Serge the Concierge

Just Signed Up for my 2nd Gambero Rosso 3 Bicchieri...NY Edition on March 6th 2009

Sometimes the invitation is in the mail, sometimes it is not.
I realized a couple of days ago that this was the case for the Gambero Rosso 'Tre Bicchieri' 2009 Edition in New York and just gave them a call today to fix that...

I kinda zoomed through it in 2008 as it was crunch time in the preparations for my Just Over 50 and Not Dead Yet panel at South by Southwest.

The 2009 selection is a little narrower, over 100 wines versus 300 plus wines in 2008.

This tasting is a collaboration between Gambero Rosso and Slow Food USA.

The New York Tasting takes place on March 6th from 4:30 to 7:00 pm at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street.

There are 2 other Tre Bicchieri Tastings in the USA.

On March 2: Los Angeles 4:30 - 7:00 PM at The Fairmont Miramar Hotel 101 Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, CA 90401.

On March 4: San Francisco 4:30 - 7:00 PM Herbst Pavilion at the Fort Mason Center (between Fisherman’s Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge on San Francisco Bay)

According to the official site:

Complimentary tickets are no longer available through Slow Food USA but may be purchased for $50, which includes a complimentary copy of Gambero Rosso’s Italian Wines 2009, the ultimate guide to Italian wine—a $40 value. They are on sale now through the following outlets:

NYC:
Morrell
212-688-9370
http://www.morrellwine.com

San Francisco:
K&L Wine Merchants
http://www.KLWines.com

Corti Brothers
916-736-3810

cortibros@sbcglobal.net

Los Angeles:
Wally’s
310-475-0606
http://www.wallywine.com

A great wine experience if you can make it.

To wet your appetite Scruggy compiled a list of articles on the 2009 edition.

Last Year bit:
Ready to Sniff Out great wines: 'Gambero Rosso' Tre Bicchieri Tasting, March 3rd, New York

Exploring the Future at 'Greener Gadgets' in New York, February 27

Not sure what to expect since this is the first time I attend Greener Gadgets yet I think I might be able to dig out a couple of useful things during the few hours I will spend at the event.

Unfortunately I will not be able to be there when the winners of the Design Competition are announced.

I do like the concept of the Solar Blinds (pictured above) named 'Blight' offered by Vincent Gerkens (Belgium).

Worst case scenario, I will find fresh topics to cover for my Green Day pieces on Tuesdays.

Related: Cool Ideas...Your Fridge as a White Board...In Brazil Only!

Shinjuku Ecstasy...Last Week End of Independent Japanese Films in New York

In and around New York between February 27 and March 1st treat yourself to a week-end of Independent Japanese Films at the Japan Society in New York.

The program titled Shinjuku Ecstasy (Independent Films from the Art Theatre Guild of Japan) started on February 18 and ends on March 1st so it's your last chance to catch it (picture below from 'A Man Vanishes').

On the program this week-end are:

Fri., Feb. 27
7:30 pm This Transient Life

Sat., Feb. 28
3 pm A Man Vanishes
5:45 pm Crazy Love

Sun., Mar. 1
3 pm Pitfall
5:15 pm Ecstasy of the Angels

The program notes give some context as to the creation of these movies:

Founded in 1961 as a distributor of European art films in Japan, the Art Theater Guild (ATG) began co-producing independent films in 1967, and quickly established itself as the leading platform for highly experimental and innovative film.

This 12-film series curated by Roland Domenig and Go Hirasawa focuses on the first decade of ATG and on the Shinjuku Bunka, ATG's flagship theater, which formed a unique intersection of filmmakers and artists of all kind in Shinjuku, the center of Japan’s vibrant counterculture.

Was it like Japan 'Nouvelle Vague'?

Celluloid Heroes for Tokyo Thursdays # 77

Last week:  Hedgehog leads me to Villa Kujoyama, a French Artist Den in Japan

Les Gobeloteurs...14 Wine Musketeers Plus 1

I did miss their first group tasting in New York (November 2008) and stumbled upon Les Gobeloteurs only today while checking past and upcoming events.

What really got me interested at first, should I say intrigued and amused was the name.
Gobeloteurs sounded mischievous and fun, bringing to mind Gobelet (small drinking cup), Comploteur (Schemer).

