Enjoy a prohibition-style happy hour with a variety of vintage cocktails, small plates and guests dressed in period attire

WHO:
Rick Moonen’s rm seafood at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino

WHAT:
Flappers and Hipsters rejoice - the roaring 20’s will be celebrated (along with our constitutional right to consume alcohol) as Rick Moonen’s rm seafood teams up with Southern Wine & Spirits Las Vegas to host a prohibition-era themed happy hour celebrating the 78^th anniversary of the repeal of prohibition. rm seafood’s lead bartender, JR Starkus, is creating vintage drink specials such as “Bee’s Knees” and a “Plymouth Gin Punch.” The restaurant will also offer a variety of small plates inspired by the speakeasy era, ranging from $3 to $5.

Bee’s Knees, a popular drink during the prohibition-era, is a simple cocktail crafted with gin, honey and lemon.  Named after the old saying “The Bee’s Knees” or height of excellence, this vintage style cocktail was designed to mask the smell of alcohol while offering guests a drink to be remembered.

Those who show up in period attire will receive $5 vintage cocktail specials; and wiseguys (and gals) in-the-know who learn the secret password from rm seafood’s Facebook (Facebook.com/rmseafood) and Twitter (@rmseafood) pages will receive their first cocktail for only $1.

WHEN:
Monday, December 5, 2011 from 6pm to 9pm.

WHERE:
Rick Moonen’s rm seafood at Mandalay Bay. For reservations call (702) 632-9300.

Five-course luxury tasting takes place during the height of celebrated white truffle season

Valentino Las Vegas is proud to announce an extraordinary night of white truffles and wine featuring the wines of Beni di Batasiolo and the cuisine of James Beard Award-winning Chef Luciano Pellegrini.  This sublime tasting is the final evening of a three-night white truffle extravaganza hosted by renowned restaurateur Piero Selvaggio and Chef Pellegrini,  with tastings taking place at Valentino Houston on Dec. 7 and Valentino Santa Monica on Dec.8. 

Valentino Las Vegas, located inside the Venetian Hotel-Resort-Casino, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89109.

Friday, Dec. 9 at 7pm.  As this is a limited seating engagement, reservations are required and can be made by calling (702) 414-3000.  Dinner price is $275 per person inclusive of tax and gratuity.  Please reference the White Truffle dinner when booking your reservation.

MENU

Hors D’oeuvres

2009 Gavi

Homemade Duck Prosciutto with Boschetto and White Truffle

2009 Dolcetto d’Alba

Egg and Ricotta Ravioli with Parmesan Fondue and White Truffle

2008 “Sovrana” Barbera d’Alba

Wagyu Beef Medallion with Barolo Demi White Asparagus and White Truffle

2004 “Cerequio” Barolo

2006 Barolo

5 Cheese Terrine

Dessert Sampler

Bracchetto

Beaujolais Nouveau Party Nov 17th at Central Michel Richard

The Third Thursday in November brings the 2011 crop of Beaujolais Nouveau, the first fruits of the wine harvest season.  At Central Michel Richard, this is cause for a party!

Central’s celebration of the new vintage will take place from 5-10 pm featuring bottles and glasses of Domaine Dupeubles amidst a backdrop that is stylishly ‘French Café’ inspired, with an infusion of Parisian Gypsy Jazz from Laissez-Foure, performing live from 7-10:30pm. 

In addition to Beaujolais Nouveau, Central will also feature wine specials celebrating the region of Burgundy, with suggested food pairings, special “One Night Only” by the glass selections, and some surprise interactive wine tastings and games as well!

A special menu will also be provided in addition to Central’s award-winning dinner menu, featuring French Classics presented as only Michel Richard can, with a wink and a hint of whimsy.

Central is located at 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC   Lunch: Monday - Friday, 11:45 am - 2:30 pm; Dinner: Monday - Thursday, 5 pm - 10:30 pm; Friday - Saturday, 5 pm - 11 pm; Sunday, 5 pm - 9:30 p.m. For further information and reservations, call 202-626-0015 or log into www.centralmichelrichard.com.

