Eve's Wine 101

LOS ANGELES STAPLE, S BAR, ARRIVES TO MANDALAY BAY RESORT AND CASINO IN LAS VEGAS

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Nightlife Destination to Feature an Elevated Cocktail Program by Renowned Master Bartender Yael Vengroff

 Las Vegas, NV (December 20, 2021) –  S Bar, a concept by visionary Sam Nazarian and sbe’s elevated dining brand Disruptive Restaurant Group, joins the Las Vegas nightlife scene by bringing a sensual and elegant social space to The Strip. Debuting New Year’s Eve, the venue will deliver a craft cocktail experience and lush lounge ambience along with high-energy entertainment to Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino guests and visitors from around the globe.

Celebrating the culture of mixology, S Bar will feature innovative libations paired with a tempting array of decadent shareable bites by sbe Director of Culinary Thanawat Bates. The concept also will offer an eclectic live entertainment experience by integrating classic instrumental sounds with modern tunes and unexpected DJ sets by west coast resident artists. Lounge enthusiasts will be welcomed by brass tones, luxe drapery, plush seating, and a polished black marble bar adorned by iconic art pieces from one of the world’s most collected photographers, Terry O’Neil.

S Bar’s focus will center around its curated craft cocktail program, designed by award-winning master bartender Yael Vengroff, who also is Head of Bars & Mixology Programming at Katsuya and S Bar. Named “American Bartender of the Year” by the prestigious Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, Vengroff is dedicated to crafting visually stunning cocktails that combine simple spirits with unexpected ingredients such as aloe vera, yuzu tonic and umami bitters. Vengroff’s new S Bar Las Vegas menu cocktails will include:

  • Moonage Daydream, Pisco, Salted Honeydew Peanut Cordial, Tarragon, Lime, Egg White
  • Umeshu Highball, Ume Whiskey, Amaro Montenegro, Shiso Plum Wine, Bubbles
  • Palm Reader, Bourbon, Cacao Rum, Licor de Elote, Palo Santo, Bitters
  • Tiger Julis, Mandarin Vodka, Cognac, Campari, Cinnamon, Black Tea, Hazelnut
  • Starry Night, Pear Brandy, Lemon, Butterfly Pea Flower, Sparkling Rosé

 S Bar has become a key brand within Sam Nazarian’s Disruptive Restaurant Group (DRG), emerging as a Los Angeles mainstay known for sophisticated interiors, impeccable hospitality, and elevated menus. The much-anticipated S Bar Las Vegas debuts its sultry lounge December 31 and will feature a DJ set by emerging Los Angeles native BYNX, who produces melodic House sounds combined with Indie Nu Disco.

To make S Bar Las Vegas reservations and for more information, visit https://www.sbe.com/nightlife/s-bar/las-vegas

Hours of Operation:

Sunday/Monday – Closed

Tuesday – Thursday 5pm – 12am

Friday – Saturday 5pm – 2am

The S Bar Story

Each S Bar reflects the character and edginess of each location and the creatives who inhabit them with sophisticated interiors, world-class cocktails, rare spirits, and deliciously elevated bar menu. A Hollywood classic originally conceived by Phillippe Starck, S Bar was imagined as an intimate neighborhood bar, striking the perfect balance between culture and sophistication and raw elegance, evoking the spirit of an artist’ gallery. S Bar embodies casual elegance, sensuality, and a sense of belonging.

To make reservations and for more information on all S Bar locations, visit https://www.sbe.com/nightlife/s-bar.

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About Disruptive Restaurant Group

DRG, Disruptive Restaurant Group, incubates and operates globally renowned culinary brands including

critically-acclaimed restaurants, lounges and nightclubs. By partnering with an impressive roster of internationally renowned culinary talent, DRG concepts are committed to innovation and setting new industry standards. Restaurants within the portfolio include Katsuya by Chef Katsuya Uechi, Sa’Moto by Chef Masaharu Morimoto, Hyde Sunset Kitchen and Cocktails and the much anticipated opening this winter of Casa Dani by Michelin Chef Dani Garcia.

About Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino is set on 120 lush acres featuring Mandalay Bay Beach, a tropical pool paradise with real sand. The Michelob ULTRA Arena, award-winning restaurants, exhilarating entertainment, unique shopping, Shark Reef Aquarium and the 2-million-square-foot convention center combine to make Mandalay Bay a captivating Las Vegas resort destination. The resort offers three distinct hotel experiences: Mandalay Bay with 3,211 luxurious rooms and suites reflecting a modern tropical ambiance; Four Seasons Hotel, a AAA Five Diamond hotel offering 424 rooms and suites; and the luxury all-suite Delano Las Vegas. Mandalay Bay is operated by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM). For more information and reservations, visit mandalaybay.com, call toll free at (877) 632-7800, or find us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

2021 MICHELIN Guide to California Recognizes 114 Bay Area Restaurants

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SAN FRANCISCO (PRWEB) – The San Francisco Bay Area retained its distinction as the top destination in the U.S. for fine dining following the long-awaited unveiling of the 2021 MICHELIN Guide to California this month. The Bay Area enjoys the greatest concentration of Michelin three-star restaurants in the U.S. and the most Michelin-starred restaurants in California.

Six Bay Area restaurants received the coveted three Michelin stars in the 2021 MICHELIN Guide: Atelier Crenn, Benu, Quince, The French Laundry, SingleThread and Manresa. Eight restaurants were awarded two Michelin stars, including Birdsong, which added a second star.

Altogether, 50 Bay Area restaurants were awarded one or more Michelin stars in 2021, accounting for 56% of California’s 90 Michelin-starred restaurants.

Sublime Doesn’t Always Mean Expensive

While the Bay Area’s fine dining options stand out, visitors can experience plenty of mouthwatering cuisine at easily digestible price points. Michelin bestowed 64 Bay Area restaurants with its Bib Gourmand designation. This category celebrates restaurants offering “great food and value,” where a three-course meal can be enjoyed for around $40 or less, excluding tax and gratuity.

