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(This articled appeared in the 11/19 issue of Dan’s Papers) With Thanksgiving less than a week away, “the season” is almost here. No, I’m not talking about Thanksgiving Day itself or any other specific holiday. I’m talking about holiday party season. You know exactly what I’m talking about, too – because chances are you’ll be invited to at least a few parties between now and the beginning of 2005. It’s a great time of year and offers ample opportunities to enjoy good food and good wine with the best of friends. Personally, I never go to a party empty handed,…

(This article appeared in the 11/19 issue of Dan’s Papers) There are many environmental factors that can adversely affect or even destroy a vineyard’s grape crop. From extreme temperatures to phylloxera to animals eating the fruit, vineyard managers have a lot of things to worry about. And over the past several years, Old Brookville Vineyards, the only commercial vineyard in Nassau County, has succumbed to more of these factors than any other Long Island vineyard.

Stuffing. It’s far and away my favorite part of any Thanksgiving dinner. Always filled with strong flavors, including sage, sausage…and even oysters in some parts of the country. The New York Times has a great article describing how personal stuffing recipes can be. And it got me thinking…have I ever made stuffing that wasn’t quick and easy out of a box? Isn’t it pathetic that the answer is no? Even sadder still is the fact that without a real oven in our current rental, I’m not sure it is forthcoming. I picture myself making one with bread and corn bread…adding…

2004’s first shipments of Beaujolais Nouveau have arrrived…and, despite how many wine snobs feel about this ultra-young, ultra-juicy wine, I plan to get a few bottles this weekend. This was a good year for Gamay grapes (which are what’s used for BN) if the experts are to be believed, so I look forward to tasting the freshest of wines. BN is an easy, fun wine that isn’t meant to be scrutinized or analyzed. And, while it seems to become more and more about the "hype" every year…I’ll never give up on it. It’s still an event and any excuse to…

In what has become a tradition when we see Paul and Sara, we put together a Syrah/Shiraz tasting for last Saturday. Our last one was rather impromptu…we had four Rieslings the last time. The premise this time around was simple, each couple would contribute one bottle of "bargain" wine ($10 or less) and one more expensive bottle ($20 or more). We wanted to see if there was a marked difference based upon price and which we’d prefer. Plus, four bottles and four tasters always makes for good times. Nena and I contributed a bottle of 2002 Columbia Crest Two Vines…

An authentic Philly Cheesesteak. I’d never had one in 24 years living in PA. Of course I was in Pittsburgh, about five hours away, so I’m going to give myself a free pass. Surely I would have had one at 3 a.m. after a night of drinking had I grown up in Philly! When we were in Philly last weekend, we decided to get cheesesteaks Sunday to eat as we settled into Paul and Sara’s family room to watch our beloved Steelers destroy and embarass the Cleveland Browns. But where to go? Anyone from (or who has lived in) Philly…

I consider myself a pretty good cook…better than pretty good in fact. Sure, I’m no professional…but I’d gone a looong time without a meal totally crashing and burning. Last night’s dinner summed up in a word: Bomb. I got home late, found myself missing some ingredients for my intended creations. Culinary arrogance drove me on…I could make it work. I could create a masterpiece from mere scraps. Gold from sawdust. The Gods of the Gullet have shamed and humbled me. I won’t even discuss the "menu" or what exactly happened. It was that horrific and unpleasant. Nena said she still…