After a two-year hiatus, the highly anticipated Wine Pinnacle Awards 2022 were announced on November 1, 2022 with a glamorous gala dinner at Resorts World Singapore.

The Wine Pinnacle Awards have been announced in all 18 categories. Among the prizes awarded during the evening, the “Choice of the technical committee” was the most coveted title. The prize was awarded unanimously by the five members of the technical committee to Barbara Banke, President and Owner of Jackson Family Wines.

“Pandemic Hero,” a new category recognizing the impact of the pandemic on wineries, was also won by Barbara Banke of Jackson Family Wines.

“We are aware of the difficulties faced by many people in the wine industry over the past few years. Barbara Banke and Jackson Family Wines are the epitome of a pandemic hero with their outstanding contributions to a society significantly impacted by the pandemic,” said Jeannie Cho Lee MW, Technical Committee Manager for the 2022 Wine Pinnacle Awards.

Guests indulged in a delicious eight-hand, four-course collaborative dinner specially curated by four of the world’s most talented and renowned chefs.

The celebration was the end of a five-day program that included exclusive wine dinners, industry masterclasses and a two-day symposium. Karen Macneil opened the symposium with a thought-provoking keynote on the evolution of Asia as a wine market, and Master of Wine Dr Jeannie Lo Chee shared her PhD insights into investment trends in fine wines in China.

On another panel, renowned author and presenter Oz Clarke was joined by Guillaume Barraud from the Gerard Bertrand winery and Thomas Brzostowski from The Nature Conservancy to discuss the ramifications of climate change on the world’s vineyards. Other topics included wines in a digital world of NFT and social media, Chinese consumer markets during and after the pandemic, and organic and biodynamic wines in Asia.

Nearly 500 personalities took part in this five-day program, including the most famous names in the world of wine, winemakers, masters of wine and sommeliers and wine lovers.

A full list of winners is listed below with the winner highlighted in bold.

MATURED WINES

Best vintage 2002, 2004, 2008

– 2008 Louis Roederer, Cristal Vintage Brut (Winner)

– 2002 Krug, Clos du Mesnil Blanc de Blancs

– Salon 2002, Cuvée ‘S’ Le Clos du Mesnil Blanc de Blancs

Best 1999, 2002 Vintage Burgundy Red

– 1999 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, La Tâche Grand Cru Monopole (Winner)

– 1999 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Conti Grand Cru

– 2002 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, La Tâche Grand Cru Monopole

Best 1996, 1998, 2000 Vintage Bordeaux Red

– 1996 Chateau Latour (Winner)

– Château Cheval Blanc 1998

– 2000 Château Haut-Brion

Best 2001, 2004 Vintage Piedmont Red

– 2001 Giacomo Conterno, Monfortino Barolo Riserva DOCG (Winner)

– 2001 Bruno Giacosa, Falletto Riserva, Falletto Vigna Le Rocche Barolo DOCG

– 2004 Giacomo Conterno, Monfortino Barolo Riserva DOCG

Best Vintage 2004, 2006 Tuscan Red

– 2004 Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia Bolgheri (Winner)

– 2006 Masseto

– 2006 Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia Bolgheri

BEST RECENT RELEASES

Best recent release: Sauvignon-Blanc

– 2018 Château Margaux, White Pavilion of Château Margaux, Bordeaux, France (Winner)

– 2018 Didier Dagueneau, Pouilly-Fumé Silex, Loire, France

– 2019 Château Margaux, White Pavilion of Château Margaux, Bordeaux, France

Best recent release: Riesling

– 2019 John. Joe. Prum, Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese, Mosel, Germany (Winner)

– 2018 FE Trimbach, Clos Sainte Hune Riesling, Alsace, France

– 2018 Egon Mu_̈ller, Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese, Moselle, Germany

Best recent release: Burgundy White

– 2019 Domaine Bonneau du Martray, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru (Winner)

– 2016 Domaine Coche-Dury, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

– 2018 Domaine Leflaive, Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru

Best recent release: Chardonnay (ex-Burgundy)

– 2018 Leeuwin Estate, Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River, Australia (Winner)

– 2018 Cullen, Kevin John Chardonnay, Margaret River, Australia

– 2019 Kumeu River, Mate’s Vineyard Chardonnay, Auckland, New Zealand

Best recent release: Cabernet Sauvignon

– 2018 Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains, USA (Winner)

– 2016 Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia, Bolgheri, Italy

– 2019 Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains, USA

Best recent release: Pinot Noir (ex-Bourgogne)

– 2018 Tolpuddle Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Tasmania, Australia (Winner)

– 2018 Ata Rangi, Pinot Noir, Martinborough, New Zealand

– 2019 By Farr, Farrside Pinot Noir, Geelong, Australia

Best recent release: Rhone Red

– 2016 Château Rayas, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France (Winner)

– 2016 Domaine Jean-Louis Chave, Hermitage, France

– 2017 E. Guigal, Côte-Rôtie, La Landonne, France

Best recent release: Spanish Red

– 2010 Vega Sicilia, Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero, Spain (Winner)

