.

3. If announcers plug any of the following shows right as a play is about to develop:
CSI (any version)
60 Minutes
Two and a Half Men
Survivor
House
The Simpsons
Family Guy
The Next Great American Band
American Idol

BONUS: Everyone takes a second drink if the other announcer makes some lame comment designed to make us think he actually watches the show.

4. Whenever there is a shot of a completely unappreciated behind-the-scenes crew member waiving to the camera while mouthing “Happy Thanksgiving” to his family at home celebrating without him, as the announcers say how much they appreciate him and his “efforts” – shout “Here’s to you!’ and drink in his honor of working during the holiday to put this game on so you don’t have to spend the night talking to relatives. (Take a second drink if his kids are mentioned.)

5. Any time there is a gratuitously long close-up shot of the cheerleaders. (Actually do not drink for this, just ogle.)

6. If the animated FOX football-playing robot shown before and after commercial breaks is dressed as a turkey, pilgrim or Indian, take 5 drinks.
BONUS: FOX is running a contest to name this robot. The first guy in your group to actually attempt to come up with a name has to take 3 drinks. If the name he comes up with is something lame like “Robo-Back”, hit him with the bottle. 7. Any shot of a female fan holding a sign with a heart symbol and the words “Tony” or “Romo”.
BONUS: If she’s hot, take 3 more drinks to drown your jealousy over all the incredible tail he gets.

8. If anybody in your group comments “That Tony Romo is good looking guy”, take a drink. If it is a guy who makes this comment, drink is preceded by a long, uncomfortable pause. If the word “cute” is used in place of “good looking”, drink until you throw up.

9. If an announcer makes a reference to Tony Romo and his celebrity hookups, drink.

10. If anyone makes a reference to NY Jets head coach Eric Mangini and his celebrity hookups, chug a whole bottle if this actually happens.

11. Someone watching with you asks, “Do the players get distracted by that yellow line on the field?”, drink, then throw your empty glass at them.

12. If anyone in your group snickers at, or makes a stupid comment about, the BJ on the back of the back judge’s uniform, make them chug.
Note: The guy who made the comment also has to make the next beer run.

13. An announcer uses the word differential, as in “the touchdown differential between these two teams is huge.” It an unnecessarily big word to be used during a football game.

14. If there is a discussion about the Patriots going undefeated.
BONUS: Chug while jogging around the coffee table if the term “run the table” is used.

15. An announcer mentions that Terrell Owens is “really trying to be a better teammate”.

16. Any comments on how tough the New York media is on any Jets player or member of the coaching staff.

17. If Phil Simms talks about his playing days with Bill Parcells, drink.

18. If Troy Aikman mentions any game he played on Thanksgiving, drink.

19. If a celebrity joins the announcers in the booth, take 3 drinks and hit the mute button. Unless the guest is Charles Barkley, then turn up the volume.

20. If the announcers incorrectly predict how a replay challenge will go, you lose a drink. If it’s Phil Simms and he is “positive” about his prediction – and he’s wrong, as usual – pour the bottle down the sink.

21. If announcers acknowledge the troops watching the games overseas, shout “USA” three times and do a shot.

22. If announcers discuss how Roger Goodell is cracking down on discipline, take a small sip. Quietly.

23. If there’s any mention of dog-fighting/Pacman Jones/steroid suspensions/Ricky Williams, pour a drink on the floor for your homies who couldn’t be here tonight.

24. Any shot of a player using smelling salts or oxygen, then it’s beer bong time.

25. If Peyton Manning throws his hands up in frustration, yell “Oh, come on!” and take a drink.

26. Any time the camera finds Brett Favre’s wife in the stands, or if the announcers mention her overcoming her illness and how Brett dealt with it, drink. If both happen at the same time, chug.

27. Any mention of Brett Favre’s career game right after his father passed away.

28. Any play made by a guy with long dreadlocks, shout “Yeah, Mon!” and chug a Red Stripe.

29. If announcers comment that Marion Barber runs “hard” or “tough”, do a shot of whiskey. If the term “smashmouth football” is uttered at any time, do two extra shots.

30. For every sideline/owner’s box shot of Jerry Jones, take a drink.
BONUS: Do a spit take if it’s a tight shot on his face.

