Written on: Wednesday, August 19th, 2009 | Filed under:
Blog, Cuisine
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[Nobu Matsuhisa. Photo by Steven Freeman]
In Los Angeles and around the world, Nobu Matsuhisa continues to blaze new culinary trails
At Nobu LA, it’s clear that no expense has been spared. Chic and modern décor, dark hues with well-placed flares of color and light, and an almost club-like atmosphere give way to a dining room filled with some of the most fortunate individuals on La Cienega Boulevard—that is, fortunate enough to experience the masterful creations of Chef Nobu Matsuhisa.
Written on: Wednesday, August 19th, 2009 | Filed under:
Blog, Cuisine
| Art Chat
[Image courtesy of Frank Family Vineyards]
Former studio exec Rich Frank made the jump from Hollywood to Napa with astounding success
With a warm and inviting tone (similar to the reputation of his family’s winery and tasting room), Rich Frank of Frank Family Vineyards in the Napa Valley couldn’t be a better proponent for what a wine experience should be.
A former Hollywood executive with Disney, Paramount, and the USA Network, Rich is by nature a creative soul. While the early years of his career were spent aiding in the design of movie posters or ad campaigns, now the majority of his time involves working on things like developing one of the first see-through labels on a Napa Valley wine bottle or deciding what shape the bottles should be for his various varietals. Rich prides himself on being involved at every level. His passion for wine, his creativity, and his warm, convivial personality convey a sense of familiarity and comfort.
[Left to right: Chef Ken Frank, 2009 festival host and executive chef/owner of La Toque; Cheryl Jennings of KGO-TV, MC; Margrit Biever Mondavi, vice president of cultural affairs, Robert Mondavi Winery; Melissa Baker, 2009 featured artist; and Don Shindle, general manager of The Westin Verasa, Napa. Model Kathryn Hopgood portrayed “Magique de la Moutarde,” Melissa Baker’s 2009 festival artwork. Photo by Robert Cherwink]
This year’s series of events celebrating the Napa Valley’s other cherished plant was better than ever
Every year, the Napa Valley Mustard Festival provides “good news and vibrant activity” during the late winter, a period of time that used to be known as Napa Valley’s “slow season.” The line up of stellar events takes place when wild mustard blooms in the vineyards, offering visitors from far and wide immersion in the legendary wine region’s “good life.” Events this year offered something for nearly everyone, from no-cost and reasonably priced daytime events, to the seven-course Le Grand Diner à La Toque at The Westin Verasa, Napa.
Written on: Thursday, March 26th, 2009 | Filed under:
Blog, Cuisine
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[Image courtesy of Jeff Gordon]
Art and Living’s Artisanal Wine and Cheese Correspondents explore NASCAR great Jeff Gordon’s viticultural offerings
By Matthew Goldfarb and Barrie Lynn – The Cheese Impresario
Drinking and driving is a bad combination, right? Under most circumstances the answer is resoundingly “yes!” However—and you cringe as we say however—in this specific instance, it seems to go hand-in-hand. Not actually at the same time, but yes, hand-in-hand.
Written on: Thursday, August 28th, 2008 | Filed under:
Blog, Cuisine
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[Art and Living editor Lars Carlson, Barrie Lynn – The Cheese Impresario, artist Terrence Howard, and wine and spirits correspondent Matthew Goldfarb. Photo by www.andycomins.com]
On a warm summer morning in a Los Angeles recording studio, Terrence Howard became the latest Hollywood celeb to rock out, wine and cheese-style
By Matthew Goldfarb and Barrie Lynn – The Cheese Impresario Art and Living Artisanal Wine and Cheese Correspondents
Harmony.
It wasn’t what we expected.
Walking into the studio, we felt oddly at home, a sense of peace and comfort emanating from the music, a beautiful voice beckoning from inside. We sat and watched, feeling like outsiders observing something we weren’t supposed to see—a ritual with which we weren’t yet familiar. Vocal warm-ups, the tuning of guitars, and soft-jazzy drum beats.
[Balin’s Carnaroli Risotto with Farm Rabbit and Erbaluce di Caluso Wine]
Visitors from far and wide come to sample the haute cuisine of Italian chef Angelo Silvestro. Risotto, anyone?
By Lars Carlson
Taking a seat in his chair in Beverly Hills’ Il Fornaio restaurant, Italian native and renowned chef Angelo Silvestro smiles amicably. His eyes beam from behind his thin, black spectacles as he inquisitively searches for the right words. He opens his mouth to answer, but pauses for a moment, rethinking his first statement. “I will try to be serious for this interview,” he smiles widely before continuing. “But I like to joke.”
Written on: Friday, August 31st, 2007 | Filed under:
Blog, Cuisine
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By Sophie Videment
No matter how many times I’ve seen it, I never grow tired of the view from my car as it winds through the fabled grape-producing region ninety minutes from Paris. Here, vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see over gently rolling hillsides to form the cradle of the universal symbol of nature’s fruited elegance: Champagne!
Cresting the top of a hill, I arrive at a gorgeous nineteenth century house, birthplace and lifelong residence of Claire Michel, cultivator of some of the choicest of the surrounding lands, and proprietor of the celebrated champagne label, Joël Michel. Read the rest of this entry »
Written on: Saturday, March 31st, 2007 | Filed under:
Blog, Cuisine
| Art Chat
Featuring high-end vintners and star chefs that include the nation’s finest, the wildly popular “A Culinary Evening with the California Winemasters” fuses superlative wines and haute cuisine to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
By Layla Revis
From Food to Philanthropy
Who would have imagined that the delectable art of pairing fine wines and five-star cuisine would, eighteen years later, bring over fourteen million dollars to a worthy cause and increase the lifespan of those diagnosed with a terminal disease?
It’s a wonder any one would ever say that one man or woman couldn’t make a difference.
“This was an opportunity to see the fruits of our labor and the chance to really make a difference,” Barbara Balik, Director of Special Giving at Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, explains. She’s referring to one of the most prestigious events for chefs and winemakers in the country, “A Culinary Evening with the California Winemasters”.
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