The James Beard Foundation's annual Chefs & Champagne fundraiser was recently held in Sagaponack, New York, at the idyllic Wölffer Estate Vineyard. The event featured a food and wine tasting complete with an endless supply of Taittinger Champagne, wines from Wölffer Estate Vineyard, and Stella Artois Belgian lager paired with the cuisine of some of the best Chefs on the east coast. This year's Honoree was James Beard Award–winning chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, and celebrity TV personality, Bobby Flay. Accompanied by his wife, actress Stephanie March (who portrayed ADA Alexandra Cabot on the TV series Law & Order SVU), the smartly dressed Flay mixed and mingled with revelers throughout the evening.
Flay's culinary career began as a 17-year-old cook at Joe Allen’s in NYC and since debuting on Food Network in 1994 he has continuously hosted programs that educate viewers about American fare. Beginning with the 1996 premiere of his first show, Grillin’ & Chillin’, Flay’s two decades of TV experience include a variety of Food Network and Cooking Channel programs such as Iron Chef America and his newest show, Beat Bobby Flay. In addition to his latest TV show, Flay's sixth fine dining restaurant, Gato, opened earlier this year in New York City’s NoHo district. As this year’s honoree, Flay joins the ranks of such gastronomic greats as Julia Child, Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller, Wolfgang Puck, and Emeril Lagasse.
At the tasting, an array of culinary delights beckoned from each station created by a select group of approximately 35 Chefs, many from JBF Award–winning restaurants. Each dish was better than the next and some of our favorites included Tuna Crudo with Kizami Wasabi, Olives and Basil from Chef Chris Jaeckle of all'onda, NYC; Mushroom and Goat Cheese-stuffed Zucchini Flower with Romesco Sauce from Chef John Mooney of Bell, Book and Candle, NYC and Bidwell in Washington, DC; Achiote-Marinated Carolina Shrimp with Guacamole from Chef Marc Meyers of Cookshop, Five Points, and Hundred Acres in NYC; Za'atar Grilled Lamb Chops with Tabbouleh and Greek Yogurt from Chef Steve Van Der Merwe of Celebrity Cruises; and Florida's own Chef Lindsay Autry and her delicious Deviled Crab with Summer Vegetable Slaw, Melba Toast and Hot Sauce.
In addition to savory dishes, decadent sweets were also on hand including Passion Fruit Mousse with Blueberries and Crispy Meringue from Pastry Chef Deborah Racicot of Narcissa, NYC and Tristar Strawberry-Valrhona Dulcey Blond Chocolate Tarts with Marshmallow and Lemon Verbena from Pastry Chef Stephen Collucci from Collicchio & Sons, NYC.
During her remarks, James Beard Foundation President, Susan Ungaro, applauded Flay for his commitment to the organization, calling him a "Superman" and acknowledged the large crowd of attendees and participating Chefs at the evening's sold out event as a "testament to your talent." Flay went on to toast Julia Child, commending her for the idea she had to preserve James Beard's house after his passing almost thirty years ago, transforming it into a place where American Chefs are celebrated. He also added a heartfelt thanks "to my brothers and sisters who are serving the most incredible food tonight. Everybody who's in an apron, the Chefs, the Sous Chefs, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate it." (to view a video of Flay's full remarks, please click here).Funds raised at the event help support the foundation’s wide variety of initiatives, including culinary student scholarships and the organization's annual food conference on sustainability, public health, and nutrition. The recipient of the 2014 Christian Wölffer Scholarship which supports students of food and wine was also announced and went to Samantha Whitlam who will be using the scholarship to attend the Intensive Sommelier Course at the International Culinary Center (ICC). As of 2013, the James Beard Foundation has awarded more than $4.6 million in financial aid to 1,570 recipients throughout the country.
