Posts Written OnJanuary 2006

(picture borrowed from ESPN.com) As you may have noticed yesterday, I presented a challenge to Seattle-area food bloggers as my hometown Pittsburgh Steelers take on teal-clad Seattle Seahawks in this years Super Bowl. Well, the mind behind the Culinary Fool has accepted the challenge. What’s on the line? When the Steelers win, she has to send me one of her last bottles of Matthew Cellars 2001 Columbia Valley Red. If by some miracle the Seahawks win (and then go ice skating with the devil), I’ll have to part with my last bottle of Martha Clara Vineyards 6025. Think of it…

Every year, the mayors of the two Super Bowl participant cities make a wager on the game…usually special items that are only available or that are particularly good in each city. Well, it’s time to bring that spirit to Super Bowl XL. I’m willing to play the part of Pittsburgh representative…any Seattle bloggers interested in a little friendly wager? Of course there are a ton of Seattle food bloggers…some of you are among my favorites. But, Kate is a native Pittsburgher…so I know she isn’t going to bet against the black and gold. Any takers?

Much to my joy, I spent yesterday afternoon with good food (Nena makes great pizza), good drink (IC Light of course with some Belgian-style ale provided by my buddy Ginz) and great friends (even if most of them are Jets fans)…all while watching the Steelers put a hurting on the Broncos. Jake "the Fake" Plummer regressed back to his Arizona Cardinals days just long enough for us to win and make it to the Super Bowl. I couldn’t be happier. In fact, I’m sure Nena is beyond tired of hearing me say "We’re in the Super Bowl. We’re in the…

Until last weekend it wasn’t obvious, but winter is upon us. And while most of the farm stands are boarded up for the season, just about all of Long Island’s East End wineries, bed and breakfasts, and restaurants remain open. Believe it or not, this is one of the best times to visit Long Island wine country. The summer crowds are a memory, the rush of harvest season is over and the 2005 vintage is resting comfortably in barrels and bottles before release. Tasting room staff can spend more time with you, it’s easier to get a reservation at the…

This post has absolutely nothing to do with food or wine — at least not directly — but I’ve been far too silent as my beloved Steelers march on in the NFL playoffs. Heading into the playoffs, I was luke-warmly confident, despite my often blind faith in the black and gold. We had a great year (yes, I always speak as if I’m on the team) but there were some missteps along the way…and there are some damn good teams in the AFC. But, after watching them demoralize the Cincy Bungles (sorry Jens, and that wasn’t a dirty hit) and…

Today is your last day to vote for all of your favorites in the 2005 Food Blog Awards, hosted by Kate over at the Accidental Hedonist. LENNDEVOURS has been nominated in the "Best Blog Covering Wine, Beer or Spirits"  category, and is joined by Fermentation A Good Beer Blog The Scotch Blog Vinography   GO VOTE TODAY  

Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars is one of the best-known wineries in New York’s Finger Lakes region — mostly because their rieslings are top notch and among the best (if not they best) produced in the U.S. Salmon Run is Dr. Frank’s second label and the bottlings top out at about $13 per bottle, making them among the best every day drinking values I’ve encountered. This Salmon Run 2002 Meritage ($13) is a blend of merlot, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon, and while I couldn’t dig up any information on where the grapes came from, listing "New York" on…

As Tom mentions, the number of new wine blogs is "daunting." It’s seemingly impossible for me to add any new blogs to my list of usual reads. But, on his suggestion I clicked on over to Walk the Wine. It’s going to work it’s way into my regular reading routine. Plus, JD is just across the Long Island Sound from me in CT and has links to the Connecticut Wine Trail. Perhaps we’ll do some tasting together one day after a short ferry ride. So go over and see what JD has going on…and add him to your must-read list.…