My first authentic Pisco Sour cocktail was hand-crafted for me by my very dear Chilean friend, Jorge, during one of my trips to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I had tried them afterwards in bars, but they simply did not compare to a Pisco Sour created by someone who learned from an authentic region. Jorge has fine-tuned his craft …
The California Aperitivo takes all of the goodness of the traditional Northern Italian Aperitivo and adds localized farm to table fare. Perfect for small gatherings, a plate full of whatever is fresh and in season can be enjoyed before heading out for dinner. An aperitivo is a pre-dinner drink and light fare meant to whet …
This vibrantly layered Irish whiskey cocktail celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day in all of its glory. Paying homage to the famous Irish playwright and poet Oscar Wilde, several of these spirit forward cocktails will have you spouting prose into your drinking glass. “I can resist everything except temptation!” Much like the nuances of Oscar Wilde’s flamboyant …
Happy Paddy’s Manhattan is a spectacular modern remake of the classic Manhattan cocktail using Irish Whiskey as the base. Best served as an aperitif or evening cocktail, this Manhattan derivative will inspire thoughts of a magical Irish journey. Allow each sip of absinthe and chartreuse to take turns dancing Irish jigs on your taste-buds. As …
This Irish Whiskey based cocktail is going to be the easiest cocktail you’ve ever made to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. With a mere touch of Creme de Menthe to turn your golden colored whiskey green without overpowering the flavor, you can festively enjoy fine whiskey. Any Irish Whiskey you choose will be more than suitable …
Celeriac, or Celery root, is one of those foods you end up trying and realize you’ve been missing out on a good nutritious, cheap ingredient. Versatile and underutilized, this root vegetable is not to be confused with the bright green celery stalks you are already familiar with. A slightly firmer texture than your standard russet …
“Who are you looking for?” Was shouted at me the very first time I met Kent McKinley, owner of Eva’s Brickhouse. Wearing a Hawaiian shirt, completely unbuttoned, khaki shorts, and barefoot, my eyes were immediately drawn to the enormous broken capillaries on his nose and thick wild mustache. His skin glistened on the verge of …
Traveling to unfamiliar cultural regions with vegan or specific dietary restrictions can be very intimidating, even more so when exacerbated by a potential language barrier. While I am not a vegan, I am an infrequent meat eater. I thought it would be a fun game to see what challenges I would face in trying to …
As a coffee connoisseur and fanatic, finding the best coffee in Puerto Vallarta during my adventures was quite high on the priority list. The city and surrounding areas had no shortage of coffee to choose from. I wanted to not only explore the coffees available and roasted nearby, but learn about the local coffee culture …
The Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is steeped in rich culture and history. Balsamic Vinegar is thick. Syrupy. Sweet and tart – but certainly not sour. Aged like wine. Balsamic vinegar is this magical substance which coats your palette and envelops your senses of smell and taste with delight.
