Special Feature: Products Sally Recommends

The Daily Dish Archive

by Sally Bernstein

August 31, 2006
Russian Book: The Other Side of Russia: A Slice of Life in Siberia and the Russian Far East by Sharon Hudgins describes the social change in this unforgotten region of the world as well as the numerous festivals and holidays that show what daily life is like on Russia's "other side."

August 30, 2006
New Wine Sales Laws: More ways to buy wine in the United States are causing a rise in wine sales. With the Supreme Court ruling in 2005 that allows interstate wine sales, many states are allowing customers to buy wine directly from out of state producers and retailers. And today Costco is the biggest wine seller in the country, although you'll find wine for sale at 7-Eleven Stores, Target, Cost Plus, Beverages and More and Wal-Mart. (Wall Street Journal, 8.25.2006)

August 29, 2006
End of the Season Tomatoes: If you have a chance to buy heirloom tomatoes, do so. Yes, they are more expensive than the conventional tomatoes that are bred for appearance and ease of transport, but they taste much better. Heirloom tomatoes, breeds that flourished before the triumph of industrial agriculture in the 1940s, are delicate and this years' rain and heat have adversely affected them such that they are in short supply. Look for Brandywines, Purple Cherokees, Mortgage Lifters, Striped Germans, Aunt Ruby, Green Zebra, Toybox, Persimmon and Arkansas Traveler.

August 28, 2006
New Wine Article: The Sunday After (The Napa Valley Vintners Auction--2006) by "It's Time for Wine" columnists Sara & Monty Preiser discusses 5 vintners who added to a unique weekend by allowing visitors to sample their wares. Sunday was indeed the finale to a quite remarkable weekend in the Napa Valley.

August 27, 2006
New Food Article: Eggplant Shines in a Solo Spaghetti Dinner by Toni Lydecker. Because of the different sizes of eggplant, this tasty vegetable can also work for solo cooking.

August 26, 2006

Film Cookbook: Cooking in Oz: Kitchen Wizardry and a Century of Marvels from America's Favorite Tale by Elaine Willingham & Stephen Cox will keep fans of the Oz legends eagerly turning the paperback's pages even if they never go near the kitchen. The authors have assembled not only recipes but also an assortment of anecdotes, memories and photos from a wide range of people connected with the story since its first appearance 100 years ago.

August 25, 2006
New Los Angeles, California Tour: Now's your chance to see Dodger Stadium like never before. The Championship Tour is the newest offering by the stadium, giving visitors an opportunity to view Dodger Stadium the way only players do. Fans taking the 90-minute tour view a Dodgers history video; have access to the field; visit the Dodger Dugout; see the Dugout Club; go into the press box; and visit the Tommy Lasorda Training Center. Tours are offered at 10 and 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through October. Cost is $15 for adults; $12 for military and seniors (55 and up); and $8 for children (14 and under). For tickets or more information, visit http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com.

August 23, 2006
Historical Bunker Reopened: The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia recently reopened the resort's former long-held secret, an underground 112,544 square foot concrete and steel bunker where the U.S. Congress would have convened in the event of a nuclear attack. The bunker, which can sleep 1,100 people in bunk beds, is open for tours following major repairs and renovations. Public tours are available twice a week. For information, call the White Sulphur Springs Civic Center at 800.852.5440. Daily tours are available for Greenbrier guests.

August 22, 2006
Special Food Event: La Tomatina in Bunol, Spain will take place on August 30th. More than 240,000 pounds of ripe tomatoes are dumped in the streets of Bunol (in the Valencia region of Spain) for 30,000 revelers to hurl at each other during this annual riotous festival. This tradition, which began around 1945, lasts for two hours, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Boston Globe)

August 21, 2006
New Wine & Food Cookbook: Perfect Pairings: A Master Sommelier's Practical Advice for Partnering Wine with Food by Evan Goldstein, a James Beard Award–winning sommelier and author of Five Star Service, tackles the tricky task of pairing wine with food. Goldstein's practical guide for learning about the different styles of wines (varietals) encourages experimentation and offers hints on how to taste with discernment. Comprehensive chapters on 12 common varietals and sections on sparkling and dessert wines contain the most pertinent facts: regions, top producers, key flavors to look for and ideas for food pairings. Goldstein's mother, Joyce, a noted chef and cookbook author (The Mediterranean Kitchen) shares complementary recipes for simple yet flavorful dishes.

August 20, 2006
New Cancer Cookbook: Eat to Beat Prostate Cancer Cookbook by David Ricketts, experienced cookbook author and recent prostate cancer survivor, features more than 200 delicious recipes for everything from snacks, sandwiches, and drinks to main-course dishes-all foods that will appeal to the entire family. This tremendously useful book also benefits from the author's firsthand experience, as he offers insight into what to expect regarding diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, as well as practical advice for making the transition to healthier cooking, smarter eating, and a longer life.

