(Gerry Furth-Sides, photo courtesy of Pépecello) Limoncello, the classic Italian intensely lemon-flavored liqueur most famously associated with and produced in Sorrento, the Amalfi coast, and the island of Capri. PèpeCello created by restaurant owner Rich Pépe is one form of the distinctive, all-natural lemon, cold-pro...
The unique, natural botanicals of Spanish Arbequina olive, Italian sweet basil, Turkish rosemary, and Greek thyme are what make Gin Mare from Spain unique. It is why Gin Mare pairs so beautifully with foods, and is an exciting base for innovative gastromixology. The makers of Gin Mare are so proud of their product that they...
(Gerry Furth-Sides) Ulises Torrentera’s mission to put a spotlight onto authentic, artisan mezcal has transformed the reputation of this spirit formerly regarded as a peasant drink. His visits to the United States from his native Oaxaca are now a big event. The first stop this year was appropriately at Maestro Mexican Rest...
(Gerry Furth-Sides) This writer has always been enamored with the French sensibility, first with a fellow lifeguard at camp, then all films French and finally food. The finest dining LA restaurants and pioneer bistros. And now the current Gelson Market’s three-week July French promotion is especially exciting because s...
In celebration of World Martini Day today, we’d like to share the recipe for the Rosé Fifty–Fifty – the preferred way to celebrate the holiday, or really every day, according to Plymouth Gin Master Distiller Sean Harrison. The Rose Venice serves this Plymouth Fifty-Fifty Martini, by special request of gu...
(Gerry Furth-Sides) February 18th is National Drink Wine Day, which is a day each year that celebrates the love and health benefits associated with wine. According to the consulting group BW 166, wine sales in the U.S. topped $72.2 billion in 2018, which was nearly a 5 percent increase over the prior year. Research points to ...
(Gerry Furth-Sides) Matthew Kaner was anything but laidback at the recent guided Spanish CAVA (sparkling wine) masterclass featuring the “jewels of Cavas Codorníu”, the Ars Collecta Cavas. And the well-known sommelier co-owner of Good Measure is a pretty laid-back guy. This CAVA made in the traditional Champagne...
(Gerry Furth-Sides, bottle photos courtesy of WOSA, Wines of South Africa) A celebration marking the anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s death every December 5th calls for a special wine. We were introduced at a special luncheon this year to to the excellent ‘Cap Classique’, the South African name for tradition...
(Gerry Furth-Sides) Worthy of the Gran Hotel itself, the 25th “Spain’s Great Match” headlined Albarinõ, the new “darling of the wine world” to set the high tone for Spain’s finest, most memorable wines. Chef Jose Andres’ incomparable Spanish bites and the sheer volume o...
Bigger-than-life, Chef Jose Andres’ reflection is evident everywhere at his SLS hotel. So this important year it was even more fitting that the Barcelona born, Nobel peace prize nominee hosted the 25th “Spain’s Great Match”. The event encompasses the finest, most memorable wines, served with cerem...
Gerry Furth-Sides 
Barbara Hansen 
Chef-owner Alain Cohen 
Roberta Deen 
Jose Martinez 
Nivedita Basu 