Sunday, February 27, 2011

A Weekend of Wine and Snow…


Walla Walla's Rotie Cellars with Owner-Winemaker Sean Boyd
Friday at Wicked Cellars - Walla Walla's Rotie Cellars with Owner-Winemaker Sean Boyd


Wicked Cellars Everett
Wicked Cellars Everett
Rotie Cellars was founded to pay homage to the wines that Sean loves-those of the Rhone Valley. Washington's climate happens to be almost perfect for growing Rhone varietals, namely, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and others. With such great ingredients Rotie and Washington State has the potential to rival the storied wines of the Rhone Valley.

2009 Southern White Blend*** pineapple, honeysuckle

2008 Northern Rhone Blend*** blueberries, tobacco, incense

2008 Southern Rhone Blend*** currant, anise, Cocoa

2009 Southern Rhone Blend (not released)*** raspberry, anise

~~~

Daruma Japanese Restaurant Everett Marina
After a little wine tasting we were off to Daruma Japanese Restaurant*** for a little sushi. This is a wonderful little restaurant on the Everett water front. We spend are time in the back with the view of the Sound.

Daruma Japanese Restaurant Everett Marina
Daruma Japanese Restaurant Everett Marina
Daruma Japanese Restaurant Everett Marina
~~~

Snowing Saturday - Wicked Cellars and Vinum Wines with Ray Bloom presented: Wines of Southern France

Vinum Wines Ray Bloom Wicked Cellars Photo
Familongue L'Envol de Familongue 2008*** citrus, great mouth feel

Chateau de Paraza Minervois Cuvee Speciale 2007*** black pepper, cherry pits

Grange Philippe Cabernet Franc 2007*** red fruits

Chateau La Mascaronne Cotes du Provence Rouge 2004*** red fruit, leather, cherries

Chateau d'Angles Terroir de la Clape Red 2006*** red and black fruit, vanilla, rounded, balance stays

Domaine Brusset Gigondas Grande Montmirail 2008*** ripe red fruit, vanilla

Everett Marina

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Austin Texas Fun with Family and Friends (or how we ate our way through Austin) – Part Two



Joe's Crab Shack Austin, Texas
Joe’s Crab Shack***
600 East Riverside Dr.
Austin, TX 78704
512.441.1010
http://www.joescrabshack.com/locations/store/default.aspx?store=52


We always visit this place when we are in Austin, love the location…

Crab Stuffed Mushrooms - Joe's Crab Shack Austin, Texas
Crab Stuffed Mushrooms**+ Tender mushrooms loaded with our own seafood stuffing and topped with monterey Jack

Fish and Chips Joe's -  Crab Shack Austin, Texas
Fish and Chips*** flaky white fish in a classic Samuel Adams beer batter. Served with fries and coleslaw
Crab Cake sandwich - Joe's Crab Shack Austin, Texas
Crab Cake sandwich**+ a made-from-scratch lump meat crab cake with lettuce and tomatoes, on a soft buttered English muffin. Served with spicy sriracha remoulade sauce.

Its also great fun to eat at home…

Eating at Home "Yum"- Austin, Texas 
Doc's Motor Works Bar and Grill Austin, Texas 

Doc's Motor Works Bar and Grill***
1123 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
512.448.9181
http://www.eatdrinkdocs.com/#home

Always a good place to stop by…
Chicken Fried Avocado - Doc's Motor Works Bar and Grill Austin, Texas
Chicken Fried Avocado**+ fried avocado stuffed with our chicken mix and cheese topped with a tomatillo cream sauce. Served with rice and refried or black beans. Wow fried avocado, who would have thought?
Bacon Cheeseburger - Doc's Motor Works Bar and Grill Austin, Texas
Bacon Cheeseburger*** lettuce, tomato, onions and pickles.

Chicken Fajita Tacos - Doc's Motor Works Bar and Grill Austin, Texas
Chicken Fajita Tacos*** fajita chicken, served with rice and black beans

Perla's Seafood and Oyster Bar
Perla's Seafood and Oyster Bar
Perla's Seafood and Oyster Bar*** 1400 S. Congress Ave. Austin, Texas 78704
512.291.7300
http://perlasaustin.com/

Perla's Seafood and Oyster Bar

Perla's Seafood and Oyster Bar
Dozen Half Shell with Crackers and Good Condiments, Fresh Horseradish, Mignonette, and Cocktail Sauce***+ cold, fresh

Guero's Taco Bar Austin, Texas
Guero's Taco Bar***
1412 S. Congress, Austin 78704-2435
512.447.7688
http://www.guerostacobar.com/

