Browsing Tag

Drink

The Food

A New Spot in Little Rock!

I took my youngest 2 daughters to dinner last night at the Sterling Market (515 Shall Ave, Little Rock) – for those who don’t know, it is in the newly developing neighborhood just south of the river and Heifer International and East of I30 in Little Rock.

It has become home to new hot spots like Camp Taco, The Railyard, Fidel & Co. and is just a short distance from the Clinton Presidential Library Center and River Market.  No doubt this area will contribute to downtown Little Rock’s further success in becoming a destination spot for locals and tourists to enjoy food, beverage, song, and atmosphere.

Sterling Market did not disappoint.  I was expecting it to be good, but it was much more than just good in all aspects.  It has successfully captured a setting that is fun and lively, but clean and easy to maintain/control, formal enough to make you feel special but casual enough to make you feel at ease; the menu was extensive/varied, but not overwhelming – quality and character of food was unique, interesting, and excellent; and while all I had was a glass of wine with dinner, there was a full bar, and eclectic beer/wine selection.

On top of all this, it has “The Alley,” which is their spot directly next door featuring an indoor/outdoor spot for events or private parties or small concerts, etc.

I was very impressed and gratified that Little Rock is really starting to expand its offerings in this area for food/drink and fun.  A significant investment has been made and the planning and execution shows it.  Go support and have fun when you can – you will enjoy all aspects!

https://www.sterlingmarket.com

En Vino Veritas!

Alex

The Drink

The Drink – Great Wine!

The-Drink-Great-Wine-Featured


What makes a “Great Wine?”  Is it only the taste?  Or is it something that gives you pleasure with all your senses AND your sensibilities?  In other words, it needs to be something that not only has a unique and pleasing taste but also needs to have other qualities qualities that we appreciate, such as stamina/longevity, depth, value, beauty, and/or history.

The-Drink-Great-Wine-1

This is why it is so difficult to answer when people ask about my favorite wine…. I sincerely do not have one.  I enjoy most all wines for their intended purpose at hopefully their intended time.  However, I can say with great emphasis that I tend to seek out the times to have a Bordeaux or other great Cab with a wonderful meal.  I learned this from my father who started collecting wines around 1982 when he was infatuated with the fact that he saw a bottle of wine at the counter of his local liquor store once and wondered how any single bottle of wine could cost twenty-five dollars!!!!  Seemed soooooo exorbitant!  On the second visit, and out of pure curiosity he bought it, took it home and researched for months until he thought he knew enough about Chateau Lafite to be worthy of a taste.  He tried the wine and promptly went to every liquor store in Little Rock to find the other 11 bottles of the case, and has been collecting, learning and enjoying wines ever since.

He found something more than just taste in his journey, and this is what makes a Great Wine!

Last night my parents had my wife and me to dinner to celebrate my 54th birthday – it was supposed to be a simple dinner (I like to think birthdays should be more about the mother now!) but when we arrived we saw what he had planned – a 1970 (my birthyear) Beaulieu Vineyard George Latour Private Reserve and a 1983 (one of the greatest years in Bordeaux) Chateau Latour (one of the 5 first growth wines of Bordeaux and arguably the “strongest” of the 5).  It was a hell of a test and comparison – to see if the BV could last 54 years and then to compare it to a 41-year-old French master.  My simple evening just turned incredible – one of the sincere joys of my life is to find these “great wines” through this type of search surrounded by my people.

The-Drink-Great-Wine-2

The BV was incredible – could not believe that it made it the 54 years!!!  It had definitely started on its downhill slide, but its taste and constitution and color were all extraordinary.  I wish I had a better vocabulary when it comes to describing these wines – I will work on it!  Next, the Latour.  While the expectation for this wine was much, much greater, it did not disappoint.  I described it at the time as “Plato’s form of the perfect wine.”  It was everything I want in a red wine and nothing I don’t.  For now, it has become that wine I will compare all others to, at least for a while.  If you get the chance to try either of these, I highly recommend them both for completely different characteristics but the same reason – they are GREAT!

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for another memorable evening/experience, that I will do my best to savor.

En Vino Veritas!

Alex

The Drink

Mother-In-Law Mix: The Greatest Bloody Mary!

By: Scott Rittelmeyer, Little Rock, Arkansas

Question:            Who is credited with making the first Bloody Mary?

Answer:               Fernand “Pete” Petiot conceived the cocktail in the early 1920’s while working at the famed Harry’s Bar in Paris.

After Prohibition, Petiot brought the drink to Manhattan when he presided over the dapper King Cole Bar at the St. Regis Hotel.  I have been to the King Cole Bar and had a Bloody Mary, it’s a great drink and an even better Bar- If you find yourself in the Big Apple I highly recommend the experience!

It was my freshman year in college when I had my first Bloody Mary. It was Snappy Tom Mix served in a red Solo cup the morning after a Fraternity party and prior to an early Saturday football game! I loved it!  Over the years I began to experiment with different recipes, first I used Tomato juice, then I switched to V-8 juice, but they just didn’t seem to offer the consistency I wanted. About 15 years ago I was introduced to Clamato Juice, and I quickly realized it was the perfect base for my Bloody Mary!

All great drinks have a name, and I decided to personalize my mix – I call it “Mother-in-Law Mix”, as in you need to have one or maybe two before your Mother in Law arrives!

Anyway, I have had some fun with it – During the Christmas Holidays we fill mason jars with the mix and attach a label with an angry looking, well… Mother-in-Law and give to friends and neighbors. I work hard coming up with a new label every year!

Enough of that – Here’s the recipe:

Mother-In-Law Mix:

2 (32 ounce) containers of Clamato Juice

Juice of 2 limes

¼ cup Worcestershire sauce

1/8 cup Louisiana Hot Sauce

1/8 cup Mezzetta Peperoncini juice (these are Greek peppers in a bottle)

1 bunch fresh cilantro chopped

1 tablespoon prepared horseradish (creamy type)

½ teaspoon of salt

¼ teaspoon of pepper

Process the cilantro (without the stems) in your Cuisinart until it’s almost a paste. Then combine the cilantro with the Clamato juice and stir in all the ingredients. I like to let it sit overnight in the refrigerator, and then I pour it through a strainer to take out all the sediment. Be sure to squeeze the cilantro by hand as you strain the mix, I believe this really helps the taste.

How many Bloody Marys’ have you had that you couldn’t finish because all the sediment was at the bottom for your glass? Not a problem with this recipe!

I have been told by many over the years that this is their favorite Blood Mary – Its spicy but not too spicy, Its hot but not too hot – and it sure comes in handy before my mother-in-law arrives!!

Enjoy!