Le Bernardin’s new lounge, the restaurant’s first, is now open Here-where jackets are encouraged but not required-guests can enjoy a casual (even spontaneous!) lunch, as seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Simple, elegant dishes such as the smoked salmon croque monsieur and tuna brochette are available on the special lounge menu or diners have the option of ordering from the restaurant’s standard lunch prix fixe menu (before only available in the main dining room). Greg Seider of The Summit Bar consulted on a cocktail list that includes the Poiré Tonic and The French Connection.

Le Bernardin reopened in September following a significant redesign and though reservations in the main dining room must be booked in advance, the lounge offers a more relaxed alternative for anyone looking to experience the new LeB. 

Le Bernardin
155 West 51 Street (between Sixth & Seventh Aves.)
212.554.1515
www.le-bernardin.com

José Andrés and his team at China Poblano invite guests to take part in one of Mexico’s greatest traditions, The Day of the Dead.  From October 17 until November 2, China Poblano at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas will feature two new cocktails and a menu showcasing special regional dishes. 

Menu highlights include Mole Amarillo con Puerco, pork loin and pickled chayote with Oaxacan yellow mole made with chile costeno rojo, cumin, hoja santa; Mole Negro de Oaxaca con Tamal de Pollo, a chicken tamale with Oaxacan black mole made with chile multato, chile pasilla, peanuts, sesame, raisins, Oaxacan chocolate; and Tamal de Acelgas, a tamale from Michoacan with shredded pork, almonds, raisins, pickled jalapeños wrapped in chard with a spicy ranchero sauce.  The Day of the Dead menu items will range in price from $12 to $14 a la carte.

For the perfect pairing, guests can sample innovative cocktails including the Jarritos, made from Del Mageuy Mezcal Vida, house-made citrus soda, sous vide pineapple and jicama with chile piquin and orange, as well as the Harvest Moon, made with Herradura Silver Tequila, grilled and fresh corn, pressed pineapple, D’Aristi Mayan Liqueur, sal de gusano with hand-cracked ice.  Cocktails are priced at $13.

Of pre-Hispanic and pre-Christian origin, the Day of The Dead is one of the most important holidays in Mexican culture.  In rural Mexico, people visit the cemetery where their loved ones are buried, bringing marigold flowers and candles to decorate gravesites. Families sit on picnic blankets next to gravesites and eat the favorite food of their loved ones. Some families build altars in their homes, dedicating them to the dead.  Altars are set up October 30th and 31st and are covered with offerings to the dead including flowers, fruits, vegetables, candles, incense, statues of saints, and photos of the deceased.

Lagasse’s Stadium at The Palazzo Las Vegas is excited to present an incredible month long celebration of delicious German-inspired cuisine and beer specials in honor of Oktoberfest. Guests can enjoy a spread of German favorites including beer and onion braised Bavarian bratwursts on a toasted bun with steak fries for $14; grain mustard glazed pork loin on apple smoked bacon and beer braised cabbage for $22; and tasty Leinenkugel Oktoberfest brew, available in 1 Liter Steins for $11 and pints for $5.

Every Tuesday-Friday during October, from 11am-8pm available on the patio.

Lagasse’s Stadium, inside The Palazzo Las Vegas, 3325 Las Vegas Blvd., South.�
For reservations, please call 702.607.2665.

Fall in New York is a wonderful time for just about anything - especially dining and imbibing.  Here are two options to tantalize your palate:

Park Avenue Tavern, located on 39th and Park, is introducing 13 different seasonal fall beers to their unique self serve taps located downstairs in the Barrel Room. Pour your own pint of Becks Oktoberfest, Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale or ShockTop Harvest Wheat to name a few and enjoy seasonal bites including a roasted butternut soup and choucroute garnie, a sausage and kraut dish to compliment the palate.

