(Gerry Furth-Sides) If absinthe makes the heart grow fonder, so Ice Wine makes it grow warm. And as both of these treasured spirits are introduced in local stores and bars locally, they are all the more prized. Sophisticated Toronto is still known for its Stratford Shakespeare festival, its treasure trove of multi-cultural c...
(Gerry Furth-Sides, Greek photos courtesy of The Chios Mastiha Growers Association). Whenever anyone, including me, thought of “mastiha” in the past, chewing gum came to mind. Its a different story these days since “Healthy” is the new mantra for food and drink these days, and whatever items can mak...
(Gerry Furth-Sides) Celebrate Mezcal Day October 21st or any other day with this refined spirit. All you need to remember is that All Mezcal is Tequila but not all Tequila is Mezcal — because of the unique way that mezcal is processed from a variety of agave plants (like tequila is) that instills a special smoky [&hel...
(Gerry Furth-Sides) Editor’s Note: Since this post was published, Preux & Proper no longer features Maker’s Mark. The dictionary definition of “Maker’s Mark” is the hallmark on a piece of English gold, silver, or plate denoting the person or firm responsible for its productio...
(Gerry Furth-Sides) Leave it to fun-loving Bavarians in Germany to solve a problem with a precise, practical party solution. Munich breweries early in the 19th century added to open-air dining and beer-drinking with “Biergartens” as a way to use planted gardens above cellars to keep their lagers cool enough to ferment und...
(Gerry Furth-Sides) In anticipation of the rosé season and summer entertaining, the story about this double Rosé release of 2017 Domaine de Cala Rosé and2017 Domaine de Cala Prestige Rosé, a brand created by celebrated Chef Joachim Splichal, famed Los Angeles-based Patina Restaurant Group Founder. The family-owned and o...
(Gerry Furth-Sides) Savor Italy came to town on a recent wintry, rainy day, bringing with it the essence of this favored country through an in-depth introduction to the “hidden gem of Central Italy,” Le Marche, and the new “food and wine gateway,” Lombardy. Both boast sophisticated&n...
Gerry Furth-Sides) Savor Italy’s came to town on a wintry, rainy day, bringing the sunny flavors and essence of Velenosi Winery in Central Italy and Lombardy through interactive tastings and seminars Laura Donadoni reintroduced us to Marche, known as The Hidden Gem of Central Italy by way of Velenosi Winery, which repr...
(Gerry Furth-Sides) “Bravo!” to our 2017 “Food ambassadors,” winners, the ” bridge builders” who not only represent the best ethnic cuisine experiences but who cordially and enthusiastically entice, encourage and welcome us to enjoy new ethnic cuisine by way of an introduction and informatio...
(Gerry Furth-Sides) “Georgia on my Mind” – this Georgia being the small country in the Caucasus region known for being the first winemakers in the world and where producers still use ancient “qvevri” (meaning underground) clay pots that make them the most exciting recent find of wine experts everywh...
Gerry Furth-Sides 
Barbara Hansen 
Chef-owner Alain Cohen 
Roberta Deen 
Jose Martinez 
Nivedita Basu 