Serge the Concierge

Looking for Great Italian Value Wines at Vino 2010 Grand Tasting

This afternoon at Vino 2010 Grand Tasting in New York, I will be looking for more Great Italian Value Wines.

I already spotted a few of them including a Red from Apulia (around $16 retail) and as a bit of a surprise a nice white from Sicily (around $10).

Red was the Primitivo di Manduria 'Donna Maria' DOC (O7) from Cantore di Castelforte.

Unfortunately, I tasted the white during lunch and failed to take any notes thinking I would catch up with the producer later.

Hopefully I will be able to dig him out of one of the event's numerous books and brochures.

To clarify things, when I say Value Wines, I do not mean cheap plonk, more like under the radar musical talent that puts a smile on your face when you discover them.

Say wines in the $10 to $20 range.

Restaurant Menus are Cunning, William Poundstone on Six Tricks of the Trade

What makes us tick and buy, if it's not reason?

William Poundstone looks at The Myth of Fair Value (and How to Take Advantage of It) in his new book published (January 2010) by Hill and Wang.

One case study is How restaurants entice us into choosing expensive meals (excepted in The Guardian, January 21).

He builds his case using a menu from Balthazar in New York and the 6 'trade tricks'.

Exhibit Number 3 is Bonus Boxes:

"A box around a menu item draws the diner's attention. Is $16 (£10)such an indulgence for a shrimp cocktail, they might think? Not next to a $115 extravaganza! (Le Balthazar Seafood Plate). A really fancy box is better yet. The cheeses at the bottom are probably high-profit puzzles."

At Number 5 is Menu Siberia, things you don't want to sell because they don't generate profit you want, in the case of Balthazar, it would be burgers he says.

For the other 4, read the rest of his piece...

Don't feel like reading check his Menu Psych video (above)

30 Days With Words like Smoke, Chelsea Space, London

30 Days with Words like Smoke at Chelsea Space, London (January 20 to February 20, 2010)

What's it all about, in their own words:

with words like smoke is a clause stolen and a promise overturned, four words on a page that once spoken disappear. 'with words like smoke' is an exhibition of works that reveal and revell in their evolving forms as their initial brickworks vanish.

with words like smoke is a clause stolen from Samuel Beckett's Texts for Nothing (1953), thirteen stories that converge under his translation of mesures pour rien - a bar's silence - the purpose of which is to carry a musical whole. During the exhibition, spoken works will interpose the visual, from the opening’s performances to a mid-point rehearsal to its final live broadcast.

Amongst the works on display, 'Some of that color' (below *) by Amalia Pica is the one that struck a chord with me.

(* Image courtesy of the artist and Galerie Diana Stigter, Amsterdam, Copyright Felix Weigand, from the program pages).

As previous programs at Chelsea Space, I believe Admission is Free

A treat for the Consumed to Thrifty...

Jewfish, Tapas, Baramundi, Fast Festival Feasts Menus at Sydney Festival 2010

You might come to Sydney Festival 2010 to nourish your soul, ears, eyes and intellect but from time to time your stomach might tell you it is time to refuel.

After my Quick Look at the Festival Program, their publicity pointgirl, Sarah Wilson, suggested that I look at the Fast Festival Feasts Menus offered by a number of restaurants around Sydney.

Throughout the Festival between 12noon-1pm and/or 6pm-7pm visit any of the Fast Festival Feasts restaurants and treat yourself to a main course, glass of Stoneleigh wine or Little Creatures beer and finish off with a Ferrero Rocher for just $30 (incl GST). Just mention Fast Festival Feasts to take advantage of these special offers.

GST stands for Goods and Services Tax I think.

First option on the list is at the Arthouse Hotel which also offers a Tapas Menu.

Next is the Merivale group of eateries with special menu available at Mad Cow, Ash St Cellar, Teppanyaki and Bistro CBD.

If I was in the neighborhood, I would go for Suzuki Mulloway with prawn filled zucchini flower, eggplant puree & nicoise tomato sauce at Bistro Moncur in Woollahra Hotel.

You'll find local seafood options such as Jewfish at the Opera Bar whose Beer Garden seems like a nice place to chill.

Another fish showcased is Baramundi served at The Victoria Room as a Crispy skinned fillet with baby vine tomatoes & garlic confit. They are closed on Australia Day (January 26).

I hope those not mentioned will not be cross with me.

Bon appetit!

It is Summer and Sydney Celebrates with Sydney Festival 2010, Til January 30

It's Summer down under and Sydney celebrates with Sydney Festival 2010, a 3 week event that runs until January 30.

It runs the gamut from Senegalese Seckou Keita described as 'the Hendrix of the Kora' and his multi-national Quintet (January 19-21) to hard-edged Irish play Gisele, Fabulous Beast (preview on January 20).

If your budget is tight, there are a number of Free Events, with some outdoors like the AAMI Ferrython in Sydney Harbour on January 26 at 11 AM (pictured below).

Here's how the program describes this boat race:

"Come on down to Sydney Harbour with your picnic basket and cheer on the little green and yellow catamarans as they race up and down the harbour, battling it out for line honours under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Everyone loves a race, especially when it involves our four favourite little Sydney Ferries decorated and dressed to the nines!"

