Thanksgiving booze recap
Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday. It has everything: 1. an emphasis on food, wine and naps, 2. no expectations for gift-giving, and 3. the Dallas Cowboys are guaranteed to be on TV. The wine selection this holiday was modest but solid. There were just two of us, and keeping with the theme of the holiday they were selected based on comfort rather than flash. I’m happy to say I was able to hold off opening the first bottle until nearly 1pm, but I can assure you it was touch-and-go there for awhile. Read the rest of this entry »
To Decant or Not to Decant
Still being fairly new to wine, one subject – among the many – that I’m still trying to figure out is when should you decant a wine and when should you not decant a wine? It’s a pretty complicated answer with lots of variables, such as age, tannic structure, acidity, etc. There’s no set guideline, but I will try to do my best to give you my take on it.
BYOB: Urban Belly
3053 N California Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 583-0500
Urban Belly, LUSH Fieldtrip
Urban Belly is amazing. Seriously, go there. Now. Tucked into a little strip mall, nestled in next to a laundry mat, the restaurant is a hidden gem. Chef Bill Kim has created a warm, communal space and a menu that comprehensively represents his evolving philosophy on food and nourishment. Yvonne Kim is a gracious and inviting host as well as super efficient managing influence. And, the next most brilliant thing besides the owners/chef and the food is that this place is BYOB with no corkage fee!
Fashionably Late
Ok, just to be clear I’m not (finally) writing on this blog because of peer pressure, nor has my job been threatened (over blogging anyway), I’m doing it for the short ribs.
WURST FEST: The Aftermath
Beer and brats. What more could you need or want?
Well, how about 5 types of bratwursty goodness…and 27 types of mustard?!! Oh, and 6 types of beer to sample. WOOOoooo! This is the way Lush patio series goes out for the season…
What were you drinking?
No matter your political convictions, last night was an important and historic moment. I know I am not alone in expressing my amazement at the energy in the air, and the sense of enthusiasm that people all around me were giving off. Like many of my friends and customers here at the shop, I carefully selected a few things to drink while watching the returns come in. I have to say that my own particular choice was fitting: the delicious Victory Brewery’s Baltic Thunder porter; made in the same town where I was born. Victory never tasted so sweet.
So, dear readers: what were you drinking during the election?
La Fée Verte
Having just finished up an off-site presentation on absinthe (whew!), I thought I would share a few fun facts with you on this mythical and mysterious spirit.
