DC Wine Week Kicks Off With a Bang at Sonoma DC

Sonoma DC is by far one of the best wine bars and restaurants in D.C. Located just a few blocks from the U.S. Capital, you can never go wrong with it.  The restaurant’s ambiance combined with its delicious foods and exquisite wine list, makes it the perfect night out. And, the truth is, I’ll make any excuse to go there. So, when I found out that DC’s Wine Week Opening Party was to take place there, I knew I had to go!

There is one word to describe last night’s affair-”WOW!” There was the sense of excitement in the room. You could feel it with the energy in the room, smell it with the variety of delicious foods, and taste it in the wine selections.

Upon arrival to the party, my friend Aimee and I meandered our way to the bar. With so many selections to choose from, I decided to go with what I love the most–sparkling wine.  The bartender offered to pour me a glass of Schramsberg’s Mirabelle Brut.  The wine was simply divined and a total treat to my palate, plus it complimented the dishes and cheese selections very well.

Chef Michael Bonk really did an amazing job with the evening’s menu, offering a selection of delectable vegetarian tastings like the Leek Gazpacho with nutmeg and the black beans with a bit of tangy taste, which reminded me of one my favorite Indian dishes. But, I will admit,  I loved the meatballs. They were divine and paired well with my glass of wine.

The evening was by far a memorable one. It was fun to mingle with so many people. Few highlights of the night included chatting with Phenice Jones and DC Event Junkie Lisa Byrne.

The fun didn’t end with the party. We made our way downstairs to the bar and enjoyed one of the restaurant’s charcuterie spreads  with Focaccia bread (Thank you Evette!).

Are you planning to attend any events for DC Wine Week? Which ones?

My Favorite Books with Wine Themes

With the official kick off of DC Wine Week just a couple of days away, I thought I would share with you some of my favorite books that relate to wine and food. Well, here they go:

  • Under the Tuscan Sun: I actually saw the movie before I read the book. And, I loved both. There was something about the combination of the pleasures of food and wine set in Tuscany. Francis Mayes takes you away in this novel, and makes you wonder-maybe I can do that one day too!
  • Almost French: An interesting story of how I came across this book. It was by chance of course. I had never heard of Sarah Turnball, a freelance journalist who met a French writer during a visit to Romania and decides to drop everything for this stranger, and who finds herself passionately in love with her new beau and new home in Paris. But, my ultimate favorite part of the book is how she finds herself having an amazing time at a friend’s party, pouring champagne and chatting up a storm, but learns later on, that she completely embarrassed beau. Talk about wine etiquette!
  • A Good Year: I have a connection to France (I don’t know what it is of course), and to the Provence region. While I have not been able to visit the one place in the world that I am destined to go, I will say, reading A Good Year by Peter Mayle, takes me away to the region each time I read it (I’ve read it more than once), can you tell?! Between trying to create an impeccable wine to the love between Max and Fannie, I couldn’t help myself but wish I was Fannie (a restaurateur in Marseilles being wooed by a handsome investment banker). But, it’s by far how wine seems to play a pivotal role throughout the book. From its pairing with foods to of course the wine making process-it’s by far a wonderful story!
  • Lunch in Paris: Again, another book I just came across.  A story of a young woman who adventures to Paris, falls in love and finds herself in awe with the food, wine and of course culture. Can you see a reoccurring theme here? Elizabeth Bard shares delicious adventures of her life in Paris.  There is something about the combination of recipes with a fabulous story.

These are by far some of my favorite books related to wine and food. What are yours?

Kicking Off DC Wine Week with an Escapade Through Virgina Wine Country

Napa and Sonoma beware,Virginia Wine Country is making a name known among wine connoisseurs.

Grapes ready for picking!

Wine ready to be enjoyed a Aspen Dale Winery!

Read  my latest article on Tango Diva, the premier online magazine for women travelers where I talk about a few wineries i visited during an escapade through Northern Virginia.  Read it it now.

Share your favorite wineries by commenting on my blog!

 

 

5 Reasons Why I am Excited About DC Wine Week!

Late last week, I had the opportunity to attend a recording of ABC News 7 Washington Business Report to watch my client, Mina Ebrahimi, President of Saint Germain Catering, talk about D.C. food scene.

A fellow Charlestonian (and very proud of it!), I know a lot of about great food. Charleston, the small Southern city, once famous for starting the Civil War, is now famous for its food. Upon adventuring to the DC area about five years ago, I wasn’t as familiar with the food scene, and to be honest, had not heard so much about it–that is-until I really began to explore it on my own and with some great friends. And, I have to say, over the last five years,  D.C. has emerged as a gastronomic paradise. The opening of such a great restaurants like Cork Wine Bar, Sonoma DC, Policy and Zenten are just a few reasons. Of course, there are so many more, but these are a few of my favorite.

