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Wednesday, 25 May 2016

Creative New Orleans Cuisine at Trinity – Now Open in French Quarter

By Unknown 03:40:00 No comments:

Creative New Orleans Cuisine at Trinity – Now Open in French Quarter

RESTAURANTS & CHEFS

TRINITY RESTAURANT NOW OPEN IN NEW ORLEANS’ LOWER FRENCH QUARTER

Bold, Creative Menu Reflects a Myriad of Ethnic Influences that Defines Louisiana Cuisine

Trinity, the new restaurant from real estate developerHugh Uhalt and rising star Chef Michael Isolani, opened in May 2016 in New Orleans’ lower French Quarter. With a menu drawing from the multiple cultural influences that define New Orleans fare, Trinity is poised to become one of the Crescent City’s hottest restaurants/bars in the burgeoning area known as Lower Decatur. With a $1 million makeover, the multi-level indoor/outdoor space encompasses 6,000 square feet and accommodates more than 100 guests. An open air kitchen allows diners to peek into the Trinity team’s intricate approach to creating each plate, while an upstairs dining room offers more intimate and private dining options. Balcony seating provides an al fresco dining experience overlooking the bustling action of the French Quarter.

Uhalt, owner of Kingfish Development, is a New Orleans native who saw the former Maximo’s space as an opportunity to bring a convivial dining and drinking establishment with elevated cuisine and warm hospitality to the Lower French Quarter. “The Maximo’s space is legendary and the food scene in New Orleans is as exciting as I’ve ever seen it. I’m thrilled to be a part of it,” Uhalt says.

Helming the kitchen is Isolani, most recently of Bouligny Tavern where he collaborated with Chef John Harris to create a small-plate gastropub menu that earned critical acclaim, including “Three Beans” fromTimes-Picayune critic Brett Anderson. With a varied menu that pays tribute to the amalgamation of ethnicities that make up the very unique and easily recognizable flavor of New Orleans food culture, Isolani focuses on sourcing the best local products and using familiar ingredients to create unfamiliar dishes. Diners can expect a bright, creative and adventurous culinary experience.

Oysters ($8 and up) – a delicious assortment of classic and innovative mollusks, are perfect to begin the culinary journey. Oysters Broiled are lightly breaded with panko and topped with a cayenne aioli and flying fish roe, while Oysters Smoked feature deviled eggs, horseradish and Cajun caviar. From there, guests would be prudent to share some bite-sized nibbles from the Fingers section ($7 and up) such asCrawfish and Fontina Beignets with tarragon aioli; Tempura Scallions with satsuma soy sauce; andDuck Fat Hush Puppies with green tomato jam.

Progressing through the menu, Forks ($9 and up) are the perfect segue and include Duck Confit with a red wine reduction and chicory greens served atop a red potato salad; Grilled Shrimp with chimichurri and grilled cherry tomatoes; and Ricotta Gnudi with Muscadine wine, forest mushrooms and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Mainplate options, or Knives ($27 and up), feature composed dishes such asSeared Snapper with avocado, citrus salad and toasted pecans; Braised Pork Shank with apple compote, roasted garlic and lentils; and a tender Grilled Strip Loin, sliced and served with chanterelles and béarnaise.

Under the direction of Pastry Chef Sydney Rainwater, who has worked with some of New Orleans’ most iconic chefs/restaurateurs including Emeril Lagasse, John Besh and Dickie Brennan, enticingDessert options ($8 and up) include “Tostones” Bread Pudding with caramelized plantains and spiced rum brown butter caramel; Dark and Stormy – ginger rum cake with cream cheese filling and lime glaze; and Fat Elvis Banana Split – chocolate-peanut butter ice cream, candied bacon, and bananas.

