Knives down, hands up

Posted on November 14, 2008 by | 2 comments

Top Chef has begun!  Season 5 brings the culinary contestants to New York City, which should make for some awesome challenges.  The first episode starts with 17 contestants, so I can hardly remember who’s who.  I know there’s a group of three two that call themselves “Team Rainbow.”  I think I’ll start calling the German and Italian dudes “Team Europe;” its clear they’ve bonded pretty well.  Then, there’s a faceboy I’ve named “Mr. Hair.”  And, other than our Washington, DC gal, I think everyone else is pretty much from New York or California.

The Quick Fire Challenge has the contestants peeling apples, chopping apples, and cooking with apples.  And then, just like that, we’re down to 16.  Lauren-with-the-overbearing-personality has to hop right back on the boat and head home.  Now, its time for the Elimination Challenge.  The remaining 16 go head-to-head and chose one of eight New York City ethnic neighborhoods to find inspiration for their next dish.  The neighborhoods include:

  • Astoria (Greek)
  • Brighton Beach (Russian)
  • Chinatown
  • Little Italy
  • Little India
  • Long Island City (Middle Eastern)
  • Queens (Jamaican)
  • Ozone Park (Latin)

stefan_dish2Stefan of “Team Europe” wins with his classic Middle Eastern fare, and Patrick of “Team Rainbow” loses with his clichéd Chinese dish.  Stefan served up a lamb chop with tabouli and beef skewers with caramelized onions and hummus.  Guest judge, Jean George Vongerichten, kept commenting on the great lemon flavor found in the dish.  While I would likely be drinking red wine with this meal, here’s a cocktail that may complement nicely.  Given that I love Lillet and lemon these days, and thyme being a natural accompaniment, I think it would pair well, or at least serve as a pretty good aperitif.

This drink is a Shoes & Cocktails exclusive!

Ingredients:

  • 1 part Gin
  • 1 part Lillet blanc
  • 1 part Lemon Juice
  • 1 part Thyme-Infused Simple Syrup

Directions:
For the simple syrup, combine 1/2 cup water, 1/3 cup sugar, and a teaspoon of thyme in a saucepan.  Cover and simmer 10 minutes.  Strain spices from syrup.  Combine all ingredients and shake well.  Serve over ice.   Garnish with lemon twist and sprig of fresh thyme.

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Decisions, decisions

Posted on November 12, 2008 by | Leave a comment

S&C brings you more sales alerts.  This time from J.Crew.  I cannot – repeat – cannot, buy more than one pair of shoes from this sale. But, I soooo want a pair of floral pumps for the spring.  And those metallic flats, also with a bow!  You know how much we LOVE bows over here.  Alas, I think I have to be a bit practical and go with the patent flats in navy.  I literally wore out my navy peep-toes from Nine West, so I need a replacement pair.  That’s my excuse anyway. jcrew_floral2

jcrew_florajcrew_flatsjcrew_patent

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F&F discounts

Posted on November 10, 2008 by | 6 comments

It’s time for the “friends and family” rewards at some of our favorite retailers.  The holiday season will be here before you know it, and given the tough economy, we all need to save where we can.  S&C will post coupons, discounts, and other bargains as we find ’em!  Happy shopping!

  • GAP, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime
    November 13 – 16, 2008
    30% off, plus 5% of the amount you spend goes to charity
    S&C recommended! The “Get and Give” program means you get huge savings, plus you give 5%, of the amount you spend, to a good cause.  Piperlime has cool search categories for shoes, such as:  Rachel Zoe’s picks, reviewer favorites, and real steals.  They also do the free shipping and free returns deal.
  • DSW
    November 10 – 12, 2008
    $10 off any $50 purchase, plus free shipping
  • Bloomingdales
    Online Only: November 10 – 11, 2008
    Online and In-Store: November 12 – 16, 2008
    20% off all regular and sale-priced purchases
  • Endless
    Save 20% when ordering two pairs of boots, plus free overnight shipping
    S&C recommended! Order a pair of boots for yourself and gift a pair.  And, the no-hassle shipping policy means you get your items immediately and returns are e-a-s-y.

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Palaces of hospitality

Posted on November 9, 2008 by | 3 comments

motac_logo

Back in October, Ms. S&C attended a seminar on Great Hotel Bar Cocktails, organized by The Museum of the American Cocktail.  The event was held at the Hotel Tabard Inn, a cozy little place in DC.  The seminar covered the history of some of the world’s great hotels, the origin of their cocktails, and we got to taste them all!  It was a great event.