– 2018 Pingus, Dominio de Pingus, Ribera del Duero, Spain

– Vega Sicilia, Unico Reserva Especial Release 2021 (vintages 2009, 2010, 2010), Ribera del Duero, Spain

COMFORT WINES

Comfort White < 40 Euros

– 2019 John. Joe. Pru_̈m, Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Moselle, Germany (Winner)

– 2018 John. Joe. Prüm, Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett, Mosel, Germany

– 2018 John. Joe. Pru_̈m, Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Moselle, Germany

Comfort Red < 40 Euros

– 2019 Domaine Jean Foillard, Morgon, Beaujolais, France (Winner)

– 2019 Domaine Marcel Lapierre, Morgon, Beaujolais, France

– 2020 Domaine Marcel Lapierre, Morgon, Beaujolais, France

Comfort Rosé < 40 Euros

– 2020 Château Miraval, Côtes de Provence Rosé, Provence, France (Winner)

– 2020 Domaine Tempier, Bandol Rosé, Bandol, France

– 2020 Chateau d’Esclans, Whispering Angel Rosé, Provence, France

EARTH’S BEST FRIEND

Earth’s Best Friend (Vineyard)

– Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Alsace, France (Winner)

– Bodegas Torres, Penedès, Spain

– Domaine Leflaive, Burgundy, France

PANDEMIC HEROES

Pandemic Hero (Personality)

– Barbara Banke, President and Owner of Jackson Family Wines (winner)

If you’re bringing wine to a party this year, the obvious bet will be a bottle of champagne.

France’s most famous sparkling wine has steadily grown in popularity in the United States over the past decade, with Americans adopting a #champagneallday attitude rather than saving fine bubbles for special occasions. In 2021 alone, more than 34 million bottles of champagne were shipped to the United States – more than any country outside of France.

Champagne is so exclusive because it must be produced in France’s Champagne region, an hour and a half drive northeast of Paris. Champagne is almost always made from a combination of three grape varieties – chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier – and it must be produced using the traditional method, with secondary fermentation (which gives the wine its bubbles) occurring in the bottle rather than in a large steel tank, like prosecco.

In recent years, more and more North American winemakers, particularly in California and Oregon, have been perfecting the art of making sparkling wines with the same process and the same grapes that they use in Champagne. These exquisite bubbles could be mistaken for champagne in a blind taste test and can often be found at better value. Here are seven to try this holiday season.

From the same French family behind famous champagne brands Louis Roederer and Cristal, this Mendocino winery has been producing America’s finest sparkling wine since the 1980s from 580 acres of estate-owned vineyards in the misty valley of Anderson. The multi-vintage brut is crisp and fresh, with oak-aged wines from the estate’s reserve cellars adding nutty complexity and depth. This one is a crowd pleaser that is also loved by connoisseurs. $28. at Binny’s, binnys.com; Sal’s world of drinks, salsbeverageworld.com; Hart Davis Hart Wine Co., hdhwine.com; by Mariano, marianos.com

Livermore Valley’s flagship winery, Wente Vineyards, is America’s oldest family-owned winery, and this Brut Special Edition is the only sparkling wine they’ve ever produced, using 100% Chardonnay from Wente vineyards. in Arroyo Seco, Monterey, where the family has been growing grapes since the 1960s. The long, cool growing season and deep gravelly soil ripen the Chardonnay to an exquisite natural balance of sugar and acidity – key to big bubbles. You will smell pear and dried apricot with hints of crème brûlée on the finish. $45. Wente vineyards, goevineyards.com

One of Oregon’s most iconic wineries, Argyle pioneered sparkling winemaking in the Willamette Valley beginning in 1987, putting Oregon on the map for elegant, long-lasting Champagne sparkling wine. . Unlike many wineries that blend wines from different years to create a cohesive house style, Argyle has vintages on all of its sparkling wines, meaning the grapes were harvested in the same year. The 2018 brut is exceptionally lively with aromas of stone fruits and a nice bright finish. $30. at Binny’s, binnys.com; whole foods, Wholefoodsmarket.com; Miska Liquors, facebook.com/MiskasMelrose; Dom’s kitchen and market; domschicago.com

Winemaker Jenny Wagner draws inspiration from her favorite champagnes such as Egly-Ouriet and Billecart-Salmon to craft her non-vintage sparkling wine with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir sourced from vineyards in Monterey, Sonoma and Santa Barbara. These cooler coastal regions have longer growing seasons, fully ripening the grapes while maintaining a crisp natural acidity that tastes like citrus zest and ocean breeze, with bubbles of sea foam. creamy. Wagner likes to pair his sparkling wine with sushi, truffled popcorn or a charcuterie board. $40. at Binny’s, binnys.com

Sojourn Cellars released their first brut sparkling wine this year, and it’s a stunner. This Sonoma County winery specializes in single-vineyard Sonoma Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and the latest addition to its portfolio combines equal parts of both with a touch of Pinot Meunier to complement the tart apple flavors with hints of toasted brioche and a creamy lemon panna cotta. Only 1,200 cases were produced, so you’ll need to get this one straight from the source. $54. Living cellars, sojourncellars.com

If you prefer rosé champagnes, Gran Moraine rosé brut is a graceful balance of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier grapes from the Yamhill-Carlton estate vineyards in Oregon. Several vintages are blended for a house style that flirts with flavors of strawberry shortcake, juicy nectarine and watermelon rind. The dosage – a small amount of sugar plus wine added after the bottle has been disgorged – is very low, allowing the quality of the wine to shine. $55, Prestige Country Liqueurs, prestigeliquors.com

Amber Gibson is a freelance writer.

