Archives for April, 2008
Using your saber to drink Champagne
You own a saber, don’t you?
It’s Monday night, so this must be the University of Houston and my weekly International Sommelier Guild class on wine appreciation. Twenty-two wine geeks and one geeky instructor, all talking and drinking wine for five to seven hours on a Monday night.
Those of you who really, really want to know more about wine should consider signing up. There are classes throughout the US and Canada (and much of the world).
But just so you don’t think this is all study and no play, here’s a quick video of Darryl Beeson (the instructor) and several of the class participants learning the art of sabering a bottle of Champagne.
Dining Out Club at Feast
| May 12, 2008 | ||
Love eating out? Looking for new places to try and new people to share the experience?
I’m the organizer for Dining Out Club/Houston! We’re a growing bunch of dedicated foodies, all wanting to find exciting places to meet and eat. Once or more each month we go to different restaurants somewhere in (or near) Houston. I’m anxious for you to join in the fun!
- There are no club fees!
- Each attendee pays their own food bill.
- Meetings start at 7:00pm in a restaurant somewhere in the Houston area and last an hour or two.
- Some people stay around after the meal to enjoy the venue and the company.
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Interested? Sign up and RSVP for our next meeting. Come every meeting or come when you can!
FYI: We use www.meetup.com as our RSVP/Membership tracking tool. It’s free for you! |
This Meeting
“Feast is about bringing a traditional and relaxed European approach to dining to Downtown Houston. We will be offering simple, rustic cuisine in a relaxed, homely environment. Our emphasis will be on quality, local, seasonal ingredients prepared with passion and imagination.
Feast is informal, lively and different, serving great food and wine at prices reasonable enough to become a neighborhood “local” as well as a destination for a night out. We serve the traditional rustic cuisine of the continent on a rolling, ever changing menu which will evolve season by season. We feature organic meats, fresh fish and great vegetarian food. We offer familiar favorites alongside the more adventurous fare for which we have become known and will often feature dishes specifically designed to be shared.
“Our desire is to summon the spirit of a family meal shared around the kitchen table of an old-fashioned European family farm.”
Dinner entrees from $15-22.
Feast “European” Food
219 Westheimer Road
Houston TX 77006
(713) 529-7788
feasthouston.googlepages.com
Houston Wine Geeks at So Vino Bistro and Wine Bar
| April 30, 2008 | ||
| May 7, 2008 | ||
Scared of WineSpeak?
Embarrassed when you have to read and order from a wine list? Want to know more about wine and how to enjoy it?
Houston Wine Geeks is an informal group of wine enthusiasts focused on the ins-and-outs of wine appreciation and wine education.
I’m taking a $1,500 wine appreciation course from the International Sommeliers Guild. My ultimate goal: achieving certification as a sommelier. Every Monday I attend wine class from 4pm to 11pm at the University of Houston. Every Wednesday I share what I’ve learned.
The Houston Wine Geeks weekly meetings are my study group. I’m sharing what I learn and I’m there to learn from you, all in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
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Interested? Sign up and RSVP for our next meeting. Come every week or come when you can!
FYI: We use www.meetup.com as our RSVP/Membership tracking tool. It’s free for you! |
This Meeting
Join us at So Vino as we sample their extensive wine by the glass menu.
So Vino Bistro and Wine Bar>
507 Westheimer Road
Houston TX 77006
(713) 524-1000
www.sovinowines.com
About So Vino Bistro and Wine Bar
So Vino highlights the unique tastes and styles of Southern Hemisphere wines. The pairing of stellar wines with new interpretations of traditional world cuisine is the passion of co-founder Elizabeth Abraham.
This summer, be SoHappy after work — we are offering half price wines by the glass and appetizers from 5-7 pm, Monday-Friday.
Our winelist and dinner menu are available online. The winelist is updated weekly. We welcome you for a glass of wine and light bites or a multi-course dinner.
Wine list (pdf)
Try our Truffle Popcorn with a glass of champagne, or one of our delicious, thin-crust pizzas!
This summer, enjoy a refreshing, chilled sangria on our patio for only $5.
Dining Out Club at Rioja Tapas Restaurant
| May 18, 2008 | ||
Love eating out? Looking for new places to try and new people to share the experience?
I’m the organizer for Dining Out Club/Houston! We’re a growing bunch of dedicated foodies, all wanting to find exciting places to meet and eat. Once or more each month we go to different restaurants somewhere in (or near) Houston. I’m anxious for you to join in the fun!
- There are no club fees!
- Each attendee pays their own food bill.
- This meeting starts at 12:00noon and lasts about two hours.
- Some people stay around after the meal to enjoy the venue and the company.
|
Interested? Sign up and RSVP for our next meeting. Come every meeting or come when you can!
FYI: We use www.meetup.com as our RSVP/Membership tracking tool. It’s free for you! |
This Meeting
About Rioja Restaurant
Experience the award-winning cuisine and rich ambiance that has made Rioja Spanish Tapas one of Houston’s Premiere destination restaurants.
Winner of Best Paella in Houston
2008 Wine Enthusiast Magazine names La Rioja the “Worlds Best Wine Growing Region.”
About Tapas
Tapas is the name for a wide variety of appetizers in Spanish cuisine. They may be cold, such as mixed olives and cheese, or warm, such as puntillitas, Andalusian battered, fried baby squid. In the United States and the United Kingdom, tapas have evolved into an entire cuisine; at Spanish restaurants, patrons may order many different small tapas, and combine them for a full meal.
Rioja Restaurant
11920-J Westheimer near Kirkwood
Houston TX 77077
(281) 531-5569
www.riojarestaurant.com