Out of the 147 restaurants in California receiving a Bib Gourmand, nearly 44% are in the San Francisco Bay Area, including 18 newcomers to the list such as Routier, Um.Ma and Dumpling Home.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants

Only six U.S. restaurants landed on “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” list in 2021 and three of them are in the San Francisco Bay Area. Benu and Atelier Crenn in San Francisco and SingleThread in Healdsburg ranked 28th, 48th and 37th, respectively.

San Francisco-based chef Dominique Crenn, owner of Atelier Crenn, Petit Crenn and Bar Crenn, also received this year’s Icon Award as “a true culinary leader giving a voice to the under-represented.”

New and Notable in San Francisco

The City by the Bay is a leader in culinary creativity, with chefs such as Dominique Crenn, Corey Lee, Brandon Jew, Ho Chee Boon, Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski leading the way. San Francisco’s innovative and diverse food scene is why the city is hailed as the “best foodie city” in the country by U.S. News & World Report. And even with the challenges of the pandemic, the city’s seen a slew of exciting restaurant openings in the last 18 months and many more are debuting soon.

A selection of restaurants that have opened or will launch soon include:

  • Mamahuhu, the casual eatery by chef Brandon Jew, opened in the Richmond in January 2020. His upscale Mister Jiu’s in Chinatown was San Francisco’s first Chinese restaurant to earn a Michelin star. Mamahuhu takes a modern spin on Chinese-American classics like kung pao chicken, mapo tofu and egg rolls, all with responsibly sourced ingredients.
  • The Anchovy Bar from Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski, the James Beard award-winning chef/owners of State Bird Provision, debuted in October 2020. Located in the Fillmore, the wine and seafood bar specializes in West Coast oysters, small fish and sustainably raised shellfish.
  • Showcasing the vibrant spirit of Peru, Jaranita in the Marina highlights popular Nikkei, Chifa, and Creole dishes. The Peruvian restaurant opened in January 2021.
  • Ernest, a new restaurant from chef Brandon Rice, opened in March 2021 in San Francisco’s Mission District. The market-driven menu features intense global flavors that reflect the way the chef loves to eat — fun and approachable yet refined “with elegant layers of familiar flavors done in a new way.”
  • The Tailor’s Son opened in March 2021. Located in the Fillmore, the cozy venue serves a savory menu of Northern Italian classics like risotto, fresh pastas, crostini, antipasti, and verdure and an extensive wine list highlighting the best biodynamic and organic wines from Italy.
  • Empress by Boon, the first solo project for Michelin-star chef Ho Chee Boon, the former international executive chef of Hakkasan, opened in Chinatown in June 2021. Housed in a former storied Chinese banquet hall that’s been exquisitely revamped, the restaurant features modern Cantonese dishes focusing on California ingredients.
  • Estiatorio Ornos, a Michael Mina Restaurant, opened in September in Mina’s former California Street flagship location in the Financial District. The restaurant brings to life the celebratory spirit of the Greek Isles, with flavorful Greek seafood dishes and relaxed Mediterranean-style hospitality.
  • Chef Tyler Florence’s first new restaurant in San Francisco in 11 years, Miller & Lux, opened in late September. Part of Thrive City, the development surrounding the Chase Center in Mission Bay, the 7,000-square-foot waterfront steakhouse was designed by global stylemaker Ken Fulk.
  • Boulevard, the 28-year-old San Francisco classic, reopened in September in the Embarcadero/Financial District with a new menu experience and a new look care of designer Ken Fulk. Serving quintessentially California cuisine, it now offers two dining experiences: an adaptable set price menu and an a la carte menu available at both the chef’s counter and the recently expanded bar and lounge.
  • Chef Corey Lee’s first Korean restaurant, San Ho Won, is slated to open in October in the Mission. Lee’s Benu was the first restaurant in San Francisco to receive three Michelin stars.
  • The Flour + Water Hospitality Group is targeting an October 2021 opening for its newest restaurant in the Mission, Penny Roma. The rustic Italian restaurant will feature an indoor-outdoor, open-kitchen space.
  • Friends Only from chef Ray Lee is slated to open in November 2021 in Lower Nob Hill. “Part R+D kitchen and part sushi speakeasy,” the 10-seat omakase bar will spotlight high-quality and highly seasonal ingredients on an ever-changing tasting menu.
  • Chef Erik Sun’s Pursuit, a 15-seat ramen bar, is scheduled to open this fall in SoMa. Diners will be able to nosh on noodles late into the night. There will also be a 45-seat section with a dedicated yakiniku menu featuring rarer cuts and dishes like kimchi fried rice with beef tongue.

The Most European of American Cities Embraces Al Fresco Dining

San Francisco’s outdoor dining scene blossomed with the creation of “parklets” over the last 18 months. Over 2,100 permits for in-street dining, sidewalk tables and other outdoor setups have been issued since early 2020 as part of a larger Pavement to Parks Program, which repurposes underutilized street space into neighborhood amenities. A vibrant success, the parklets will now become permanent fixtures. Given the city’s year-round temperate climate, it’s a boon for diners.

Eat Drink SF and SF Restaurant Week Run Concurrently This October

The Golden Gate Restaurant Association announced 2021 Eat Drink SF (EDSF) and SF Restaurant Week. Running from Oct.15 through Oct. 24, the concurrent programs will explore San Francisco through both indoor and outdoor dining and imbibing featuring prix fixe menus, chef collaborations, cocktail events and ticketed experiences. More than 150 restaurants are participating in SF Restaurant Week. Prix fixe menus range from $10 to $25 for lunch and from $25 to $65 for dinner. Find an updated list of participating restaurants at https://www.sfrestaurantweek.com/restaurants/. A full list of EDSF events is available at https://eatdrink-sf.com/2021-dining-events/.

About San Francisco Travel

The San Francisco Travel Association is the official destination marketing organization for the City and County of San Francisco. Tourism is San Francisco’s largest industry. More than 25.8 million people visited the destination in 2019, spending in excess of $10 billion. More than 82,500 jobs are supported by tourism in San Francisco.

