Thanksgiving at Seasons 52

A little advanced notice… Celebrate Thanksgiving Day with our friends at Seasons 52!

Book that cute bistro on Opentable!

I know it’s hard to believe, but now you’ve only got three days left before Valentine’s Day! Have you decided where to take your honey? If you keep putting off deciding this might help you get motivated- opentable.com has a ton of participating restaurants who all list their information on the site and let customers book reservations from the comfort of their home. Or cubicle. Or mobile phone. Or wherever! Be sure to check the site for Valentines Day specials that restaurants near you may be offering!

Here are the Open Table links for some of the bigger cities, but chances are your city is registered, too. Just visit Opentable.com and see!

OpenTable – Cleveland

OpenTable – New York

OpenTable – Chicago

OpenTable – San Francisco

OpenTable – Florida

There’s no such thing as wassail

If you’ve never tried or prepared Wassail (WAHS-ul/Wah-SALE), try it this Christmas season. Rosie Schaap, writer for the New York Times, explores this warm drink’s rich history, traditions, and debated preparation instructions. Go ahead and give it a read!

Wassail Delivers British Nostalgia in a Warm Punch

 

I AM a Dutch-German-Hungarian-Polish-Russian-Jewish-American woman. Yet every December, I turn into a 19th-century British gentleman.

It’s a little embarrassing, this surge of Anglophilia. If I must think of myself as an occasional Englishman, I’d rather be, say, a soccer-loving, beer-swilling extra in a Ken Loach movie, not a Dickens re-enactor.

Still, I put up a Christmas tree. I cook a hefty rib roast, reserving its drippings for Yorkshire pudding. This isn’t a recent development: My mother, whose father was an unrepentant Anglophile, often made a roast on Christmas and sometimes followed it with plum pudding and hard sauce for dessert. (I usually swap that out for a big chunk of Stilton, served with port.)

But this year, I’m adding something else to my faux-English Christmas repast: a great big bowl of wassail, a hot winter punch made with cider, ale, spices and an optional garnish of toast. Yes, toast.

My hope is that it will warm up my holiday dinner guests, encourage them to linger a little longer at the table — and maybe even inspire us all to sing a wassailing song or two.

Wassail (pronounced WAHS-ul or wah-SALE) is enjoying a small revival in New York bars these days, particularly those with nostalgic tendencies, whipped up in big pots or slow cookers. But for those of us who have any active associations with wassail, they are probably musical. “Here We Come a-Wassailing” is about as likely to turn up on your supermarket’s holiday Muzak loop as “The Christmas Song” or “Frosty the Snowman.”

And therein lies the beauty of wassail: more than just another nice-tasting drink, it’s part of a long (if largely forgotten) tradition of celebrating the life that winter can seem determined to snuff out. It’s a fragrant, warming concoction mixed in bulk and set out for sharing, all but demanding that you call in a crowd. There’s really no such thing as wassail for one.

It’s a noun, a verb and even a salutation.

 

READ FULL ARTICLE ON NYTIMES.COM

 

White Chocolate Peppermint Biscotti

We love this recipe from favehealthyrecipes.com — nothing beats a delicious treat, something hot to dunk it in, and a cozy corner to curl up in when the weather gets cold! Do you have a favorite coffee shop that makes divinely delicious biscotti like this?

Curl up on a cold evening with a warm mug of hot chocolate and one of these White Chocolate Peppermint Biscotti cookies. This recipe yields a cookie that is softer than traditional biscotti, so you can eat them without dunking first. The peppermint flavor is a perfect seasonal touch that will make these a stand-out favorite at cookie swaps or family gatherings. The white chocolate drizzled over these cookies is a decadent touch that, besides adding extra sweetness, gives these cookies a festive, snow-covered look.

Click here for the recip

Read more at http://www.favehealthyrecipes.com/Cookies/White-Chocolate-Peppermint-Biscotti#hjYsJImvGeC5EeHf.99

Spooky Drinks for Halloween!