August 19, 2006
New Restaurants in Atlantic City, New Jersey: In an effort to make Atlantic City more upscale and family-friendly, the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa has added a Wolfgang Puck's American Grille, Michael Mina's Seablue Borgata and Bobby Flay Steak restaurants. Eat your heart out, Las Vegas! (Wall Street Journal, 8.19, 2006)

August 18, 2006

Houston, Texas Restaurant Cookbook: Culinary Capital: Signature Dishes from America's Premier Restaurant City by John DeMers highlights the multicultural mix of cuisines in Houston with 75 recipes and 160 tantalizing photographs. Each listing includes a photo along with a small write up on either the restaurant or the chef.

August 16, 2006
New Cookbook: Harry's Roadhouse Cookbook: Square Meals from Santa Fe's Favorite Kitchen, by husband and wife Harry Shapiro & Peyton Young, shares Chef Shapiro's very best comfort food from their restaurant in Santa Fe, New Mexico named Harry's Roadhouse. This 13 year old Santa Fe institution's motto is "A Square Meal Every Time." Look for breakfast items through desserts and colorful photos and graphic drawings.

August 15, 2006
New Wine Book: Award winning wine writer Natalie MacLean's first book Red, White, and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass will be in all major book stores in Canada August 29 and in the United States September 19. You can pre-order your copies online on Natalie's website. Natalie takes her readers behind the scenes of the international wine world—exploring its history, visiting its most evocative places, and meeting its most charismatic personalities.

August 14, 2006

Japanese Kobe Beef: Trade policies have recently relaxed and some authentic Japanese Kobe beef is beginning to come into the United States. Kobe beef from Japan has a high fat content that causes the meat to melt in your mouth. This high-end steak can cost as much as $20 per ounce, which is what you will find at the new Wolfgang Puck CUT restaurant in the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles.

August 13, 2006
New Cookbook: Eating Cuban: 120 Recipes from the Streets of Havana to American Shores by Beverly Cox & Martin Jacobs offers recipes from the barrio, paladars (private restaurants), and chic nightspots of Havana to the eateries of Florida’s emigré communities. A valuable resource list helps American cooks locate the required ingredients, and a restaurant directory points the way to the very best in Cuban cuisine—in Cuba and the U.S.

August 12, 2006
Wine & Food Festival: The third annual expo on San Diego, California's Embarcadero Bay will take place November 9-11, 2006. The Grand Tasting ($85) will include 700 wines (by 150 wineries) and 50 city restaurants will participate in the weekend, which includes wine & food seminars.

August 11, 2006
New Restaurant: Thomas Keller, of The French Laundry fame, has opened the shuttered Wine Garden in Yountville, California (on the same street as TFL). This temporary restaurant is called Ad Hoc and serves comfort food classics. Keller will keep this open through 2006 and reopen as Burgers and Bottles in 2007.

August 9, 2006
New Restaurant: New York restaurateur Sirio Maccioni has opened the third incarnation of Le Cirque in the Bloomberg Tower on the Upper East Side. Executive Chef Pierre Schaedelin holds forth in the kitchen. The 16,000 square foot restaurant, that wines and dines New York high society, seats 95 people.

August 8, 2006
New Tea Article: Tea Fragrance of Munnar Hills, South India Ammini Ramachandran shares the fragrance of fresh spices and tea. Includes colorful tea photos.

August 7, 2006
New Travel Article: In her "Traveling with Kids" column, Elaine Sosa Labalme covers Kid-Friendly Zones: Santa Barbara and Ojai, California. Many of her recommendations will work for those traveling without kids, too. Enjoy the fun kid photos!

August 6, 2006
New Article: Mexico Arlene Krasner highlights traditional Mexican cookware, including the Comal, Cazuela, Ollas, Copper Pots, Tortilla Presses and Grinding Utensils, in "My New Mexican Kitchen." Recipes for Guacamole and Quesadillas are included.

August 5, 2006
Florida Wine & Food Festival: The 11th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will be held in Orlando, Florida from September 29th to November 12th. The theme of "Exploring Regional Flavors" offers 20 international marketplaces set up for 6 weeks around Epcot Center. There is a new "Teen Cuisine" cooking seminar, weekly food-and-wine tastings, five-course dinners and lunches with chefs.

August 4, 2006
New Travel Article: Puttin on the Ritz and Celebrating 100 Years in London - Travel writers and photographers Keith Allan & Lynne Gray tell about the Barclay twins, who bought the Ritz Hotel in 1995 for around $135 million, and then started renovating it. Cesar Ritz built the hotel in 1906.

August 2, 2006
Los Angeles, California Wine & Food Festival: This annual benefit for Meals on Wheels has been in existence since 1982. This year's event, being held on September 16th, will have a younger fell, including mojito bar, a VIP lounge with beds, a chefs fashion show by Banana Republic and 4 live bands. More than 50 chefs, including Wolfgang Puck (a founder) and Todd English, will again cook for this festival. Tickets for the one-day event start at $250. For tickets and information go to www.awff.org ,or contact them by phone at (213) 484-7325 or email for more information.

August 1, 2006
Travel Deals: Save big with 225 BookingWiz Top Travel Deals in the US and Abroad , which are updated every 10 minutes, 24 hours a day. Specials include hotels, car rentals and cruises.


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