San Francisco is one of the metropolitan areas in the U.S. that has consistently kept Covid-19 largely under control. The COVID-19 Prevention & Enhanced Cleaning Guidelines put forth by the Hotel Council of San Francisco ensure that our hospitality businesses are adhering to the most elaborate cleaning and safety protocols. San Francisco Travel invites all visitors who are planning to come in 2021 to contribute their part to a safe and enjoyable experience by taking our Safe Travel Pledge at https://www.sftravel.com/article/take-san-francisco-safe-travel-pledge.

For information on reservations, activities and more, visit https://www.sftravel.com.

For more about San Francisco, follow https://www.facebook.com/onlyinSF/, https://www.instagram.com/onlyinsf/ and https://twitter.com/onlyinsf. Please use hashtags #sftravel and #AlwaysSF.

About San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) wants you to Travel Well. SFO works with local, state and federal health officials to protect against COVID-19. Measures include enhanced cleaning protocols, hundreds of hand sanitizer stations, physical barriers, face coverings for everyone and physical distancing. To learn more visit https://www.flysfo.com/travel-well.

SFO offers nonstop service to Asia, South Pacific, Europe, Canada, Mexico and across the United States. For up-to-the-minute departure and arrival information, airport maps and details on shopping, dining, cultural exhibitions, ground transportation and more, visit https://www.flysfo.com. Follow us on https://www.twitter.com/flysfo and https://www.facebook.com/flysfo.

United Airlines is the preferred airline of the San Francisco Travel Association.

The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil Receives 14th Consecutive Michelin Star Award

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RUTHERFORD, CALIF. (PRWEB) – Synonymous with wine country cuisine, The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil today received its 14th consecutive Star award from the MICHELIN Guide California. The globally recognized rating Guide is one of the most universally respected culinary authorities of exceptional dining. The 2021 Guide rates Auberge du Soleil among the top restaurants in California, designated as “an international culinary destination and leader in the industry” by MICHELIN.

Renowned for its commitment to sourcing ingredients from neighboring farms and purveyors, Mediterranean-inspired seasonal dishes, award-winning international wine cellar, and spectacular vista views, The Restaurant has attained a rich legacy as a “must experience” stop along any culinary journey to Napa Valley.

“The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil is at the heart of our property experience,” said Bradley Reynolds, Managing Director of Auberge du Soleil. “We are extremely grateful to the MICHELIN Guide for recognizing us with a fourteenth consecutive Star. We dedicate this award to our extraordinary team who consistently deliver impeccable food, wine and service that makes for wonderful dining memories for our guests.”

Robert Curry has served as Executive Chef at Auberge du Soleil since 2005. Widely considered a landmark among California wine country restaurants, Auberge du Soleil is dedicated to maintaining the culinary traditions of both Napa Valley and France. Curry’s dishes showcase flavorful peak-of-season ingredients sourced from a range of local and regional purveyors and farmers with whom Curry has developed long-standing relationships.

Executive Pastry Chef Paul Lemieux has led the pastry team at Auberge du Soleil since 2003. His finely crafted work is evident in the exquisite seasonal desserts he creates including delectable housemade chocolate, involving sourcing cacao beans from select international farms and carefully roasting and refining the chocolate in small batches in the hotel’s pastry kitchen.

The Restaurant’s menu items are complemented by pairings from an award-winning wine list. The 15,000 bottle cellar of domestic and international selections is curated by Wine Director, Kris Margerum. The Restaurant’s wine program consistently receives Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence.

The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil is open for lunch, Wednesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. featuring a two-course prix fixe for $60 and three courses for $75. A three-course brunch is offered on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for $85, and dinner service is available Wednesday through Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., including three courses for $135, four courses for $155 or a six-course tasting menu for $185. All menus include vegetarian selections available with each course.

The Restaurant, along with the casual Bistro and Bar, is open to the public, and serve as cornerstones for Auberge du Soleil, a Forbes Five Star hotel, flagship for the Auberge Resorts Collection and a long-standing member of Relais & Châteaux, an international association of outstanding boutique properties known for their excellence in hospitality and the culinary arts.

Inspired by the relaxed sophistication of the South of France, and infused with California soul, Auberge du Soleil provides the quintessential Napa Valley adult getaway. The hotel features wine country’s most luxurious accommodations, spectacular valley views, and passionate, intuitive service that sets the standard for gracious wine country hospitality. The property is perennially ranked among the best in the world by influential travel publications.

For more information please visit http://www.aubergedusoleil.com and follow at facebook.com/AubergeduSoleil and on Twitter and Instagram at @AubergeduSoleil. For Restaurant reservations and availability contact the hotel directly at 800.348.5406 or email ads.restaurant@aubergeresorts.com.

About Relais & Châteaux
Created in 1954, Relais & Châteaux is an organization of more than 560 exceptional hotels and restaurants run by independent men and women, all driven by a passion for their profession and dedicated to the authenticity of the relationships they build with their customers. With operations on all five continents, from the vineyards of Napa Valley to Provence and the beaches of the Indian Ocean, Relais & Châteaux members invite all to discover the art of living enshrined in the location’s culture, and share a unique, human story. Relais & Châteaux members have a profound desire to protect and showcase the richness and diversity of the cuisine and inviting cultures of the world. They worked towards this goal, along with the goal to preserve local heritages and the environment, through a UNESCO Manifesto in November 2014. For more information please visit http://www.relaischateaux.com.

About Auberge Resorts Collection
Auberge Resorts Collection is a portfolio of extraordinary hotels, resorts, residences and private clubs. While each property is unique, all share a crafted approach to luxury and bring the soul of the locale to life through captivating design, exceptional cuisine and spas, and gracious yet unobtrusive service. With 19 hotels and resorts across three continents, Auberge invites guests to create unforgettable stories in some of the world’s most desirable destinations. For more information about Auberge Resorts Collection, please visit aubergeresorts.com. Follow Auberge Resorts Collection on Facebook at facebook.com/AubergeResorts and on Twitter and Instagram at @AubergeResorts and #AlwaysAuberge.