For good reason, the James Beard Foundation's annual Chefs & Champagne event is widely considered the East End's premier Summertime culinary event - I'm already looking forward to next year! For more information on the event or the James Beard Foundation please click here.Bon appétit,
The James Beard Foundation’s annual Chefs & Champagne fundraiser was recently held in Sagaponack, New York, at the idyllic Wölffer Estate Vineyard. The event featured a food and wine tasting complete with an endless supply of Taittinger Champagne, wines from Wölffer Estate Vineyard, and Stella Artois Belgian lager paired with the cuisine of some of the best Chefs on the east... Read More
The post Chef Bobby Flay Honored at James Beard Foundation’s “Chefs & Champagne” Event! appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
The James Beard Foundation’s annual “Chefs & Champagne” fundraiser was recently held in Sagaponack, New York, at the idyllic Wölffer Estate Vineyard. The event featured a food and wine tasting complete with an endless supply of Taittinger Champagne, wines from Wölffer Estate Vineyard, and Stella Artois Belgian lager paired with the cuisine of some of the best Chefs on the east coast. This year’s Honoree was James Beard Award–winning chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, and celebrity TV personality, Bobby Flay. Accompanied by his wife, actress Stephanie March (who portrayed ADA Alexandra Cabot on the TV series Law & Order SVU), the smartly dressed Flay mixed and mingled with revelers throughout the evening.
Flay’s culinary career began as a 17-year-old cook at Joe Allen’s in NYC and since debuting on Food Network in 1994 he has continuously hosted programs that educate viewers about American fare. Beginning with the 1996 premiere of his first show, Grillin’ & Chillin’, Flay’s two decades of TV experience include a variety of Food Network and Cooking Channel programs such as Iron Chef America and his newest show, Beat Bobby Flay. In addition to his latest TV show, Flay’s sixth fine dining restaurant, Gato, opened earlier this year in New York City’s NoHo district. As this year’s honoree, Flay joins the ranks of such gastronomic greats as Julia Child, Daniel Boulud, Thomas Keller, Wolfgang Puck, and Emeril Lagasse.
At the tasting, an array of culinary delights beckoned from each station created by a select group of approximately 35 Chefs, many from JBF Award–winning restaurants. Each dish was better than the next and some of our favorites included Tuna Crudo with Kizami Wasabi, Olives and Basil from Chef Chris Jaeckle of all’onda, NYC; Mushroom and Goat Cheese-stuffed Zucchini Flower with Romesco Sauce from Chef John Mooney of Bell, Book and Candle, NYC and Bidwell in Washington, DC; Achiote-Marinated Carolina Shrimp with Guacamole from Chef Marc Meyers of Cookshop, Five Points, and Hundred Acres in NYC; Za’atar Grilled Lamb Chops with Tabbouleh and Greek Yogurt from Chef Steve Van Der Merwe of Celebrity Cruises; and Florida’s own Chef Lindsay Autry and her delicious Deviled Crab with Summer Vegetable Slaw, Melba Toast and Hot Sauce.
In addition to savory dishes, decadent sweets were also on hand including Passion Fruit Mousse with Blueberries and Crispy Meringue (above, right) from Pastry Chef Deborah Racicot from Narcissa, NYC and Tristar Strawberry-Valrhona Dulcey Blond Chocolate Tarts with Marshmallow and Lemon Verbena (above, left) from Pastry Chef Stephen Collucci from Collicchio & Sons, NYC.
During her remarks, James Beard Foundation President, Susan Ungaro, applauded Flay for his commitment to the organization, calling him a “Superman” and acknowledged the large crowd of attendees and participating Chefs at the evening’s sold out event as a “testament to your talent.” Flay went on to toast Julia Child, commending her for the idea she had to preserve James Beard’s house after his passing almost thirty years ago, transforming it into a place where American Chefs are celebrated. He also added a heartfelt thanks “to my brothers and sisters who are serving the most incredible food tonight. Everybody who’s in an apron, the Chefs, the Sous Chefs, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate it.” (to view a video of Flay’s full remarks, please click here).
Funds raised at the event help support the foundation’s wide variety of initiatives, including culinary student scholarships and the organization’s annual food conference on sustainability, public health, and nutrition. The recipient of the 2014 Christian Wölffer Scholarship which supports students of food and wine was also announced and went to Samantha Whitlam who will be using the scholarship to attend the Intensive Sommelier Course at the International Culinary Center (ICC). As of 2013, the James Beard Foundation has awarded more than $4.6 million in financial aid to 1,570 recipients throughout the country.
For good reason, the James Beard Foundation’s annual “Chefs & Champagne” event is widely considered the East End’s premier Summertime culinary event – I’m already looking forward to next year! For more information on the event or the James Beard Foundation please click here.
