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Category Archives: Wine
Victoria & Albert’s Anniversary Celebration
On our 33rd anniversary we invited our friends Ron & Bev Siegel to join us at Victoria and Albert’s chef’s table. Ron and Bev just celebrated their 36th anniversary, so it was a dual celebration. Maitre d’ Israel Perez managed … Continue reading
l’Atelier
We saved the best for last. Having been to Joel Robuchon’s l’Atelier in London, we knew it was good, but I had expected his formal restaurant, Robuchon, to be better. However I actually prefer the honest flavors of the simple … Continue reading
Backstage at Caesar’s Forum Shops
With our wine group back in Orlando, Linda and I have a few days alone in Las Vegas. Thursday we met Ron Ford of Simon Malls for lunch at Sushi Roku and a backstage tour of the Forum Shops. There … Continue reading
Posted in Alcorn McBride, Dining, Las Vegas, Wine
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Delmonico’s
Delmonico’s was the final restaurant on our Wine Syndicate Las Vegas culinary adventure, and it was easily the best experience. Incredibly attentive and professional wine service by Ryan Anderson made the evening a delight. At last, here was a place … Continue reading
Lotus of Siam
For lunch we went to Lotus of Siam, regarded by many as the best Thai restaurant in America. It’s in a dumpy shopping center off of Sahara, so I’m sure we looked a bit incongruous piling out of a stretch … Continue reading
Pinot Brasserie
Monday Linda and I walked up to the Forum Shops and had lunch at Sushi Roku. Our server, Chase, made some great recommendations. It was a beautiful morning, and we stopped to look back at our hotel across the Bellagio … Continue reading
Robuchon
Today Linda and I explored the area around City Center, including several hotels owned by MGM: The Bellagio, Aria and Monte Carlo. These are connected by a tram, along with the Crystals mall. We had a good lunch of tapas … Continue reading
Wine Competition
This was my 20th year judging wines at the Florida State Fair International Wine Competition. There were about 1269 wines from 34 different states, with 25% coming from California. The event begins Wednesday evening, at the judges’ dinner, when we … Continue reading
Alcorn McBride Christmas Party 2010
We had a great time at the Alcorn McBride Christmas party last night. This year we hired Puff ‘n Stuff to cater the event, and they did a great job. It was nice to have more time to spend with … Continue reading
Posted in Alcorn McBride, Dining, Orlando, Wine
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Thanksgiving in LA
We’re spending Thanksgiving week in Los Angeles with Linda’s mom. It’s given us an opportunity to catch up, since we haven’t seen her in two years. Dani flew in from Chicago on Wednesday, and we met her at LAX, where … Continue reading
Posted in Dining, Los Angeles, Wine
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Victoria and Albert’s Chef’s Table
Last night we enjoyed a wonderful evening at Victoria and Albert’s Chef’s Table with Ron and Bev and some new friends, Keith and Parlo Edwards and Adam and Gigi Chilvers. Chef Scott Hunnel outdid himself with the ten course tasting … Continue reading
Wine Bottles
We loaded up three cases of empty wine bottles and took them up to one of our favorite restaurants, The Chef’s Table at the Edgewater Hotel in Winter Garden. They’re going to use them to decorate their new dining room. … Continue reading
Epcot First Bites
This is the first year for a new event at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. It’s called First Bites, and it gives you the opportunity to sample some of the food and wine that will be on the promenade, … Continue reading
Posted in Dining, Orlando, Theme Parks, Wine
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Wine Syndicate – 1961 Bordeaux
Our Wine Syndicate group met Saturday at the Bull & Bear in the Waldorf Astoria. It was one of our best tastings ever, focusing on the 1961 Bordeaux vintage, perhaps the best of the century. The two vintages of Chateau … Continue reading
A Day of Wining and Dining