At Trinity, guests can enjoy a variety of classic and approachable cocktails with a modern flair. Developed by cocktail consultant Adam Orzechowski, libations utilize the variety of seasonal selections that Southeast Louisiana has to offer and are balanced with creativity, flavor and spirits. HardTails are booze-centric and include The Pearl – Fortaleza Reposado Tequila, Manzanilla sherry, house infused poached pear brandy and the SRP Punk – house infused salt roasted-peach rye, lemon, basil, sugar, peach bitters and salt. SoftTails are Low ABV (Alcohol By Volume) and include Da Jam – house infused mixed berry Aperol, balsamic reduction and cane sugar and Borscht and Bubbles – vodka, lemon, beets, and dill, topped with champagne. A large selection of local craft brews and a moderately priced wine list are also on offer.

Designed by William Sonner Designs, Trinity features sleek, contemporary design elements combined with old world features, exuding an aura of modern elegance that is both sophisticated and comfortable. Upon entering the stunning space, guests are greeted by an expansive marble bar with dramatic ambient lighting, set against the backdrop of original exposed brick. A wrap-around food bar seating 17 and elevated leather and marble banquettes overlook the open kitchen, allowing guests to take in the action. Upstairs is a private dining room and outdoor seating on the candlelit balcony, overlooking the horse-drawn carriages and stunning architecture of Lower Decatur Street.

Trinity is located at 1117 Decatur Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Dinner is served nightly,Sunday – Thursday 5PM – 10PM; Friday and Saturday 5PM – 11PM. Reservations can be made atwww.opentable.com. Telephone: (504)325-5789; www.trinityrestaurantneworleans.com

Foodie Entertainment On-The-Go: National ‘Coffee With America’ Show Embodies New Era of Interactive TV

By Unknown 03:39:00 No comments:

Foodie Entertainment On-The-Go: National ‘Coffee With America’ Show Embodies New Era of Interactive TV

MAGAZINE ISSUE ARTICLES

Wake up America, there’s a perky new lifestyle television program in town—a tasty daytime talk show worth getting frothed up about. Okay, puns aside, I am truly excited to tell you about Coffee With America, which is a weekly TV program dedicated to “keeping viewers informed on ‘what’s brewin’’ in news, social media and pop culture” to include a litany of food and beverage topics!

Recent episodes have included cooking segments with celebrity chefs like the Food Network’s Michael Symon and Chef Hector Santiago from BRAVO TV’s Top Chef Season 6. Other expert-driven foodie fav topics also satiate inquiring minds, like “how grow your own food with the backyard to table movement,” “bringing Tuscany to your table,” and chef-leberty/health and wellness authority Seamus Mullen sharing recipe ideas featuring extra virgin olive oil.

With powerhouse media personalities Ebony Steele and Sasha Rionda at the co-host helm, Coffee With America is putting a fun, fast-paced and interactive new twist on daytime TV.

The rapid success this show, which debuted on September 1, 2015, is no surprise given Steele and Rionda’s broadcasting pedigree. Hailing from FOX TV’s Dish Nation and radio’s “The Rickey Smiley Morning Show,” Steele was also named one of Radio Facts’ Top 30 Women in Media alongside Oprah, Wendy Williams and Soledad O’Brien. Rionda also holds her own as a multilingual, multinational correspondent who has hosted several shows, including CNN International’s “The Music Room.” She’s interviewed top recording artists Britney Spears, Usher and Moby, among others.

Today, the ladies are serving up fresh brewed conversation on Coffee With America that includes everything from food and entertaining to lifestyle and celebrities to health and fitness to fashion and beauty to tech gadgets and travel…and everything in between. Seriously, where else can you see Courtney Sixx, wife of Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx, talking about Valentine’s Day DIY gift ideas? Other recent guest examples include Victoria’s Secret Angel Elsa Hosk talking about hot summer fashion. As a gift guru, lifestyle and leisure expert in my own right, I myself have appeared on the program numerous times showcasing top food, beverage and other product picks. Other exciting audience-inducing aspects of the show include giveaways, with lucky winners scoring swag like a HTC cell phone and an all-inclusive trip to the Moon Palace Jamaica Grande Resort.