31. Anytime Jon Kitna removes his helmet, yell “Put it back on!”, chug whatever is left in your glass, and place the empty glass on your head.

32. If anyone dares mention of Detroit coach Joe Cullen going through the Wendy’s drive-through buck-naked, everyone watching must drop their pants, and drink.

33. For every mention about how nice and likeable Tony Dungy is, drink a wine cooler.

34. For every reference to Peyton Manning being smart, take a drink.

35. For every reference to Joey Harrington not being smart, pour the drink down the front of your shirt.

36. If a coach signals time-out right before a field goal attempt, drink. Then a second later, drink the exact same amount again.
BONUS: If any announcer uses the phrase “icing the kicker”, pull a bottle of vodka out of the freezer and do a shot.

37. If the referee forgets to turn on his microphone during a penalty call and/or forgets to turn it off after he makes the call, drink from an empty glass.

38. If a coach halfheartedly tosses the red challenge flag and it doesn’t go more than five yards, everyone yells “Lame!” and chugs a malt beverage with their non-throwing hand.

Special “First Half Only” Rules –
These rules are only in effect for the first half of games, since if applied for entire game, it would lead to alcohol poisoning:

39. Every time an interception is thrown by Joey Harrington or Byron Leftwich (should he get in the game).

40. Airing of any Peyton Manning commercial.

41. Any airing of the “This is Our Country” Chevy Silverado commercials.

42. Terrell Owens mugs for the camera and/or shakes his head in disbelief, amusement, or a show of pure unadulterated self love.

43. Any reference to Brett Favre’s age.

44. Any reference to Brett Favre playing like a kid again.

Winner:
Winner is determined by last guy able to stand after a full turkey dinner, 3 games and over nine hours of football.

USA Today’s Thanksgiving Day Drinking Game

1. Every time someone unbuttons his/her pants, take a drink.
2. Each time someone makes that uncomfortable “Unnnh” noise when they rise from a seated position, take a drink. 
3. Each time someone screams at the TV, take two drinks.
4. Take two drinks for each person napping.
5. Take three drinks each time an old person mentions the weather. (In the end, the last one standing gets first pick at leftovers.)

Hope you all enjoy and please drink responsibly!

Hi everyone! Hope you all have a wonderful day today whatever you plan on doing! Brady and I are lounging around our condo together this morning and will begin cooking soon. We are to be at my parent’s house (which is about three miles away) by about noon or so to hang out and help where we can. This year we have been put in charge of several items on our Thanksgiving menu:

- A Relish Tray – this is a family favorite for many, many years…we are basically putting out a spread of various olives, pickled vegetables and hearts of palm (yum!) for people to snack on.

- An Appetizer – we decided to do a dip that has some cream cheese in it as well as basil, roasted red bell peppers, olives, etc.  I found the recipe in one of those small recipe books put out by a specific brand that you generally find near the registers at the grocery story. This particular book is put out by Kraft Foods.

- The Stuffing – we plan on using my coworker’s recipe for stuffing, with the addition of several ingredients. It will be delicious. We even spent hours making our own turkey stock several nights ago specifically for the stuffing!

- Dessert – we are one of several desserts that will be offered…we are making an Apple Crisp.

- A Cocktail – we decided to go with an Apricot-Ginger Fizzy cocktail, which is a recipe that I got off of Martha Stewart’s website.

Now that I type all of that out I realize that we’d better get to work! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you are surrounded by love and friendship.  Thanks for taking the time to stop by New in the Kitchen today!

Lastly, a wonderful quote that fits the season: “Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action” – W.J. Cameron.

Brandy Apple pie

A great way to warm up the party this Christmas.

You will need:

150 ml Apple Juice

60 ml Brandy

Cinnamon sticks

Apple pieces

Instructions:

Heat up about 150 ml of apple juice with a few cinnamon sticks, not too hot just warm it. Pour it into a glass (preferably a brandy balloon) and add 60 ml of brandy. Serve with apple slices or pieces.

This is a great after dinner drink and really keeps you warm. Try it out and see if you can find the hidden apple pie inside the glass.

