Posts Tagged ‘Food’

GPS Dining Challenge: Nectar of the Gods

Monday, June 1st, 2009

For those of us who enjoy an alcoholic beverage or two will enjoy this reoccurring tasting event.  Nestled in the most unassuming of places, you can discover a very unique local spin on one of the world’s oldest beverages.  This is the perfect way to begin or finish a night out.  Finding this one may be a little tricky, but it is worth the effort. Be sure to submit your comments about your adventure.

GPS Coordinates:  N 42 27.446, W 83 06.843 (Hints below for those without a  GPS below)

Location: Ferndale, MI

Hint #1: Building is on the corner of Jarvis & Wanda. 

Hint #2: Entrance is in the rear.  Just remember to look behind the cow! 

Hint #3: (Actual street address) 6050 Wneivf, Fhvgr O   Click here for a visual map. 

Cypher for hint #3

A-N/B-O/C-P/D-Q/ E-R/F-S/G-T/H-U/I-V/J-W/K-X/L-Y/M-Z

1-6/2-7/3-8/4-9/5-0

Type of Food:  Alcoholic Beverages (must be 21 to enjoy this one!)

Suggested Entré:  Try them all. 

Cost:  FREE!

When to Seek: These tastings occur on the first and third Friday of every month from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm.

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Culinary Escapes Staff

Culinary Escapes, LLC - Unique Food Tours of Metro Detroit

www.culinary-escapes.com

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Ordering Wine When Dining Out

Saturday, April 18th, 2009

Impress your dinner guests the next time you are out.  Mastering the art on pairing wine can give a lasting impression to your guests.  It could also be a fascinating practice if you know the proper procedures on how to do it.

 

You can expect a good wine list to include the name of the wine with its description, the producer, the country of origin, and the vintage.  Before you order, it is prudent and necessary to determine your price range, your guest’s wine and meal preferences.  If both red and white wine is preferred, you can order either of the two or any these suggestions: a heavy white wine or an oak-made Chardonnay will lighten up the night. You could also order a light red wine or a smooth, light Merlot /Pinot Noir. 

 

The wine list can look complicated.  But you can order with confidence with assistance from the restaurant’s well-trained staff.  A Sommelier is in charge of selecting the wines for the restaurant and teaching the other staff. This requires a suitable knowledge of how food and wine spirits work in harmony.  Feel free to ask your waiter for his or her opinion if the establishment does not have a Sommelier.   

 

When you have selected the pairing, you are required to give approval to the wine. It begins with the staff presenting you with the label to examine. Check the label to ensure it’s the wine you ordered. Next the wine will be uncorked.  If you are given the cork to inspect, assure it is moist and in one piece. The cork helps determine if the wine was properly stored.

 

Finally the good part, sample the wine.  Look at the color and clarity.  Smell for vinegar oxidation effect, and the rusty or dull smell that says that the cork is faulty. You could further determine these by tasting the wine. If it tastes good then it is serving time. The go-signal (nod, wink, thumbs up, etc.) is given to the server who will now serve the wine.

 

You are now ready to dine with wine.  Make your next meal unforgettable and a pleasurable one by ordering wine like a pro.

 

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Detroit Food Tours

 

Culinary Escapes Staff

Culinary Escapes, LLC - Unique Food Tours of Metro Detroit

www.culinary-escapes.com

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Am I A Foodie?

Sunday, April 5th, 2009

by Ann Wilson, Culinary Escapes’ Owner

Frequently we are asked what is a foodie?  Our particular answer is someone who simply enjoys food.  If unsure if you qualify as a foodie, these observations may assist you.

You May Be a Foodie If…

1. You use at least some of your cookbooks.  (Or at least know where they are!)

2. You write notes in the margins of your cookbooks.

3. You not only own three unique spices but you used them more than twice. (with or without fatalities)

4. You have a set a knives and other cooking utensils that you make off limit to your family members.

5. You know about or own at least one more salt beyond table, sea and kosher. (Rock salt for the driveway does not count!)

6. You have a food tv show programmed in your TIVO.

7. Can rattle off the origin of three dishes.

8. Have a couple of restaurants in your speed dial.

9. You organize your restaurant menus so you can browse them quickly.

10. You order a dish just to compare it to something you make well.

11. Boldly ask restaurants for their signature recipes.

12. As part of your small talk with the waiter, you begin aggressively debating the ingredients in your dish.

13. You shop at culinary specialty stores for utensils, meat, produce, spices or a husband that’s good at cooking.

14. Have dreams about cooking or eating. (Or cook and eat while you are dreaming.)

15. Contemplated tryout out for “Top Chef”.

16. You find yourself cheering outloud  during ”Iron Chef”.

17. You would vote for Emeril as President.

18. Your divorce settlement included the cookware.

19. You’re a regular at a farmers market.

20. People come to you for recipes.

21. You give food as a gift.  (Fruitcake does not count.)

22. You clip recipes from the newspaper and magazines. (You even buy the magazine first.)

23. Half of your magazine subscriptions focus on foods or drinks .

24. You have taken or are contemplating taking a Food Tour.

25. You’ve gone on a date just for your favorite food. (And you did’nt care if your date showed up!)

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Restaurant Tours of Metro Detroit

 

Culinary Escapes Staff

Culinary Escapes, LLC - Unique Food Tours of Metro Detroit

www.culinary-escapes.com

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