About The Friedkin Group
The Friedkin Group is a privately held consortium of automotive, hospitality, entertainment, sports and adventure companies. These organizations include: Gulf States Toyota, GSFSGroup, GSM, US AutoLogistics, Ascent Automotive Group, Auberge Resorts Collection, AS Roma, Imperative Entertainment, 30WEST, NEON, Diamond Creek Golf Club, Congaree and Legendary Expeditions. The Friedkin Group is led by Chairman and CEO Dan Friedkin. For more information, visit http://www.friedkin.com.

Explore the Stags Leap District and its World-Class Wines at Vineyard to Vintner Weekend, April 22-24, 2022

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NAPA, CALIF. (PRWEB) – The premier event for the Stags Leap District Winegrowers, Vineyard to Vintner, returns in 2022, bringing enthusiasts together with vintners, winemakers and principals for a memorable weekend of esteemed wines, enchanting dining and in-depth education. A celebration of the people and wines of the venerated AVA (American Viticultural Area), Vineyard to Vintner weekend will be held Friday through Sunday, April 22 to 24, 2022, offering an immersive Cabernet Sauvignon experience.

“This is the ultimate way to fully experience the Stags Leap District. Our guests will enjoy world-class dining and tastings, and there’s so much more – Vineyard to Vintner is the chance to meet one-on-one with all the personalities behind the wines, get into the vineyards, explore behind the scenes, and engage and learn directly from winemakers and proprietors,” said Nancy Bialek, Executive Director of Stags Leap District Winegrowers. “We are so excited to welcome cabernet lovers for an unforgettable weekend of extraordinary wines and curated experiences.”

Renowned for producing critically acclaimed wines with power and grace, lush fruit and complex layers of flavor, the Stags Leap District is the Napa Valley’s smallest sub-appellation by planted acreage, a sliver of land bounded by the Stags Leap Palisades to the east and the Napa River to the west. A valley within a valley at just a mile wide and three miles long, the region is defined by the distinctiveness of its soils.

The climate, too, is unique. Warmed by the afternoon sun reflecting from the west facing towering rock facades, the vineyards are cooled in the evenings by breezes and marine air from the San Pablo Bay. This diurnal shift results in a long growing season – ideal for late-maturing varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon to develop phenolic complexity and deep intensity.

Guests at Vineyard to Vintner weekend will have the chance to fully explore the region while tasting wines and meeting with vintners from 16 famed properties, including Baldacci Family Vineyards, Chimney Rock Winery, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Clos Du Val, Ilsley Vineyards, Lindstrom Wines, Malk Family Vineyards, Pine Ridge Vineyards, Quixote Winery, Regusci Winery, Shafer Vineyards, Silverado Vineyards, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Stags’ Leap Winery, Steltzner Vineyards, and Taylor Family Vineyards.

Vineyard to Vintner Weekend Activities:
Library Wine Dinners: Friday, April 22 // 6:30PM – 10:00PM
Featuring rare library wines and exquisite menus crafted by some of the Bay Area’s most accomplished chefs, each exquisite vintner-hosted dinner offers guests the opportunity to experience Stags Leap District hospitality at its best, all while dining with the winemakers and principals from each winery. Hosts for the intimate dinners include Chimney Rock Winery (with cohosts Shafer Vineyards and Quixote Winery); Regusci Winery (with cohosts Lindstrom Wines and Stags’ Leap Winery); Silverado Vineyards (with cohosts Cliff Lede Vineyards and Ilsley Vineyards); Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (with cohosts Pine Ridge Vineyards, Malk Family Vineyards and Baldacci Family Vineyards); and Taylor Family Vineyards (with cohosts Clos Du Val and Steltzner Vineyards). Each dinner is limited to only 40 guests.

Digging Deeper: Vineyard Walks, Talks and Tastings: Saturday, April 23 // 10: 30AM – 12:15PM
Master classes in Stags Leap District viticulture and history, each of the four Digging Deeper seminars provide an engaging mix of hospitality and thorough education. A unique perspective will be offered at four venues along with a selection of storied wines. Each class is limited to only 50 guests. Programs include, Digging WAY Deeper at Baldacci Family Vineyards; Stags Leap District Then and Now: A Look Back at how Viticulture Practices have Developed in the Last 50 years at Clos du Val; The Clones that Shaped the Stags Leap District at Ilsley Vineyards; and Digging Deeper in the Vineyards at Pine Ridge Vineyards.

Vintner-Hosted Gala Luncheon and Appellation Collection Preview: Saturday, April 23 // 12:30PM – 3:00PM
Rarely in one place, winemakers, owners and principals of 16 District wineries will gather for a tempting luncheon and walk-around tasting. It’s also the first chance to sample the 2019 Appellation Collection, to be released in October 2022. Hosted at the historic Stags’ Leap Winery with more than 100 acres of breathtaking gardens and views of the towering Palisades for guests to enjoy.

Savor SLD: Winery Experiences: Sunday, April 24 // 10:30AM – 4:15PM
On Sunday, guests can create their own personal itinerary, selecting from among 13 wineries offering curated private experiences, including options to visit several properties not open to the public. Participating wineries include Baldacci Family Vineyards, Chimney Rock Winery, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Clos du Val, Ilsley Vineyards, Lindstrom Wines, Malk Family Vineyards, Pine Ridge Vineyards, Quixote Winery, Regusci Winery, Silverado Vineyards, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and Steltzner Vineyards.

Tickets and Additional Information
Tickets are now available at http://www.stagsleapdistrict.com/V2V. The Friday through Saturday experience (April 22-24, 2022) is $1,200 per person, which includes the entire weekend’s offerings. Visit http://www.stagsleapdistrict.com/V2V for complete details.