I spent eight and a half hours eating and drinking with Ron and Bev today! I really don’t know how they do it. The occasion was a visit by Allan from Hart Davis Hart, a wine auction house in Chicago. … Continue reading
Dominus
I packed up some things to ship to Evanston for the summer, including a couple of bottles of wine for Dani to save for her 21st birthday: a 1991 Echezeaux and a 1991 Dominus. Update: I ended up packing these … Continue reading
Posted in Wine
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Wine Syndicate at Ocean Prime
Tonight is our Wine Syndicate group’s get together. This is the first time the group has met at Ocean Prime, and we have a private room booked. We’re having trouble scheduling times that don’t conflict with everyone’s (especially my) travel … Continue reading
Europe 2007
Rome, Switzerland, Paris, London Friday, June 29, 2007 Orlando to London For Dani’s 16th birthday she asked to take her friend Christina, to Europe. This is the journal of that trip. The only time Christina has been out of the … Continue reading
Anniversaries at Victoria & Albert’s
March 16, 2007 Ron and Bev invited us to Victoria & Albert’s chef’s table in Disney’s Grand Floridian. We were joined by Philipe and Audrey. Chef Scott was in town (at last!) and provided an amazing meal, with several new … Continue reading
Spur of the Moment Chef’s Table at Victoria & Albert’s
October 7, 2006 A few months ago I tried to book Victoria & Albert’s chef’s table in Disney’s Grand Floridian for Linda’s birthday, but they had no openings. I asked Israel, the manager, to wait list us. Margaret from V&A … Continue reading
Great Years, Great Wines at Victoria & Albert’s
December 16, 2005 Ron and Bev Siegel invited us to dinner and tasting at Victoria & Albert’s in Disney’s Grand Floridian. Unfortunately my Dad was in town so we couldn’t both go. Linda drew the short straw. Joining us were … Continue reading
Emeril’s
10-12-2005 On the spur of the moment Ron and Bev invited me to lunch at Emeril’s, where I joined several sommeliers form around town. Present were: JP from Emeril’s, John from Brio, David from Le Coq au Vin, and Rhett … Continue reading
Celebrations at Victoria & Albert’s
March 23, 2002 Ron and Bev Siegel invited us to dinner and tasting at Victoria & Albert’s in Disney’s Grand Floridian. Andy and Libby Crocket accompanied us. The event was held in the kitchen at the Chef’s Table. We were … Continue reading
Tampa & B-21 2002
Tampa In the Spring of 2002 most of The Wine Syndicate group went to Tampa. Ron Siegel organized two wonderful dinners, and a luncheon and tasting in Tarpon Springs. Ken from Bern’s set up this dinner at Spartaco. The chef/owner was charming and … Continue reading
The Dinner of the Century
Victoria & Albert’s 11-30-2001 In November, 2001 about half of the The Wine Syndicate put together a dinner and tasting at Victoria & Albert’s in Disney’s Grand Floridian. The event, held in the kitchen at the Chef’s Table, was dubbed “The Dinner … Continue reading
Las Vegas 2000
In the Fall of 2000 most of The Wine Syndicate group went to Las Vegas, where we stayed at the Venetian. We had some great lunches, dinners and tastings, and also found time for Star Trek The Experience, a tour of Caesar’s … Continue reading
Charleston Wine Trip
In February, 2000 we went with three couples from our wine tasting group, The Wine Syndicate, to the Middleton Inn outside of Charleston, SC for a great weekend of wine tasting, recreation and sightseeing. I had only been “through” Charleston until … Continue reading
Jekyll Island 1998
In the Fall of 1998 most of The Wine Syndicate group went to Jekyll Island, Georgia, where we stayed at the Jekyll Island Club. There were tastings, dinners, Jonathan’s first golf outing (and Steve’s first in 30 years!) and more tastings. Attending: … Continue reading
Los Angeles, San Francisco 1998
Our summer 1998 vacation trip was great. We picked Danielle up at SeaWorld camp on Friday afternoon, August 7th, and headed to the airport to catch a Delta non-stop to Los Angeles. The lease ran out on Linda’s car last … Continue reading
Posted in California, Dani, Dining, Linda, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Wine
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