Bibiana González Rave is naturally full of energy, almost twinkling with joy over her many passions: family, Sonoma wines and her new Shared Notes coffee, imported from her native Colombia. It helps, she laughs, that she loves coffee from her home country, sipping up to 10 cups a day.

“Colombia is one of the leading producers of very high quality coffee in the world, and that’s what we drink all the time,” says Rave. “When I grew up there, it was very common for you to just show up at your friend’s house, knock on the door, and there was always a coffee maker to brew.”

At Rave’s winery and coffee roastery in Rohnert Park, she points to a giant slab of redwood, slated to be turned into a communal table for a possible cafe, where she’ll serve a full slate of French press coffee made from the single farm -sourced beans. For now, customers can buy Shared Notes coffee at the winery and online.

Rave recommends customers take advantage of the “soft” coffee. This means made with a filter and poured over it or strained, rather than espresso style under pressure. Soft brews, she explains, allow you to appreciate the nuances of fine, medium-roast beans — “cherry, cocoa, caramel, citrus, sweet acidity…unburnt, bitter beans like so many dark-roast American coffees.” .

Rave, who oversees three different labels including Cattleya Wines, Alma from Cattleya and Shared Notes, says adding coffee to the mix was a natural evolution. “Coffee is actually very similar to wine in many ways,” she explains. “It’s really an expression of terroir, so all coffees from all countries are really different, and like wine, quality is measured by acidity.” The name Shared Notes salutes the collaboration between Rave and her husband, Jeff Pisoni of Pisoni Vineyards.

How does the winegrower make the most of her vacation? Rave and Pisoni, who have two young sons, celebrate by opening their home for a traditional Colombian celebration, Little Candles Day, December 7. “I started this tradition here in Sonoma, where we light thousands of candles in our backyard. ,” she says. “That’s how we start Christmas in Colombia, and it’s so beautiful. Everyone lighting candles together brings this incredible love and energy.

There they picked up a trash bag full of trash and traveled up the Saugatuck River to Jesup Green. Onlookers lined the banks, celebrating and cheering them on. Prizes were given out for the fastest time, the most trash and the dumbest boat.

Bands played. A lot of alcohol was consumed. Some teams cheated (filling a full garbage bag in advance). After a few years, boats and alcohol made the event too dangerous for the city to sponsor. The Great Race was no more.

In 1991, the Sunrise Rotary Club of Westport resurrected him. It was a competition where everyone was on deck. There were many details to deal with: finding the right day (with a high tide at noon), hiring groups, organizing stalls at Jesup Green for face painting, water slides and food, and much more.

It took a ton of work. But during his time, the Great Race grossed well over $100,000. Sunrise Rotary donated the funds directly to local and international charities.

In 1999, the club turned to a more traditional fundraiser: a wine tasting. But the memories of The Great Race lingered. Over time, he took on the aura of myth.

In 2008, Sunrise Rotary organized a scaled-down event: The Great Duck Race. This time around 3,000 ducks raced down the river. (Note: they were little rubber duckies.) Each had a number, matching the name of someone who had purchased a $20 ticket. The winner received a $5,000 Visa gift card. There were nine other prizes as well.

The Great Duck Race was a huge event near and on the river downtown, with – again – kids’ activities, vendors and food. (Although not as much beer, of course.) Again, this raised tens of thousands of dollars, which Sunrise Rotary distributed to worthwhile causes.

But the Great Duck Race depended on timing (high tide), wind (one year the ducks were going up rather than down), and luck (no rain). Last spring – after COVID ended two years of live racing – the club moved racing to land. The ducks were now sliding down a water chute on Jesup Green. It’s a softer, more kid-friendly version of previous events, but still a huge fundraiser. Last spring, a crowd of 2,000 people helped raise nearly $70,000 for an array of area nonprofits.

Sunrise Rotary – part of the global organization whose 1.4 million members tackle issues in their communities and around the world – likes to bring families together in a fun way, to raise funds.

But they want the adults to have fun too, without the kids. The annual wine tasting, “Westport Uncorked”, began more than two decades ago and has become the club’s second biggest fundraiser. A sold-out crowd of 400 throngs The Inn at Longshore. This year’s event – the first in three years, post-COVID – will take place from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on November 18.

Cory D’Addario, owner of The Fine Wine Company of Westport, will bring several dozen exciting wines, from seven wineries. It’s a great way for wine lovers to sample new varieties, without buying dozens of bottles. For others, it’s a way to learn more about wine in a friendly setting.
For all, it’s a chance to socialize and sample hearty hors d’oeuvres. Inn at Longshore staff go out of their way to show off their culinary skills.

