I'll be Home for Christmas

I leave tomorrow for Christmas at my parent’s house in Sacramento. I’m so excited to be in a decorated house with my family and our traditions of my father reading from Luke in the Bible, playing poker while drinking beers of the world, coffee and Baileys with sausage balls, George Winston’s December, and a deep fried turkey.
In my own home, I’m not much of a seasonal decorator other than this nativity scene I bought in Mexico last year for 30 pesos.

Doug's 30th

Last night was my “other boyfriend” Doug’s 30th birthday. We started with wine and cheese at his apartment and ended with a seasonal and impeccable 3 course dinner at Ici in Brooklyn. In true Doug form, he (and his boyfriend, Justin) didn’t miss a detail.

Curbing Cabin Fever

This weekend New York got a blizzard Saturday afternoon and into Sunday. We did our best drinking all the Baileys, wine and champagne on hand and staying out of the snow (and then the black/brown/yellow slush that comes with an NYC snow storm) only leaving to stock up on nacho ingredients and Zicam.

Christmas Balls and Weiners

I’m not sure how I managed to live here for so many years without going to Rolf’s during the holidays. Its like eating inside of a Christmas tree, but with wieners, schnitzel and steins of beer.

(As appetizing as the picture looks, the food is mediocre. Next year we are planning to just get a weizen at the bar and eat somewhere else)

Bauhaus and Cheese

Last night I went with Jamie and Joe to a PopRally party for the MoMA’s new exhibit, the Bauhaus. I should probably be ashamed to admit that I was unfamiliar with the Bauhaus before last night. I was also unfamiliar with the “fornication chair” (pictured)

Despite the free wine, naughty chair and getting a sneak peak of the Tim Burton exhibit, the highlight was the dinner of French onion soup and fondue fromage at Le Bonne Soupe.

Librarian Whore

I went to the New York Public Library to pick up my latest subway reads (I’m cheap) and when I couldn’t find my reserves on the shelf I had this conversation with a rather judgmental librarian.









me: I don’t see my reserves on the shelf.
old bag: (after scanning my library card) Lets see… you’re picking up ‘My French…’ ohhhhh, my.
me: ‘My French Whore’
old bag: Yes, I see that. (shooting me a scornful look)
me: Its by Gene Wilder. The comedian. Willie Wonka? Blazing Saddles?
old bag: Mmmmmhmmmm (twisting her nose in more scorn)
me: Its not porn or anything. Its about his wife. Like a term of endearment. Like me calling my girlfriends ‘my bitches’ or something.

I eventually got my books and I’m pretty sure a flag on my library account.

Tis the Season for Bringing Wine to Parties

Since I came across this post on thekitchn, Joe and I have been making our way down the list. So far the biggest hit (and only $5.99 a bottle!) has been the Trentatre Rosso.

White Party Wines from Trader Joe's
• 2007 Kunde Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley $8.99 - Toffee, toasty oak nose, Creamy palate with ripe apricot , melon flavors. A bit hot on the finish, but definitely an appealing party wine.
• 2008 Jean Luc Colombo 'Les Abeilles', AC Côtes du Rhône Blanc, France $9.99 - The least aromatic of all the whites tasted, which might detract from its popularity. But appealing herbal and stone fruit flavors.
• 2008 Lacheteau, AC Vouvray, Loire Valley, France $6.99 - A delightful wine. Floral nose, orange blossoms. Juicy flavors, some honeysuckle notes, slightly off-dry, refreshing and bright. This was one of our favorites. No harsh sides to it.
• 2008 Laugel Cuvée Michel Léon Gewürztraminer, Alsace, $9.99 - Another firm favorite. Especially, as a day earlier a friend asked if I thought he could get a nice Gewürztraminer for $10, and I said ‘unlikely’. Well, I ate my words. This wine was well balanced. Classic rose petal, spice, and lychee aromas. Nice texture, refreshing and good flavor intensity. Not a masterpiece, but very well-made.
• 2008 Anton Bauer Grüner Veltliner 'GMÖRK', Wagram, Austria $7.99 - Another pleasant surprise. Dry, showing good Grüner typicity of savory aromas (dried grass, green bean) and white pepper. Simple, but enough fruit flavor and refreshing.
• NV Pacific Rim Riesling, USA $7.99 - I have tasted this wine before and liked it better. This example I found a little forced. Quite a fusel/kerosene nose. Ripe fruit flavors, but a little astringent on the palate.
• 2008 Chateau Saint Michelle Riesling, Columbia Valley $8.99 - Attractive floral nose. Light bodied with pleasant stone fruit. Easy drinking and refreshing.

Red Party Wines from Trader Joe's
• 2007 Albero Monastrell, D.O. Jumilla, Spain $6.99 - Made from organically grown Monastrell grapes (known as Mourvèdre in France). Earthy, lots of ripe dark fruit, prunes, plums and some leathery notes. Simple but amazing value and tasty.
• 2007 Trentatre Rosso, IGT Salento, Italy, $5.99 - A blend of the local Montepulciano grape, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. On the nose, cassis notes of Cabernet prevail, proving that a little Cabernet goes a long way! Some obvious oak notes, but not over-powering. Ripe, smooth, well made with lots of black fruit. Excellent value.
• 2008 Ruffino Chianti, DOC Chianti $6.99 - Easy drinking, fruity with lots of strawberry, red-currant and cherry flavors. Light-to-medium body. Little astringency on the finish, but it does not detract from the wine. Refreshing and ideal for a party.
• 2008 La Loggia Barbera d'Alba, Italy $6.99 - Another tasty gem. Simple but has lots of ripe red cherry-berry flavors. Soft and smooth on the palate. Very juicy and refreshing.
• 2007 Yalumba Shiraz-Viognier, South Australia, $7.99 - Upfront ripe, sweet fruit - raspberry, blackberry. Soft tannins and easy drinking. Probably the most 'stylized' of the reds tasted. Also a little sweet on the finish. But sure to be a party hit.