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They’re hosting another seminar on Holiday Cocktails on December 9.  Drinks will be prepared by a few of DC’s best mixologists, who’ll serve up Tom and Jerry, Baltimore Egg Nog, and Hot Buttered Rum.  Let me know if you’re planning to attend.

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Back to the Great Hotel Bar Cocktails.  The Singapore Sling is from the Raffles Hotel in Singapore.  Modern versions of this cocktail are overdone and a thousand percent too sweet.  Do not, I repeat, do not order this drink if it contains pineapple juice.  The recipe below is awesome, and it was my favorite of the night.  It was also excellently paired with a pot sticker with cherry jam.

Singapore Sling

  • 2 dashes Orange Bitters
  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • ½ oz Benedictine
  • ½ oz dry Cherry Brandy
  • 2 oz Gin

Pour into a tumbler and fill with cold soda water.

The Side Car was my second favorite cocktail served.  It is from the Ritz Hotel in Paris, where the hotel still serves the world’s most expensive version at $515.  The ingredients of this cocktail make up the holy trinity of cocktail ingredients: spirit, sweet, sour.  It was served with smoked salmon and cream cheese.

Side Car

  • ½ oz Cognac
  • 1 oz Cointreau
  • ¾ oz fresh lemon juice

Shake well with ice, strain into chilled cocktail glass, with sugar crusted rim.

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Other cocktails included:

Vieux Carre, Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans

  • ¾ oz Rye Whiskey
  • ¾ oz Sweet Vermouth
  • ¾ oz Cognac
  • 1/8 oz Benedictine
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters

Build drink in rocks glass with ice, garnish with lemon peel.

Bloody Mary, Saint Regis, New York

  • 2 oz Vodka
  • 4 oz Tomato Juice
  • 2 dashes Worcestershire Sauce
  • 4 dashes Tabasco Sauce
  • Pinch salt and pepper
  • ¼ oz fresh lemon juice

Combine all ingredients and mix.  Strain into glass with ice.  Garnish with wedge lemon and lime.

Rob Roy, Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York

  • 2 ½ oz Blended Scotch Whiskey (such as Chivas)
  • ¾ oz Sweet Vermouth
  • 1-2 dashes Regan’s Orange Bitters

Ice glass beforehand.  Add ice and stir until chilled.  Strain in martini glass.  Garnish with orange peel.

Tabard Cocktail, Hotel Tabard Inn, Washington, DC

  • 1 ½ oz Milagro Reposado Tequila
  • ½ oz Lustau Amontillado Sherry
  • ½ oz Drambuie
  • 1 dash Orange Bitters

Stir, garnish with orange twist and sprig of fresh thyme.

Recipe Source: Chantal Tseng, mixologist, Hotel Tabard Inn in Washington, DC

posted by Ms. S&C

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Coming soon

Posted on November 6, 2008 by | Leave a comment

Ms. S&C has been swamped.  And, in a constant state of euphoria from the presidential election.  But don’t you worry, we’ve been out and about collecting ideas for the blog, so stay tuned for:

• Notes from a seminar on Hotel Bar Cocktails
• Cocktails from Wolfgang Puck’s The Source
• More budget-friendly shoes

In the meantime, here are a few of our most recent and most popular posts – in case you missed them.

  • It’s cool to be cheap – read about the recession chic movement.  And, check out these boots, with a stunning price tag, from Target.
  • Fall is in full swing.  If you’re looking for ideas on what to drink during my favorite season, check out our Fall Cocktails: an autumnal punch, pumpkin beer, and more.

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Vote, drink, and be merry

Posted on November 4, 2008 by | 1 comment

obama_4color_omark

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Halloween part II–pumpkins galore

Posted on October 31, 2008 by | Leave a comment

Your Halloween drinks continue with beer, and specifically Pumpkin Ales!

We like pumpkin beers over here at S&C.  It’s like the fall season in a bottle.  They are typically mild, with an equal balance of bitterness and malt.  Some are made with actual pumpkins and some are made with flavors and spices akin to a pumpkin pie, such as nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, all spice.  The Beer Advocate says despite the incredible time consumption, the best ales use real pumpkin.  And, the folks over at Drink Craft Beer have rated their top ten faves.  S&C has had a few on the list, and we don’t think you can go wrong with the ones mentioned below.

So, if you don’t have time to whip up the Autumn Spiced Punch or the Corpse Reviver, No. 2, before the trick-or-treaters arrive, pick up a six pack!

  • Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale – Coors Brewing Company
    Medium body with hints pumpkin.  Easy to drink. Good choice for those that don’t typically drink “dark” beers.
  • Post Road Pumpkin Ale – Brooklyn Brewery
    Malt, hops, pumpkin, spices – it has it all.  This brewery does no wrong.

Not pictured, but also a very good beer — Punkin’ Ale, from our friends over at Dogfish Head.  It is a good beer when you’re heading into a cooler season.

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Halloween part I–reviving a corpse

Posted on October 31, 2008 by | Leave a comment

Your Halloween Cocktails are here!

After drinking Lillet during my NYC bar hop, I picked up a bottle at Whole Foods.  Then, I ran across the Corpse Reviver, No. 2 recipe – just in time for Halloween.  Other than a fitting name, the cocktail itself has no association with the holiday.

Lillet is a wine, blended with a secret recipe of herbs and fruits.  It pairs perfectly with citrus.  So, the combination of the sweet orange liqueur with the sour lemon juice is scary good.  You can hardly taste the gin, and the dash of Pernod gives a hint of star anise flavoring that really makes the cocktail.  Don’t let the unusual spirits discourage you, this is a very good cocktail.  My new book, The Savoy Cocktail Book, has a funny quote which reads, “Four of these taken in swift succession will unrevive the corpse again.”  Trick or treat!

Corpse Reviver, No. 2
(makes about two cocktails)

  • 1 part Gin
  • 1 part Lillet
  • 1 part Cointreau (or another orange liqueur)
  • 1 part Lemon Juice
  • Dash Absinthe (or Pernod)

Combine all ingredients and shake well with ice.  Strain into chilled cocktail glass.  Garnish with lemon peel.

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Recession chic

Posted on October 29, 2008 by | 4 comments

Out: the free-spending fashionista.  In: the thrifty recessionista.

Recessionista is the newly coined term for a style maven on a budget.  As a recessionista, you can justify your spending habits because discount brands are not only smart, they’re trendy.  The New York Times’ article summed it up, by saying it “spins the economic downturn as an attractive retail trend.”  I don’t know who’s responsible, but it is brilliant PR for retail, if you ask me.

Sigerson Morrison, Target, $39.99

I’m looking to exercise my inner recessionista.  I think I’m going to cave and get a pair of booties.  I’ve been utterly against them, thinking they’re too trendy, and won’t last after this season.  Well, after seeing Gwyneth’s, and this pair of Sigerson Morrison’s my co-worker friend, Ana, picked up at Target, I want a pair.  But, I don’t want to spend a lot of money (because, I won’t wear them a lot, and I still think the trend will only last one season, two tops).

Here are a few possibilities – any thoughts?

Nine West, Endless, $69.95

Aerosoles, Piperlime, $69.99

Aerosoles, Piperlime, $69.99

Jessica Simpson, DSW, $59.95

Jessica Simpson, DSW, $59.95

Worthington, JCPenney, $53.99

Worthington, JCPenney, $53.99

Twist, Payless, $34.99

Twist, Payless, $34.99

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S&C diversion–having it all

Posted on October 28, 2008 by | 6 comments

Gwyneth Paltrow, by the looks of it, has it all.  Gorgeous, glamorous, wealthy, married to a rock star.  She wants to add lifestyle advisor to the list, so she has recently launched GOOP, a website/newsletter/soon-to-be media empire, where she can share her collection of experiences, thoughts, and ideas about what makes life good.  Some people have big problems with this.  Google it and you’ll find a trillion hits, along with too many ridiculous comments.  I guess people think she is trying to rub our noses in her good fortune.  Cynical people.  I’m personally not offended.  I like her style and think she has good taste.  And, I like hearing about new stuff, so I signed up.

We’re assuming the name, GOOP, is a combination of Ms. Paltrow’s initials and the word good.  The website seems to be a work-in-progress, but is organized into six categories: Make, Go, Get, Do, Be, See.  We’re also assuming that each of these categories will eventually be filled with content from her newsletters?  So far, the emails have covered London hotels, restaurants, and pubs (Go), buckwheat and banana pancakes (Make), and my fave so far, an article about fashion and personal style (Get).  Here’s a snippet:

“Ah, fashion… the fun frivolity that can really cheer a girl up… The key to it is realizing what works on you personally. At some point I figured out that following trends is not always the way to go, you have to know what works on your body and have confidence (not always easy) that what is flattering is fashionable.”

Not hard to figure out what I like so much — the boots are awesome.  She even makes me want a pair of booties.

You can sign up for the newsletters online, but it doesn’t look like you can view old issues.  If anyone is interested, I’ve saved three or four, so send me a note and I’ll forward them along.

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