These 14 French Wine Musketeers plus 1 state they are all about caring and sharing and introduce the group as follows:

"We don’t just make any wine, our roots are deep in our land, we’re proud of what we do: which means we push ourselves to the limit to create great wines. Because we care, we like to share. That’s why we’ve linked up so we can grow together."

The most prominent member of the group might be Yves Cuilleron from Condrieu.
I had a couple of wines from another one of the 14, Pas de L'escalette located between the Larzac and the Mediterranean ( site in French only). They take winemaking seriously while keeping it fun for us as Ze Rose proves. I hope I get a chance to try it this Summer season.

At a tasting in 2007 in Quebec, Les Vendredis du Vin (the French language version of Wine Blogging Wednesday) raved (in French) about Clos du Caillou treating us to Cotes du Rhone and Chateauneuf du Pape.
I noted the 100% Roussanne Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc.
They also offer a Côtes du Rhône Rosé, a blend of 40% Counoise, 35% Mourvèdre and 25% Grenache; full-bodied like a red wine...

Why 14 plus 1 you might ask.

The 1 is Hyde Vineyards from Napa

Hopefully I will catch up with this lively group on their next visit to New York.

Related: Rosé Number 2: Cotes du Ventoux « Cuvée Juliette » 2007

Build, Renovate, Live Green in New York at 'Green Depot' 1st Retail Outlet

The core principals of Green Depot are they say "to Make "green" building and living solutions accessible, affordable and gratifying."

The company was founded in 2005 and already had showrooms in Brooklyn, Newark, Philadelphia, Boston, Greenport, Chicago, with Albany and Newark (Delaware) to follow in 2009.

They decided to expand by putting their wares on display for all New Yorkers to see in a new retail outlet (emporium).
The Green Depot store offers not just building and renovation items but household cleaning products including their own line which could make it affordable for more people.
As a bonus that line is Made in New York and Fragrance Free.

In the baby department, the Green Baby Apparel is made from Texas Cotton in Pennsylvania.
A bit pricey maybe in our Consumed to Thrifty times with 3 Onesies or T Shirts setting you back $35.

What guides their choices on what to stock and who to work with is something they call their Green Filter to stay clear of false statements (Greenwashing) and dogmatism which might put the product 'green' lineage before its effectiveness and usefulness.

I can judge their efforts only from what I read about it since I have not yet visited their Manhattan store located at 222, Bowery.

Until I have a chance to I give them 8 out of 10 for trying and the think global, act local approach.

Bob the Builder on the agenda for Green Day # 66

I discovered Green Depot on Springwise.

Previously: Is Natural Wine Elitist?

From Wine in Sweden to Alice Feiring in Angers...Return to Terroir Global View

As I am about to go to my first Return to Terroir tasting in the Big Apple, I took a few minutes to check what others around the globe got from the experience.

In September 2008, Wine in Sweden attended the Stockholm edition.
He deplored the cramped quarters.
Amongst those he favored were Chateau Ferran's offerings from Bordeaux and from Southern France,  Cote Rotie La Mordonne 2001 (B-), and the Le Pavillon 2001 Ermitage Red (B) by Maison Chapoutier.

Earlier this February 2009, Alice Feiring was not a judge the tasting in Angers (France), just a wine tourist.

In Wine and Side Burn Trends (Veritas in Vino, February 18) she shares a few bistros and restaurants she tried while in town.

I will let you know in a day or so about my own likes and dislikes at the New York edition.

Related: It's a Natural Thing: Natural Winemaker's Week, New York, February 21-28

Order 2 Glasses and Bottle Rock in LA Pops Open Any Wine on Their List

Besides Kogi which I mentioned already, the other pick from Carolyn Lyons in the Los Angeles dining scene that got my attention is Bottle Rock in Culver City which describes itself as a combination wine shop, wine bar and small plates eatery (cheese, charcuterie, baby lamb chops...), thanks god they did not say tapas.

The thing that distinguishes Bottle Rock is that as long as you order at least 2 glasses, they will pop open any bottle on the wine list.

It makes sense since with 2 glasses paid for, they at least cover their costs.

After scanning their Wine List (from $5 to $600 they say) it seems fairly priced and varied as far as varietals and countries of origin go.

Management consultants might enjoy the Six Sigma Sauvignon Blanc ($34 bottle, $11 glass).

In the Chardonnay, St. Clement Napa ($28 bottle, $9 glass) sounds good...