Cheers,
The post Chef Bobby Flay Honored at James Beard Foundation’s “Chefs & Champagne” Event! appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
One of the many things I love about living in South Florida is if you're in the mood to explore you can hop in your car, drive two hours in any direction (well, except east) and find yourself somewhere with a distinctly different "feel" and its own unique foodie vibe. As the Summer draws to a close, now is a great time to explore our state and all it has to offer before the craziness of season commences. Over the next few weeks I'll be profiling some fun Florida Glamorous Getaway destinations to explore.Recently, my husband and I had the opportunity to explore Tampa's newly debuted Epicurean Hotel, an establishment dedicated to two of my favorite things: food and wine. The 137-room hotel, part of The Autograph Collection by Marriott, is dedicated to creating a unique "experience for the senses" for each guest. So with these lofty aspirations can this new concept possibly live up to its goal? Absolutely!
Opened in December 2013, the hotel is a collaboration between Bern's Steak House and Mainsail Lodging and Development Group. Bern's Steak House is a storied Florida landmark, established by Bern and Gert Laxer in the 1950's that has definitely stood the test of time. It is widely known among wine lovers for having one of the world's largest wine lists and its extensive wine cellar, featuring a treasure trove of collectible wines from around the world, can be toured upon request. As a guest of the hotel, it's safe to indulge in Bern's vinous cornucopia without fear of driving under the influence since the Epicurean Hotel is conveniently located directly across the street.
The Epicurean's lobby serves as the perfect introduction to its theme, the backdrop of the check-in desk is a collage of wooden wine crates from some very well known producers. Directly across the lobby is the hotel's wine boutique, Bern's Fine Wines & Spirits, which features rows and rows of vinous selections. Casually leaning against the lobby wall are two bicycles bedecked with wicker saddle baskets, perfect for toting a picnic lunch and a bottle of rosé to a nearby park. The hotel's main restaurant, Élevage, named after the winemaking process, is also located on the first floor, accessible through a stylish corridor of seating vignettes. To the left of the restaurant's entrance is the hotel's state of the art teaching facility where technique classes are frequently held, covering a variety of food and wine topics. Thus far every square inch of the Epicurean exudes food and wine yet rather than feeling grandiose or intimidating, the overall vibe is friendly and welcoming.
We checked into our room in the late afternoon, a stylishly appointed Junior suite which overlooked the entrance to Bern's. After getting settled we headed up to Edge, the hotel's rooftop bar, to enjoy the sunset and a selection of hand-crafted cocktails. While artisanal cocktails are frequently a stumbling block for many establishments they definitely weren't here! Behind the bar a bevy of "mixologists" deftly assembled drinks from an assortment of imaginative ingredients including dried pink rosebuds, paper thin cucumber slices, honeycomb and a variety of premium liquors. Support staff worked in tandem to provide timely and excellent service as well as wonderful selection of food and drinks. Signature drinks included my personal favorite, the Ma Cheri ($15), a blend of Hendrick's Gin, St. Germain, and Crispin Rose liqueur while Steve opted for the CLUBber Lang ($12), a riff on the classic Negroni featuring small batch twelve year aged Canadian Club and Averna that certainly packed a punch! The snack menu offered tasty small plates with some imagination featuring dishes such as Marcona almonds with sea salt and lavender as well as short rib flatbread with porcini mushrooms and Grana Padano. As the sun was setting it was difficult to pull ourselves away for our reservation at Bern's!
After a decadent dinner at Bern's consisting of a selection of caviar, steaks and wines which included White Burgundy and a Right Bank Bordeaux we wandered over to Chocolate Pi, the Epicurean's pâtisserie (aka bakery) and coffee shop, for a little something sweet. Executive Pastry Chef Kim Yelvington's passion for French confections was immediately evident in the colorful display of macarons and homemade marshmallows in sophisticated flavors such as St. Germain Elderflower, Champagne and Lychee Passionfruit. Intricately decorated and delicious looking chocolates were also displayed as well as a variety of sodas, coffee and teas - talk about feeling like a kid in a candy store! We sampled a selection of marshmallows and macarons which were well-executed and delicious: the macarons had crispy outer shells and chewy centers while the marshmallows were fluffy and delicately flavored.
After dinner at Bern's, room service was in order the next morning and we selected from the hotel's extensive in-room dining menu choosing the Shrimp & Grits with peppers, scallion, pork belly and soft cooked egg and Sesame Granola with Greek yogurt, honeycomb, and huckleberry jam. Both dishes were delicious and flavorful, the tender shrimp were nicely enhanced by the smoky pork belly while the runny egg yolk added to the dreamy texture of the grits. The sesame granola also had a delightful crunch complemented by the sweet, sticky honeycomb and jam. Our room service experience definitely had us looking forward to dinner at Élevage!