Guero's Taco Bar Austin, Texas
Guero's Taco Bar Austin, Texas
Guero's a good place for Hot Tamales and a cold beer…

Cover 3 Austin, Texas
Cover 3 Austin, Texas
Cover 3****
2700 W. Anderson #202, Austin 78757-1110
512.374.1121
http://www.cover-3.com/

Cover 3 offered outstanding food, exceptional service and offers elegant and style...
Beef Tenderloin Sliders - Cover 3 Austin, Texas 

Beef Tenderloin Sliders**+ French dip style with roasted onion jus, creamy horseradish and parmesan fries
Greek Island Calamari - Cover 3 Austin, Texas
Greek Island Calamari**+ crispy artichokes, arugula, feta, plum tomatoes and Greek vinaigrette with spicy remoulade

Beef Tenderloin Salad - Cover 3 Austin, Texas
Beef Tenderloin Salad*** beef tenderloin grilled with Asian style BBQ sauce, blue cheese, walnuts, wild mushrooms, grilled leeks, red onion with buttermilk ranch

Jumbo North Atlantic Scallops - Cover 3 Austin, Texas
Jumbo North Atlantic Scallops*** white wine and goat cheese sauce, applewood smoked bacon and toasted almonds
Mashed Potatoes - Cover 3 Austin, Texas
Mac and Cheese - Cover 3 Austin, Texas
Filet Mignon - Cover 3 Austin, Texas
Filet Mignon**** with gorgonzola butter, delish
Freemark Abbey 2007 Merlot - Cover 3 Austin, Texas
Freemark Abbey 2007 Merlot*** juicy, blackberries, cherries, tannins are very fine

Hard at work Blogging…
Blogging in Austin, Texas
Back to Austin...
Garrido's Austin, Texas
Garrido's***
360 Nueces #10, Austin 78737-8615
512.320.TACO
http://www.garridosaustin.com/
Garrido's Austin, Texas
Garrido's Austin, Texas
Oyster Tacos - Garrido's Austin, Texas
Oyster Tacos*** oysters, lightly fried, habanero aioli and pico de gallo

La Condesa***
400-A W. Second, Austin 78701-3898
512.499.0300
http://www.lacondesaaustin.com/
La Condesa Austin, Texas
The Vault - La Condesa Austin, Texas
The coolest part of La Condesa, is the restored, historically protected underground vault, which belonged to the original J.P. Schneider general store, built in the 1860s. Be sure to ask for a tour. 
The Vault - La Condesa Austin, Texas 

The Vault - La Condesa Austin, Texas
Trace Restaurant - W Hotel  Austin, Texas
Trace Restaurant***
200 Lavaca Street
Austin, Texas, 78701
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/dining/attraction_detail.html?propertyID=3224&attractionId=1005807979
Trace Restaurant  Lounge - W Hotel  Austin, Texas
Trace Restaurant  Lounge - W Hotel  Austin, Texas
We checked out the new Trace Restaurant lounge located in the just as new W Hotel Austin. Very elegant, very nice…
The Tavern Austin, Texas 

The Tavern Austin, Texas 

The Tavern**+
922 W. 12th, Austin 78703-4118
512.320.8377
http://www.austintavern.com/

White Wings - The Tavern Austin, Texas
Tavern’s “Amazing White Wings”**+ chicken wrapped with bacon, jalapenos and tossed in wing sauce

Caprese - The Tavern Austin, Texas
Caprese**+ mozzarella, tomatoes, basil pesto and balsamic reduction

Southern Chicken Salad - The Tavern Austin, Texas
Southern Chicken Salad**+ fried chicken, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, onions, candied pecans, pickles, cheddar and tortilla strips

Time for Family…

Birthday in Austin
Last Day...
Habana Restaurant and Bar Austin, Texas 

Habana Restaurant and Bar South Congress Ave**+
512.443.4253
http://www.habanaaustin.com/

Habana Restaurant and Bar Austin, Texas
Black Beans - Habana Restaurant and Bar Austin, Texas
Sandwich Cubano - Habana Restaurant and Bar Austin, Texas
Sandwich Cubano**+ roast pork, ham, swiss cheese with pickles, mustard and something new avocado, on pressed Cuban bread. I think I like it better with out the avocado.

Papa Rellena - Habana Restaurant and Bar Austin, Texas
Papa Rellena**+ pureed potatoes rolled into a ball, filled with seasoned ground beef and lightly fried until golden
Tostones - Habana Restaurant and Bar Austin, Texas
Tostones**+ plantain banana cut into disks, lightly fried and served with mojo
Tres Leches Cake - Habana Restaurant and Bar Austin, Texas
Tres Leches Cake***+ yummy

Home again, home again…