The Loose Ends
Posted By Michelle on May 19, 2008
I had a really nice time at the Food & Wine Festival. Lots of bugs were worked out from last year, which hey, the first year will always have bugs.
I tasted some awesome Southern Wine & Spirit concoctions, especially ANYTHING master mixologist Francesco Lafranconi created. He was gracious enough to allow us to publish one of his heavenly cocktails, Tampa Trib column forth coming.
Another yummy find was Castries Peanut Rum. This stuff was awesome! Great for drinking and cooking. Recipes to follow.
I didn’t sample too many of the wines, but everything I tasted was delicious. One Argentinian Malbec especially, which is distrubuted by Pernod Ricard. It is the only Malbec I have ever liked to date. This Lunetta Prosecco by Cavit was awesome and its dirt cheap. I even asked if they would fill my glass, rather than act like I had any class and be happy with a “taste”.
Photo Caption: Nice hair. Thanks humidity.
The big winners for food are certainly the following, but don’t let it stop you from trying others who slaved away at the Food & Wine Festival. It’s VERY hard to do these mass tastings and get the concept and flavor of your resturant out there acurately, that’s exactly why my little dog-and-pony doesn’t do them.
Chez Bryce (I am really looking forward to tasting this guys food without the pressure of 2000+ people and a festival kitchen)
Bella Brava (same as above)
And of course, 717 South and Vernona at the Ritz-Carlton. They both offered amazing samples of what their kitchens can produce. Scratch that, rub-it-all-over-your-body delicious samples of what their kitchens can produce.
I’m already looking forward to next year!
Stumble it!
chef bryce totally won it for me too because as i followed along - well, he’s my kinda sexy looking…
Mmmm, I had Castries peanut rum in St. Lucia - which is I think where it might be from? I think so. I brought back 3 bottles in my suitcase and enjoyed them for weeks
One advantage of packing for an island paradise is that you can pack shorts, a few shirts, a few nice changes of clothes for dinner, and leave half the suitcase empty for interesting liquor to bring back.
I will have to look for the Lunetta Prosecco here in Vancouver.