-
Recent Posts
Categories
- Alcorn McBride (28)
- Family (230)
- Lifestyle (367)
- Animals (2)
- Cooking (86)
- Dining (251)
- Theme Parks (17)
- Wine (121)
- Technology (17)
- The Arts (83)
- Art & Sculpture (6)
- Books and Writing (13)
- Music (33)
- Photography (5)
- Theatre (29)
- Travel (443)
- Africa (1)
- Morocco (1)
- Asia (9)
- Caribbean (12)
- Aruba (1)
- Grand Cayman (2)
- Puerto Rico (1)
- St. Thomas (3)
- Central America (11)
- Belize (1)
- Costa Rica (3)
- El Salvador (1)
- Guatemala (1)
- Mexico (5)
- Panama (1)
- Panama Canal (4)
- Europe (54)
- Austria (1)
- Denmark (1)
- England (20)
- London (8)
- Estonia (1)
- Finland (1)
- France (13)
- Paris (7)
- Germany (3)
- Greece (4)
- Greenland (6)
- Hungary (1)
- Iceland (3)
- Ireland (7)
- Italy (7)
- Monaco (2)
- Norway (1)
- Poland (1)
- Portugal (2)
- Russia (1)
- Scotland (1)
- Slovakia (1)
- Spain (5)
- Barcelona (2)
- Sweden (1)
- Switzerland (1)
- Turkey (3)
- North America (306)
- Canada (6)
- United States (301)
- Alaska (1)
- Arkansas (1)
- California (17)
- Central Coast (1)
- Death Valley (1)
- Los Angeles (8)
- San Diego (1)
- San Francisco (4)
- Sequoia (1)
- Three Rivers (1)
- Yosemite (3)
- DC (1)
- Florida (85)
- Hawaii (1)
- Illinois (130)
- Midwest (13)
- New England (3)
- New York (21)
- The South (12)
- Charleston (2)
- Georgia (1)
- New Orleans (3)
- Savannah (1)
- Tennessee (1)
- West Virginia (1)
- Wiliamsburg (2)
- The West (27)
- Arizona (2)
- Bryce (1)
- Colorado (2)
- Grand Canyon (2)
- Idaho (1)
- Las Vegas (13)
- Montana (1)
- Nebraska (1)
- New Mexico (2)
- Oregon (1)
- South Dakota (1)
- Utah (1)
- Washington State (1)
- Wyoming (1)
- Yellowstone (1)
- WashingtonDC (2)
- Oceania (29)
- Australia (16)
- New Zealand (14)
- South America (4)
- Africa (1)
- Uncategorized (3)
Archives
Author Archives: steve
July 4th
July 4th was hot in Evanston. 102, to be precise. We stayed in, except for a run to Whole Foods, but in mid-afternoon the power went out and we were thankful our dinner plans included Dani’s new portable gas barbecue. … Continue reading
Garden Lasagna
Last night I made a vegetarian lasagna. I was skeptical because of the large amount of skim milk in the recipe, but it worked great. I left out the corn the recipe called for, and used ricotta cheese rather than … Continue reading
Kinky Friedman
One of the funniest authors I know is Kinky Friedman. He began his career in the 60s as a folk musician with the band The Texas Jewboys, and also played backup for Bob Dylan and many others. His biggest hits … Continue reading
Paint Test
After three years, we’re finally getting rid of the hideous hospital green paint that the former owners of Dani’s condo painted the bedrooms. Testing is in progress.
Farmers’ Market
On Saturday mornings Evanston has a farmers’ market behind the Hilton Garden Inn. Unlike many farmers’ markets I’ve been to, this one is actually a market of farmers. Nearly every booth has fresh picked (or sometimes potted) herbs and vegetables … Continue reading
Johnny Mercer Songwriter’s Showcase
My favorite entertainment event of the year is the Johnny Mercer Songwriter’s Showcase. It’s held a Northwestern University’s Theatre and Interpretation Center. Each year Master Teachers Craig Carnelia (Tony Award-nominated composer and lyricist), Andrew Lippa (Grammy Award-nominated composer and lyricist) … Continue reading
Evanston
I’m spending the summer in Evanston with Dani again. She’s taking a three week physics course, and then doing an eight week psychology study that she got a grant for. In between we’re going to tour the national parks and … Continue reading
White Christmas in June at Luma
Our wine group met in the private room downstairs at Luma for our first ever white wine tasting. The wines were divided into flights of Burgundy, Bordeaux, and–after dinner–Sauternes. It was fun tho have some great white wines for a … Continue reading
Loss
Early Friday morning a pathetic person put a hose through the mailbox slot in the door and flooded a section of our office. Much of the staff was out Friday for an off-site training with fourteen enthusiastic customers, but those … Continue reading
Posted in Alcorn McBride, Animals, Orlando
Comments Off on Loss
V&A Chef’s Table 60s Bordeaux
Our focus was on Bordeaux from the 1960s at the Victoria & Albert’s Chef’s Table on Saturday. Ron, Bev, Keith, Parlo, Linda and I assembled a collection of wines including some big names from 1961 and 1964. Perhaps it was … Continue reading
Victoria & Albert’s Dining Room
We usually go to the chef’s table or eat in the Victoria Room at V&A, but Ron invited us on the spur of the moment to bring some nice wines to Victoria and Albert’s for dinner, and only the dining … Continue reading
Green Beans and Bacon
This is a dish we used to have all the time, but had forgotten about. Maybe if I put it here it will remind me to fix it more often, as it is extremely succulent. Ingredients 3/4 lb Green Beans … Continue reading
Posted in Cooking
Comments Off on Green Beans and Bacon