About Stags Leap District Winegrowers
The Stags Leap District Winegrowers is a non-profit association of vintners and growers united by the mission of enhancing the reputation of the appellation and its wines and sharing its quality with the wine-loving world. The SLDWA is comprised of 16 wineries and 9 grower members. Wineries include: Baldacci Family Vineyards, Chimney Rock Winery, Cliff Lede Vineyards, Clos Du Val, Ilsley Vineyards, Lindstrom Wines, Malk Family Vineyards, Pine Ridge Vineyards, Quixote Winery, Regusci Winery, Shafer Vineyards, Silverado Vineyards, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Stags’ Leap Winery, Steltzner Vineyards, and Taylor Family Vineyards. To learn more about the Stags Leap District, please visit stagsleapdistrict.com or find the Association on Facebook.com/StagsLeapDistrict, Instagram.com/StagsLeapAVA and Twitter @StagsLeapAVA.

Discover Napa’s Rustic Elegance at the 10th Annual Taste of Atlas Peak on October 30th

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NAPA, CALIF. (PRWEB) – This year’s 10th Annual Taste of Atlas Peak promises to be a memorable tasting event as winegrowers, vintners, and wine enthusiasts gather to celebrate the rustic elegance of Atlas Peak Appellation wines and raise funds for a cause that is especially important to Napa Valley community members. In collaboration with the Napa Communities Firewise Foundation (NCFF), Taste of Atlas Peak will call on sponsorships and donations, in addition to ticket sales, to help support and sustain local fire-safety efforts. Net proceeds from this year’s event will be distributed through the NCFF to various fire safety projects, including fuel reduction, fire breaks, and the IQ FireWatch system.

The event will be hosted at the Silverado Resort & Spa on Saturday, October 30, 2021, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM and feature an exclusive walk-around tasting, the opportunity to mingle with winemakers, and enjoy gourmet food pairings. Guests will also experience live music plus an auction of collectible wines, local art, lodging and dining, and other highly desirable lots.

For the first time in its history, Taste of Atlas Peak will join with the Napa County Board of Supervisors, Circle R Ranch, E. & J. Gallo Winery, Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management, Marc and Lynne Benioff, and others to raise funds in support of various fire-safety programs. One of these programs is the installation of an IQ FireWatch camera at the top of Atlas Peak Road. IQ FireWatch is an artificial intelligence-based system that uses optical and heat sensors to detect fires day or night; it sends an immediate alert notification with images to authorities for rapid confirmation and proportionate response. The system will improve wildfire detection, help first responders to extinguish fires before they get out of control, and ensure that the public receives critical information in fire emergencies.

The fundraising effort comes on top of several new fire-safety additions to the county over the past four years. “This is a big step for the Atlas Peak Appellation and their collaboration with Napa County and the NCFF,” said Alfredo Pedroza, Chairman of the Napa County Board of Supervisors. “We are excited to bring wine enthusiasts to Atlas Peak to enjoy the wines of our county, while raising funds for a cause that will help protect the production of these wines, as well as the homes, businesses, and livelihoods of our community members.”

“We’re pleased to do our share as a friend and neighbor of the people of Atlas Peak,” said Chris Bailey, General Manager of Peter Read’s Circle R Ranch. “We need to do everything we can to fight fires and prevent damage to our community. We’re excited to partner with others to help ensure the IQ FireWatch system is installed and monitored. We think this is the best proactive measure to detect fires before they get out of hand, and we hope that others will join us in making this happen to protect Atlas Peak and the surrounding Napa Valley.”

“In cooperation with Napa County, many generous friends and neighbors, and the NCFF, our plan is to support and provide funding for the 24-hour monitoring of the IQ FireWatch system, which will help us protect and sustain our way of life on Atlas Peak,” said Peter Stoneberg, President of the Atlas Peak Appellation Association. With this early warning detection system in place, “it will minimize fires that could threaten the entire Napa Valley and beyond.”

Taste of Atlas Peak is the Atlas Peak Appellation’s premier annual event, offering guests an exclusive chance to taste premium wines from more than 20 wineries producing only the finest expressions from Atlas Peak terroir—all while raising funds to protect the vineyards, wineries, and local land. “We look forward to showcasing the best of Atlas Peak to wine enthusiasts from near and far at Silverado Resort & Spa,” says John Evans, General Manager. “Because many of the wineries in this AVA do not have traditional tasting rooms, this event truly is the best way to discover the rustic elegance of Atlas Peak.” Wineries will be offering exclusive bottlings not available anywhere else, and wine enthusiasts will have the opportunity to connect directly with the winemakers and vintners.

Participating Atlas Peak Appellation Wineries
Acumen
Alpha Omega
Antica Napa Valley
Atlas Peak Wine Labs
Burgess Cellars
Dos Lagos Vineyards
Hesperian Wines
Hill Family Estate
James Cole Winery
Jean Edwards Cellars
Llamas Family Wines
Lobo Wines
Prime Solum
Sequoia Grove
Sill Family Vineyards
Vin Roc
Williamson Wines

Ticket Information:
The 10th Annual Taste of Atlas Peak takes place on Saturday, October 30, 2021, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Silverado Resort & Spa, 1600 Atlas Peak Road, Napa, CA. Tickets are $150 per person. Visit https://bit.ly/EventbriteTicketsToAP2021 for full details and to purchase.

COVID Protocols:
Ensuring the comfort and safety of all attendees, wineries and event staff is a top priority. The event will be hosted outside on the veranda and will follow all California State and Napa County health guidelines and precautions. Masks will be required for unvaccinated attendees.

