Donato Enoteca's Aetneus Etna Rosso (M Vincent) A friend recommended that I must visit Donato Enoteca, a wine-centric Italian restaurant in Redwood City, because the Sommelier, Eric Lecours is excellent. As a result, we recently enjoyed a wonderful Dinner and Wine Pairing! Eric Lecours apprenticed at Domaine Roulot in Meursault, France and Domaine Grivot in Vosne-Romanée, France, is a Certified Wine Educator of the Society of Wine Educators, a Certified Sommelier of the Court of Master Sommeliers, and a Certified Spanish Wine Educator of the Wine Academy of Spain. At Donato Enoteca, he primarily focuses on Italian varietals and the Wine List features 140 bottles, in addition to a reserve wine list of 60 rarer selections. Executive Chef Donato Scotti opened the restaurant and wanted "this to be a place where people will become regular guests and fall in love with the cooking, atmosphere and sense of Italian hospitality.” He doesn't change recipes to suit local taste, therefore, if you want authenticity, you will be pleased, and you will easily feel at home on the wrap-around patio. We chose the Weekly Prix-Fixe Menu ($35.00) and I asked that Reds be paired with the Menu. The Delicacies and Wine Parings were: Bufala E Caponata paired with Aristos 09 Alto Adige Pinot Grigio - Traditional Sicilian caponata with fresh imported buffalo mozzarella & carta musica Raviolini Di Verdurine E Pesto paired with Mazzolino 06 Oltrepo Pavese Pinot Noir- Housemade roasted summer vegetables, scamorza large ravioli, organic grape tomatoes & pesto My Dinner partner was given a very nice wine called Aetneus Etna Rosso 2007 which wasn't on the main wine list and easily became my favorite of all the paired wines. The formal tasting notes include: Eye: ruby red. Nose: ethereal, intense, hints of ripe fruit and tobacco. Palate: elegant, harmonic, considerably long aftertaste, rightly tannic. Desserts were Tiramisu and Peach Puffed Pastry paired with Limoncello, and Chef Donato stopped by our table to say hello. Our Dinner was Perfect and we were almost the last folks to depart. We could have easily stayed longer because it was a very enjoyable and comfortable locale. I would advise making reservations, and I'm sure you will be impressed. Mary Vincent Chase Sapphire SFChefs (P JennaBeth) While at this year's SF Chefs Grand Tasting Tent, I had the opportunity to participate in the Chase Sapphire Visa Signature “Behind the Blindfold” 2pm taste test competition. Three blindfolded contestants tested their tasting palates by attempting to correctly identify locally grown delicacies! We tasted 5 veggies, herbs and fruits and the first person that said the name of the item received a point. The items were dried strawberry, horseradish, tomato, grape, and lemon basil - lemon basil was the most difficult one for all of us as you may imagine. I was the winner and was entered into a drawing! Thanks Chase Sapphire Visa Signature for the fun opportunity. Interested in more information about SF Chefs? See my previous articles here: http://www.gratitudegourmet.com/1/post/2009/06/sf-chefs-food-wine-aug-6-9-san-francisco.html http://www.gratitudegourmet.com/1/post/2010/08/sf-chefs-sugar-party-inspires.html http://www.gratitudegourmet.com/1/post/2010/8/waterbar-san-francisco-cranberry-cocktails-gazpacho-and-dessert.html http://www.gratitudegourmet.com/1/post/2010/8/gary-danko-reinvents-tiramisu-at-williams-sonoma-cooking-demo.html Dr. McDougall’s Right Foods has NEW Organic Vegan Soups available in five flavors: Lentil Vegetable, Tortilla, Lower Sodium Black Bean, Lower Sodium Vegetable and Lower Sodium Tomato. The carton-packaged soups are high in plant-based protein and fiber, are non-GMO, and vegan. Gratitude Gourmet has partnered with Dr. McDougall’s Right Foods on a Giveaway! One Gratitude Gourmet Reader will WIN 8-cartons of Dr. McDougall’s Right Foods New Soups which will include: 2 Organic Lentil Vegetable 2 Organic Tortilla 2 Organic Lower Sodium Black Bean 1 Organic Lower Sodium Tomato 1 Organic Lower Sodium Vegetable Just comment here on the Gratitude Gourmet Facebook Post on your favorite soup and how you would serve it for a chance to WIN! I've featured Earth Balance Spreads and Nut Butters in the past, and now they've just released two more products! Organic Coconut Spread and MindfulMayo Dressing and Sandwich Spreads are now available nationwide at Whole Foods Markets. As many of you know, Coconuts have several health properties. Earth Balance Organic Coconut Spread is non-GMO and is great butter replacement for baking and cooking, and is a delicious addition to toast, steamed vegetables, Thai curry dishes etc. Earth Balance MindfulMayo Dressing and Sandwich Spread is cholesterol-free, egg-free and dairy-free and verified by the Non-GMO Project and is available in Original, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Organic. Use it as an alternative replacement in any food that uses regular mayonnaise. Enjoy! Photo Credit: AAAS Apply your Science and Technology Skills to Help Society and Shape Policy. AAAS Fellowship Placements include: Energy, Environment, Agriculture Program (30-40 Placements) Engage in projects, policies, risk assessment, evaluation, and outreach initiatives to: Protect animal, plant and environmental health Address ecosystem degradation, pollution, and biological threats Tackle challenges and opportunities in agriculture, fisheries, climate change, and energy Safeguard air, water, land, wildlife, and natural resources Anticipated placement opportunities: Department of Agriculture Department of Energy Environmental Protection Agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Science Foundation U.S. Geological Service To be considered for a fellowship via AAAS, successful applicants must: Hold a doctoral level degree (PhD, ScD, MD, DVM, etc.), in any of the following: Social and Behavioral sciences, Medical and Health sciences, Biological, Physical or Earth sciences, Computational sciences and Mathematics, and Engineering