Bucks Oktoberfest
Blue Moon Harvest Pumpkin Ale
Brooklyn “Post Road” Pumpkin Ale
Captain Lawrence Smoked Porter
Fire Island Pumpkin Barrel Ale
Goose Island Harvest Ale
Kelso Kellerfest
Paulaner Oktoberfest
Peak Organic Fall Summit
Samuel Adams Octoberfest
ShockTop Harvest Wheat
Spaten Oktoberfest
Southhampton Pumpkin Ale

Brooklyn Winery in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn is now taking reservations for their fall 2011 harvest wine making packages. Quarter, half, and full barrel options are available, with eight different varietals of grapes hailing from notable vineyards in Sonoma, Napa, Long Island, and the Finger Lakes. First grapes to arrive will be a Pinot Noir from the Russian River, within the next two weeks. Be sure to try the more sophisticated fall menu which includes the likes of duck confit flatbread with porcini and cremini mushrooms, caramelized shallots,  fresh arugula and parmesan and lentil crusted sweetbreads with an apple cider glaze and pomegranate reduction, served with greens dressed in a roasted shallot and maple vinaigrette which can be followed by a Mast Brothers chocolate flight. Quarter barrels start at ~ $1,700 and yield 72 bottles of wine (can be split up amongst friends for a fun after work meet-ups).

Festivities throughout the month include prix fixe menus, Bordeaux flights and two-for-one specials at select bars and restaurants, a Bordeaux suite package and a kickoff celebration

Audrey Dempsey, Infinity Photo

The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas are pleased to present the second annual Festivino, a celebration of Bordeaux throughout the entire month of October. Produced in the Bordeaux region of France, Bordeaux wine ranges from everyday table wine to some of the most expensive spirits in the world. The Venetian and The Palazzo are honoring this esteemed wine with special menus and offers throughout the resorts and kicking off with a wine tasting on Friday, Sept. 30. Other specials offered through October include prix fixe menus at select restaurants, Bordeaux flights and two-for-one Bordeaux by the glass at select bars and restaurants and a Bordeaux suite package.

“Bordeaux is one of the world’s most prestigious wine-producing regions in the world and we’re excited to celebrate its esteemed wines with our guests throughout October,” said Sebastien Silvestri, vice president of Food and Beverage for The Palazzo and The Venetian. “Whether you’re a casual wine drinker or a connoisseur, we are offering guests many ways to try and enjoy delicious Bordeaux.”

On Friday, Sept. 30, from 7 to 9 p.m., The Palazzo will kick off Festivino with a Bordeaux tasting event featuring acclaimed wineries such as Château Giscours and Reserve de Barons de Rothschild red and white with small bites from featured restaurants in the waterfall atrium and gardens. Guests will be able to mingle and learn about the wines from master sommeliers while surrounded by the impressive fall-inspired atrium décor. Highlights this year include 20-foot fall and bittersweet trees, 10,000 grape clusters and 30 wine casks surrounding the atrium. More than 1,000 pounds of wine corks will be on display, all donated from the resorts’ bars and restaurants, to be recycled after the décor transition.

Tickets for the wine tasting are $40 inclusive of taxes and fees ($35 inclusive of taxes and fees for Grazie members) and can be purchased at www.venetian.com/festivino or at any Venetian | Palazzo box office.

From Oct. 1 through Oct. 31, guests can enjoy flights of quality Bordeaux wines such as Chateau Greysac 2007, Chateau La Sirene de Gisours 2005 and Chateau Cosse, Sauternes at casino bars and lounges including La Scena, Oculus, Laguna Champagne Bar and Salute. Restaurants at The Venetian offering two-for-one Bordeaux by the glass include Aquaknox, TAO Asian Bistro and Valentino while The Palazzo restaurants include LAVO, Double Helix, FIRST Food & Bar, Lagasse’s Stadium, SushiSamba, Table 10 and Zine.