Virginia’s wine country is also blossoming with area wineries’ introducing new vintages annually. The timing of DC’s Wine Week could not come at a more better time.  So, here are five reasons why I am excited about it:

  • It’s a good excuse to try the restaurant you’d be wanting to go to. With so many amazing restaurants opened in DC, why not grab your friends and make it a fun evening.
  • The opening party is at Sonoma DC. This is by far one of my favorite restaurants in the city.
  • The cupcake and wine tasting sounds devouring. What better way to enjoy wine then with a favorite, decadent treat like cupcakes
  • Wine in the fall goes so well together. It’s true! There is something about enjoying a well bodied red wine in the fall paired with favorite fall comfort foods.
  • It’s going to be a fun. I am excited about exploring our great food scene, and you should be too!

Are you planning to check out DC Wine Week?  What events are you planning to attend?

Buy Local!

This evening, I went to my favorite grocery store to pick up a few things for the week. I have somehow fallen in love with this place primarily because much of the food that they sell is locally produced.

My passion for supporting local artisans is something that did not stem from childhood, but from my work as a public relations professional in Charleston, SC. During this period, I learned a lot about the the region’s historic culinary world (I attribute my knowledge and passion to the city’s culinary community) and local artisans.

I’ve lived in D.C. now for nearly four years (hard to believe, I know!). There are so many interesting neighborhoods within the city and beyond its limits.  And as the capital of the free world,  you’d expect it to be difficult to find good local food. Well, it’s not.

Surrounded by some of the most beautiful terroir in the world, you can definitely find good, local foods and wines.  Here’s a few places to check out:

  • The local farmers’ market: Though, this time of year is rather cold. Come spring, you can find a farmers’ market in close proximity to your house.  Each year, the Washington Post provides a full listing of farmers’ markets in D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia.
  • Mom’s Organic Market: This is my favorite supermarket. Why? You can purchase vegetables, meats, and even hummus and bread, which are locally produced. The tastes of your foods are exceptional, and the prices are by far very reasonable.
  • Virginia wineries: Just a mere 30 miles, you find yourself entering a new world. Virginia wines are fantastic. Plus,  during the warm months, spending the day out at one these places makes for a wonderful  and decadent adventure
  • Local farms. During the spring and summer, many people love to go out strawberry picking. Maryland and Virginia are full of a number of strawberry farms. I hope to adventure out to them this spring.

There are many reasons to go local, but my top reasons are quality, price and of course, the taste.  Fresh, local produce and foods always has an amazing taste (one that you can’t find anywhere else.)

Do you prefer buying local? Where are your favorite places to shop?

4 Reasons To Try Cork Wine Bar

On any night of the week,  the U Street Corridor is buzzing. And, though, I have enjoyed dining at a number of restaurants on 14th Street, my all time favorite has to be Cork Wine Bar. Why? Well, if you know me then it’s pretty obvious. But, for those of you who may have just come across my blog for the first time, let me explain why?

The restaurant provides the perfect setting for an evening of fun. And, though, it can be exceptionally crowded on a Saturday evening after 7, the service is impeccable. For one thing, just because you are standing around waiting for a table doesn’t mean that you will not be waited on. The staff at Cork is very accommodating (even on the busiest nights). But, it’s by far the food paired with the wine. So, here are four reasons why you should try Cork Wine Bar:

  • The wine list is exquisite. With hundreds of wines to select from, you will find something to delight your palate. I love the selection of Pinot Noirs!
  • The service is impeccable. I cannot reemphasize this. No matter how crowded it is, the wait staff is extremely accommodating and highly knowledgeable about the wines on the list.
  • The french fries are to die for. Yes, I did say french fries. Paired with the restaurant’s signature mayonnaise (mayonnaise with a bit of kick), the fries will simply melt in your mouth. Other dishes to try are the grilled tomatoes drizzled with a balsamic vinaigrette and served on toasted bread, as well as the organic chicken.
  • You’ll always have a fun night! I can guarantee it! It’s by far my favorite restaurant in the city!  Over the last year or so, I have taken so many people to it, and each time I go, I always come back satisfied and looking forward to my next visit.

Have you been to Cork? What’s your experience been like?

My Affair with Newport: Newport, Rhode Island

It’s hard to believe that Newport is one of Rhode Island’s largest cities. It’s definitely one of the most beautiful cities I have visited in the United States. In some ways, it reminded me of Charleston, South Carolina, my childhood home.

“I was in a Newport State of Mind” the minute I crossed over the Pew Bridge into Newport. As I looked down at the calm waters, my mind came to ease, and I entered a different state of mind—literally. The boats below floated away, and so did my daily dilemmas and problems. Now, I understood why some of the nation’s most renowned families spent their summers here.

For more than two centuries, it has been a summer hotspot for New Englanders or those from the North (as us Southerners like to say). Newport is beautiful. It’s filled with an eclectic array of restaurants (a haven for seafood lovers), art galleries, shops, and amazing homes. Did I say amazing? Let’s just say, as a Southern gal who grew up with stories about plantation life and lavish lifestyles of the Southern aristocrats—they could not measure up to these homes and their residents.