That afternoon a massage was on the agenda and even the hotel's spa, Spa Evangeline, exuded a vinous theme! The space itself was small and inviting and the far wall is adorned with wine corks arranged in a two-by-two pattern. Spa Sommeliers were available to guide you towards an optimal treatment selection or to help you customize one to suit your specific needs. The spa's two product lines are, Caudaulie, one of my personal favorites founded in 1995 by Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas of Château Smith Haut Lafitte in Bordeaux, France and FHF, Farm to Table featuring FarmHouse Fresh, a line of natural and organic bath and body products made in Texas with southern vintage flair. The spa's selection of Signature services makes use of herbs from the hotel's living "herb walls" found on the premises. Some treatments are inspired by the desserts from Chocolate Pi including the Dulce Delight which uses a caramel coffee salt scrub to energize and exfoliate. I chose the Swedish Epicurean massage ($110 for 50 minutes; $174 for 80 minutes) which utilized the Caudalie Divine Oil, a blend of grapeseed, hibiscus, sesame, and argan oils with a lovely, subtle floral fragrance. The oil and my very skilled masseuse made the experience extremely enjoyable and relaxing, so relaxing I couldn't resist purchasing a bottle of the Divine Oil to take home with me.By dinnertime we were ravenous and happily seated upon check in at Élevage, which features the cuisine of 2012 and 2014 James Beard "Best Chef South" Semi-Finalist, Executive Chef Chad Johnson. Johnson has an uncanny ability to reexamine classic cuisine from around the world and elevate it with a modern twist which is why Élevage has been aptly described as, "where nostalgia meets nouveau." The high level of service we had encountered since arriving at the hotel was immediately evident. The hospitable and enthusiastic manager and wait staff seemed genuinely happy to be working as part of this culinary concept. The wine list offered nice diversity yet wasn't overwhelming in terms of options although it definitely could be. Since the hotel is "related" to Bern's Steak House they could've easily dropped a 5 pound wine list in our laps, but thankfully this was already skillfully whittled down. In addition to the regular list they also offer a selection of featured wines and we opted for the 2011 Vincent Girardin Puligny-Montrachet, a white Burgundy which paired very nicely with the selection of dishes we sampled.The menu featured a selection of dishes with diverse ethnic influences as well as edgier interpretations of classic comfort food including Pork n' Beans, Welsh Rarebit, and Tuna Casserole. We started with a round of small plates including Deviled Eggs with blackened blue crab, BBQ Gulf Oysters with sweet chili butter, and Rabbit Rillette with foie gras mousse, cornichon and crostini. The deviled eggs had only small bits of fresh (non-blackened) crabmeat placed on top of the filling and while tasty, the flavor of blackened crab was noticeably absent. The Gulf Oysters on the other hand were generously sized and painted with a bright red, mouth-watering sauce that had us duking it out for the third one - delicious! While the rillette was a little too chilled when it arrived at the table and therefore difficult to spread, it warmed up quickly and was quite delicious. We even requested extra bread to ensure there wasn't a bite of it left.
For our second round, we ordered the Scallops Grenobloise with capers, meyer lemon and goat's milk beurre noisette and the Escargot Risotto with parsley, lemon and toasted garlic emulsion. The scallops were beautifully presented with giant caper berries and capers dressed in a delicious sauce that was seasoned to perfection. The escargot risotto was a vibrant shade of green albeit with great flavor that was nicely complemented by the clever use of the toasted garlic foam. The texture of the risotto and escargot made for a nice mouthfeel as well. Due to our heavy meal the night before we decided to call it a night and popped over to Chocolate Pi again for some more of those macarons. All in all the meal at Élevage was fun, flavorful and relatively reasonably priced (especially compared to Bern's) but just needed a little more attention to detail to really knock it out of the park.Whether you're in the mood for culinary exploration, a relaxing spa treatment, sleeping in and enjoying room service, or taking any number of Epicurean classes (click here for current schedule) The Epicurean Hotel makes an ideal weekend getaway for the culinarily inclined. The hotel is currently offering a special through September 15 which you can read more about by clicking here.The Epicurean Hotel1207 S. Howard AvenueTampa, FL 33606813.999.8700 www.epicureanhotel.com
One of the many things I love about living in South Florida is if you’re in the mood to explore you can hop in your car, drive two hours in any direction (well, except east) and find yourself somewhere with a distinctly different “feel” and its own unique foodie vibe. As the Summer draws to a close, now is a... Read More
The post Glamorous Getaways: The Epicurean Hotel in Tampa, Florida! appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
One of the many things I love about living in South Florida is if you’re in the mood to explore you can hop in your car, drive two hours in any direction (well, except east) and find yourself somewhere with a distinctly different “feel” and its own unique foodie vibe. As the Summer draws to a close, now is a great time to explore our state and all it has to offer before the craziness of season commences. Over the next few weeks I’ll be profiling some fun Florida Glamorous Getaway destinations to explore.
