Bobby Flay’s second Mohegan Sun restaurant, Bar Americain, opens today.
The menu looks similar to the original Bar Americain, with the addition of this appetizer: ”crispy Connecticut oysters with creme fraiche chowder and bacon relish.” LOCAL YUM.
Flay opened Bobby’s Burger Palace at the casino in July. More here.
Today, Twitter foodies are aflutter with the anticipation of Thursday’s Beaulojais Nouveau release.
For those who aren’t familiar, Beaulojais Nouveau is made in the southern Burgundy region in France and is released on the third Thursday of each November to celebrate the new harvest. It’s a young wine, meant to drink immediately. It’s also inexpensive, somewhere in the $12/bottle range.
Here are 10 fascinating facts about Beaujolais Nouveau.
I’ve seen this wine described in the press as ‘alcoholic soda pop.’ But I’m not sure there’s any reason to hate on it. It’s very drinkable, and it’s said to be an excellent Thanksgiving wine because its light fruity flavor pairs well with turkey and traditional side dishes. And the brightly-colored Georges Duboeuf labels always pass my ‘pretty bottle’ test – in fact, that’s why I first picked up a bottle of Beaujolais at my local shop about two years ago. I knew nothing of its history then.
But what draws me most to the wine is the fact that its release is literally celebrated around the world. Restaurants and bars from Binghamton to Burgundy hold parties to commemorate the occasion. That’s fabulous.
ETA: MaryEllen Fillo’s A La Carte column for the Hartford Courant lists a local Beaujolais celebration at The Hartford Club on Nov. 20.
I think I may be picking up a bottle for Turkey Day. More on Thanksgiving wines to come…
Starbucks' new holiday drink, the Caramel Brulee Latte. (starbucks.com)
I decided to treat myself to a Starbucks eggnog latte this afternoon (about the only thing that helps me tolerate the onset of New England winter.) After I’d ordered, I saw a sign for their newest holiday drink – the Caramel Brulee Latte. OH BOY.
A press release on Starbucks.com describes the Caramel Brulee latte as “…a combination of espresso and steamed milk flavored with rich caramel sauce and topped with whipped cream and shimmery pieces of caramel topping.” It joins the already-delicious red-cup holiday drink lineup that includes the Peppermint Mocha, Gingerbread and Eggnog Lattes.
No, I didn’t get back in line to order one (one $5 latte a day is plenty on my budget) but I did ask the barista about it. He described it as rich and said the caramel-candy topping was similar to Werther’s toffee.
Sounds like dessert. Have you tried this drink yet? Leave a comment and tell us about it!
Tequila!
We ended up at Acapulcos in Enfield almost by process of elimination on Saturday night. Tired and hungry, we had exhausted the whole “what do you want to eat tonight/I had pizza last night/I don’t want to drive all the way to Northampton/I’m not in the mood for red meat” routine that’s all too familiar at this point.
It had been more than two years since we’d visited the Mexican restaurant in Enfield’s Freshwater Commons plaza, next to Big Y and Royal Buffet. Shamefully, I forgot how good the food and margaritas could be. I’m not wild about ‘chain’ Mexican cuisine glopped with cheese and sour cream, and I tend to pass it up in favor of sushi or something more exotic. But I’m glad I gave it another chance. The restaurant is a sunny, friendly little cantina with great service.
The 'beer tree' at the Boynton, Worcester, Mass.
I didn’t start to enjoy beer until this past Memorial Day, about six weeks before my 28th birthday. It was actually a memorable occasion.
We were having dinner at Opa-Opa Steakhouse and Brewery in Southampton, Mass. and my friends immediately headed for their fruity beers – blueberry, watermelon, raspberry. On a whim, someone passed me a glass of the blueberry beer and – I liked it. And downed two more by the time our meal was done. It took a few days for my friends’ jaws to come up from the floor. Watershed moment.
A La Carte
Leeanne Griffin is a freelance writer and food enthusiast.