disciplines (applicants with a MS in engineering and three or more years of post-degree professional experience also qualify). Buca Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurants has a new citrus-inspired beverage menu which includes: Lemon Basil Vojito – SKYY Infusions Citrus Vodka, simple syrup, basil leaves, fresh lemons and soda water Buca Bella – SKYY Vodka, Caravella Limoncello, Monin Peach Tea and Prosecco served over ice Mediterranean Orange – SKYY Infusions Blood Orange Vodka, Caravella Limoncello, orange juice, and Midori and Lemon Drop Italiano – SKYY Infusions Citrus Vodka, Caravella Limoncello, simple syrup, fresh lemon juice and basil served in a chilled martini glass. The Red Sangria with Sycamore Lane Merlot and brandy mixed with orange juice, simple syrup, and fresh orange and lime slices served over ice is not new but a great summer drink to share with your friends in addition to your own Peach Bellini (Prosecco, Dekyuper peach tree schnapps and peach puree). I recently visited the Palo, Alto California location for Dinner and had the following Appetizers, Entrees, and Desserts. Insalate: Apple Gorgonzola Salad Tart granny smith apples, spiced walnuts, dried cranberries and gorgonzola cheese tossed with fresh lettuce blend in signature Italian vinaigrette. Baked Pasta Specialties: Baked Ravioli Four cheese ravioli baked with fresh marinara, mozzarella,and Parmesan cheeses Baked Eggplant Parmigiana (make sure you ask for 'Baked' - it was the Server's recommendation and it was fabulous!) Breaded and fried eggplant slices topped with marinara, fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella. Side Dish: Italian Broccoli Romano Broccoli with garlic and a light touch of crushed red pepper and Parmesan cheese. Dessert: Double Chocolate Cake -->There were leftovers but they didn't last very long :) See the Pictures I took below. Buca di Beppo is a fun place to spend quality time with family and friends and enjoy nice cocktails and Italian Style comfort food. Salute! Credit: Reuters/Babu Hillary Clinton launched a $50 million U.S. drive to bring clean cooking stoves to developing countries to cut deaths from smoke inhalation and fight climate change. She recently visited India and watched an Indian demonstration with some of the stoves. "Cooking fires are blamed for some 400,000 deaths in the country each year, mostly of women and children, and for as much as a quarter of India's emissions of soot or "black carbon," which along with ozone air pollution is seen as a major driver of global warming." See the full article here. Just Chill is a new, all-natural stress relief beverage formulated with 100 percent natural ingredients including ginseng, ginko biloba, Lemongras, L-theanine and other essential vitamins. Just Chill is really perfect for a warm summer, is cool and refreshing, and sold at Whole Foods. Gratitude Gourmet has partnered with Just Chill to giveaway a Just Chill 4 Pack to a lucky Gratitude Gourmet reader. Just comment on the Gratitude Gourmet Facebook Just Chill Post about how you'll enjoy Just Chill for a chance to win! Enter Here. Gratitude Gourmet Vin Pate de Fruit (Wine) Do you love French Paté de Fruit Jellies? In addition to our just-announced Gratitude Gourmet (tm) Truffle Collection, we're pleased to announce the Gratitude Gourmet (tm) Vin Pate de Fruit (Wine) Collection which we'll ship to your home or office monthly! These are made in the USA and are great gifts for friends, family, events, and weddings! You will enjoy a 20 Count Pate de Fruit Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cabernet. Just subscribe here for only $22.99 each month with FREE US shipping to receive your monthly gourmet delivery. (Customer Feedback: "Love the Pate de Fruit! Still enjoying them!! Must find time to try out the Truffle Collection..yummy!") Gratitude Gourmet Truffles Are you craving freshly-made Gourmet Chocolate? We're pleased to announce the Gratitude Gourmet (tm) Truffle Collection which we'll ship to your home or office monthly! These are also great gifts for friends, family, events, and weddings! You will enjoy a Six Piece Truffle Collection of Lavennise, Citrus Chipotle, Berries Passion, Hazel Praline, Cafe Latte, and Peanut Butter and Jelly in a gold-rimmed clear box and gold stretched cord ribbon. Just subscribe here for only $13.99 each month with FREE US shipping to receive your monthly gourmet delivery. Enjoy! Hi Everyone, I'm so pleased to announce that Gratitude Gourmet is now a California-Certified Bay Area Green Business! As you know, Gratitude Gourmet was founded in May 2008 to educate people in a fun way that you can easily reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions via your food choices. When I first started speaking about the 18% GHG animal agriculture emission figure from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Food and Agriculture Report, I received both a backlash of responses and great support and interest. Now in 2011, you see more articles, books, and movies featuring this topic. This is great news but there is still more work to do. Thank you Gratitude Gourmet Partners and Readers who have supported me along the way! Win a Necklace from California Luxury! Do you have a wedding planned, know someone getting married, or need a gift? Sign up at the link below, and you'll automatically be entered for a chance to win a Necklace at the Sunday August 7 Pleasanton CA Modern Bridal Faire. One winner will receive a Rita Chung Designs Necklace! You must be present to win! http://www.facebook.com/pages/California-Luxury/187480361275232?sk=app_181335378572390 Please VOTE for Gratitude Gourmet in the VegNews Magazine Veggie Awards. Please WRITE-IN Gratitude Gourmet as your favorite website, blog, and chocolate. Yes we now have our own chocolate and confections, many of which are gourmet vegan! You can vote here and you can win prizes just for voting: a cruise, 1 year supply of ice-cream, vitamix blender, and chocolate truffles. |