With its abundance of wit and wisdom, Coffee With America is amassing fans from coast to coast. The nationally-syndicated talk show currently airs in more than 180 markets throughout the U.S., with each episode reaching more than 34 million homes in top markets like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia via Youtoo America—billed as “the world’s first interactive social television network.” It also airs on major cable providers like Comcast and Time Warner and on local affiliates like Atlanta’s WAGA-TV where the program ranks number two in its time slot, which is quite an achievement in a top ten market with about 14 local stations. The show will soon debut on a second cable network and also with KDOC-TV in Los Angeles among multiple other soon-to-be-added affiliates—and not just independent stations but also CBS, FOX and The CW—all expeditiously advancing the program’s cume per segment viewership above the respectable 1.8 million it currently boasts.

In addition, understanding that more and more television viewers continue to “cut the cord,” Coffee With America utilizes a cross-media platform business model such that the show is available on the Web and in social media, accessible on any mobile video streaming device, to ensure fans can catch every episode. Yep, viewers can stream this entertaining and informative show from the comfort their favorite coffee shop while sipping a cup of Joe. Now that’s progress.
Raising the interactivity ante is the fact that Steele and Rionda are both extremely interactive with their fans throughout the show’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media sites—an approach that’s clearly resonating with the audience. In fact, one recent Facebook post on the danger of children mistaking prescription drugs for candy reportedly drew 35,000 unique views, alone.

About the show’s rapid success, perhaps Ben Garrett, Co-Owner of Coffee with America, said it best: “Because we focus on what people are talking about in coffee shops all around the country, we can always be topical, fresh and entertaining. No re-runs—there’s a fresh show every week featuring ‘news they can use’ to better their lives.”