Two of The Venetian and The Palazzo’s acclaimed restaurants will offer $75 prix fixe menus with Bordeaux pairings throughout the month. At Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro, winner of Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence in 2010 and 2011, guests will enjoy a first course of Bibb lettuce and Dungeness crab salad with orange segments, orange supremes and Tarragon vinaigrette paired with Blason Timberlay Bordeaux 2009. The second course tenderloin of beef with baby carrots, pencil asparagus, potato fondant and sauce Bordelaise is accompanied by Chateau d’Arthus Bordeaux 2009 while the dessert course of vanilla crème brulee with sweet cream and fresh berries is paired with Tirecul la Gravière ‘Les Pins’ Monbazillac 2007.

James Beard Award winner Joachim Splichal’s and Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence honoree since 2003, Pinot Brasserie at The Venetian, will offer diners a first course selection from endive salad with shaved shaved foie gras terrine and truffle vinaigrette or lobster bisque with lobster medaillon and caviar paired with Champagne, Louis de Sacy, Brut Originel, Verzy, France, N.V. Entree selection includes loup de mer with English peas and serrano ham; lamb saddle with salsify, white asparagus, and lamb jus; or filet mignon with langoustine, potato mousseline, truffled beef jus accompanied with Chateau de Bel, Bordeaux Superieur, 2009. Finish the meal with choice of dessert from grenadine orange supreme soup with orange sorbet and orange crisp or roasted strawberry with vanilla balsamic black pepper reduction and Humboldt fog goat cheese paired with Sauternes, Chateau de Cosse. Guests can also savor a selection of three French cheeses, chosen personally by Executive Chef Eric Lhuiller, complemented by a flight of three Bordeaux wines including Château Graville-Lacoste, Graves, 2009; Château Bonnet, Andre Lurton, 2007; and Château Doisy-Védrines, 2003. Cheese and wine flight is $30 per guest.

Adding to the festive month, The Venetian and The Palazzo are also offering a Bordeaux suite package through October that includes Luxury Suite rates starting at $169 per night, with a complimentary bottle of white Bordeaux delivered in-suite on the first night’s stay and a complimentary bottle of red Bordeaux and cheese board delivered in-suite on the second night’s stay. The package also includes complimentary line pass and admission to LAVO Nightclub (not available Oct. 28-30.) For additional information on the Bordeaux suite package, please visit www.palazzo.com/bordeauxsuite.

Silvestri added, “We’d like to thank Sopexa, a company that supports and promotes French agriculture and produce, and our restaurant partners for participating in this fabulous culinary event.”

Craftbar is hosting two “Dinner with the Brewer” events this week as part of Craft Beer Week.

Guests will enjoy craft brews and a menu of shareable dishes from chef de cuisine Lauren Hirschberg and get to chat with the brewers and learn the stories behind their beers at these intimate dinners. Join Jim Ebel of Two Brothers Brewing Co. at Craftbar on Thurs/Sept 22 and brewer Chris McGrath of River Horse Brewing Co. on Fri/Sept 23.

The dinners begin at 7 p.m. and are $65 per person (tax and gratuity not included). For reservations, please contact jskiba@craftbarnyc.com.

Craftbar, 900 Broadway (between 19th & 20th Streets), (212) 461-4300, www.craftrestaurant.com

Dinner with the Brewer - Two Brothers Brewing Co.
Thursday, September 22, 7 p.m.
Brewer/Owner Jim Ebel
�
Dinner with the Brewer - River Horse Brewing Co.
Friday, September 23, 7 p.m.
Brewer Chris McGrath

Miami, home to a sexy nightlife scene, endless beach parties and stomping grounds for food and wine lovers is a breeding ground for creative cocktails designed by cutting edge mixologists. There is an art to creating precisely balanced, beautiful cocktails that utilize fresh, interesting ingredients as well as classic techniques. Following is a cross section of some of the innovative libations that entice locals and visitors to the bars, lounges and restaurants of South Beach, the Design District, Wynwood and beyond.

