Sure, we all know that certain wines and food go well together. But would you be able to choose which goes better with barbecued braised short ribs: a hoppy IPA or a smoked porter? According to Gratify American Gastropub’s executive chef, Fritz Cassel, a rich, smooth porter is the perfect…
Now that we’re past Thanksgiving and you’re donning your reindeer sweater, putting up the twinkle lights, and jamming out with Bing Crosby, you might as well drink in the holiday spirit too. Put down that mojito and pick up a Sparkling Sleigh Ride at Morton’s Steak House. The cocktail is…
Since this is the time of year when Christmas trees, twinkly lights and cherubs start making their annual appearances, you know there’s gotta be a party or three.Now, you’re certainly within your rights to question an all-you-can-drink bash that begins at noon. The surgeon general sure would. The mayor probably…
December is usually a down month at Wine Watch. This December is different.In fact, it’ll be the best tasting yet. When delving into the flavorful nuances of a fermented beverage, why not just go all the way right off the bat?Port — especially vintage port — is all the way…
The place: Blue Jean Blues, 3320 NE 33rd St., Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-306-6330. The hours: From open until 7 p.m every day. The deal: Two-for-one domestic beers, wells, and house wines; half-off appetizers 4 to 7 p.m. The digs: Filling the hole left by the closing of O’Hara’s on Las Olas,…
Zymurgists, clean off your beer goggles. It’s City Link Beer Fest time again. For five wonderful hours this Friday evening, you can drink as much ale, lager, and stout as your little belly can handle. This is the 15th year the publication has been throwing the big brew-filled bash, and…
Las Olas’ Johnny V is putting a new spin on the beer- and wine-pairing thing. Tuesday, December 7, at 7 p.m., the restaurant will host “Micro Beer Versus Micro Juice,” a five-course dinner in which each course comes with both a beer and wine pairing. Double fisting? Sounds decadent. But…
Unrepentant beer drinkers, rejoice! Each week, Clean Plate Charlie will select one craft or import beer and give you the lowdown on it: How does it taste? What should you drink it with? Where can you find it? But mostly, it’s all about the love of the brew. If you…
Decoding wine speak can often be a puzzling experience. But drinking a wine that’s actually called Puzzle? That’s some crazy, self-referential smack right there. Puzzle, from acclaimed Napa winery Newton Vineyards, will be one of the five wines on display at next Thursday’s (December 2) Newton Wine Tasting at the…
Check out the package on a shiny new six pack of Orange Blossom Pilsner — which hit stores in South Florida last month — and you’ll find the company’s prominently displayed tagline: “Florida’s Honey Beer.” It’s so called, because the smooth, easy-to-drink lager is made with Florida orange blossom honey.The…
At press time, there were still seven seats available for tonight’s class on Thanksgiving wines at the cooking school of our friend and renowned chef/ cooking school guru Jean Pierre. The instructor tonight is Eric Hemer, the Educational Director for Southern Wine & Spirits. Eric is said to be one…
Unrepentant beer drinkers, rejoice! Each week, Clean Plate Charlie will select one craft or import beer and give you the lowdown on it: How does it taste? What should you drink it with? Where can you find it? But mostly, it’s all about the love of the brew. If you…
Yesterday, we talked about pizza stones and how you can improve upon those store-bought ones with cheap unglazed quarry tiles purchased at Home Depot. Today, let’s put those tiles to the test with a delicious Fall-oriented pizza made with butternut squash instead of tomato sauce. I made this pizza over the…
A few years ago, I purchased on of those pizza stone kits at Target or Kmart or something like that. I remember getting it home and being ultra excited to try it out. I ripped open the packaging and stuck the orange stone in the oven. I followed the dough…
The Place: The Duck Tavern, 5901 N. Federal Hwy., Boca Raton. Call 561-998-8288. The Hours: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. every day. The Deal: Domestics, wells, and house wines are half off. Imported beers are $1.50 to $2. The Digs: The Duck is what passes for a dive in Boca…
On the fourth Thursday in November, we celebrate one of our most important national holidays, Thanksgiving. On the third Thursday in November, France celebrates too. But instead of busting out the turkey and cranberries, the French break out barrels and bottles for “Beaujolais Day.” It’s the celebration of Beaujolais Nouveau,…
The place: O’Shea’s Irish Pub, 531 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. Call 561-833-3865. The hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The deal: All drinks are a dollar off. Regular prices run from $3.75 to $7. The digs: Every town has at least one Irish pub. It’s part…
This Friday, November 12, from noon to 2 p.m., hip-hop star Ludacris will sign bottles of Conjure Cognac at Super Duper Liquors in Lauderhill (4188 N. State Road 7, Lauderdale Lakes 33319). According to a news release, “In 2009, Ludacris created and launched Conjure with renowned cognac house, Birkedal Hartmann,…
The place: American Rock Bar & Grill, 1600 E. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach. Call 954-428-4539. The hours: 4 to 8 p.m., 8 p.m. to close every night. The deal: The evening happy hour gets you three for one; the later one gets you two for one. They both cover wells,…
They’ve got reality programs about food innovators, food trucks, and farm-to-table restaurants. Now Discovery Channel is bringing craft beer into the reality mix with its new show Brew Masters. Brew Masters debuts on November 21 at 10 p.m. and stars none other than Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione. The premise…
Teach a man to drink, and he can get drunk. But teach a man to brew, and he can get drunk whenever the hell he wants.Learn to brew for yourself this Saturday, November 6, at BX Beer Depot. The homebrew supply shop and informal beer garden is hosting an all-grain…
I’m all about breakfast, the most important meal of the day. It’s especially fun when you make something seasonal and themed, like these pumpkin and pecan pancakes. They’d fit right in with the fall theme anytime from now until Christmas, but who doesn’t think about pumpkins, especially around Halloween? They’re…