About Atlas Peak Appellation
Winegrowing families and winemakers have been growing grapes and making wines of renown in Atlas Peak since 1870. The committed and passionate locals on Atlas Peak worked to distinguish their rocky, volcanic landscape as a unique and singular place, and the appellation gained its official status in 1992. The association believes in community, preserving the land, fostering new friendships, and sharing the furrowed beauty of their grape-growing region with wine enthusiasts and collectors, and world travelers. The Atlas Peak Appellation works to promote the prestige and enhance the reputation of Atlas Peak wines, as well as educate wine aficionados about the rare and distinct wines that Atlas Peak produces. To learn more about the Atlas Peak Appellation, please visit http://www.atlaspeakappellation.com on Facebook.com/AtlasPeakAVA, Instagram.com/AtlasPeakAVA or twitter.com/AtlasPeakAVA

EMERIL LAGASSE FOUNDATION’S BOUDIN BOURBON AND BEER GOES “BACK-TO-THE-TABLE”

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NEW ORLEANS, LA—The Emeril Lagasse Foundation has announced that it will bring Boudin, Bourbon and Beer “Back-to-the-Table” in 2021. In response to the devastating impact the pandemic had on the hospitality industry, the organization has chosen to forego its traditional festival format and celebrate at individual restaurants during the month of November.

“While our industry is still struggling, we are excited to be able to encourage our loyal Boudin, Bourbon & Beer patrons to dine out during November to provide support to our restaurants and sponsors,” said Chef Emeril Lagasse. “We greatly appreciate the ongoing generosity the restaurant community has provided over the last ten years in raising awareness of our mission to inspire, mentor, and enable youth to reach their full potential.”

The “Back-to-the-Table” event will include restaurants across New Orleans that will craft special boudin dishes and feature Abita Beer and cocktails from Buffalo Trace and Sazerac brands. Chefs confirmed to date, include Frank Brigtsen, Adolfo Garcia, Donald Link, Susan Spicer, Stephen Stryjewski, as well as Atchafalaya Restaurant. Additional chef and restaurant participants will be announced as they are confirmed.

In addition to the “Back-to-the-Table” dining campaign, the Emeril Lagasse Foundation will continue the mentorship components of Boudin, Bourbon & Beer through a special internship program. Participating restaurants will welcome student mentees from program beneficiaries into the kitchen for an unmatched learning opportunity.

The Foundation has distributed $15.5 million to date, focusing on children’s education programs and funding to support basic childhood needs. As part of its mission, the Emeril Lagasse Foundation created a signature program, Emeril’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen. This national education initiative integrates gardening and cooking concepts in elementary and middle school curriculums. This one-of-a-kind program offers an engaging experience that connects kids to the world of food and nurtures skills that benefit them not only in the kitchen but also throughout life. Currently, there are three kitchens in operation, with one to be completed in September and a fifth in 2022.

About Emeril Lagasse Foundation: Founded in 2002 by Chef Emeril Lagasse and his wife Alden, Emeril Lagasse Foundation is a 501c(3) public charity headquartered in New Orleans. The Foundation’s mission is to create opportunities to inspire, mentor and enable youth to reach their full potential through culinary, nutrition, and arts education. For more information visit emeril.org.

IL Tornabuoni, Florence’s Newest Five-Star Luxury Hotel from AG Hotels, Opening 2021

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ROME, ITALY, : IL Tornabuoni, a new five-star independent luxury hotel will open in 2021 in Florence, Italy. Located along Via Tornabuoni in the historic 12th century Palazzo Minerbetti, the elegant property proposes 62 stylishly designed rooms and suites in the heart of Renaissance Florence.
Owned by AG Group, IL Tornabuoni is part of the AG Hotels collection, a portfolio which includes eleven 5-star and 4-star boutique hotels in Florence and Rome. AG Group is Italy’s first Italian-owned and operated hospitality and tourism group, founded by President, Andrea Girolami, in June 2019. The formation of the AG Group brand, which takes its name from its founder’s initials (AG), was a merger between incoming tourism companies which Girolami had previously created and directed since 2000. Girolami brings over twenty years of experience in tourism and hospitality to AG Group whose capabilities include all aspects of in-house tourism demand with boutique hotels, DMC/ tour operator & event management, hotel consultancy, culinary outlets and retirement homes.
“I believe in Italy. This country is what I care about most. Since I was young, I have had a strong bond with hospitality and after graduating with a degree in economics, I launched myself in promoting our country abroad by traveling continuously. My mantra is – look to the future without ever forgetting history” says Andrea Girolami, Founder and CEO of AG Group. “Given the experience of this past year, we must rethink the future and find inspiration in a new Italian renaissance, a period in which tourism makes a difference. We inspire to bolster our team and our country through our devotion to beauty with IL Tornabuoni.”
Steps from the historic Ponte Vecchio and Arno River, IL Tornabuoni’s interiors were designed by Milan-based architect Andrea Auletta who has collaborated with Girolami on AG Hotels’ ten other properties in Rome. Each of IL Tornabuoni’s four floors were designed as an ode to the Renaissance period, embodying the city’s rich history and artistic magnificence by incorporating distinct regal and bold gem colors including vibrant teals, deep blues, sunny yellows, energetic vermillion and soft greys. Most rooms and suites offer two double beds for guests, a rarity found in much of Italy and Europe, along with grandiose bathrooms which recall the lavishness of ancient spas. The restored Minerbetti Palazzo has retained much of its heritage with state-of-the-art avant-garde interiors and the property’s opulent look and feel perfectly blends historic prestige with modern day beauty.
Guests of IL Tornabuoni are invited to enjoy three dining establishments located throughout the property. IL Magnifico Restaurant & Bistrot, situated on the ground floor, is a tribute to Tuscan gastronomic traditions with Executive Chef Massimiliano Mandozzi at the helm. Chef Mandozzi and his team will focus on local and seasonal ingredients for IL Magnifico’s ever-evolving menus, with a strong emphasis on vegetables including the famous cavolo nero (Tuscan black kale), legumes such as native cannellini beans, and local meats including as Sienese maialino (pork) and the famous Chianina (Tuscan cow). The restaurant’s Pietra Serena floors lend to the rich Florentine atmosphere while leather chairs in a harmony of grey and beige add warmth. IL Magnifico enjoys the soft play of natural light during the day and also boasts an intimate outdoor seating environment.
IL Tornabuoni’s Lucie Gourmet rooftop restaurant opens up onto the elegant Butterfly terrace overlooking Santa Maria Novella, San Frediano, the Ognissanti Church and the many other beauties in Florence’s Renaissance skyline. Designed in graceful pink and bold peacock, the indoor and outdoor spaces offer breathtaking views and a sophisticated setting to enjoy a convivial lunch or aperitivo with signature cocktails and refined dishes. IL Magnifico Café & Champagne Bar, located on the main floor, serves bubbles from only the most sought after Italian and French maison.
IL Tornabuoni invites guests to enjoy signature experiences including Champagne Afternoon Tea, Seven PM Sabrage ritual, L’A Friday Aperitivo, IL Magnifico Saturday Brunch, and delightful sweets at The Temptation Room at IL Magnifico. Additionally, IL Tornabuoni may organize unforgettable celebrations in the Cave wine cellar. A unique, private and intimate atmosphere tucked away in the heart of Florence, the Cave’s attentive staff can curate a special menu of wines and Champagne along with guided wine tastings for guests and small groups.
AG Group’s plans for the future include the addition of more luxury hotels to expand the AG Hotels portfolio. “Our development strategy for AG Group begins with Italy’s main cities of art including Florence with IL TORNABUONI hotel and then Milan, Venice and Rome for the lifestyle and luxury segments. We also feel Sicily, Puglia and Tuscany are important in the short term for new developments. We aim to offer our guests an even more attentive, professional service that is from the heart, as well as advanced technology especially for emerging markets,” notes AG Group’s CEO Andrea Girolami. “AG Hotels, our newest addition which was born two years ago as a rebranding of a group founded several years ago, is our priority and the values we strive for are those of excellence, performance, innovation, authenticity and craftsmanship to name a few.”
For more information on Il Tornabuoni, please visit https://www.iltornabuonihotel.it/ and follow on Instagram and Facebook.