Tim

Is it just the CY team to notice the distinct drop in temperature today? We’ve been spoilt up until now with a fairly mild November but finally Winter has kicked in! We can’t wait for log fires, wooly blankets and wrapping up warm with our winter wardrobe!

As we’re feeling the chill, we thought it appropriate to add a recipe that not only keeps you warm but gives you a nice little buzz too! Mulled wine! Originally invented to prevent wine from going off, those from yesteryear would add spices and honey to make it drinkable again. There are no boundaries with this recipe – add more/less what you like. This recipe makes enough Mulled Wine for at least 20 people:

Ingredients

4 x 75cl full-bodied red wine

1.7 ltrs/3 pts water

20 cloves wrapped in a j cloth or muslin

3 sliced oranges

3 sliced lemons

8oz granulated sugar (may need to add more according to taste)

2 cinnamon sticks

(Optional) Few tbsp of Cointreau for more alcoholic taste

Procedure:

1) Put all ingredients in a pan and dissolve sugar over a gentle heat.

2) Bring to simmering point & keep warm for at least 15mins before serving!

Simple as that! Remember DO NOT boil as the alcohol will evaporate and don’t be put off by water – it makes the drink less sickly & rich!

Hope you all stay warm!

Colonel Yum x

Mahalaga ang pag-inom ng tubig para patuloy tayong mabuhay at mapatid ang ating uhaw.  Pero kung gugustuhin natin ay puwede natin lagyan ng lasa ang ating inumin na hindi naman makakasama sa ating katawan.

Of course, tablado na rito ang alak at soft drinks (soda), na mapa-light o zero ay alam naman nating walang health benefits, iyon nga lang masarap talaga.

Ako man mismo ay maraming nakakahiligang inumin ilan na rito ang green mango shake, sterilized milk, probiotic milk-like, (iced or hot) coffee at iced tea. Sa huli may dalawa akong paboritong bilhan. Isa ay sa isang Italian restaurant na ang halaga ay Php 75 kada isang baso, habang ang isa naman ay ang House of Secrets: Brewed Iced Tea Drink Concentrates made with Real Calamansi.

Puwedeng sabihin na mahal ito sa karaniwang Iced Tea pero once na matikman mo ay panalong-panalo ang lasa. Ang isang bottle nito ay 1000 ml na matitimplahan mo ng ilang baso at aabutin ng ilang araw depende sa beses ng iyong pagtungga. Kung susumahin ay mura ito sa isang 1.5 soft drinks na nagkakahalaga ng Php 42-45 na  maiinom sa loob ng ilang minuto pagkatapos iitsa sa iyo ng tindero ng iyong suking tindahan. Siyempre ‘di hamak na mas mura rin ito sa isa kong paboritong iced tea. Mababahaginan ko pa ang aking mga dabarkads.

Kumpara sa karaniwang iced tea na mabibili sa merkado na kailangan mong kanawin ng kanawin, tunawin at i-shake-shake ng maigi, ang House of Secret Brewed Iced Tea ay liquid kaya tatantyahin mo na lang ito sa iyong trip at lubluban ng yelo.

Uhmmm ayokong sa akin manggaling ang info sa posibleng health benefits nito dahil puwede nyo naman i-research. Pero knowing na isa itong black tea at may halong calamansi kaya siguradong may mahihita naman kayo sa pag-inom nito. Apart siyempre sa masarap talaga.

Aaminin ko na tinutulungan ko ang kuya ko sa pagbebenta nito dahil naniniwala ako sa produktong ito. BFAD Approve pati kaya hindi na nakakahiyang i-refer. Whether bilhin ninyo ito sa kanya (no. niya 0907-138-4129) o mismong sa mga sikat na pamilihan. I recommend na i-try n’yo pa rin.

Mabuhay at isa itong gawang Pinay!

This advertising card (smaller than a postcard) from the natural spring water of St-Galmier. 17 other countries have been reported from this publisher. The BACS code for this card is 2576-001. Like some of the other advertising cards with Haiti, the back of it is a very brief summary of Haiti’s postal history.

Building on the strong promotional products trend of purchase with purchase promotions a new promotional campaign in Hong Kong.  Buy 4 * 330ml Heineken cans of beer at US$4.45 and get a swiss knife for only US$ 2.57 extra.  This swiss knife has 2 blades, a tweezer, and scissors.  It comes in both green & white with Heineken corporate colours.