Recently, my husband and I had the opportunity to explore Tampa’s newly debuted Epicurean Hotel, an establishment dedicated to two of my favorite things: food and wine. The 137-room hotel, part of The Autograph Collection by Marriott, is dedicated to creating a unique “experience for the senses” for each guest. So with these lofty aspirations can this new concept possibly live up to its goal? Absolutely!
Opened in December 2013, the hotel is a collaboration between Bern’s Steak House and Mainsail Lodging and Development Group. Bern’s Steak House is a storied Florida landmark, established by Bern and Gert Laxer in the 1950′s that has definitely stood the test of time. It is widely known among wine lovers for having one of the world’s largest wine lists and its extensive wine cellar, featuring a treasure trove of collectible wines from around the world, can be toured upon request. As a guest of the hotel, it’s safe to indulge in Bern’s vinous cornucopia without fear of driving under the influence since the Epicurean Hotel is conveniently located directly across the street.
The Epicurean’s lobby serves as the perfect introduction to its theme, the backdrop of the check-in desk is a collage of wooden wine crates from some very well known producers. Directly across the lobby is the hotel’s wine boutique, Bern’s Fine Wines & Spirits, which features rows and rows of vinous selections. Casually leaning against the lobby wall are two bicycles bedecked with wicker saddle baskets, perfect for toting a picnic lunch and a bottle of rosé to a nearby park. The hotel’s main restaurant, Élevage, named after the winemaking process, is also located on the first floor, accessible through a stylish corridor of seating vignettes. To the left of the restaurant’s entrance is the hotel’s state of the art teaching facility where technique classes are frequently held, covering a variety of food and wine topics. Thus far every square inch of the Epicurean exudes food and wine yet rather than feeling grandiose or intimidating, the overall vibe is friendly and welcoming.
We checked into our room in the late afternoon, a stylishly appointed Junior suite which overlooked the entrance to Bern’s. After getting settled we headed up to Edge, the hotel’s rooftop bar, to enjoy the sunset and a selection of hand-crafted cocktails. While artisanal cocktails are frequently a stumbling block for many establishments they definitely weren’t here! Behind the bar a bevy of “mixologists” deftly assembled drinks from an assortment of imaginative ingredients including dried pink rosebuds, paper thin cucumber slices, honeycomb and a variety of premium liquors. Support staff worked in tandem to provide timely and excellent service as well as wonderful selection of food and drinks. Signature drinks included my personal favorite, the Ma Cheri ($15), a blend of Hendrick’s Gin, St. Germain, and Crispin Rose liqueur while Steve opted for the CLUBber Lang ($12), a riff on the classic Negroni featuring small batch twelve year aged Canadian Club and Averna that certainly packed a punch! The snack menu offered tasty small plates with some imagination featuring dishes such as Marcona almonds with sea salt and lavender as well as short rib flatbread with porcini mushrooms and Grana Padano. As the sun was setting it was difficult to pull ourselves away for our reservation at Bern’s!
After a decadent dinner at Bern’s consisting of a selection of caviar, steaks and wines which included White Burgundy and a Right Bank Bordeaux we wandered over to Chocolate Pi, the Epicurean’s pâtisserie (aka bakery) and coffee shop, for a little something sweet. Executive Pastry Chef Kim Yelvington’s passion for French confections was immediately evident in the colorful display of macarons and homemade marshmallows in sophisticated flavors such as St. Germain Elderflower, Champagne and Lychee Passionfruit. Intricately decorated and delicious looking chocolates were also displayed as well as a variety of sodas, coffee and teas – talk about feeling like a kid in a candy store! We sampled a selection of marshmallows and macarons which were well-executed and delicious: the macarons had crispy outer shells and chewy centers while the marshmallows were fluffy and delicately flavored.
