A carnivore in Texas

What a whirlwind visit to Texas! I never knew I could eat so much in 2 days, but my guide, the wonderful Guy Stout, Glazers wine educator extraordinaire was taking no prisoners. The first day Austin, no sooner had I enjoyed my eggs sunny side up than I was whisked of to Gueros for Tacos and Margaritas (hand shaken no less) before heading over bat bridge up the towards the Capitol – larger than Washington’s (but then we know everything is bigger in Texas) and along busy 6th Street.

Having sung for my supper it was on the road again to Houston and to one of the of the many Pappas Bros establishments.The restaurant chain started in the 70’s but is based on the original idea of Greek Pappas and this restaurant empire has spread across Texas offering everything from Steak to BBQ from Burgers to seafood.

We were lucky enough to dine at the Houston Flag ship Pappas bros steakhouse – spectacular! The steaks were large (see below) and delicious, the service impeccable and the wine list was a sight for sore eyes, and deep pockets.

That night they were serving, by the glass, a 1982 Salamazar (9l) of single vineyard Beringer (the last year before they blended apparently?) the sommeliers are not just knowledgeable but strong too!
We honored Bordeaux too with a wonderful Laville Haut Brion 1995 (which has now changed it’s name) and an Armaillac 2005, which, decanted, was much more approachable than I would have thought. I’m not surprised their wine list is an award winner.

No this is not a butchers display but the choice of steaks and lobster at Pappas

I still had a day to go and I hadn’t even scratched the surface. I was not allowed out of town until I’d experienced a real Texan BBQ so it was of to Goode Company BBQ and I was in good company. At lunch time, straight from the office in suits and ties, Texans were queuing for ribs, burgers, beans and dirty rice, eaten at tressel tables all to the sound of country music – I could leave happy knowing I had eaten my way through some of Texans finest even though I didn’t catch a show at Armadillo across the road!

Apologies to my friends at the Back Street cafe which I enjoyed so much on my last visit I just didn’t have a free meal. Salt Lick BBQ is on the list for next year, only in Texas would you find a name like that – I’ll be back

Cuisine as Art

The MoMA is an insitution in New York, and now, in my opinion so is the restauramt there The Modern. This has to be the first time I have been to the Museum without seeing a single exhibit (unless you count the sculptures in the garden) I didn’t even visit the terrific gift shop, so engrossed was I with the cusine. Modern by name and by style as you would expect.
The Modern defines its style as French American – which makes sense from the French chef, Gabriel Kreuther, in the heart of Manhattan, but this is no cliched French style that is seen in so many trendy French brasseries, it is a sophisticated take on the best of both worlds. The extremely charming and knowledgable staff look like they probably know as much about contemporary art as they do about the food an wine they were serving but without the prentention that could so easily be part of this less level of excellence. Not a cheap night at the Museum but worth every penny.

Art on a plate

Star Spangled dining in NYC

At the top of the Mandarin Oriental in New York with spectacular views over central park at the Asiate

However in this restaurant the stars are not just for the cuisine.
The floor to ceiling windows offer a view over the sparking New York sky line reflected in the beautifully lit wine cellar that surrounds the diners.

The Mandarin Oriental hotel restaurants definitely have a way of making their wines part of the decor see a previous post from Geneva

High dining in Miami

The Miami Culinary Institute at Miami Dade College is a unique concept, as Miami’s first accredited public option in culinary education it offers a professional standard of education opportunities to a to a melting pot of cultures and backgrounds that would not normally gave access to such quality education at such affordable prices.

The new premises, opened in January in down-town Miami are spectacular. Bordeaux Blonde was there to presenting a range of Medoc wines from the Southern Wines and
Spirits range – major players in the state – during an educational seminar to the students and professional restaurant staff. The state of the art wine and cuisine theatre was the perfect venue with a fully functioning professional kitchen with screens overhead so one missed a sniff or a swirl!

But the affordable quality education is only part of it. As with many culinary schools students have change to practice their skills on the public in the school cafe open for breakfast and lunch but in the evenings this cafe will be transformed into a wine and tapas ‘ Root Cellar’ bar.

However the big news for local gourmets is the recruitment net of top Chef Norman Van Aken, known for his innovation in creating ‘Floridean’ cuisine, for the opening of a panoramic professional restaurant later this month. The intimate, 60 covers, restaurant over looks the Freedom tower and the Miami Heats arena as well the cruise ships sailing into port. The Tuyo restaurant will open Tuesday-Saturday evenings and it echoes the green ethos of the whole facility with its own urban herb garden.

Should you fancy something more hands on, classes from the top chefs at the institute are also open to the public, from Chef Sarah Izquierdo, master sommelier Charles Arturaola and of course Norman Van Aken himself as well as the neighboring celebrity hangout Canyon Ranch’s ‘Integrative Life Lessons’ series. Check out www.miamidadeculinary.com.