This swiss knife is an ingenious promotional idea since it is a useful item which everyone will need from time to time.  You never know when you will need this handy item for emergency or when travelling.   This tool looks great when personalized with a logo printed or engraved on it!

ODM has a wide range of handy items for great promotional gifts and can design high end Purchase with Purchase promotional products for clients.

‘Thanksgiving is all about eating the same old thing, but do we have to drink the same old thing, too? Salon asked a variety of chefs, sommeliers, and foodies for alternatives to that boring old bottle of wine. Some suggestions:

‘A rose champagne cocktail with cranberry juice, sloe gin, and grapefruit will “please everyone, while providing a seasonal yet wide-ranging profile.”
The thematically appropriate Wild Turkey should help you deal with the relatives.

‘Eve’s Cidery Autumn Gold is delicious, and cheap at just $14 a bottle.
Plain ol’ root beer ought to pair nicely with the “fall spices” (nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon), and it makes sense historically, since the Native Americans introduced colonial settlers to root tea.
Another historically appropriate choice: Batavia Arrack, a clear, rum-esque distillation of cane sugar and red rice that colonial America drank like water. -Salon

Well it doesn’t have to be… but considering it’s the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, it’s probably a good time to get wasted, or at least have a drink or two…

So today, featuring your happy hour specials brought to you by happyhoured.com.  It’s a great website, or if you’re out, an even better app for your iphone.  You can choose from bar type, location, type of drink, day, and time.  So, go ahead, go out and consume some deals!  And a happy Thanksgiving to you!

Come on out and see all of the new changes in our restaurant.  We have a wonderful new lunch and dinner menu.  Starting this week we have a new drink menu for our members to enjoy.  Try a Peanut Butter & Jelly Martini, or a Carrot Cake Martini.

Cold?  We have 12 new hot drinks on our drink menu that include Chocolate Covered Cherry Coffee, Mandarin Mocha, Banana Split Coffee, and many more.  Starting this week also, we will be putting together our new wine menu.  Come on out and see all of the new changes!

See you around the Club,

Braden

Welcome to Oscar’s Tavern!

How are you?  Sit down, what can I get you?

No real specials today as far as drinks. I just put some popular drinks on the board we get a lot of requests for!  So let me know what you’d like and we’ll put one in front of you!

Well we sure aren’t going to have Turkey today as most of you will have plenty tomorrow. So I said to myself, “Whats the opposite of Turkey?”   

After a few minutes, and an early drink… I came up with nothing…  

Then after speaking with a friend I decided….Eggs.    So today we are having Pepper and egg sandwiches.  Or as we say in fun…”sangwiches”.   Willy’s family is italian. When they say sandwiches, they say “sangwiches”.   LOL

So are you ready for your Thanksgiving?   It’s my favorite holiday – No obligations. Just togetherness and thanks.    Nice….

We decided to close the Tavern for Thanksgiving so all of our staff can anjoy the day with friends and family. 

A lady was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store, but couldn’t find one fresh enough for her family. She asked the stock boy. “Don’t you have fresh turkeys?” The stock boy answered, “But they are all dead. Now how can I make them take a bath?”

What did the mama turkey say to her naughty son?
If your papa could see you now, he’d turn over in his gravy!

Asked to write a composition entitled, “What I’m thankful for on Thanksgiving,”
little Timothy wrote, “I am thankful that I’m not a turkey.”

Have you finished off the first one?
Yeah!
Eaten it too?
Yeah!
What happened to the other one?
The other turkey is now reading our conversation, boss.

If a man wants to eat a turkey on Thanksgiving, what does a turkey want?
Ans- It simply wants to run away.

What did the turkeys sing on Thanksgiving Day?
Ans- God save the kin.

What did the turkey say to the man who tried to shoot it?
Ans- Liberty, Equality and Bad aim for all.

What will a turkey with a dramatic bent of mind say to another turkey on Thanksgiving morning?
Ans- To be or not to be roasted, that is the question.

Well have a Happy Thanksgiving.  Stay out of the Stores on Friday – Save a life.

Happy Thanksgiving Sweetie.