After dinner at Bern’s, room service was in order the next morning and we selected from the hotel’s extensive in-room dining menu choosing the Shrimp & Grits with peppers, scallion, pork belly and soft cooked egg and Sesame Granola with Greek yogurt, honeycomb, and huckleberry jam. Both dishes were delicious and flavorful, the tender shrimp were nicely enhanced by the smoky pork belly while the runny egg yolk added to the dreamy texture of the grits. The sesame granola also had a delightful crunch complemented by the sweet, sticky honeycomb and jam. Our room service experience definitely had us looking forward to dinner at Élevage!
That afternoon a massage was on the agenda and even the hotel’s spa, Spa Evangeline, exuded a vinous theme! The space itself was small and inviting and the far wall is adorned with wine corks arranged in a two-by-two pattern. Spa Sommeliers were available to guide you towards an optimal treatment selection or to help you customize one to suit your specific needs. The spa’s two product lines are, Caudaulie, one of my personal favorites founded in 1995 by Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas of Château Smith Haut Lafitte in Bordeaux, France and FHF, Farm to Table featuring FarmHouse Fresh, a line of natural and organic bath and body products made in Texas with southern vintage flair. The spa’s selection of Signature services makes use of herbs from the hotel’s living “herb walls” found on the premises. Some treatments are inspired by the desserts from Chocolate Pi including the Dulce Delight which uses a caramel coffee salt scrub to energize and exfoliate. I chose the Swedish Epicurean massage ($110 for 50 minutes; $174 for 80 minutes) which utilized the Caudalie Divine Oil, a blend of grapeseed, hibiscus, sesame, and argan oils with a lovely, subtle floral fragrance. The oil and my very skilled masseuse made the experience extremely enjoyable and relaxing, so relaxing I couldn’t resist purchasing a bottle of the Divine Oil to take home with me.
By dinnertime we were ravenous and happily seated upon check in at Élevage, which features the cuisine of 2012 and 2014 James Beard “Best Chef South” Semi-Finalist, Executive Chef Chad Johnson. Johnson has an uncanny ability to reexamine classic cuisine from around the world and elevate it with a modern twist which is why Élevage has been aptly described as, “where nostalgia meets nouveau.” The high level of service we had encountered since arriving at the hotel was immediately evident. The hospitable and enthusiastic manager and wait staff seemed genuinely happy to be working as part of this culinary concept. The wine list offered nice diversity yet wasn’t overwhelming in terms of options although it definitely could be. Since the hotel is “related” to Bern’s Steak House they could’ve easily dropped a 5 pound wine list in our laps, but thankfully this was already skillfully whittled down. In addition to the regular list they also offer a selection of featured wines and we opted for the 2011 Vincent Girardin Puligny-Montrachet, a white Burgundy which paired very nicely with the selection of dishes we sampled.
The menu featured a selection of dishes with diverse ethnic influences as well as edgier interpretations of classic comfort food including Pork n’ Beans, Welsh Rarebit, and Tuna Casserole. We started with a round of small plates including Deviled Eggs with blackened blue crab, BBQ Gulf Oysters with sweet chili butter, and Rabbit Rillette with foie gras mousse, cornichon and crostini. The deviled eggs had only small bits of fresh (non-blackened) crabmeat placed on top of the filling and while tasty, the flavor of blackened crab was noticeably absent. The Gulf Oysters on the other hand were generously sized and painted with a bright red, mouth-watering sauce that had us duking it out for the third one – delicious! While the rillette was a little too chilled when it arrived at the table and therefore difficult to spread, it warmed up quickly and was quite delicious. We even requested extra bread to ensure there wasn’t a bite of it left.
For our second round, we ordered the Scallops Grenobloise with capers, meyer lemon and goat’s milk beurre noisette and the Escargot Risotto with parsley, lemon and toasted garlic emulsion. The scallops were beautifully presented with giant caper berries and capers dressed in a delicious sauce that was seasoned to perfection. The escargot risotto was a vibrant shade of green albeit with great flavor that was nicely complemented by the clever use of the toasted garlic foam. The texture of the risotto and escargot made for a nice mouthfeel as well. Due to our heavy meal the night before we decided to call it a night and popped over to Chocolate Pi again for some more of those macarons. All in all the meal at Élevage was fun, flavorful and relatively reasonably priced (especially compared to Bern’s) but just needed a little more attention to detail to really knock it out of the park.
Whether you’re in the mood for culinary exploration, a relaxing spa treatment, sleeping in and enjoying room service, or taking any number of Epicurean classes (click here for current schedule) The Epicurean Hotel makes an ideal weekend getaway for the culinarily inclined. The hotel is currently offering a special through September 15 which you can read more about by clicking here.