Perlis Picks: Vintners Resort!

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The last time Karen and I visited Vintners Resort in Santa Rosa was in 2019. At that time, the additions of the modern luxury suites and rooms and amenities such as the new spa and pool were in place and the transition from Vintners Inn to Resort was complete.

My plan was to write about this for your reading pleasure late last year or early this one. Delays on my part pushed this farther out than anticipated, and then the world changed. Trying to tell you about the place we visited late last summer seemed perhaps a little irrelevant. What is relevant is what they are doing now and going forward.

Don’t get the wrong idea. The changes made last year are pretty exciting, completing the vision of a property modeled as a modern Mediterranean village, including a harvest table in the onsite vineyard for celebratory meals. And with Vintners Resort now in its 40th year, there is a lot to celebrate.

It’s just that celebrating is a little different right now.

Vintners Resort, in addition to being our favorite place to stay, is known for hosting amazing events, both indoor and out. Those are currently on hold, but staying at the resort certainly isn’t. They’ve indicated that guests are not put in adjoining rooms in order to maximize social distancing, and rooms are given extra sanitizing as well as 24 hours of non-occupancy between guests. So, capacity is reduced accordingly.

Meals are as great as ever, just a little different too. With the River Vine café temporarily closed until next spring, in-room dining is the next best thing. Admittedly, I was a little worried about how my poached eggs would weather the journey across the property, but they were perfect. [Yes, poached eggs are a thing for me.]

Late afternoon and evening dining are available at The Front Room and of course, at John Ash & Co., either dining on the patio or to-go back to your room. Both options are stellar [we know because we tried both] but I highly recommend you don’t miss the opportunity to dine at John Ash under the stars.

When I asked General Manager Percy Brandon what he would like people to know, he responded: “We’re open. We’re ready. And we are following protocols.”

Their website lists in detail what all these protocols are:

https://www.vintnersresort.com/experience/covid-19-policy/

We always love our visits to Vintners Resort. This one was no exception. For as long as I can remember, the property has always had the slogan “Celebrate Everything” but that can easily be augmented with the mantra of “Be Respectful” and the staff has really taken this to heart as well.

Not only is the property itself beautiful and quite peaceful, but it is also ideally located for day trips to the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, the Sonoma Coast and more. I can’t imagine a better place to stay in Sonoma County Wine Country.

Be sure to sign up on their website and follow them on Facebook. Now is the time to get great deals.

Vintners Resort

https://www.vintnersresort.com/

4350 Barnes Road
Santa Rosa CA 95403

Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 30 years. He has had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show him the way, as well as a wonderful wife who encourages him and shares his interest. After a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as he possibly could, he had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Now, as Contributing Editor for Eve’s Wine 101, he does his best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers. Michael is also President of MCP Financial, which provides outsourced controller services. Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com or mcpfinancial@aol.com.

Chef Celestino Drago Officially Welcomes Legendary Restaurateur Piero Selvaggio as Managing Partner at Drago Centro!

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Downtown Los Angeles, CA – For over forty years, Restaurateur Piero Selvaggio (Valentino, Valentino Restaurant Group) and Restaurateur/Chef Celestino Drago of the famed Drago Brothers have been close friends, colleagues, and competitors in the thriving Los Angeles dining scene. Now, their longstanding relationship transcends to a proprietary level as Chef Celestino Drago officially welcomes Piero Selvaggio to Drago Centro as New Managing Partner!

Piero Selvaggio (left) with Chef Celestino Drago (right). Photo Credit: Courtesy of Drago Centro

Originally from Sicily, both Piero and Celestino met over forty years ago in Los Angeles when Celestino first came to the states. Piero opened the renowned Valentino, the flagship restaurant in his Valentino Restaurant Group in Santa Monica in 1972. Valentino was widely regarded as one of the finest Italian restaurants in the U.S. and credited with introducing Angelenos to true Italian food, fresh ingredients and new products. Also, introducing a new wave of Italian Chefs that in time built world-wide reputations on the their own. Piero went on to build a multimillion-dollar restaurant empire garnering numerous James Beard Foundation awards for its wine list and service, along with critical acclaim for its food, wine, and service by top national publications including Wine Spectator, Bon Appétit, Gourmet, Food & Wine, local Los Angeles press. with more along the way. In 2018, after forty-five plus years, he decided to retire and close Valentino to look for new challenges. Piero met again with Celestino and started considering Drago Centro as the perfect venue for a new chapter.