Ciao   (gobble)

You can buy many different Christmas Tea blends, but sometimes it’s just much nicer and more fun to make it yourself – and it’s also very easy! Christmas teas usually contain a lot of warming and aromatic spices, because these are the things that remind us of christmas most. However, there are no set rules of how much and what exact ingredients you should use – you are free to use your imagination and improvise.

Below you can find some suggestions on how to get started with your tea and some ideas for creating your own blend

Basic Ingredients

• Black tea (ceylon and assam work great, you can use other tea types, however black is the classic version)
• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Cardamon
• Sugar

Optional Ingredients

• Red wine or brandy
• Cranberry Juice
• Lemon Juice
• Lemon or orange zest
• Apple pieces

I don’t recommend adding all these ingredients listed above into your tea, you should try your way and see what works best, or what is most suiting for the current mood.

Usually you start with the basic ingredients – use a pan to bring water to a boil along with the ingredients, make sure the sugar dissolves completely. Change to medium heat and add remaining ingredients from the optional list. Cook for a while to bring out the aroma of the ingredients and then you’re ready to serve your home-made, hot Christmas Tea!

Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters- Get a free sample of our fabulous coffee.
http://www.freakyfreddies.com

Christmas is one month away as of today. I’m stunned, to be honest. I really can’t believe that the year is almost over (life is moving so fast that I almost feel like it’s flashing before my eyes!)

Given the symmetry of the date, I’ve chosen today to launch my holiday gift guide series that I’m calling Cool Yule. Anyone can toss a bottle of wine in gift bag and make a gracious offering; however, giving gifts that are on trend and show off your good taste is so much better, don’t you think?

At about $300 I’ve chosen a high ticket item to kick off Cool Yule 2009; however, it’s just so perfect for the oenephile (that’s a wine lover, btw) on your list. This wine essence set features 40 aroma flasks that can be used to help train your nose and isolate the aromas in wine.

Besides being a great gift for a wine lover, it’s also fun to pull out at a wine tasting, so if you’re planning one during the holidays, it might make a good gift for yourself, too.

Smaller kits featuring 12 aromas commonly noted in white or red wine are also available at a considerably lower price.

Contact Browne & Co. in Canada for information on availability in your area.

Quick happy hour tonight at Lounge 201 (201 Mass. NE) — fun once I found it.  The entire block is “201″ and the sign for Lounge 201 is obscured from the North by a streetlight.  Or maybe I’m just slow.  Anyway, Tuesdays are half-price martini night, and a rousing three-olive success it was. A little loud, especially considering it wasn’t crowded, but good drinks and a fine looking place.  Would never fly in Wheaton (yet). I once had a haircut at the Bubbles salon next door; both places are good but so out of the way for me I won’t rush back.  I’d like to try the food at Lounge 201 sometime, though. I am more skeptical of the food at Bubbles… (ha!)

The 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau made its much-anticipated debut at a special wine tasting and dinner at Pop Champagne & Dessert Bar organized by the Alliance Française de Pasadena on Sunday, November 22 from 4:00 to 10:00 P.M.    Alliance director Fanchon, shares that the organization is very old and one of the first in the Southwest dating back to 1924.  The French school opened 15 years ago and is located across the street from the restaurant.  Fanchon describes the event as  “…just an excuse to have fun.”  If fun is what you are looking for then Pop Champagne and Dessert bar is the right place.  They have an extensive wine and champagne list to accompany your small plates. 

(Scallops Cordon Bleu)

My meals were from a prefix menu for the event.  Everything eaten except for the ice cream was paired with wine or champagne.   Chef Ray Velasquez is wonderful in balancing flavor and has a since of humor when it comes to food.  He told us that his mother always told him not to play with food.  Among his unique creations are scallops Cordon Bleu and popcorn ice cream.  Yes, popcorn ice cream is on the menu.  What does it tastes like?  It has the smooth flavor of kettle corn.   In the picture below give us a unique approach to serving poached pear on a tart.

Pop Champagne and Dessert provides a romantic and fun environment for an evening out.

Photos by Crystal Johnson

Review by Crystal Johnson Restaurant Critic, Los Angeles Examiner and the Valley Scene Magazine