The Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) has a limited time offer for special rates to the cities of Rome, Florence, Milan, Asolo, Venice and the island of Sardinia. Guests will receive a 20% discount on best available room rates including 20% off on food and beverage at the following hotels and resorts:
ROME: The St. Regis Grand Hotel; The Westin Excelsior Rome; SheratonRomaHotel & ConferenceCenter and Hotel Eden (20% off food and beverage not applicable at Hotel Eden)
VENICE: Hotel Danieli; Hotel Gritti Palace; The Westin Europa & Regina; The Westin Excelsior Resort, Venice Lido; Hotel Des Bains, Venice Lido Resort
FLORENCE: The Westin Excelsior Florence and The Grand Hotel
SARDINIA: Hotel Pitrizza, Hotel Cala di Volpe, Cervo Hotel and Hotel Romazzino
The online offer is valid for bookings made from now until July 31st 2008 for reservations up until October 31, 2008. Potential guests must visit www.italiansummervacation08.com and book through the website. Payment for reservations will be charged at time of booking. All reservations are non-changeable and non-refundable. Additional terms and conditions may apply.
Your taste buds will really get down and party at this special event, the New Frontiers of Taste, celebrating the 100th year anniversary of Dr. Kikunae Ikeda’s discovery of *Umami, the 5th taste. This major event is timed to coincide with the International Symposium on Olfaction and Taste (ISOT), and will draw a variety of attendees that includes chefs, culinary students, food and wine experts, scientists, journalists, and plain old food lovers.
You’ll learn more about this elusive taste sensation from heavy hitters, Thomas Keller of The French Laundry; Hiro Sone of Terra, Ame; and Kunio Tokuoka of Japan’s Kyoto Kitcho, who are joining together with leading food scientists and culinary experts to discuss and celebrate the fifth taste, umami at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco.The symposium, New Frontiers of Taste, will discuss the impact of umami in a casual panel conversation that includes Harold McGee, Ph.D. (food writer and molecular gastronomist). Following the discussion, internationally accredited chefs will serve a multi-course lunch to demonstrate umami. Highlights of the menu will include seared Japanese spiny lobster, ginger-poached Georgia shrimp and watermelon salad and Salle d’Agneau: lamb sous vide. Tim Hanni (master of wine and wine educator) will introduce a number of wines at the luncheon to demonstrate how they can successfully be paired with umami-rich foods.
Tickets are available at www.umamiinfo.com for $100 (or $50 for students with valid student I.D.).
July 21st, 2008
11:30 a.m. Hyatt Regency San Francisco, Embarcadero Center, 5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111, 415-788-1234, 800-233-1234.
*What exactly is umami?
The flavour of food is determined by a number of different factors including taste, smell, colour, temperature and overall appearance, as well as by physiological or psychological conditions. Some of the most important factors are the basic tastes of sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami.
It was Japanese scientist Dr. Kikunae Ikeda who first discovered that glutamic acid, an amino acid, was responsible for the umami taste of Konbu.
Although there is no English word for it, umami is a savoury taste imparted by glutamate and ribonucleotides, including inosinate and guanylate, which occur naturally in many foods including meat, fish, vegetables and dairy products.
The taste of umami itself is subtle. It blends well with other tastes to expand and round out flavours. Most people don’t recognise umami when they encounter it, but it can be detected when eating ripe tomatoes, parmesan cheese, cured ham, mushrooms, meat and fish. Umami plays an important role making food taste delicious.
A timely tale of the totally true way that you, yes YOU, can jump the kill-me-now airport security lines with your very own Clear Pass!
It’s easy to apply online, and once the TSA clears ya (Clear Pass takes care of all that beaurocratic nonsense), you’ll get a Clear card that clearly says, “Fudge You!” to the system, The Man, the years-off-your-life stripping hassles of hangin’ with the masses…
**Tango Diva Deal Alert **Members receive 1 bonus month with a 1 Year application! Read on for details!
Museums overflow in excellence! SFMOMA re-introduces us to Frida Kahlo, that icon of expressive, surrealist sufferings. Then over at the Legion of Honor, we take a fascinating look at Women Impressionists. Try to name 3. I bet you can’t! (I couldn’t before this woman-cational exhibit!!) And finally the prolific eye-patched glass pirate that is Chihuly over at the De Young. Whew, I need a non-nicotine nor tar-filled cigarette!