“Westport Uncorked” is also time-consuming to organize for members of the Sunrise Rotary Club. But, like the Great Duck Race, they see it as a labor of love.

The best part of the event comes afterwards, says President Bruce Paul: deciding which organizations to donate funds to. Sunrise Rotary favors small nonprofit organizations, which may not have the resources to fundraise on their own. They include (among many others) the Susan Fund (providing scholarships for students with cancer), A Better Chance of Westport, CLASP (for people with disabilities), as well as the Cardinal Shehan Center in Bridgeport, the Mercy Learning Center and Homes for the Brave. .

Sunrise is one of two Rotary clubs in Westport. True to its name, it meets at 7:30 a.m. on the first three Fridays of each month, at Green’s Farms Congregational Church. The other – the Westport Rotary Club – is the equally hard-working group that organizes the spectacularly successful LobsterFest (whose proceeds also go to good causes). They meet Tuesdays at noon, also at Green’s Farms Church.

Both Rotary welcome attendance at all events (as well as new members). For more information on Sunrise Rotary’s “Westport Uncorked” wine tasting on November 18, including tickets, go to www.westportsunriserotary.org.

Dan Woog is a writer from Westport. His “Calendar Close-up” column appears every Friday and dives into one of Westport’s upcoming community events. He can be contacted at [email protected]. His personal blog is danwoog06880.com.

(November 4, 2022; Albuquerque, New Mexico)—Embracing the birthplace of the American Wine Trail, Albuquerque-based Vara Winery & Distillery has opened Vara Vinoteca just steps from historic Santa Fe Plaza in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Housed in an adobe-style building located at 329 W San Francisco St., Vara Vinoteca blends traditional Southwestern architecture with modern interiors and an elevated wine and cocktail program like no other in the city. Small-production, locally-crafted still and sparkling wines made by Vara’s renowned artisan winemakers and partners – Laurent Gruet, Bob Lindquist and Louisa Sawyer Lindquist – are inspired by the juxtaposition of the Old World and the New, while Vara’s innovative Mediterranean-inspired cocktails Spirits from Head Distiller Scott Feuille and Assistant Distiller Djuna Benjamin offer a mixology experience unique to Vara.

Designed by architect Scharles Wilder of Scharles Wilder Design, the Vinoteca welcomes locals and travelers to a sophisticated, relaxed space with an artistic vibe and one of the most diverse selections of locally made vermuts, aperitifs, wines and spirits. Sparkling wines include Laurent Gruet’s first wines, Vara American Silverhead Brut NV and American Brut Rosado NV, and still wines from Spanish varietals include Vara Albariño, Vara Garnacha and Vara Tempranillo. Vara’s line of wines is available by the glass ($9-$18), by the plane ($14), or by the bottle ($21-$57). For history buffs or curious tasters, the menu also includes Vara’s heritage project, Viña Cardinal, an appetizer made with 100% New Mexico Listán Prieto grapes. Listán Prieto was the first grape variety to be planted in North America by Spanish missionaries in 1629 and continues to grow in the Rio Grande Valley.

The menu also features award-winning spirits, including Vara High Desert Gin, which was recently named America’s Best Signature Botanical Gin by the World Gin Awards. Spirits are available straight ($9-$13), in flights ($14-$15), or in a wide variety of signature and seasonal cocktails ($14) crafted by manager and mixologist Jared Reeder. Signature cocktails include the High Desert Martini, featuring Vara’s High Desert Gin, Vermut Seco and a twist of lemon; the astral walker, with Rum Blanco de Vara, Vermut Añejo, Silverhead Brut Cava and grapefruit oil; and the Diamond Dancer Spritz, with Vara Malvasia 2019, Vara Vermut Seco, lemon and soda.

“Just as Vara’s winemaking team synthesizes groundbreaking techniques with the winemaking legacies of some of the most historically significant regions, Vara Vinoteca also highlights the juxtaposition of old and new with its contemporary interior. in black and white and the classic Santa Fe exterior,” says Sean Holler, Director of Hotel Operations.The Hora of Vermut,‘ the Madrid tradition of a late afternoon refreshment, or stopping before dinner or a show, we are delighted to welcome a new audience to experience all that Vara has to offer.

Cheese and charcuterie plates are currently offered ($22). An expanded culinary program will be unveiled at a later date.

Vara Vinoteca can accommodate 30 people seated inside, with seven additional seats at the bar and 16 seats on the outdoor terrace. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Vara Vinoteca is closed on Mondays. Walk-ins are welcome; no reservation is required at this time. To contact Vara Vinoteca directly, call (505) 898-6280.