Here’s a great list of scarey drinks you can make for your kids this Halloween – we particularly like the Halloween Slime Punch and Witch’s Brew. If your kid is a little nervous, you might want to leave out the floating hand in some of these drinks. What drinks do you like to serve on Halloween?

Thanks to the “Chew On That” blog for sharing these recipes!!

Halloween Drinks for Kids

Entertain the little ones with these spooky, creepy and tasty drink recipes on Halloween.

Halloween Slime Punch: This is so good, I even use it for birthdays and showers without the bugs.

Witch’s Brew: A black cauldron bubbles and steams ominously. This is the most dramatic effect for drinks, essential at a Halloween party.

Dirty Bath Water: This is a fun drink to make for kids during Halloween – they’ll be so grossed out they’ll all want to try it!

Black Halloween Punch: Delicious! As it is with any Halloween punch, a frozen ‘hand’ adds just the right spooky touch!

Scary “Goulade”: This “Goulade” really packs a punch when you float a frightening, ghostly blue hand in your serving bowl.

Wormy Swamp Punch: A frozen orange ice ring floats in a swampy sea of pineapple-flavored punch in this Halloween beverage recipe.

Tags: halloween drinks, Halloween Drinks for Kids, halloween punch

Posted by AllisonSickert, 7:00 AM

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

May the luck o’ the Irish be with you all this weekend as you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

We’ve provided a handful of links and a few festive images to help you get inspired. Enjoy!

St. Patrick’s day – stpatricksday.com

St. Patrick’s Day – Wikipedia.org

St. Patrick’s Day – History.com

St. Patrick’s Day – Wilstar.com

St. Patrick’s Day Google Doodle (say that five times fast!):

guide.trustedtours.com

pureinfotech.com

Valentines Day Is Right Around the Corner – Get Inspired!

Chocolate, flowers, and love songs – must be Valentines Day!

In honor of the occasion, here are the “Top 10 Most Romantic Restaurants in the U.S.” as compiled by Gayot. Take a minute to browse and get some romantic inspiration for your own special dinner together.

We’ve included a couple from the list here, and you can check out the article on Gayot’s for the full list here.

p.s. Don’t forget to make a reservation at your own dining choice ahead of time!

Canlis
2576 Aurora Ave. N
Seattle, WA 98109

Timeless elegance and accomplished cooking have made this spot Seattle’s special occasion restaurant for more than 60 years. Set on a slope above Lake Union with classic lines crossing Frank Lloyd Wright with Pacific Northwest design, the building opens to refined rooms that are welcoming and gracious.

Being family-owned for three generations, its professional service and world-class wine cellar, as well as its cuisine, set Canlis apart. Five sommeliers, who are gracious whether you order a $30 or $3,000 bottle of wine, help you choose the right selection from more than 18,000 bottles. A menu with both traditional favorites and contemporary seasonal fare makes deciding between truffle fries and butter-poached lobster or a well prepared steak and a twice-baked potato a true challenge.

If you like decisions made for you, the prix-fixe chef’s tasting menu ($115) shows off the talents of executive chef Jason Franey. Canlis’ signature dishes are equally impressive, especially the Canlis salad, Washington-raised Kobe-style beef, and the vermouth-bathed Peter Canlis prawns with garlic, red chilies and lime. Desserts include a Grand Marnier soufflé (order in advance) or a luscious molten chocolate cake.

Extend your evening by enjoying brandy in the bar while listening to jazz or show tunes played on the house Steinway. No matter when you leave, your car will magically be waiting.

Eiffel Tower Restaurant
3655 Las Vegas Blvd. S. (Flamingo Rd.)
Las Vegas, NV 89109

If Las Vegas were the house, this restaurant would be the best seat in it, for this fine-dining perch in Paris’s Eiffel Tower has an unobstructed view of the Strip, including Bellagio’s dancing fountains across the street. Burgundy velour banquettes and a Belle Époque décor set a plush stage for the contemporary French offerings.

