TaylorEason.com: Foodies unite

Recipe: Cuban inspired Picadillo

Taylor Eason — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:13:35 +0000

There might be some Cuban grandmothers who would cringe at my interpretation of this classic Cuban dish. But this is how I like it: I chucked the raisins (raisins with ground beef? Yuk!) and deleted the cinnamon (a spice reserved only for desserts in my household). Picadillo is so freakin' simple and cheap, it can be a weeknight staple served over white or brown rice with a salad.

Beer n’ pizza: Two great tastes for a Super Bowl score

Robb Larsen — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:15:15 +0000

With the football game and socializing at parties, hosts need some delicious yet simple fare to complement the suds. Grilling or barbecue is always a solid choice, but in early February, it's not a realistic option for many parts of the nation. Beer and pizza go together as well as…well... beer and football. Combine all three and every fan will be happy, regardless of the score. This year's Superbowl has cities with wonderful, drinkable brews. To commemorate this historic event, we’ll recommend two distinct beers from a brewery in each town, Boston and New York. The beer styles chosen from each brewery pair well with pizza, a lager and an IPA.

Wine review: Rocca Sveva 2009 Soave Classico

Taylor Eason — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:53:25 +0000

While most people think Pinot Grigio is the white wine of Italy, I beg to differ. Softer and rounder, Soave white wines from northeastern Italy complement a wider range of food, have an exceptional depth of flavors, and are quite versatile. Like the Rocca Sveva 2009 Soave Classico.

Soave: Move over Pinot Grigio, here come some of Italy’s best white wines

Taylor Eason — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:25:29 +0000

I haven't tasted many Soave white wines from Italy; maybe because Italy isn’t particularly known for high quality white wine. When you think Italian wine, Chianti, Barolo and Super Tuscans pop into your head, right? Maybe Pinot Grigios? But so many of these popular, light-bodied whites exported to the U.S. feign quality disguised in pretty bottles. Pinot Grigios aren't white wines Italy really boasts about yet. But Soave [so-AH-vay -- same way it’s pronounced in the video, by the way] just might be the next big thing out of Italy since the Super Tuscan was born.

New year, new recipe: Homemade Burger Patties with Fresh Lime Juice

Jennifer Fields — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:55:56 +0000

Food writer Jennifer Fields introduces some fruit to her hamburger patty recipe: fresh lime juice. Quick and easy with a zingy flavor for summer or winter grilling.

Chocolate is love in an edible form: Nine of Tampa Bay’s best chocolate shops

Mary D. Scourtes — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:18:04 +0000

Unabashedly rich and irresistible, few foods bring on such giddy cravings as chocolate. Love is sweet, but it’s much sweeter with chocolate. Its phenylethylamine is the same chemical that our brains produce when we fall in love. Quality chocolate stirs the same emotions and is positively addictive this close to Valentine’s Day in Tampa Bay. Charge up your appetite, and your wallet, with some luscious choices from candy land.

Wine review: North by Northwest 2010 Riesling Horse Heaven Hills

Taylor Eason — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:00:52 +0000

I admire when a winery steps outside the annoying conservative boundaries of the wine industry. Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon fame (an interview with him), The Three Thieves and their ground-breaking Bandit wine in a small box and chalk up another win to the folks at Oregon's King Estate (reviews of their other wines), who created this Washington State-based project, North by Northwest. These guys have the chutzpah to do things differently.

Wild West Brew Review: Shiner Bohemian Black Lager, Billie’s Chilies, Lucky U IPA

Robb Larsen — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:56:37 +0000

We might not have all those fancy New York beers down here in the desert southwest but we like ours just fine. In fact we think they’re just dandy and I’ll bet a handful of silver dollars you will too. You see, when you’re out on the range on a cold evenin' and settle down for the night, you want a drink that’s gonna help keep you warm as a horned toad on a sunny rock.

Cocktail recipe: The classic Brandy Alexander

Sean Ludford — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:11:31 +0000

At times there is nothing like an "Old School" cocktail made without embellishment. The Brandy Alexander evokes visions and the mood of cocktail parties long disbanded but one I would love to attend from time to time. One of the greatest things about our current cocktail revival is the rediscovery of cocktails long considered passé. The Brandy Alexander is a theme party just waiting to happen.

New year, new recipe: Edamame Salad with Avocado and Grapefruit

Jennifer Fields — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:30:40 +0000

The New Year is well underway. I don’t know about you, but for me, the dawning of a brand new calendar encourages me to freshen things up in the kitchen. Gone are the last few months of heavy, overindulgence (thank goodness!), and in comes lightened flavors to get our bodies moving for the new adventures ahead. Like this recipe for Edamame Salad with Avocado and Grapefruit.

Affordable everyday Wine review: Smoking Loon 2009 Zinfandel California

Taylor Eason — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:31:46 +0000

When people talk about "everyday" wine, I've sometimes wondered exactly what they mean. Is it a wine that goes with all sorts of food so it can be consumed without care? Is it a simple wine that that can appeal to many different palates? Or is it an inexpensive wine that you can afford to sip everyday? Family-owned by Sonoma County's Sebastiani and Sons, Smoking Loon wants to be all that and more.