About Vara Winery & Distillery

Conceptualized with the first release in 2016, Albuquerque-based Vara Winery & Distillery both embraces and challenges tradition, making it one of the most disruptive and exciting producers in the United States today. As a circle of professionals who have mastered their respective crafts and who have both witnessed and shaped the American beverage landscape, the Vara team is united and passionate about the prospect of breaking boundaries and creating something entirely new. Vara is inspired by the history of wine in New Mexico, which began in 1629 and is as rich, diverse and storied as the region’s colorful landscapes. The road to American wine began with Spanish missionaries who passed through New Mexico to California. Thus, Vara wines come from all three locations and are intentionally blended to create exceptional cuvées using innovative techniques. At Vara, a blend of varietals and origins focuses not on what wine should be, but on what wine can become. Vara’s goal is to embrace diversity and create delicious wines and spirits that are greater than the sum of their parts. Vara Winery & Distillery produces still, sparkling, fortified wines, brandy, gin and rum. Vara’s Tasting Room in Albuquerque offers education classes and curated small plates.

For more information about Vara Winery & Distillery, please visit www.varawines.com and www.varaspirits.com. For more information on the Vara Vinoteca, please visit https://varawines.com/santa-do/.

Follow on social media

Twitter: @VARAwine

Instagram: @varawine, @varavinoteca

Facebook: @VARAWines

Voted Best Date Night Menu, downtown Summerlin®’s Global Fusion hotspot offers special holiday menus for the upcoming holiday season that are sure to delight the senses and help you get into the spirit of the holidays.

Las Vegas, NV (October 30, 2022) – JING Las Vegas located at Downtown Summerlin® unveils new seasonal holiday menus in preparation for this year’s holiday season. The JING Dining Experience is from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily and offers a nightly “party after nine” experience with spinning deejay sound as the mood shifts to a livelier one, from loud levels to bottled drink specials.

Sunday, Oct. 30 – Halloween Costume Brunch Party, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring a tarot card reader, bottomless bubbles, “Undertaker Tomahawk” table display, and other Sin City delights .

The holiday season officially kicks off this Halloween with a costume brunch featuring DJ JBray, Ghost Tequila specialty cocktails, 360 photos and $1,000 in cash prizes! The top 3 winners from the sexiest, scariest and most original categories will be chosen at 3 p.m. This event will also feature a tarot card reader to enjoy while sipping bottomless champagne for $50 and sampling Halloween-themed specialty items, including sinful sweet and savory items:

· Pumpkin Spice French Toast ($16) – white chocolate, pumpkin whipped cream, spiced maple syrup.

· The “Undertaker Tomahawk” ($325) – coffin hay-smoked wagyu table with roasted garlic mashed potatoes, truffled mushrooms, chilled black pepper sauce and wasabi demi-glace.

· Halloween Sushi Roll ($18)- Japanese red sushi rice, Scottish salmon, crispy carrots, unagi sauce, tempura flakes.

Pumpkin Spiced Crème Brûlée ($15) – Whipped whipped cream, fresh mint

The menu will also feature the following specialty cocktails:

Poison Apple ($14) – Ghost Tequila, sour apple, lime, agave.

Black Widow ($14) – Ghost Tequila, pomegranate juice, agave.

Zombie ($14) – Koloa White Rum, lime juice, pineapple juice, grenadine, Koloa Dark Rum float.

Monday October 31 – “House of JING” Halloween Industry Party After 9pm, 9pm – 2am

Halloween-themed dinner with our amazing deejay spinning at 9 p.m., special cocktails for anyone wearing a spooky GHOST Tequila costume, bottle compositions for parties of 6 or more!

· Wear a Halloween costume and receive (1) FREE specialty cocktail made with Poison Apple or Black Widow Ghost Tequila.

· Make an advance reservation for a group of 6 or more and receive a FREE bottle of champagne, vodka or tequila.

· Bottomless champagne ($50).

The “Undertaker Tomahawk” ($325) – Smoked Table Coffin Hay 50 oz. Wagyu Tomahawk, with whipped potatoes, charred broccolini, bordelaise sauce and wasabi demi-glace.

· Halloween Sushi Roll ($18)- Japanese red sushi rice, Scottish salmon, crispy carrots, unagi sauce, tempura flakes.

Thursday, November 24 – Thanksgiving, 2-6 p.m.

On Thanksgiving Day, JING Las Vegas will be open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The menu will offer the following culinary specialties, each with an à la carte price:

Torchon de Foie Gras ($26) – Elderflower, Persimmon Fruit, Honey & Gastric Black Pepper, Brioche Toast Points

King Salmon Oshizushi ($21) – Crispy sushi rice, yuzu sudachi dressing

Thanksgiving Roast Turkey ($38) – Japanese Chestnut Roulade and Turkey Thighs, Savory Turkey Almond and Green Bean Stuffing, Sweet Potato Gratin, Cranberry Citrus Relish, Cardamom Spiced Honey Jus

Choice of pecan pie or pumpkin pie ($12) – Pecan pie, spiced nuts, vanilla ice cream or Pumpkin pie, vanilla whipped cream, sea salt caramel ice cream

The menu will also feature the following specialty cocktails:

spiced wine

Cranberry Sangria

Apple cider option for kids

Monday November 7, 14 and 21 – Friendsgiving, “Our Vibe, Your Tribe” 3- Service Feast, Diageo Cocktail + Deejay Series

An incredible 3-course menu plus a featured Diageo specialty cocktail for just $50 per person.