Among imaginative appetizers, we like the cold foie gras torchon with duck prosciutto and a fig compote, offered for lunch and dinner. Luncheon sandwiches include steak with Roquefort cheese and a red onion compote. A salad favorite is created with lobster, shrimp and crab. The dégustation menu dreamed up by the chef each evening is a popular choice, featuring menu items such as warm lobster salad with fingerling potatoes and toasted caraway seeds; butternut squash soup with duck confit; sautéed sea bass; venison chop; Eiffel Tower desserts or a soufflé; and petits four.

Wine can be paired with the tasting menu for a complete experience. Among à la carte dinner entrées, try the slow-roasted filet of Atlantic salmon with Pinot Noir sauce. Prices are high, but dishes such as the individual Eiffel Tower beef Wellington with sautéed snap peas are worth it. The wine list consists of more than 900 labels.

See full list….

What Comes After Christmas?

Christmas can be an all-consuming endeavor: friends, family, food, festivities, music, presents — so much so, in fact, that we often forget to look ahead to the days following this special season.

In case you’ve forgotten, New Years Eve celebrations are right around the corner! If you haven’t decided what to do and are looking for a few good dining options in the ‘Burgh, check out Table Magazine’s recent piece on “Where to go and what to eat” while you ring in the new year.

Got suggestions? Comment and let us know!

BLOG

New Year’s Eve 2011
Where to go and what to eat!
Posted: Dec. 19, 2011
By Jessie Cadle

New Years Eve is the time to don the fancy dress and the highest (and hottest) heels to hit the city. But it’s also a holiday for fabulous, filling food. We’ve scoured the streets and found restaurants with special New Year’s Eve events. Grab a fork!

Have a little dessert before dinner at Dozen Bake Shop, in Lawrenceville and Oakland. They have cupcakes with liquor in the frosting or in the cake. Pick up a few margarita, cosmo or jack and coke cupcakes for yourself or to take to your New Year’s party. (Cheers!)

Head to Highland Park for E2’s family style dinner—featuring a special menu created by Chef Kate Romane—for $60 per person. It’s BYOB, so don’t forget the Champagne!

If you want a full-night affair, head to Seven Springs for one of two parties: the Foggy Goggle for $50 a person or the Matterhorn Lounge and Alpine Room Party for $25 per person. Both feature hors d’oeuvres from 9-11 p.m., DJ performances, and pork and sauerkraut at midnight.

If you’re down for even more of a road trip, head to Green House Tavern in Cleveland, Ohio. We fell in love with this place on a recent culinary trip. For $89, you can have a 9-course dinner menu (vegetarian available) and a show by three different DJs.

SAVOY is bringing in Celebrity DJ Biz Markie for their $100 event, which includes a three-course menu, complimentary wine, and a Champagne toast. For $50, you can hang in the lounge for a more laid-back celebration.

Spoon, in East Liberty, is celebrating with a small two-course meal—including chicken and dumplings or filet and crab bread pudding—and dessert. But, if you’re out in Allison Park, check out Blue’s New Year’s Eve menu and New Orleans style jazz by The Southern Comfort Band from 8 p.m. until midnight.

For a classic downtown Pittsburgh night, go to Braddock’s American Brasserie for $50 a person. The special menu includes prosciutto wrapped scallop galantine. (Yum.) Or check out Habitat, for $100 per person, for a six-course meal, featuring scallops and seared duck breast.

…..

Follow this link to read the rest of this article on Table Magazine’s website.

Get Ready for… Christmas Cookies!

No holiday celebration is complete without a plate (or several) of traditional Christmas cookies. We consulted Good Housekeeping for a few good recipes. Below is our favorite – simple, old-fashioned sugar cookies. Visit the site to check out more delicious creations!

Old-Fashioned Classics: 11 Traditional Christmas Cookies

Baking cookies is a wonderful holiday tradition, and there are a few yummy treats you must have on the plate of Christmas cookies every year: decorated sugar cookies, thumbprints, gingerbread cookies. We’ve got the perfect recipes for these cookies — and for your other favorite classics. Let the baking begin!