Better, indeed.

~~~

“The Luxe List” Executive Editor Merilee Kern scours the luxury marketplace for exemplary travel experiences, extraordinary events, and notable products and services. Submissions are accepted atwww.TheLuxeList.com. Follow her on Twitter here: www.Twitter.com/LuxeListEditor and Facebook here:www.Facebook.com/TheLuxeList.

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above were provided and/or sponsored to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.****

Constellation Brands Named Beverage Forum 2016 Large Company of the Year

By Unknown 22:33:00 No comments:

Constellation Brands Named Beverage Forum 2016 Large Company of the Year

Company is Recognized for its “Best in Class” Performance in the Beverage Industry

Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ and STZ.B), a leading beverage alcohol company, has been recognized as Large Company of the Year by The Beverage Forum at the 2016 conference, the only global all-beverage executive conference.
Constellation Brands President and CEO Rob Sands accepted the award at the annual conference in Chicago on April 26, where he was also a keynote speaker. The award recognizes organizations that stood out in 2015 and have risen to meet the opportunities and challenges within the beverage space.
“This is an incredible honor,” said Sands. “It certainly has been another milestone year for our company, and this award is a testament to talented employees that work hard to deliver for our distributors, customers and consumers every day. We continue to look forward to future growth and are excited by the opportunities ahead.”
Constellation’s strong routes to market, leading marketing initiatives, and acquisitions of leading brands has resulted in steady growth, top performance in the S&P 500, and heightened attention on the company’s trend toward premiumization. In August 2015, Constellation Brands completed the acquisition of the Meiomi luxury wine brand, the number one pinot noir in dollar sales growth, followed by the acquisition of Ballast Point in December 2015, one of the fastest-growing craft beer companies in the U.S. Most recently, Constellation announced its agreement to acquire The Prisoner Wine Company – home of super luxury wines The Prisoner, Saldo, Cuttings, Blindfold and Thorn.
All this happened in the midst of another banner year for Constellation’s popular imported beer brands such as Corona Extra, Corona Light, Modelo Especial, and Pacifico. Modelo Especial became the No. 1 dollar share gainer among U.S. beer brands in IRI channels during calendar year 2015, and Corona Extra was the No. 1 imported beer. Kim Crawford recently emerged as the No. 1 sauvignon blanc in the U.S. and Canada and achieved Fast Track status in the Beverage Information Group’s 2015 awards. The Beverage Information Group also recognized SVEDKA Vodka as a spirits growth brand, which this year achieved its place as the No. 1 imported vodka in the entire U.S.
About Constellation Brands
Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ and STZ.B) is a leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine and spirits with operations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and Italy. In 2015, Constellation was one of the top performing stocks in the S&P 500 Consumer Staples Index. Constellation is the number three beer company in the U.S. with high-end, iconic imported brands including Corona Extra, Corona Light, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo, Pacifico, and Ballast Point, one of the most awarded craft brewers in the U.S. Constellation is also the world’s leader in premium wine selling great brands that people love including Robert Mondavi, Clos du Bois, Kim Crawford, Meiomi, Mark West, Franciscan Estate, Ruffino and Jackson-Triggs. The company’s premium spirits brands include SVEDKA Vodka and Casa Noble Tequila.
Based in Victor, N.Y., the company believes that industry leadership involves a commitment to brand-building, our trade partners, the environment, our investors and to consumers around the world who choose our products when celebrating big moments or enjoying quiet ones. Founded in 1945, Constellation has grown to become a significant player in the beverage alcohol industry with more than 100 brands in its portfolio, sales in approximately 100 countries, about 40 facilities and approximately 9,000 talented employees. We express our company vision: to elevate life with every glass raised. To learn more, visit www.cbrands.com.

Introducing The Restaurant at Spicer Mansion: Coastal New England’s Most Sought-After Fine Dining Reservation

By Unknown 22:31:00 No comments:

Introducing The Restaurant at Spicer Mansion: Coastal New England’s Most Sought-After Fine Dining Reservation

New restaurant to elevate Mystic, Connecticut’s culinary scene

Momentum for Mystic’s most exclusive, invitation-only restaurant continues to build, following the announcement of Spicer Mansion, a new luxury inn opening May 28, 2016. Located just steps from Mystic’s bustling waterfront, The Restaurant at Spicer Mansion will be an intimate and elegant fine dining experience and a true destination for culinary excellence. Helmed by Executive Chef Jennifer Backman, The Restaurant will raise the bar for the region.