Four Decades of Margaux
It had been many years since we did a vertical of a first growth. Linda and I have been collecting Chateau Margaux for almost 30 years, and decided it was time to give them a try. I split our collection … Continue reading
Posted in Wine
Comments Off on Four Decades of Margaux
Lunch at Capital Grille
A typical 5-1/2 hour lunch with Ron & Bev at Capital Grille. Also in attendance: Andres, Paula (for 20 minutes!), Keith, Parlo, and Carter. Thanks to Ron for setting this up, and to everyone who brought phenomenal wines. A great … Continue reading
My Travel Map
I finally got around to updating this: View my profile
Posted in Travel
Comments Off on My Travel Map
An Evening with the Sommelier
Last night was the bi-monthly Vine and Dine at the Rosen Everglades restaurant. Linda, Matin, Dani and I attended. This is always a fun event because of the dedicated staff. I think Chef Fred enjoys getting to try some different … Continue reading
Aged Rioja
Keith Edwards organized a stellar tasting of old Spanish Riojas. The event was held at the Bull & Bear restaurant at the Waldof Astoria. Attendees included Keith and his wife Parlo, Russell Edghill, Ron and Bev Siegel, Linda and I, … Continue reading
Amaros
Amaros are Italian digestifs that are an herbal combination of bitter and sweet. They are made by adding herbs and sugar to grappa, a rather nasty spirit distilled from the dregs of Italian wine-making. I first encountered them at The … Continue reading
Posted in Wine
Comments Off on Amaros
The Table
The Table is a unique restaurant in the Dellagio complex on Sandlake Road. The Table offers up to 18 guests seating at a single table, similar to a dinner party. The experience begins at 7:00 p.m. with wine and passed … Continue reading
Lange Estate Winery and Vineyards at Everglades
The Vine and Dine events at the Rosen Centre Hotel are always fun. We enjoy the home grown atmosphere, and Chef Fred Vlachos rises to the challenge with some interesting dishes that I suspect are a stretch for him, but … Continue reading
Adobe Road at Luma
Luma and Adobe Road put on what was perhaps the best food and wine pairing dinner I’ve ever attended. It was held in the private room in the basement, which had been cleared out to accommodate more than 30 guests … Continue reading
Scott Joseph’s Supper Club at Taps Wine, Beer and Eatery
Scott Joseph’s Supper Club is a group that meets at different restaurants around town. It’s usually a fairly upscale wine and dine experience, so I was a bit surprised when this event was posted at a wine and beer bar. … Continue reading
2012 Central Florida Scottish Highland Games
Linda and I volunteered to help out at the 2012 Central Florida Scottish Highland Games. This was my second year, Linda’s first. Last year I staffed the will call table and scanned pre-printed online tickets. This year we worked the … Continue reading
Lemony Hummus
This recipe comes from Scott Joesph’s blog. Make 2 cups 15-ounce can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed 3 tablespoons water 4 tablespoons lemon juice 1 clove garlic, peeled 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2 teaspoons coriander 1 teaspoon paprika, plus more … Continue reading
Posted in Cooking
Comments Off on Lemony Hummus
The Battle of Epoisses
Epoisses is a stinky French cheese that people either love or hate. We love it. A few years ago, in France, I had the opportunity to try two types side by side. One was much better than the other. But … Continue reading
Posted in Dining
Comments Off on The Battle of Epoisses
Berns Burgs
Last night we explored some old Burgundies at Berns Steakhouse in Tampa, with our friends Ron and Bev Siegel. Our tasting began before we even arrived. Our driver Angelica picked us up at 4:45 pm and we met up with … Continue reading
1996 Champagne at Vintage Vino
Ron arranged this tasting and dinner at Vintage Vino in Kissimmee, and provided nine Champagnes from the classic 1996 vintage. Our group of eight included Ron, Bev, Keith, Parlo, Andres, Paula, Linda and me. We began with sushi, a cheese … Continue reading
Thanksgiving in Los Angeles
For Thanksgiving Linda and I flew to Los Angeles from Orlando, and Dani flew in from Chicago. Linda and I were lucky, and my medalion status (from credit card miles, I guess) got us upgraded to first class. Once again … Continue reading
Posted in Dani, Dining, Linda, Los Angeles
Comments Off on Thanksgiving in Los Angeles
Three Bean Chili
I know there’s a big disagreement over whether chili should have beans in it, but to me it’s all about the beans, and to heck with the meat. This is a new recipe Linda got from a co-worker at a … Continue reading
Posted in Cooking
Comments Off on Three Bean Chili
Barcelona, Spain
Disembarkation in Barcelona is amazingly easy. We simply strolled down the gangway, pointed out our bags to a porter, and were ushered to a taxis. No immigration, no customs. By 10 am we were at the Hotel Condes de Barcelona. … Continue reading
Posted in Spain
Comments Off on Barcelona, Spain