Diageo Sips and Deleon t-shirt giveaways

Tuesday, November 15 – LIMITED EDITION PATRÓN EN LALIQUE SERIE 1

Book your dinner and pre-order your bottle in advance, limited availability.

Friday, November 25 – Black Friday, 5 p.m.-2 a.m.

On Black Friday, JING Las Vegas will operate regular hours from 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. For Black Friday, JING has a special promotion. Guests aged 21 and over can purchase a gift card in the amount of $50 to $1,000 and 30% will be given to them in the form of a JING gift card on that day only.

December – JING-LE all the way

For the month of December, JING Las Vegas will have a Christmas tree and Christmas decor throughout. Holiday-themed music will also be included in our nightly format. Deejays from 9 p.m. rock out in our 7-day-a-week “House of JING” nightlife experience, Party Fine After Nine – the perfect Instagram-worthy backdrop for your holiday pics.

Sunday December 24 – Christmas Eve, 2-8 p.m.

On Christmas Eve, JING Las Vegas will be open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a special Holiday Happy Hour from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday, December 25 – Christmas Day, 2-8 p.m.

On Christmas Day, JING Las Vegas will be open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The menu will offer seasonal options such as:

“A Christmas Story” Peking Duck Dinner ($48)

Black truffle and blue tuna roll ($28)

Australian Wagyu Beef Wellington ($135 for two)

Christmas Mouth Party Special ($14)

Saturday, December 31 – New Year’s Masked Ball

On New Year’s Eve, JING Las Vegas will operate regular hours from 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. The first spectacular 5-course experience will be from 5-6:30 p.m. at $95 per person and will end at 8:45 p.m. sharp. Seating at the bar is first come, first served with a minimum spend of $100 F&B. The Gala experience starts from 9-10 p.m. at $215 per person and includes a welcome glass of champagne upon arrival. A specially prepared fixed price menu will include:

· Amuse bouche

Surf and Turf (1st lesson)

JING’s famous lacquered duck salad (1st course)

Wok-roasted King Crab, Dipping Scallops, Sweet Prawns, Garlic Noodles, Crispy Hong Kong Garlic (2nd course)

Pan-fried Dover sole (3rd course)

Filet mignon Wagyu (4th course)

Chocolate Textures (5th course)

ABOUT JING LAS VEGAS

For over a decade, JING has been one of Colorado’s most recognized and highly rated restaurants, located in Denver and Aspen. Known in Colorado for its exceptional cuisine, JING’s fire and water create perfect chi for the best dining experience located in the suburb of Summerlin in Las Vegas, Nevada. JING’s menu offers international fusion cuisine, using produce from local and organic farms. JING offers an extensive menu of international wines, sakes, craft beers and spirits selected to pair perfectly with our cuisine by Executive Chef Thomas Griese.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Hotel West and Main a destination for dinner and happy hour

The West and Main Hotel is Conshohocken’s premier hotel for 22 years.

But it is much more than a hotel. The bone of the space is a 148-year-old fire station on the historic register that has been restored.

The original facade surrounds you in the hotel lobby as well as the 2nd floor Hook and Ladder restaurant. The fine dining chophouse offers a menu that includes appetizers such as bone marrow, prime rib, and a 42-ounce tomahawk steak.

The cocktail menu is inspired by the building’s history with drinks named after the fire company with titles like Slow Burn and Downtown Heat. The indoor/outdoor space features a two-sided bar, heated patio, and beautiful courtyard views.

1874 Social is the lobby bar with pop-up fire station doors that open to the courtyard and plenty of room to spread out.

The space is open as an all-day cafe and a great after-work happy hour stop.

Hotel West & Major | Facebook | instagram

46 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428

To hang up & Ladder | Facebook | instagram

2nd floor of the West Hotel & Major

1874 Company | Facebook | instagram

1st floor of the West Hotel & Major

Fork celebrates 25 years with vintage wines, former guest chefs

When Ellen Yin opened Fork on October 15, 1997, she had a very specific mission: to create a community focused on supporting local farmers and food artisans.

And in the quarter century since, the wealth of local offerings has blossomed.

Fork has become known for its high-quality bread program and modern American cuisine, and Ellen says the restaurant is evolving with each new executive chef putting their own personal twist on the menu.

For George Madosky, that has meant dishes like baked beans, pepita tomatillo soup, dry-aged beef burgers and sugar shack oysters from Barnegat Light, NJ that remind him of his childhood on the coast. It’s, he says, the kind of comfort food diners have been craving since the pandemic.

For its 25th anniversary, Fork is releasing wines from the 1997 vintage and hosting a series of alumni chef takeover dinners, each raising money for the chef’s chosen charity.

Terence Feury, who managed at Fork ten years ago, is on deck November 16 with a sustainable seafood dinner. He will benefit from a culinary scholarship fund for his brother, Patrick Feury, a fellow chef who died last year.