Open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday to inn and invited guests only, the fine dining outlet will celebrate a farm-to-table philosophy, offering guests an unparalleled culinary experience from start to finish. Bringing resurgence to the traditional fine dining experience of yesteryear, guests will enjoy handcrafted cocktails and canapés in a grand salon while reviewing the evening’s menu, before being escorted into one of three dining rooms for their gourmet meal. The Restaurant will have an evolving six-course tasting menu that changes nightly and features artisanal meats and the finest fresh seafood. Tables will be set with Italian hemstitch linens and Baccarat Crystal, and nautical artwork and paintings will adorn the walls throughout the Victorian-era dining rooms on loan from Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport and The Cooley Gallery.
“The Restaurant is more than just a place to come and dine, it will be an immersive and sensory experience that begins from the moment you walk through the doors,” said Executive Chef Jennifer Backman. “Our collaboration with local farms and memorable tableside preparations will provide an unprecedented dining event that everyone should treat themselves to.”
Chef Backman brings 17 years of experience in some of Rhode Island’s most celebrated kitchens, most recently, serving as executive chef at the Relais & Châteaux Weekapaug Inn in Weekapaug, Rhode Island. In addition to sourcing fresh herbs from the Mansion’s backyard garden, Backman will work closely with the nearby Ocean House’s Food Forager, exercising her creative ability to turn ingredients collected in the morning into decadent meals by evening. Her established relationships with nearby farms in Connecticut and Rhode Island will ensure thoughtful menus. Backman’s passion for pasta will translate into the menu, with a least one course featuring a seasonal, homemade pasta dish each night. Spicier Mansion Dining

“Spicer Mansion’s restaurant will be the East Coast’s answer to the West Coast’s French Laundry,” said Daniel A. Hostettler, President and Group Managing Director of Ocean House Management, LLC. “A night dining at the mansion will be truly experiential, and guests should plan to allow two and a half hours for their dinner. Every detail — from the way food is presented to the ambiance of the space — has been carefully selected to provide an unforgettable, refined dining experience and an exceptional level of service.”
The Mansion’s wine and spirits program will complement the cuisine, offering the finest internationally renowned wines, local craft beers and carefully curated spirits. Spicer Mansion will also offer Room No. 9 Speakeasy, perfect for an aperitif, light bite or nightcap, its entrance hidden behind a bookcase and down a set of stairs to the historic cellar.
The Restaurant’s tasting menu begins at$115, with a suggested wine pairing for $75. Guests are welcome to bring special bottles of wine that are not represented on the restaurant’s wine list, with a corking fee of $90 per bottle. Reservations for outside guests are by invitation only and are taken no more than two months in advance. For dinner, jackets and collared shirts are required in the salons and restaurant; ties are optional.
The Restaurant will be accessible through the lobby of Spicer Mansion, located at 15 Elm Street. For more information, please visit www.spicermansion.com. Visit the hotel on Facebook and Instagram for progress updates and historical facts on the property.
About Spicer Mansion
Originally built in 1853, Spicer Mansion was purchased by its namesake, renowned sea captain and benefactor Elihu Spicer Jr. as his family’s summer home. Now owned by the Gates family of Stonington, Connecticut, Spicer Mansion will open in May 2016 as a carefully restored luxury boutique hotel under the direction of Ocean House Management, LLC. The hotel will feature eight guestrooms and a world-class food and beverage program including a fine dining restaurant and the Room No. 9 speakeasy-style cocktail bar, exclusive to hotel and invited guests. Spicer Mansion pays homage to the Gilded Age of refined hospitality alongside contemporary touches, uncompromising service, and the latest in modern technology. Guests of the Mansion will also have access to all of the amenities afforded to Ocean House and Weekapaug Inn guests.

MAKE EVERY DAY FEEL LIKE ‘FRIYAY’ WITH TGI FRIDAYS® NEW DINE & DRINK PAIRINGS THAT ARE THE PERFECT MOTIVATION FOR A NIGHT OUT

By Unknown 22:27:00 No comments:

MAKE EVERY DAY FEEL LIKE ‘FRIYAY’ WITH TGI FRIDAYS^® NEW DINE & DRINK PAIRINGS THAT ARE THE PERFECT MOTIVATION FOR A NIGHT OUT

New menu pairs dinner and drinks for just $12, leaving no excuse for an evening on the couch

The ‘night out’ is in danger, as dinner, drinks and amusement are just one click away thanks to the latest innovations in meal delivery and streaming entertainment. The cost: your social life. The better option: TGI Fridays^® new Dine & Drink Menu, giving you a reason to get off of the couch and go out with friends without breaking the bank.