San Francisco museums are doing a great job of honoring women artists. Are you feeling the Diva love from your local museums? If not, write a letter! Fill out one of them suggestion box cards. Let your local galleries and museums know how you feel!
* * *
Firstly Frida: Physical and psychic pain from a bus accident to the constant infidelities of her husband, Diego Rivera, led her to attack bold canvases with the livid, vivid, soul-ripping visions that catapulted her to fame. While in her lifetime often merely referred to as Diego’s pretty wife, her legacy has captured so many in its unapologetic intimate effrontery that the SFMOMA had to institute special late hours and timed tickets to meet the expected deluge of fans! Viva Frida!
Women Impressionists: Mary Cassatt perhaps you’ve heard of, but what about Berthe Morisot (that’s French for Bertha), Eva Gonzales and Marie Bracquemond? Shown together for the very first time in the United States, Women Impressionists is a groundbreaking look at four female Impressionists who take on not only the regular ol’ themes but also give us a rare glimpse into home and hearth. What a fascinating and unusual exhibit!
Chihuly: Look up at the Bellagio ceiling in Vegas. That’s where I first met this behemoth of blown glass. Then I met him in person at the press preview! OMG! His comprehensive exhibit at the De Young is simply stunning. Neon brings glass to life in eerie forests of light, and to further meld the organic with the inorganic, Chihuly brought a hundred or so of his collection of Native American blankets strewn in a room that defies the psychedelic multi-colored forests of his other creations. Wow!
* * *
And then there was the wildly crowded, how-can-I-get-a-drink launch party of 944 Magazine here in SF with Macy Gray on the turntables. Who knew she DJ’ed?? From Tempe to the 280, Vegas to Beverly Hills, 944–that glossy lifestyle magazine–takes on another city. We’re not sunburned, strippy or scene-y, so I wonder how they will fit into our low-key culture? From the looks of the red carpet last night, I think they’re a-okay…
It’s almost too much culture for one Diva in a week! Photos courtesy of Pearl Dworkin and Zarah Gulamhusein. And thanks to my museum club buddies–Liza Sonia and Mona Brooks.
I now have a California address. Just over a week ago, I lugged three suitcases, a backpack and a bulging purse halfway across the country from Minnesota to San Francisco.
What brings me all the way from the Midwest? An internship at Tango Diva as an editorial assistant. I get to write, edit, photograph, attend events and do other fabulous things that you lucky Divas get to read or see on the Web site. I’m here until August. That’s as far as my plans are planned. What’s after that? Stay in San Francisco? Move back to the Midwest? I have no idea.
I come from a small town. I’ve never lived in a big city before. Now don’t go and categorize me into some small-town-girl-who-lives-on-a-farm-and-is-petrified- of-the-city. My parents may live on a hobby farm (think barn and land but lacking in animals), but I love cities; I’ve travelled to many and frequented several others. I’ve just never lived in one. And visiting is far different than living.
I have no car. I use public transportation. I live in an apartment building. I have a roommate. I lug my groceries up a ridiculous number of stairs. Ah, city living.
I have two main passions/loves: fashion and food. If you have any suggestions for a great little San Francisco boutique or hole in the wall restaurant, I’d be grateful. However, please note that I’m a recent college grad with a limited budget.
I look forward to sharing my “city life,†and you will hear from me soon!
Join me on a 10 night cruise to Tahiti’s Society Islands, May 16-26, 2009, onboard Regent Cruise Lines Paul Gauguin, where you won’t just travel to Tahiti, you’ll be transported! Have the pleasure of 5 star elegance and service which includes all meals and beverages, gratuities, FREE airfare from Los Angeles, a private cocktail party and a $200 per person shipboard credit. This sailing has been conveniently chosen to include two weekends including Memorial Day, to maximize your vacation time and minimize your time away from work. Prices start at $5387.50 per person (5% off the listed price), including all port charges, government fees and fuel surcharges!
Come join me! It would be great to meet you in person! Call 866-408-WIZE (9493)
One of my fave trade tastings each year is the Rieslings from Germany. Unfortunately, most of these incredible wines never see the light of day in the States. On the rare occasions that I do spy one on the menu and try to order it, I usually get the same comment from my (riesling ignorant) dinner companion, “No thanks, I don’t really care for sweet wines.†For the umpteenth time people, NOT ALL RIESLINGS ARE SWEET AND EVEN THE SWEETER ONES ARE DELICIOUS!