Fork also launched a Zine to mark their milestone. The first issue was about sustainability; the second explores how integral restaurants are to the community post-pandemic. Ellen says the zine is meant to provide a platform for thought leaders hoping to spark ideas for solutions.

Zines cost $10 each, with proceeds going to a local nonprofit. The 2nd issue will benefit Soil Generation, a Black and Brown-led coalition of gardeners, farmers, individuals and community organizations working to ensure people of color regain community control of land and water. food.

When small independent restaurants struggled to survive the pandemic shutdown, Ellen joined the Sisterly Love Food Fair, a group of female food entrepreneurs who banded together to support each other.

And when the virus sparked a surge in anti-Asian hatred, she launched The Wonton Project to raise money for AAPI nonprofits.

Along with Fork, she runs High Street Bakery and has. Kitchen + Bar in Rittenhouse Square, and has been nominated four times for Outstanding Restaurateur by James Beard.

While she isn’t sure what the future of Fork might hold, she says she’s confident the restaurant’s commitment to building community will never change.

Fork Restaurant | 25th Anniversary Graduate Dinners | 25th anniversary zine |Facebook | instagram

306 Market St, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106

The wonton project | Facebook | instagram

Brotherly Love Collective | Facebook | instagram

Taco Heart brings Texas-style breakfast tacos to South Philadelphia

At Taco Heart, the specialty is Texas-style breakfast tacos.

Owner Nano Wheedan lived in Austin, Texas for 15 years before returning home to Philadelphia, and he brought the popular breakfast food with him.

The most popular menu item is the migas taco, which is very well known in central Texas.

These are tortilla chips crushed into scrambled eggs with tomato, onion, cilantro, Monterey Jack cheese, avocado, then wrapped in a freshly made warm flour tortilla.

In fact, the menu was built around the flour tortilla, and they are prepared every day in front of the guests.

It all started when Nano moved to South Philly in 2020.

He taught himself how to make flour tortillas from scratch and started selling his own breakfast tacos from his front porch.

Demand quickly overtook his sidewalk operation and that’s when he planned to open Taco Heart on East Passyunk Avenue.

taco heart | Facebook | instagram

1001 E. Passyunk Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19147

445-230-0345

Celebrating International Vegan Day with old and new spots

AtiyaOla’s Spirit First Foods has been bringing vegan, vegetarian, and raw foods to West Philadelphia for over a decade.

You can opt for comfort foods like falafel burgers, mild or spicy vegan sausages, and vegan cheesesteaks.

There are two soups of the day, one of which is always chickpea with coconut curry because, says owner Atiya Ola Malik Khan, there’s a revolt from customers when it’s not on the menu.

For those who eat fish, they also cook salmon, but Atiya Ola’s is known for its raw platters and raw wraps.

Atiya Williams is the co-owner and goddaughter of AtiyaOla. The restaurant is part of the Enterprise Center and just like the business incubator it calls home, AtiyaOla’s supports other local makers with products like locally made honey, jewelry and even detergents for sale. .

They also offer locally made vegan desserts; the raw vegan cheesecake is a must.

AtiyaOla’s Spirit First Foods |Facebook | instagram

310 S 48th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143

215-939-3298

Fitz on Fourth opened in June, bringing vegan cocktails, tapas and full-size plates to Queen Village.

The cafe is the project of Alison Fitzpatrick and her son, Alex Soto. Alison is the Executive Chef:

Alex is the master of mixing and quickly became the Fitz on Fourth ice cream guy.

Her graham cracker ice cream made with coconut milk is paired with a recipe for Alison’s grandmother’s apple crisp that she describes as “beautiful and crispy on top, then melty deliciousness underneath.”

For the main meal, Alison prepares dishes like edamame meatballs and squash, crab cake made with hearts of palm and artichoke hearts, Caesar salad with cashew parmesan, and tacos.

Alex has created a collection of cocktails, from the Nightbird Espresso Martini to the Pear Elderflower Martini and the Pumpkin Butter Bourbon. Cocktails are made with local spirits and homemade simple syrups.

Both mother and son came to hospitality from the health sector. They became frustrated with COVID and decided to pursue Alison’s lifelong dream of opening a restaurant.

Alison, a chef by training, went vegan in 2018 on the advice of her doctors and says the diet has reduced her list of medications from nine to one.

They want the restaurant to reflect their personality and hope the ambiance will make everyone feel welcome and at home.

fitz the fourth | Facebook | instagram

743 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147

215-315-8989

Callowhill Archery targets indoor fun and hits the bullseye

When people think of recreational sports, soccer, basketball, and baseball usually come to mind.

But Yuan Jie Wen is working to add archery to the list.

The former mechanical engineer got into the sport during the pandemic and now runs one of the city’s only indoor archery ranges.

Callowhill Archery offers lessons for people as young as 8 years old and also hires archery lanes and equipment by the hour for those with experience.

The establishment also has a family connection – it’s in the building that housed his parents’ tofu factory in the 1990s.