Now guests can enjoy #FridayFeels any day of the week with their choice of an entrée and beverage, including liquor, beer or wine, bundled for $12 (AKA way less than you’d pay with that food delivery service).The new Dine & Drink menu, available today through June 19 at participating restaurants, will inspire couch potatoes to assemble a posse and have a #Partyfor12: choose one of Fridays^SM new entrées and an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage just for $12
“It’s time to trade a night in with the DVR for some real face time with friends,” said Brian Gies, Chief Marketing Officer. “With countless options on our new Dine & Drink menu and a great atmosphere for some serial socializing, Fridays is a no-brainer to break that stay-in slump.”
The Fridays menu offers pairing suggestions based on trending entrées and flavors so guests can “choose-their-own-culinary-adventure” by mixing and matching however they want.
“We developed the Dine & Drink menu based on current food trends, ensuring that we give our guests unique flavor combinations that you can’t get anywhere else or make at home,” said Dan Dillon, Vice President of Menu Innovation “Delicious options like Sriracha Shrimp Naan’wich with seasoned fries and a Blackberry Margarita will make even your best friends have food envy.”
The new Dine & Drink menu also remixes throwback fan favorites, like the Beef Stroganoff Pasta, and introduces new dishes like the Hot Southern Chicken with spicy ghost pepper honey sauce to get things turned-up, flavor-wise. To complement the “dine,” drink specials include premium craft beers, wines and high quality, hand-crafted cocktails complete with fresh fruit.

Fridays - Dos XX w Half Rack Bacon Crusted Ribs

Fridays - Hot Southern Chicken,Sweet Potato Fries, Pickles, Ruby Red Lemonade

Dine…

Hot Southern Chicken – Crispy chicken fingers coated in spicy ghost pepper honey sauce served on Texas toast with pickles and a side of sweet potato fries.

Sriracha Shrimp Naan’wich – Sriracha glazed shrimp, grilled and chilled then drizzled with balsamic glaze on fresh grilled naan bread with cucumber yogurt sauce, balsamic onions, garlic and basil, bruschetta, cucumbers and mixed greens with kale. Served with choice of fries or side salad.

Beef Stroganoff Pasta – Slow braised beef, red onions, bacon, Cremini mushrooms, and fettuccine in a creamy beef stout sauce with ranch sour cream and green onions brought back to the menu as a guest favorite.

Half-Rack Bacon-Crusted Ribs – Fridays world-famous half rack of baby back pork ribs sauced with a sweet onion chipotle glaze and covered with chopped Applewood-smoked bacon. Served with seasoned fries and coleslaw.

Jack Daniel’s^® Hickory-Smoked Chicken – Fresh all-natural chicken breast fire-grilled over smoked hickory and basted with Jack Daniel’s^® glaze, served with of two choice sides.

Jack Daniel’s^® Hickory-Smoked Mahi – Wild-caught Mahi perfectly seasoned with hickory-smoked sea salt and fire-grilled over hickory planks and bated with Jack Daniel’s^® glaze, served with choice of two sides.

Petite Sirloin – Six ounces of fresh USDA choice top sirloin trimmed to deliver a classic American cut, fire-grilled to order and topped with parmesan butter. Served with two choice sides.
Truffle Stacked Burger – A blend of four cheeses with truffle oil, onion-bacon jam and Asiago between two fresh burgers with truffle aioli and Applewood-smoked bacon. Served in freshly baked buns with seasoned fries.

And Drink…

Peach Long Island Tea – A seasonal twist with peach fruit mixed with New Amsterdam peach vodka.

Ruby Red Spiked Lemonade – Real crushed raspberries, Deep Eddy Ruby Red grapefruit – flavored vodka remixed with refreshing house-made lemonade.

Blackberry Margarita – Premium blackberries added to one of the best-selling margaritas on the menu.

Wine – A variety of top-selling house wines include a varietal for everyone: white, blush and red.

Beer – A wide selection of craft beers on tap.

Find more information on Dine & Drink and participating Fridays locations by downloading the app or visiting Fridays.com.

About TGI Fridays
In 1965, Fridays opened its first location in New York City. Today, there are over 900 restaurants in 60 countries which offer high quality, authentic American food and legendary drinks, served with genuine personal service. Bringing people together to socialize and celebrate the freeing and liberating spirit of “Friday” is the concept’s founding premise, from which the brand promise “In Here, It’s Always Friday^®” was born. For more information, visit www.fridays.com or follow us on Twitter at @TGIFridays.

Constellation Brands Named Beverage Forum 2016 Large Company of the Year

By Unknown 00:19:00 No comments:

Constellation Brands Named Beverage Forum 2016 Large Company of the Year

BEVERAGE NEWS, INDUSTRY NEWS

Constellation Brands Named Beverage Forum 2016 Large Company of the Year

Company is Recognized for its “Best in Class” Performance in the Beverage Industry

Food and Recipes

Wednesday, 25 May 2016