This community college is a wonderful opportunity for about 100 young people every year following a 2 year associate programme these students are hungry to learn. Hungry students should go to culinary school – right – a perfect match.

Champagne in the sun

Christmas and New Year may be the peak of champagne sales but champagne houses are not afraid of getting out in the sun with a couple of fun innovations to keep us drinking our bubbles during the summer months :
Moet et Chandon,although as tradional a house as you can find, are never afraid of innovation and have taken the controversial step of suggesting we put ice in our glass of champagne. Affectionately known as a ‘Swimming pool’ this practice has been frowned upon by many traditional drinkers but Moet have decided to embrace this summer trend by blending a new champagne ‘Moet Imperiale Ice’ in a beautiful white and gold bottle. Distribution is reserved for hip bars and clubs who serve the Moet swimming pool in round Moet logo glasses. It really works – perfect summer lunch and party drink

If you prefer your champagne chilled in a more traditional way – try the Veuve Cliquot fridge – a cute mini american 50’s style fridge the perfect size for one bottle of brut or rosé (pink fridge for that one if you please) guaranteed to keep your Veuve chilled for a least a couple of hours – that’s one for the beach then.

And talking of Americans in Paris…….

Bordeaux blonde loves Paris in August, the place is empty except for tourists, it’s easy to get a table at most of my favorite restaurants and you can even go to the beach !

A wonderful bolt hole is the Relais Christine, a boutique hotel parts of which date back to the 13th century but protected from the bustle of the left bank in a discrete road and behind a beautiful courtyard. Welcoming and polite staff, a lovely lounge with a honesty bar and friendly but discreet patrons who obviously love the place and concierges that seem to know everything about Paris. If you’re feeling brave, and again quiet August would be a good time, use their tiny soft top smart car or bicycles to discover the city or just relax in the surprising city centre garden.

An American in Paris – well his cars.

What better way to spend a rainy summer afternoon in Paris? How about a guided tour of the amazing Ralph Lauren car exhibition at La Musee des Arts Decoratifs (part of The Louvre). Bob Dover, British car industry doyen, Chairman of the Heritage Motor centre in Gaydon and director of the Jaguar museum in Coventry has driven most of the cars on show and his first hand insights made the tour. If you can drag yourself away from the cars, don’t miss the film about Lauren’s renovation of the Alfa – the perfect mix of fast cars and fashion! Proof that industry and art can come together.

  Vroom!

Rooftop pampering

Bordeaux finally has worldwide class spa, right down town giving Les Sources de Caudalies a run for their money. The Grand Hotel Regent has earned it’s reputation as THE 5* place to stay in the city since it’s opening in 2007. Ideal for those of you happy to visit the vineyards but preferring to stay at the centre of the UNESCO heritage site.

All that was missing was a spa of the caliber of the hotel – sorted! Jacques Garcia designed Les Bains de Lea in the same emblematic style he has used for the whole building. Over the 6th & 7th floor with the 130m2 terrace overlooking the city, a discreet bar by the roman pool with it’s sliding roof and lounge atmosphere.

The top drawer Nuxe products should help compensate for the inevitable over indulgence during your stay !

Somewhere to stay in Bordeaux ?

Bordeaux blonde is always on the lookout for new places to stay in and around Bordeaux.
If you prefer to stay self catering to get the real feel of Bordeaux and enjoy the wonderful farmers markets – here’s another idea; a great one bedroom flat in the historic heart of Bordeaux’s ‘golden triangle’
Perfect for a romatic get away ‘à deux’ from 450 euros per week
Contact Françoise at francoisecorbiere@free.fr

The perfect English country house weekend

Tucked away in the Derbyshire Dales a discreet stone’s throw for the magnificent Devinshire family pile of Chatsworth is the perfect English Country House Hotel : Baslow Hall. Looking for all it’s worth like a classic 17th century manor House, Baslow was in fact only built in 1907 recreating gabled wings and stone mullioned windows with leaded panes all set in beautifully mature gardens adding to the period image.

Max and Susan Fischer now run Baslow Hall as a hotel, or rather as a restaurant with rooms as the emphasis is just as much on the excellence of the cuisine as the warmth of the welcome.

Hence it is known as Fischers at Baslow Hall. Local produce including fruit, veg and herbs from the kitchen garden beside the house which is Max Fischer’s passion. Local Sheffield chef Rupert Rowley has run the kitchens since 2003 and has maintained the one star Michelin standard awarded in 1994. All this complimented by a very comprehensive, reasonably priced and I’m happy to say, Bordeaux friendly wine list.

The perfect English country house getaway for our French friends.

http://www.Fischers-Baslow.co.uk