1500° at Eden Roc

Rising star chef Paula DaSilva is at the helm of 1500° at the historic and newly renovated Eden Roc Renaissance. This farm-to-table restaurant, at one of Miami Beach’s most beautiful oceanfront resorts, has a steakhouse sensibility, featuring creative, vibrant and seasonal cuisine complimented by its equally exquisite cocktail menu.  Drinks such as the La Pasion - garnished with Ancho Chile, cayenne, and a sugar rim - are the perfect aperitif. 1500° is located at the Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach, 4525 Collins Avenue on Miami Beach.  Telephone: (305) 674-5594.

La Pasion - serves 1
1 ½ oz              Bacardi 8
½ oz                 Pineapple Juice
½ oz                 Lemon Juice
½ oz                 Passion Fruit Puree
Combine all ingredients over ice.  Shake and strain into chilled martini glass rimmed with mixture of Ancho Chile, cayenne pepper, and sugar.

5 Napkin Burger

This New York import’s impressive beverage program has found a home on bustling Lincoln Road.  At 5 Napkin Burger with its selection of 60 wines and 80 beers, many of them microbrews, 10 signature cocktails, and 40 bourbons, barflys are spoiled for choice. 5 Napkin Burger is located at 455 Lincoln Road. Telephone: (305) 538-2277.

Photo Credit: Michael Pisarri

Tennessee “Tea” - serves 1
2 oz                  Jack Daniels
1 oz                  Sweet Vermouth
½ oz                 Ginger Syrup
6                      Mint Leaves
Splash Lemon Juice

Lightly bruise mint. Combine all ingredients and shake with ice. Pour into tumbler, and top with ginger ale. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

BLT Steak at The Betsy Hotel

BLT Steak integrates traditional elements of the French bistro with those of an American steakhouse. A refined palette of crisp whites, cool greens and light woods conveys an elegance fitting for the tropical colonial-style hotel. The Lobby Bar is a wonderful welcoming space to enjoy delicious cocktails - both signatures and classics - and selections from an exemplary wine list. Guests can enjoy specialties such as the Straw Fedora while socializing at the bustling bar or in 25-seat lounge located adjacent to the dining room. BLT Steak is located at The Betsy Hotel, 1440 Ocean Drive, in South Beach.�
Telephone: (305) 673-0044.

Straw Fedora - serves 1
3                      lemon wedges
6                      mint leaves
½ oz                 lemon juice
1 oz                  simple syrup
1 oz                  Herradura Blanco Silver tequila
Ice
Ginger ale

Muddle lemon and mint; add lemon juice, simple syrup, tequila and ice.  Shake ingredients and roll into glass. Top off with ginger ale.

Egg & Dart - Rustic Greek Cuisine

Recently opened in the Miami Design District, Egg & Dart is a Greek dining destination named after the iconic decorative moulding found on classic Greek architecture and pottery. The menu honors Greece’s rich culinary history with an array of dishes highlighting the country’s many regions. Complementing the dining experience is a selection of signature specialty cocktails, such as the Egg & Dart Fizz, or the Greek Salad, garnished with feta cheese and black peppercorns. These delicious libations can be enjoyed in the dining room or at the stunning cherry wood and polished concrete bar. Egg & Dart is located at 4029 N. Miami Avenue in the Miami Design District.  Telephone: (786) 431-1022. 

Greek Salad - serves 1
1 ½ oz              Smooth Ambler Gin
3-4 slices          Cucumbers
3                      Kalamata Olives, pitted
1                      Pepperoncini
½ oz                 Fresh Lime Juice
½ oz                 Tomato Water
                        2 Feta stuffed Kalamata olives, skewered

Muddle cucumbers, pitted Kalamata olives and pepperoncini.  Add gin, lime juice and tomato water.  Shake well and pour over ice.  Garnish with skewered stuffed olives.

Gotham at the Fontainebleau, Miami Beach

Gotham Steak - The coolly elegant, 16,000 sq. ft., two-tiered steakhouse is tucked just off the glamorous lobby of the historic Fontainebleau Miami Beach.  The Miami outpost of acclaimed chef Alfred Portale and home to newly-appointed chef de cuisine Todd Miller, Gotham Steak, which opened its doors winter 2008, has drawn the spotlight not only for Miller’s talented culinary skills, its vast menu, wine list and cocktail creations but for unparalleled service and chic aesthetic.  Now, in its third year, the restaurant is a must-try dining destination. Gotham Steak is located at 4441 Collins Avenue on Miami Beach. Telephone:  (305) 674-4780. 