I’m happy to report that Rieslings from Germany has decided that it’s time to shatter all your pre-conceived notions and introduce the public to some of the best summer wines available. For one week only, you can experience world-class Rieslings from Germany, as well as Alsace and Austria, at the top restaurants in San Francisco, New York, Chicago and Las Vegas. Restaurants will be featuring European Rieslings either by the glass, by the flight, or creating special pairing menus to showcase the versatility of this varietal.
June 16th – 22nd, 2008
San Francisco
New York City
Chicago
Las Vegas
For participating restaurants and retail locations in each city,(many offer complimentary tastings,) go to their website.
Retailer Tastings Include:
Blackwell’s Wine & Spirits
Dee Vine Wines
Solano Wine Shop
William Cross Wine Merchants
FYI: here’s the outlook on this years crop:
Thanks to early bud burst and optimal autumn weather, the 2007 vintage in Germany had good yields of excellent quality. German wine grapes had an unusually long growing season, so the year’s harvest was relatively unhurried and took place over several weeks. Grape musts and young wines showed well, with a fabulous wealth of aromas, high ripeness and extract levels, and a well integrated, harmonious – yet marked – acidity.
I just got back to town in time to order my Summertini Tickets and they are selling like…hmmm…free infused martinis? This is one of the Bay Area’s best events.
Sooper creative drinks, a great auction (I’m bidding on the Michael Bauer dinner so WATCH OUT!), delish food from some of my fave restos, tons of excitement and ALL FOR A GREAT CAUSE!
(Ok….I suppose I should disclose that I’m one of the founders of this superb (if I do say so myself:) culinary vocational program. CHEFS is a program of Episcopal Community Services that provides culinary vocational training to prepare homeless and formerly homeless adults for employment in food service.
So better hurry and order your tickets if you want to join us in a toast to a special cause. Sip cocktails, sample food from top Bay Area restaurants and participate in live and silent auctions.
Stunning Silent and Live Auctions Hosted by Bob Sarlatte and George Noceti
Featuring: A week in Provence, a week in New Orleans,
a week in a Tahoe City lake-view home for 20, fine wines,
original artwork, a restaurant “review†dinner with
renowned food critic Michael Bauer, a glamorous weekend
with brunch for two at the Ritz-Carlton and more!
Savor Farmers’ Market Summer hors d’oeuvres created by:
After a quiet night at the Hotel Monteleone we woke up the next morning a trifle hung-over from the Royal Street festivities, but after three cafe au laits (no beignets because we were heading for the MAIN EVENT) we were wired and ready to go. Comfy Shoes-Check! Tickets-Check! Elastic Waistbands-Check! We waited in the entrance line for the final countdown-the doors opened- and WOW! Even after all the food & wine events that I’ve attended over the years, I was still awe-struck by the plethora of the culinary delights. It was like entering the pearly “southern†gates of Food Heaven!
For the next two days I nibbled, chowed down, imbibed, and simply pigged-out on restaurant offerings such as: 5Fifty’s Duck Sliders, Bourbon-Chili Glazed Shrimp, The Ritz Carlton’s Melange “Trio of Foie Grasâ€, Wasabi Crusted Tuna, Crawfish/Corn/Avocado Salad, Bacco’s Lobster Raviolis, Muriel’s Crawfish and Goat Cheese Crepes, Blackened Crawfish Risotto, Dakota’s incredibly rich Crabmeat & Brie Soup, Rootbeer Pound Cake, Whiskey Bread Pudding, Bananas Foster and Strawberry Creme Brulee. I couldn’t begin to recap all the incredible wines (over 3500 corks were popped for this event,)but I began with Veuve Clicquot and ended with a succulent dessert wine from Oregon’s Elk Cove, with many fine new and old-world wines in between.
Wait…hot off the press-I just found out that the dates have been set for next year, so don’t say I’m not giving you plenty of warning to Save May 18-22, 2009 for the next NOWFE!
Sorry I have not posted for awhile – time for the internet is limited when you are on the road! Anyway, I am in Rome right now and am having the time of my life.
I rode a double decker bus in London, sat under the Effiel Tower in Paris, had a picnic in the wine region, ate duck in France, and visited the Sistine Chapel in Florence today.
Photos courtesy of 