If you go:
The Epicurean Hotel
1207 S. Howard Avenue
Tampa, FL 33606
813-999-8700
Cheers,
The post Glamorous Getaways: The Epicurean Hotel in Tampa, Florida! appeared first on The Glamorous Gourmet.
I hope your Fourth of July festivities were nothing short of fabulous and that your month is off to a great start! I hope you enjoyed exploring our wine recommendations for the holiday weekend and it is with distinct pleasure I present to you our latest Wines of the Week, the rosés of Château D'Esclans.Provence is widely considered the birthplace of dry rosé and continues to be the benchmark against which all quality rosé is measured. These wines have a few key distinguishing characteristics, in addition to being pretty affordable they are generally light pink in color with delightful notes of red berries. On the palate, they are crisp, refreshing and fruity with a distinctly dry finish (dry = not sweet). Provençal-style rosé is the quintessential Summer wine and should have its place in every wine lover's repertoire.These wines are NOT to be confused with the cloyingly sweet, low quality "blush" wines you (or I) may have been a fan of in college. The two are stylistically very different. As a function of where they're from, Provençal rosés also seem to have an inherent "Glamour Factor" and are typically consumed in tony resort locations around the world including the Hamptons, Nantucket and, of course, the South of France.
While Provençal rosé is generally considered an affordable, uncomplicated wine, the rosés of Château D'Esclans are unique in the sense that they offer that experience...and much, much more. The wines of this Château represent a paradigm shift in the way rosé is made and enjoyed, offering four distinctly different wines at four very different price points. As you might expect, it took a unique man with an inspired vision to accomplish this feat.Owner Sacha Lichine, son of Bordeaux legend Alexis Lichine, acquired Château d’Esclans in 2006. His roots had been firmly established in Bordeaux but following his father's passing and subsequent sale of the family's fourth growth Bordeaux estate, Château Prieuré Lichine, Sacha decided to make the leap from Bordeaux to Provence, a decision that definitely surprised some. To accomplish his goal of crafting a rosé like no other, Sacha knew he needed a winemaker that had spent his career on the forefront of vinous innovation, a winemaker like Patrick Léon.
Patrick Léon is a Bordeaux native with an extensive education in Oenology. Even if you're not familiar with his name, you're probably familiar with his work. In addition to working with Sacha's father, Patrick spent the majority of his career as Managing Director of Baron Phillipe de Rothschild. This position required him to oversee technical departments including the company’s vineyards and winemaking facilities for such well-known names as Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux, Opus One in California, Almaviva in Chile, as well as other wines in the company portfolio.Needless to say, Léon was just the man for the job!
Château D'Esclans is located in the Department of the Var, approximately 15 miles northwest of the ancient Roman city of Frejus on the Mediterranean coast. The first traces of the chateau’s site date back to Gaullist times during which its location served as a lookout point to spot intruders coming by boat into the Gulf of Frejus. The chateau’s cellar structure or foundation (known today as the oldest in the region) housed an original Chateau that was given by the Comte de Provence to Gérard De Villeneuve, in 1201.The current chateau, inspired by Tuscan villa design, was built during the mid 19th century. The Château has 108 acres of vineyards while the total property consists of 659 acres. The primary grape grown here is Grenache followed by Vermentino (aka Rolle). Other grapes include Cinsault, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Tibouren. The château is known for its old Grenache vines which produce grapes that offer greater concentration of flavor than younger vines. As the elevation of the vineyards increases, so do the age of the vines and the highest elevated lot consists of 90 year old vines.
We had the opportunity to visit Château D'Esclans on a gloriously sunny day during the September harvest. As you might expect, the property is breathtakingly beautiful and in addition to the vineyards and winemaking facility, features a stately Tuscan villa surrounded by a rolling green lawn studded with oak trees. As we arrived for our visit the sun was filtering through the canopy of trees while two Golden retrievers frolicked in the fountains chasing koi.As we toured the state of the art winemaking facility it was clear harvest was in full swing - the excitement was palpable! The thrum of the sorting table filled the air as crates of freshly-picked grapes were lined up to be processed. The temperature-controlled facility had all the latest technology including an optical sorter, state of the art lab and oodles of oak barrels for the more expensive cuvées. Since the Chateau's inaugural 2006 vintage of 100,000 bottles, total production has jumped to 1.5 million bottles annually. Lichine's hunch that wine lovers would want to experience the glamorous South of France through his line of rosé wines was right on the money.