Bella - serves 1
1 ½ oz              Van Gogh Melon Vodka
1 ½ oz              Fresh Watermelon Juice
.75  oz              Marie Brizard watermelon Liqueur
Juice of ½ lime

Muddle 3-4 mint leaves. Add rest of ingredients, shake and strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with a single mint leaf.

Meat Market

Meat Market, the sexy South Beach dining destination is a bustling hot spot for local foodies, Miami Beach trendsetters and celebrities.  The 4,400 square-foot, 180-seat indoor/outdoor eatery is a truly contemporary steakhouse, boasting a sophisticated ambiance sizzling with New York City style energy, and a happening bar scene. Sip on signature interactive cocktails such as the Some Like it Hot, where guests choose their desired level of heat. Meat Market is located at 915 Lincoln Road on South Beach. Telephone: (305) 532-0088.

Photo Credit: Michael Pisarri

Some Like it Hot - serves 1
1 ½ oz.             Partida Reposado
¾ oz.                Fresh lime juice
½ oz.                Jalapeño infused agave nectar ( if no time to infuse the agave, depending on the spice level desired and the jalapeño’s individual heat, muddle before raspberries and use the same amount of regular agave nectar or if need be, cane syrup)
5                      Raspberries
Muddle 5 raspberries.  Add tequila, lime juice and agave, according to desired level of heat. Shake double strain and serve up. Garnish with jalapeño wheel on the side of a martini glass.

SRA. Martinez

Chef Michelle Bernstein’s, SRA. Martinez is a chic, down-to-earth, creative tapas restaurant in South Florida’s hottest new restaurant destination, the Miami Design District.  SRA. Martinez offers an eclectic menu of Old World favorites as well as innovative, contemporary tapas, all infused with Bernstein’s signature knack for deceptively simple, yet layered flavors. In addition to its acclaimed cuisine, the restaurant also draws crowds for its vibrant bar scene and innovative hand-crafted signature cocktails - with fresh, interesting, and unique spirit combinations served with the attention to detail and consistency usually found in haute cuisine dishes. SRA. Martinez is located 4000 NE Second Avenue in the Miami Design District. Telephone: (305) 573-5474. 

Indian Summer - serves 1
3 mint leaves, lightly muddled
1 ½ oz              Toasted coconut infused Santa Teresa Claro rum
½ oz                 Domain de Canton
½ oz                 Fresh lemon juice
½ oz                 Honey syrup
Cocktail is shaken, served on the rocks and garnished with 3 jalapeño slices.

Wynwood Kitchen & Bar

A perfect blend of cutting edge art and authentic Miami-style cuisine, Jessica Goldman Srebnick and her partner and father, visionary C.E.O. Tony Goldman, opened Wynwood Kitchen & Bar (WKB), in tandem with Art Basel, November 2010, in the heart of Miami’s exciting up-and-coming arts district. WKB features a floor-to-ceiling mural by famed graffiti artist Shepard Fairey in the bar and lounge area. Cocktails such as the Christian Awe and Kenny Scharf are named after the artists whose work adorns the restaurant and surrounding art park, Wynwood Walls.  Chef Miguel Aguilar’s moderately priced tapas menu pair perfectly with delicious cocktails in Miami’s most original setting. WKB is located at 2550 N.W. 2nd Avenue, in the Miami Design District.  Telephone: (305) 722-8959.               

Kenny Scharf - serves 1
2 oz                  Tequila Reposado
1 oz                  Triple sec
1 oz                  Lime
2                      Blackberries
3                      Strawberries
1                      Mint Leaf

Muddle fresh blackberries, strawberries and mint. Shake, strain and pour into a martini glass.
Garnish with a strawberry and lime.

Photo Credit: Mark Roskams