Newport’s fame is attributed to its wealthy, infamous residents of the years past like the Vanderbilts, the Astors, and the Berwinds. The who? Though unrecognizable in comparison to the Vanderbilts, the Astors, or even the Gugenheims, the Berwinds were part of this elite circle. Edward Berwind built his fortune around Pennsylvania’s coal industry during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Soaked by the rains that battered the city on this particular Sunday, my friend and favorite travel buddy, Sri, and I found ourselves standing at the steps of the Berwinds’ summer residence. The Elms (as it is called) reminded me of the lavish castles that I had toured in Europe. I later learned that the designs of many of its rooms were inspired by Versaille, the infamous home of Louis XIV.

Each of the rooms had an interesting story, but my favorite had to be the dining room. Gazing at the extravagant dining room table laid with its finest china, I was reminded of the important role of the estate’s hostess. “During the fifteen minutes of the first course, you would speak to the person on your left ,” our docent said, “During the fifteen minutes of the second course, you spoke to the person on your right.”

“Furthermore, the matron of the house always kept her seating charts because it would be disgraceful if she placed her guests next to each other more than once.”
“Who could remember all these rules,” I said to myself. But, then again, things have changed since then, and I think Mrs. Berwind would be appalled by some of them if she was still alive.

Something else interesting I learned—the women of the home had dresses for every hour of the day. According to the docent, they changed at least seven times a day, “A woman would never be caught in her morning dress in the afternoon,” she said.

Other favorite rooms for me included the ballroom where lavish parties were hosted, the hot kitchen where I read a letter from the Maitre D to Mrs. Berwind, updating her on all the preparations being made before her arrival, and the conservatory, which was inspired by Versaille.

We spent more than two hours in the Berwinds’ home, taking in every detail. In the final room, there was a table filled with family photographs. There were photos of Mr. and Mrs. Berwind, their nieces who looked stunning in 1920s fashions, as well as other members of their family.

At the end of my tour, I learned that the Berwinds did not have any children of their own. After their passings, the home was left to Mr. Berwind’s sister who managed it until her death in the 1960s. A somber ending to an era in America’s history.

When we left, I was reminded by how much life has changed over the century. The importance of etiquette, the appreciation for beauty and the love of entertaining—it’s all faded away over the years. Hasn’t it?

We re-entered the twenty-first century, and headed back into town for a leisurely dinner on the harbor. I hated to say goodbye. But, then again, I can always go back to Newport.

Viva La France (Well, Viva Quebec!)

Traveling to French Canada by far had to be one of the most memorable trips of my life! It’s hard to imagine it’s been six years since my trip to Montreal and Quebec City. And, though my French was a bit rusty, somehow I managed to talk my way through the trip (and also serve as translator for my friends).

As part of my series of fun and memorable travel stories, Here’s another article featured on Tango Diva.  And, don’t worry, I will be doing more stories on my life in D.C., but in the meantime, enjoy this one!

Read about my adventures through French Canada now

You Can Never Go Wrong with Sonoma DC

I am by far a foodie. Working in the culinary scene for more than decade, I’ve had the opportunity to indulge in cuisines created by some of the nation’s finest chefs.  Living in D.C.  over the last couple of years, I have seen the city’s culinary world evolve.  Not only is the city attracting celebrity chefs like Wolfgang Puck and now, Bobby Flay, but it is the home of many great chefs like Charlie Palmer, Jeff Buben, Michel Richard and Top Chef’s Spike Mendolsohn.

But, like many DCrs, I do have my favorites that I return to often like Sonoma DC.  The restaurant is located just a few blocks away from the Capital off of Pennsylvania Avenue.  The combination of fine food and wine with a sophisticated, yet casual ambiance, makes it by far a great place to catch up with close friends.

I’ve been to Sonoma DC several times over the last year, and there has never been a day that I’ve come out disappointed. On this evening, the restaurant was buzzing!  Patrons were enjoying glasses of wine selected from Sonoma’s exquisite wine list paired with an assortment of cheeses.

On this particular evening ( a Saturday Night), I was hanging out with two girlfriends. I started off my dinner with the spinach salad with walnuts , blue cheese and balsamic onions topped with charred onion vinaigrette.  A perfect start to a really fabulous meal.

I decided to try one of the evening’s special, Gnocchi in a mushroom sauce topped with fresh, Romano cheese.  The thing is, you can never go wrong with Gnocchi at Sonoma. Chef Nicholas Sharpe and his team have perfected Gnocchi to where it melts in your mouth. Plus the servings as perfect. It’ just a enough to make you satisfied! And, paired  with an exquisite, Pinot Noir –trust me, you are in an ultimate food paradise.

We closed our delicious meal with a ricotta cheese cake topped with roasted pumpkin seeds and squash puree.   A delicious dessert for this time of year, the puree really brought out the flavors of the unconventional cheesecake.

And, though my dining experience ended with the cheesecake, I will be returning very soon. Hopefully trying something new!

Sonoma DC is by far on my Top 5 List!  If you are looking for a place to enjoy a great meal and conversation, then you definitely want to make reservations at Sonoma DC.