Callowhill Archery | Facebook | instagram

446 N. 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123

267-924-6504

(open from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., closed on Monday and Tuesday)

Meet the KOP company that makes Bryce Harper’s bats

The bats made for Bryce Harper and a number of Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros are all made by two Philadelphia-area baseball fanatics.

Jared Smith and Ryan Engroff started Victus Sports in 2012, a passion project for two baseball players trying to stay involved in the game they love.

It started as a hobby and their passion led to a company that now produces bats for 25% of Major League Baseball.

This makes it the most balanced bat in MLB.

Victus Sports | Facebook | instagram

650 Clark Avenue D, King of Prussia, PA 19406

Theater XP will present the world premiere of “Crossing the Veil”

Martin Hopewell is one of the main characters in “Crossing the Veil,” except he’s dead and the play takes place at his own funeral.

As his family bids farewell, Martin’s spirit comes out of the coffin and he begins to dialogue with them, but they neither see nor hear him.

Martin realizes his family hadn’t seen him as the wonderful father and husband he always thought he was.

“It’s an interesting story about what we thought our lives were like and how others perceived it,” says Bob Bowersox, playwright and director of “Crossing the Veil.”

You might recognize Bowersox from his decades-running QVC show, “In the Kitchen with Bob.”

Bowersox grew up in Wilmington, Del. and says he started writing for screen and stage at just 9 years old.

He also starred in 22 movies, including M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Sixth Sense” and “Unbreakable.”

“Crossing the Veil” was inspired by the funeral of Bowersox’s own father, as it detailed their real-life relationship.

“It was exploring those feelings and asking the son to say them for me, because I never had the opportunity to tell my dad,” Bowersox explains.

“Crossing the Veil” runs November 5-26 at Plays and Players’ Skinner Studio.

Theater XP | Facebook

Global wine and spirits company Pernod Ricard’s luxury wine collection, Maison Mumm RSRV, recently debuted in South Korea to respond to an ever-changing, pandemic-fueled drinking culture: drink less, but better.

“On occasions to drink at home with a small group of people, you don’t have the social pressure to choose the right alcohol for the moment. It was very interesting to see how people go from drinking soju and beer – the rule you have to follow when you’re in a bar or restaurant – to choosing what you actually like,” Frantz Hotton said. , CEO of Pernod Ricard Korea. , during a recent interview with The Korea Herald.

Hotton said the South Korean wine market has become mature enough to enjoy a wide range of wines.

“Five years ago, wine was white or red, French or Australian in Korea. The number of educated and sophisticated consumers willing to taste fairly expensive wines has grown rapidly. The ability to enjoy and pay (for luxury wines) is finally here.

Consumers have become more educated thanks to experts like sommeliers, who act as gatekeepers to the wine market, Hotton added. Drawing on their years of expertise, they have taught consumers the difference between wine brands and winemaking.

Targeting wine lovers in Korea, Pernod Ricard recently launched its RSRV Champagne collection here. RSRV, short for “reserve”, was first launched in 1838 by the Maison Mumm company cellar as a limited collection of champagne for the VIPs of the cellar masters of the cellar.

The RSRV label is folded, following a tradition where the winery has hand selected and marked the best wines from its vineyards by folding the top corner of the label for distinguished guests.

Three new RSRV wine collections – Cuvée 4.5, Cuvée Blanc de Blancs 2015 and Cuvée Lalou 2008 – are made with Grand Cru grapes produced in a vineyard that holds the highest classification of French wines.

RSRV Cuvée 4.5 is a premium non-vintage champagne with grapes from five different villages in France. He blends premium pinot noir and chardonnay and ages them for four years. The Champagne leaves a floral aftertaste with aromas of vanilla and mocha.

RSRV Cuvée Blanc de Blancs 2015 is a vintage wine that uses 100% premium Chardonnay grapes from Cramant, France with over three years of aging. Applying less pressure than other champagnes, it delivers a demi-foam – a moderate amount of bubbles – rarely found in regular champagnes, which have excessive bubbles that sometimes cloud the taste.

RSRV Cuvée Lalou 2008 is the most refined Champagne in this collection. Aged 10, in 2008 he blended Grand Cru grapes from seven of Maison Mumm’s finest plots. Since the best grapes selected by winemakers are usually different each year, consumers can enjoy a wide variety of style tastes each year, according to Hoton.

Driven by younger generations’ enthusiasm for wine and other sophisticated liquor options, Hotton said South Korea’s wine market will continue to grow. “Usually, there is a perfect correlation between the evolution of wine and that of single malt whiskies. Since Korea has a booming single malt market, it has a strong demand for wine education courses and an interest in wine.

The booming fine dining trend here is also pushing consumers to enhance the experience by pairing food with fine drinks, including wine, Hotton added.

Joined Pernod Ricard in 1995, Hotton held the positions of Commercial Director and Commercial and Marketing Director until 2009. He was appointed Managing Director of Pernod Ricard for Hong Kong and Macao in July 2014. Since July 2021, Hotton has led Pernod Ricard Korea as CEO. .

By Byun Hye-jin ([email protected])