Bourgeois Bob & Chateau Montelena

After chatting with my Dad earlier this week, the invisible lightbulb went off over our heads at the same time. It alerted us to the brilliant idea of having him write guest posts for my Blog. When my dad and I chat, we often talk about what we have eaten and the wine we've drank over the last couple of days. We are definitely a foodie fmaily. I honestly have learned everything I know about food and wine from my father, so there is no one else who could teach us all about posh food culture better than him. I hope you read, learn, enjoy, laugh a bit and walk away with a more refined palate. 

Me and my Daddio sailing in FL

OK don't get too used to this.

Dee suggested that I (her Father) contribute to her Blog. OMG.

I was very impressed that she initiated this, as she has plenty of creative ideas on her own, but with due respect, anything she learned about wine and food…well...

Earlier this week, Dee and I had our semi-weekly check in phone call. All was good in the World, and I was in heaven. Down in Florida, we had just roasted a 2 lb rib-eye accompanied by a 2005 Chateau Montelena Cabernet. Nums. Needless to say, I was sold on the idea of making a guest appearance on Dee's blog. After buttering me up a bit on my extensive knowledge and expertise, we decided I would focus on one of my favorite topics...wine.  So here we go...

Chateau Montelena is a lovely vineyard at the north end of Napa (that's in California). It's a bit outside the funky (is that still a word?) town of Calistoga; a great place with a spa that dates back to the early 1900s. I am still picking mud out of some orifices from my last visit. Of all the memories I have from the visit to Montelena, none will replace its charm and the memory of this lovely black swan that tried to bite me.

Chateau Montelena's Cabernet Sauvignon is an aromatic, rich, bold & full bodied red. It usually has berry notes with some cedar and spice, but the details will change depending on the year. These wines age well, so there is no harm keeping for many years before opening, just make sure they are stored properly. It pairs well with most food but best with beef and  lamb. 

Side note...I sent a bottle of Chateau Montelena back with Dee after one of her visits. Her and the NYC family opened the bottle for a Family Dinner and she reports it was out of this world.

In the future, we will explore dishes and wines that I have come to know and love. For example, the other night, I paired a beautiful coquilles St-Jacques (Gratineed Scallops) with a 2006 Louis Latour Montrachet. It was magnifique! I also hope to enlighten you to the fact that there is more to Chicken than you think. My hope is you will refine your palettes and expand your knowledge of the finer things in life. 

To wrap things up, my interesting wine fact for this post...we live in Southwest Florida and this weekend is one of the 10 top wine charity affairs in the USA, the Naples Winter Wine Festival. This event has raised more than $110 million for the Naples Children Education Foundation. See...stuff does happen in southwest FL besides retirement and bad drivers. 

Until next time...

As Sheldon says, "live long and prosper". 

As Alexis Lichine said, "Life is too short to drink bad wine."

Bourgeois Bob aka Dee's Dad

Thanks Dad.
d.eileen

Sunday Funday

On Sundays, I spend most of my day at church. Sometimes people find this strange, but for me, I couldn't imagine Sundays any other way. The people I go to church with have become my NYC family. I have made some of the best friends a girl could ask for and I'm convinced that my life is fuller and more blessed because of my faith in Jesus. One of the awesome things about my church is it is filled with incredibly stylish and beautiful people (inside and out). Sunday Funday posts will feature snapshots from Sundays so you can get an insight to how fabulous being a Christian in NYC is. You might also get some fashion inspiration for your next Sunday Funday!

This Sunday I met a few lovely ladies for lunch at Terallucci E Vino off Union Square.

It was cold so I went for the fur on fur look.

Um, do you see this scarf? AMAZING. It's a scarf-sweater piece for those extra cold days. A perfect transitional piece for outdoor to indoor wear.

I got this new jacket at the Piperlime Store in Soho. It is by Tinley Road, they have a beautiful line of vegan leather products. It was a steal and I'm in love with the peplum back. 

Terallucci's Brioche French Toast is melt in your mouth delicious. It's not too big so that you get a headache from the sugar, and the dollop of mascarpone is too good to resist. If you want something more savory go for an egg dish. I got poached eggs over polenta with prosciutto. They lightly covered it with a delicious Parmesan sauce that I licked up with bread.

E is sporting some Ascot & Hart apparel. I just ordered their Trust Your Guys Tee and I'm in love with those red Dandy boots. 

Happy Sunday Funday!

d. eileen

YOU are my VERY favorite

This Saturday, I sat around a table with 13 incredible individuals. We looked like the United Nations. with people from every cultural background you could imagine filling up the seats. There was a nurse, web designer, a few graduate students, 2 teachers, a pharmacist, a couple business professionals, 2 people in fashion and a band tour manager. We met at the Le Pain Quotidien in Flat Iron which is always a convenient option for meetings with its' healthy delicious food at a reasonable price. The purpose of our brunch was to talk about the team we all serve on at our church. For those of you who don't know, I attend the amazing HillsongNYC. After staking out the perfect table, we nestled in and people slowly arrived. 

I am never without a good journal. This one is incredible from The Colour Sisterhood.  

(Church in the Wild Hat - Panda Sal)

It was one of those mornings where I felt like I couldn't function properly before having coffee. I was excited when it arrive in its own little Pot-o-Coffee...so precious.

Some people didn't want their picture taken...that's ok cause I still love them :) 

These people are changing the world. 

Soft boiled eggs are NOT easy to eat. They taste great but I'm pretty sure I ate more shell than I did egg. Never again. 

Le Pain's tartines are to die for! This is the Roasted Turkey Avocado that Lance got. I'm in love with the Prosciutto, Pear, & Fig.

Fresh pressed Warm Belgium Waffle with fruit and whipped cream? sounds great. 

If I had to pick one food to eat the rest of my life it would probably be smoked salmon. 

My sweet friend E sent me this lovely card in the mail, it makes me smile so I keep it in my journal to remind me I am loved. NOTE TO ALL...letter writing is a lost art form, consider the value you place on a person when you take time to handwrite a note and mail it to them?! It's an easy way to let people know you really care. I challenge you to think about writing a note this week to someone special in your life, to let them know they are appreciated. 

The weather was wacky today. Rain/snow in the morning and then freezing! I knew I was going to be out and about most of the day, so I went for comfortable and classic. Ladies, if I can recommend one wardrobe staple it is a cashmere sweater. I got this J.Crew cardigan at the end of the season on sale and I wear it so often! Cashmere makes everything elegant.

This hat was an amazing find. It's actually from Forever 21 about 3 seasons ago. I'm doing all I can to keep it intact. A hat is a great option for those unpredictable weather days to make sure your locks stay protected; I'm also convinced everyone loves a hat. The jacket is from Oasis. 

The sun made a brief appearance. I wore my sunglasses for about 10 blocks. 

Ended the day celebrating the departure of two dear friends Danny and Stephanie Peters at Wilfie and Nell. I've known them for about 3 years and have had the honor to watch their relationship start, grow and eventually lead to marriage. Life is now taking them to Northern California. For those of you at Hillsong, you may know Danny as the friendly British guy at the front door shaking hands and saying "Welcome to Church". Their presence will be missed and my welcome to church will never quite be the same. 

XOXO

d.eileen