Celestino has also created a restaurant empire of his own featuring IL Pastaio, Celestino Ristorante, Drago Bakery, Drago Ristorante, Drago Catering & Special Events, and for the past eleven years, Drago Centro has been Downtown L.A.’s premier dining destination for fans of an authentic Italian experience with a modern and innovative edge. “When I first arrived in Los Angeles there was nothing else like Valentino in Santa Monica (and Rex Il Ristorante in Downtown L.A.), and I always looked up to Piero as a mentor,” says Celestino. “Piero helped me out with many of my early ventures and being that we are both from Sicily, we have always had a special respect for one another.”

Over the years Piero and Celestino have remained very close and have done many events together. Both men have also dedicated their legacies to promoting modern Italian cooking with fine ingredients, so it is no surprise that these to celebrated restaurateurs would finally come together. Says Celestino, “When Piero decided to retire, we just kept talking. You can never really retire from this business, so the conversation just kept going.” And, the timing could not be more serendipitous as Celestino just Reopened Drago Centro while introducing a stunning New Outdoor Dining Patio, New Summer Menu, Takeout, Delivery, Curbside Pickup, and now the exciting celebratory new partnership between Chef Celestino Drago and the maestro himself, Piero Selvaggio!

These two new partners are today’s most exclusive package. Says Piero, “I am very excited to bring Drago Centro to the next level in time. Celestino and I understand each other completely and we are focusing on the future of dining in Los Angeles. I feel the stamina of this new project and I am excited for all of the new things we are going to do together now and in the future.”

As Angelenos are able to take advantage of L.A.’s great summer weather, Piero and Celestino have created a magical al fresco dining experience featuring a New Summer Menu on their New Outdoor Dining Patio. The tables for dining are spaciously and safely placed all throughout this stunning outdoor atrium surrounded by luscious greenery, verdant olive trees, and a resplendently calming water feature, where the pair await to take each guest on an extraordinary journey as they sip and savor under the stars.

Both Piero and Celestino know all too well that a memorable dining experience must be perfectly paired, so guests can expect great wine experiences featuring Drago Centro’s award-winning Wine List, and much more. “I am very excited to welcome Piero to Drago Centro. He is a longtime friend and we are going to have fun together,” states Celestino.

Benvenuti!

Drago Centro will be open for Outdoor Patio Dining, Takeout, Delivery, and Curbside Pickup every Monday through Saturday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.DragoCentro.com or call Drago Centro directly at 213.228.8998.

Social Media: Please follow Drago Centro on Facebook @DragoCentro and Instagram @DragoCentro

Drago Centro

525 South Flower Street

Los Angeles, CA  90071

T: 213.228.8998

www.DragoCentro.com

Glamorous New Seaside Al Fresco Cafe Unveiled At Los Angeles’ Iconic Art Deco Hotel Shangri-La

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SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (PRWEB) – Los Angeles’ Art Deco Hotel Shangri-La has further elevated its culinary excellence with the launch of its chic al fresco dining space. Boasting panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica’s city skyline, The Sidewalk Cafe is the latest addition to the iconic LA destination, a continental style café tucked alongside the glorious coast.

Vibrant white Tulip chairs lined up in a Parisian fashion on the hotel’s VIP roped off pavement outside among the palm trees – where guests can enjoy timeless rituals such as the morning parfait and croissants, lunchtime pizzas made in Santa Monica’s only wood-fired oven shaded by umbrellas, or a leisurely dinner with a Pacific Ocean view while taking in the extraordinarily intense sunsets. Offering internationally inspired, Californian-infused cuisine, everything on the menu is locally sourced, organic seasonal ingredients, from Santa Monica Farmers Market.

Santa Monica’s chic new Parisian style café has been designed for the ultimate outdoor dining experience with dedicated attention from the hotel’s talented team, on hand to create unmissable dishes. The concept has been inspired by CEO Tamie Adaya and GM Armond Khosrovyan, with a varied menu fizzing with flavours, and a design that features space age tables and chairs that were originally designed by Eero Saarinen, of the famed TWA Flight Centre.

Ms Adaya said: “People coming together – dining outside – eating and drinking immediately makes any city come alive again. The Hotel Shangri-La is bringing summer to the streets with a degree of improvisation, vibrancy and spontaneity. Our Sidewalk Café gives our iconic hotel a continental sheen – a bit of Paris on the Pacific that visitors, residents and regulars alike will enjoy surrounded by palm trees and spellbinding ocean views.
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“It’s an enticing and intimate space. When you feel like gazing at the ocean on a balmy summers day while sipping your coffee, a glass of Chablis or Shangri-La cocktail, The Sidewalk Café is the ultimate seaside dining spot in Santa Monica for an eclectic alfresco experience.”

Entrees include Whole Branzino accompanied by sautéed baby squash, zucchini and heirloom fingerling potatoes drizzled with a citrus butter sauce, Whole Red Snapper, roasted beets, turnips and heirloom fingerling potatoes, and a 12oz. New York Steak with a purple potato purée and a mushroom cognac sauce. For dessert, groups can tuck into the signature Shangri-La Knickerbocker Glory – the only place in the USA that offers this unique and delicious dish which features Vanilla and strawberry ice cream topped with strawberry compote, pineapple chunks, pop rocks, whipped cream and meringue.

A series of safety features has been put in place to protect both staff and customers, and the space will have a limited capacity in compliance with guidelines set by the State of California, the City of Los Angeles and the City of Santa Monica.

Offering lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, The Sidewalk Café is open every day 7am – 9pm Reservations can be made online at OpenTable

Rates at Hotel Shangri-La start at $286 for a timeless luxury room per night. To experience more visit Hotel Shangri-La