After our tour of the facility, we enjoyed a tasting of the Chateau's 2009, 2011 and 2012 Les Clans and Garrus rosés from large format, 3-liter bottles. While historically, rosés were intended for immediate gratification, the Les Clans and Garrus offerings were crafted with the intention of aging with grace. The Les Clans typically drinks more like a White Burgundy with a generous, viscous mouthfeel accented by lovely notes of red fruit. The Garrus on the other hand receives a more generous oak regimen resulting in a more spice-tinged, structured profile. The 2011 and 2012 vintages of both wines were still rife with glorious, youthful fruit complemented by varying degrees of spice and tannin. The 2009 vintage on the other hand truly demonstrated the age-worthiness of these wines: while the fruit was more muted, the wait was rewarded with more complexity, refinement and depth of flavor in both wines.As we wrapped up our tasting we were invited to stay for the Harvest Lunch which we immediately accepted. We were very pleased to learn Sacha Lichine, Patrick Léon and those bottles of Les Clans and Garrus would be joining us! We lingered over the delightful meal, enjoying the remainder of the rosé wines as well the Déesse Diane, a Côtes de Provence red wine also produced by the Chateau. The delightful blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre featured notes of lovely, lush dark fruit accented by spice and garrigue, the collective term referring to the region's native flora (juniper, rosemary, thyme and lavender) which often manifests in its wines.Lunch was followed by a stroll across the verdant green lawn and coffee at Villa Lichine with our gracious hosts. And as we reflected on our delightful day, we agreed that while Château D'Esclans may be one of the wine world's hottest new brands, the heart of the operation, and perhaps the key to its success is its foundation in generations of hospitality and the storied lifestyle its wines represent.
2013 Château D'Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé: the entry level Château D'Esclans rosé is a blend of grapes grown from some of the most choice land in the surrounding region of La Motte en Provence. It consists primarily of Grenache, Rolle (aka Vermentino), Cinsault, Syrah and Tibouren. Both free run and pressed juices are vinified entirely in stainless steel and bâtonnage, or lees stirring, is performed twice weekly.This wine is a crystalline pink in color with delicate aromas and flavors of bright citrus and red berries. It is crisp and refreshing on the palate with a snappy, clean finish - delightful!
2013 Château D'Esclans Cotes de Provence Rosé: the second wine in the Château's portfolio is made from grapes grown in the Château d’Esclans vineyard, consisting primarily of Grenache and Rolle. It is made entirely from free run juice which is partially vinified in demi-muids (600 L barrels) as well as stainless steel with a temperature controlled maceration.This wine has a pale pink color and mineral-tinged aromas of white peach and red berries. On the palate a creamy texture accompanies pleasant cherry and strawberry flavors with a hint of lavender and spice. This wine most closely approximates a true Provencal rose and is a wonderful accompaniment to food such as charcuterie, salads and shellfish.
2012 Château D'Esclans Les Clans Rosé: This is where the departure from traditional rosé really begins! The grapes for Les Clans are selected from old vines consisting primarily of Grenache and Rolle. This wine is made from 90% free run juice and 10% first slight pressing. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in new and second year demi-muids. Burgundian style bâtonnage occurs twice weekly for ten months to enhance creaminess and complexity.This wine has fragrant aromas of red berries, white peach and spice and dazzles on the palate with layers of strawberry, cherry, spice and hint of lavender. The lovely complexity accompanies a luxuriously creamy mouthfeel followed by a long, lingering finish. This wine would pair beautifully with everything from rich seafood dishes to roasted chicken!
2012 Château D'Esclans Garrus Rosé: the grapes for Garrus, the jewel in the Château's vinous crown, are selected from vines grown from parcels bearing old vines consisting of Grenache and Rolle. This wine is made from 90% free run juice, and the alcoholic fermentation takes place in both new and second year demi-muids. For 10 months Burgundian style bâtonnage occurs twice weekly.A beautiful rose petal pink color, this wine has heady aromas of raspberry, ginger and herbs. On the palate this full-bodied rosé exhibits flavors of red berries, vanilla and spice framed by tannins and acidity which synergize beautifully as the wine opens up. This wine is dynamic in the glass and very food-friendly with the potential to stand up to dishes with some heft including beef, lamb or other grilled meats.Cheers,
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