Life in California: Holiday Edition

Taylor Eason — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:38:26 +0000

This is the next installment of my Life in California series, chronicling my transition to the California lifestyle after moving to northern California from Tampa, Florida. Since we went back east in early November, Scott and I decided to stay in California for the holidays. It was only the second time (and likely, the last) I've been away from some sort of family during this emotion-packed, must-be-jolly season. I'll admit it was freeing to avoid the nightmare of travel but melancholy settled in as I missed friends and family. But, of course, new friends, experiences (and wine) cushioned the season.

Tampa restaurant review: Un-ostentatious Osteria Natalina showcases seaside legacies

Mary D. Scourtes — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:36:04 +0000

Osteria Natalina draws from its previous life as Spartaco to offer something new and something old. It’s set in the same location, a corner of a strip center in South Tampa. Its obscure location doesn’t keep it from being discovered -- it’s a well-traveled haunt. And its short, uncomplicated menu, with English subtitles, showcases owner Spartaco Giolito’s hometown, Rimini, on the Adriatic coast.

Wine review: Chappellet 2008 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Taylor Eason — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:55:11 +0000

When Chappellet Winery opened its doors in 1967, 32 wineries operated in Napa. Robert Mondavi – now owned by corporate wine company Constellation – was number 31. Today, over 400 wineries share the same valley. Early on in this recession, Chappellet began combating the sales spiral by concentrating on the customer — they lowered their prices. “We wanted people to feel the love,” said Cyril Chappellet, 2nd generation winemaker. But they also stayed true to their history. This 2008 Cabernet effort tastes like it.

Easy comfort food recipe: Dilled Pork Stroganoff

Taylor Eason — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:41:35 +0000

The Russians got this classic recipe right -- the rich, creamy sour cream and succulent meat come together to curl your toes and make a chilly winter evening just a little warmer. This recipe -- lower in calories than the original -- is simple to make and riffs on the traditional flavors. And from snout to tail, I'm a pork-aholic, so the use of boneless pork chops instead of sirloin makes the pocketbook feel a wee heavier too.

In my opinion: The top nine wines of 2011

Taylor Eason — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:47:12 +0000

So with such a prolific, daily wine tasting habit, distilling the thousands I evaluate every year down to nine is a tough challenge. (Thankfully, however, I keep track by placing these in the "Almost Perfect" section of my Wine Review pull down menu). But here are my top nine wines of 2011, in no particular order -- all judged by their price/value ratio.

Food fit for a circus clown: Behind the scenes in Ringling Bros. kitchen

Mary D. Scourtes — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:23:59 +0000

Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, I met chef Michael Vaughn who feeds about 200 hungry entertainers who live in some of the 61 train cars parked just outside of town. Chef Michael says he likes the adventure. “It’s definitely the greatest show on earth. We are the world’s largest city without a zip code,’’ he adds. The 16-year saw-dust veteran may have learned to cook in the south but his cuisine spans several continents. His international mix of patrons come from seven continents, including Uzbekistan, Uruguay, Russia, Mongolia and Paraguay. Michael invites the animal trainers, trapeze artists and others to bring him recipes and teach him about their special dishes that personify their home country.

Sparkling wine review: J Winery Cuvee 20 Brut

Taylor Eason — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:32:51 +0000

A dear friend gave me a 1.5 liter magnum of this elegant sparkling wine for Christmas and I almost peed my pants. (Available to buy online only, by the way). There's nothing quite like looking at a family-sized bottle of bubbly and savoring the ensuing drinking fantasies. I haven't opened the behemoth yet but the little 750-milliliter brothers of the California sparkler are a staple in my house. A blend of 49% Chardonnay, 49% Pinot Noir and 2% Pinot Meunier grapes, Cuvee 20's new, sleek packaging celebrates Judy Jordan's 25 years of making sparkling wine in Sonoma's Russian River Valley. They've had some time to get it right using the same production methods and grape varietals established in France. Sure, not that long in French Champagne terms but, hey, we're a new country full of zeal, still finding our wine way.

Sam Adams Infinium: A Champagne-like brew for New Year’s Eve celebration

Robb Larsen — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:40:49 +0000

This bubbly barley beverage is a collaboration between famed microbrew Sam Adams and the planet’s oldest brewery, Germany’s revered Weihenstephan. Their goal was to create not just an innovative brew, but an entirely new style of beer. Sam Adams suds guru Jim Koch claims (in many videos) that it took over two years of ambitious tasty development to achieve this challenging objective.

New Year’s Eve restaurant spots and events for Tampa Bay 2012

Mary D. Scourtes — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:03:53 +0000

If old acquaintances are not to be forgotten, don’t choose a forgettable place to ring out the old year. Check out these ideas to ring in New Year’s Eve 2012 in Tampa Bay.