Sugar Cookies

From Good Housekeeping

triple-tested at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute

Sugar cookies are the ideal holiday cookie — they can be frosted and dressed up in countless ways to suit any occasion.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In large bowl, with mixer on low speed, beat butter and sugar until blended. Increase speed to high; beat until light and creamy. On low speed, beat in egg and vanilla. Beat in flour, baking powder, and salt until blended.

Divide dough into 4 equal pieces; flatten each piece into a disk. Wrap each disk with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour or until dough is firm enough to roll. (Or place dough in freezer 30 minutes.)

On lightly floured surface, with floured rolling pin, roll 1 piece of dough 1/8 inch thick. With floured 3-inch to 4-inch cookie cutters, cut dough into as many cookies as possible; wrap and refrigerate trimmings. Place cookies, 1 inch apart, on ungreased large cookie sheet.

Bake cookies 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool. Repeat with remaining dough and trimmings.

When cookies are cool, prepare Ornamental Frosting, if you like; use along with sugars and candies to decorate cookies. Set cookies aside to allow frosting to dry completely, about 1 hour. Store in tightly covered container (with waxed paper between layers if decorated) at room temperature up to 2 weeks, or in freezer up to 3 months.

See more scrumptious holiday recipes at delish.com~

Where Should You Go in Pittsburgh for Halloween?

foodandthings.com

It’s almost time for a weekend of disguises, family, friends, shivers, and of course some tasty treats!

If you’ll be in the Pittsburgh area over the coming Halloween weekend, the following list, courtesy of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, is for you!

Events range from haunted houses to pumpkin carving, with a wealth of museum, lounge, and bar Halloween offerings in between. Whether you’re looking for kid-friendly fun, or trying to plan a Halloween evening out with friends, there is an option (or ten) for you. Take a look, and feel free to add your own suggestions to the list!

HALLOWEEN

Get ready to get spooked as the both good ghouls and bad come out to frolic for Halloween.

With roots in the Celtic harvest festival of Samhain and the Christian holiday All Saints’ Day, the modern Halloween is a secular holiday that takes a light-hearted look at witches, ghosts and other creatures. In 2011, Halloween falls on a Monday.

We will be adding more relevant events (official and unofficial) as we learn about them, so check back often!

Hundred Acres Manor
Hundred Acres Manor  [ venue info ]
10/19/2011 through 10/30/2011

This non-stop, high-startle event captures the very latest in haunted house technology to guarantee an experience unlike any other.

Ghosts lurk in every corner as you wander through the ancient house, from Massacre Mansion to Black Hill Sanitarium, Fearscapes Factory, and The Maze (a 7,500-square foot labyrinth complete with chainsaw-wielding maniacs).

Proceeds benefit Animal Friends and the Homeless Children’s Education Fund. For directions or more scary information, call (412) 851-4286.

Haunted Hallways
Pleasant Valley Elementary School  [ venue info ]
10/27/2011 5:30pm

The littlest ghosts and goblins (up to third grade) are welcome in costume to enjoy music, games, crafts, a haunted hallway — and of course plenty of candy.

Admission is $5 per child. Proceeds benefit Washington City Missions, non-denominational, Christian social services organization, which provides critically needed goods and services to homeless, poor and needy of Western Pennsylvania without regard to race, color, creed, national origin or religion. For more information, call (724) 222-8530.

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Night Of The Singing Dead
Rex Theatre  [ venue info ]
10/28/2011 through 10/29/2011

Some of Pittsburgh’s favorite musicians and media personalities channel the world’s greatest non-living legends in this irreverent musical comedy.

Tickets to this age 21+ show are $15, and are available at Pittsburgh Guitars on the South Side. For more information, call (412) 431-0700.

Read full article: http://www.post-gazette.com/events/default.asp?id=17&mode=2#ixzz1btv0cwDi