Going out for a special occasion, they offer some 30 Champagnes and a dozen sparkling wines.

For the non-wine drinkers, micro brews and sake are there for the taking..

Take a look at the rest...I don't want to put you to sleep.

Sante

Related: Meals on Wheels and Twitter...Kogi's Korean Barbecue in LA

UpMo...The Career Dynamo?

Promise Phelon career advice You’re Scared. But Don’t Shift Into Reverse (NY Times, February 22) got enough of my attention that I felt like checking what her mojo at UpMo (Upwardly Mobile) was about.

She sure sounds like a dynamo mentioning as:
Favorite UpModel: Richard Branson
Key Networking Mantra: Serve your network!
and What you'll find her doing off-hours: Backpacking, Ballroom dancing and... yes, working!

I could see her seeing 'Faith' in a duet with George Michael.

Obviously UpMo is not all about Promise.

I found a few good pieces of advice penned by Jessica Howard including 10 Signs your Career is Heading Off Track on their blog.

Read that if you are not ready to sign up for the service and pay for it.

Not too crazy about the GPS analogy but who knows, it might work.

Related: Index It, '50-something and laid off? Stop shaving now', Jessica Says

Get Ready to Flip on Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) February 24

I guess I started the celebration of Pancake Day (or Shrove Tuesday) early by making crepes this Sunday morning for breakfast.

Well I was late if I had planned on honoring La Chandeleur, the French tradition which takes place on February 2nd.

Besides offering a Crepes recipe, Sylvie Shirazi of Sugar Savvy gives us some context on La Chandeleur which she says "commemorates the purification of the Virgin Mary and the presentation of baby Jesus.  Now you may be asking, what does this have to do with making crêpes?  (Apparently, not much).  Historically, flour was used to make crêpes as a symbol of prosperity for the next year’s harvest, and the round shape of the crêpes themselves recalled the shape of the sun in order to usher in the return of spring after a cold winter."

Sejal Sukhadwala tries to answer Why people eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday.

Shrove Tuesday's meaning he tells us comes from 'shrove' stems from old English word 'shrive', meaning 'confess all sins'.

Want to know How to serve Michelin starred pancakes, Amy Fleming (The Guardian, February 23) asked a few chefs in London.

My favorite is by Samantha Clark, the chef at Moro who "suggests a topping made by cooking apples with brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins, adding pine nuts before finishing off the pancake with cream or creme fraiche."

Not for the calorie conscious but who cares, just that one day...

In my book, whatever day of the year it is, if I run out of cereals as long as I have eggs, flour and milk there is still breakfast.

For extra flavor, use a nugget of butter in the pan with each crepe.

I never use a a recipe or a measuring cup.

I usually know when the mix is right.

Related:
Chocolate Crepes and Red Zinfandel Port for Wine Wednesday Number 13: Wine and Chocolate

Shed no Tears: Garbage Pick Up and Etiquette at the Office

My longtime acquaintances 'the pepper girls' were having a lively discussion the other day and one of them was sketching what looked like a floor plan.

I could not resist asking them what it was all about.

To my surprise the 'sketching' one told me she was offering advice to her friend on the best spot where to put your garbage bin when you know that the person in charge of your basket/bin is about to show up.

This obviously applies only to corporate creatures like her as mere mortals like me empty their own garbage...

I was a bit puzzled that the topic of office garbage pickup would warrant so much time, energy and attention to detail.

My 'pepper girl' attention to this issue was prompted by the fact that the janitor/ cleaning person in charge of that task in her digs always showed up while she was having lunch at her desk.

She felt intruded upon.

Her solution was to park the guilty bin outside her door.

Did it dissuade the cleaning person to pop in?

I am not sure.

Margaret Oakley at the NDRC office in Santa Monica looks at the subject from a different angle.

She suggests that An Office's Trash is a Garden's Treasure (Switchboard, February 9).

A small company named IST Energy came up with the idea to Turn trash into energy in your office parking lot (CNET News, January 19).

With them, your office overflow gets turned into heat and electricity...

More trash equals more power?

Maybe I have to reopen the conversation with the 'pepper girl' and unveil these hidden benefits.

Garbage etiquette and corporate culture for Monday Work Etiquette # 78

Previously: Penny Foolish or Penny Wise? Round it Up or Down?