Not afraid of crowds and ready for a night with the Symphony orchestra, Wonderful Town program showcases Leonard Bernstein work in the first part followed by pieces by Australian composers.

The evening ends with the 1812 Overture.

This event is also Free and takes place in The Domain on January 23 at 8 PM.

Obviously I just mentioned a small slice of what's on offer, check the program for a more generous helping.

Work and Play, Thought Provoking Word Posters by Vincent Perrottet

Do you sometimes feel that you are running around, juggling many things without actually accomplishing anything meaningful?

 
One person that does think so is French graphic artist Vincent Perrottet who created Thought Provoking Word Posters such as 'Travaille d'abord, tu t'amuseras ensuite' (Work first, have fun later) pictured above (from his site).

In some of his work, he gives new meaning to words by breaking them in smaller pieces.

He also questions the more, faster ethos of our technology fueled times.

All his work is in French but even if you don't speak the language, I am sure you will enjoy the visuals.

Hitting the pause button for Monday Work Etiquette #125

To give credit where it's due I discovered Vincent Perrottet via Alex Christian, a visual designer based in Sydney, Australia.

Previous Monday Work Etiquette: Breathing Room, No Client Work on Sunday, A Healthy Rule?

Small Cozy Country Stay, Gite Ty Bihan Baradoz in Monts d'Aree, Brittany

The expression a picture is worth a 1000 words is a bit worn but in the case of Gîte Ty Bihan Baradoz in Monts d'Arrée (Brittany) the photos below give you a good feel for the place.

It seems like the perfect place for a break from the hubbub, nice and quiet.

Location:15, Rue Le Paradis, Scrignac, France, 29640

Phone: 0298782578

According to France-Voyage which offers additional options in and around Scrignac, Ty Bihan Baradoz charges between 200 and 290 Euros per week.

They are located in the Parc Naturel Regional d'Armorique area so many outdoor activities can be had.

(* illustration from their recent Facebook Page photo album)

Le Gouter, French Afternoon Snack for Schoolkids Reinvented by Grown Ups

We all have fond memories of childhood even of school days.

Amongst these treasured moments, I and many others raised in France count Le Gouter ou Le Quatre Heures, that French afternoon snack time for schoolkids getting home before the dreaded homework.

I cannot say that I have maintained the tradition as after many years spent in the restaurant field, lunch time has moved to the 2-3 PM slot.

After taking my dog out for a short walk not long ago on a chilly day, I could see myself going for a hot chocolate and une tartine avec du beurre et de la confiture (a slice of bread with jam and butter) as offered by Caroline B (whose illustration I borrowed).

Comfort food in its most simple form.

A French blog titled Le Gouter (in French only) lets grown ups offer their favorites.

With some 120 contributors, Le Gouter is a big family.

Bea of La Tartine Gourmande is not one of them but she could.

If you are all nostalgia watching French blockbuster movie Le Petit Nicolas based on the 50's comic strip by Sempe and Goscinny on the life of young school boy Nicolas is the perfect match.

Will Energy Use of Consumer Electronics soon be Listed like Calories are on Cereal Boxes, CES 2010 Talks

We are now used to be able to find in a snap calories, sugar and fat content of any food product.

In our consumed to thrifty and greener times will the energy use of consumer electronics soon be listed as clearly as calories on cereal boxes.

This topic will be discussed in Dollars and Watts: Energy Use Information for Electronics on Thursday, January 7 at CES 2010, the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Panel will be:

Moderator(s): Martin LaMonica, Senior Writer, CNET News, CBS Interactive

Panelist(s): Don Bartell, Senior Director, Environmental Initiatives, Motorola, Inc.
Jay McLellan, President and CEO, Home Automation, Inc. (HAI)
Michael Murphy, Environmental Affairs Manager, Dell
The Honorable Alex Padilla (D-CA), Senator, California State Senate
Josh Will, Vice President - Televisions, Best Buy

This is part of the Sustainable Planet offerings at the event.

As always, we will have to sort out between those who wrap themselves in green and the real offerings.

Related news: Smart spending: Federal appliance rebates launch (December 30, Mother Nature Network) shares details on a cash for energy hogs plan kicking off in 2010. It is similar in spirit but of a smaller size than the cash for clunkers program.

I am looking forward to attending Greener Gadgets conference in New York on February 25, my second time, good food for the mind.

Consuming with a conscience for Green Day # 109

Previously: Green Words of the Decade, Grass Station, Hypermiling, Locavore, Carbon Neutral

2010 Will be the Year of Authenticity

As we start a New Year and to boot a New Decade, the pressure is on for some if not all of us to decide on a Master Plan.
What will move us forward?
How will we go from good to great?
I am not big on lining up goal posts.
It seems that the longer the list, the least gets accomplished.

Rhymer Rigby heads the January 4, 2010 installment of his Careerist column with the following:
'Distinguish between what is urgent and what is important'

Christina Katz inspired by Ali Edwards practice of Choosing one Word to anchor her year shares Her Pick for 2010: Prosperous (January 2).

Ali Edwards chose Story to kick off the Decade.

As for myself, I will go with Authentic.

A winemaker from Jura offered this word when I asked him to describe his wines and it has stayed with me.

There can be much worse ways to define yourself and what you do than this.

Authentic like the village of Baume Les Messieurs (below) home of La Grange a Nicolas (picture from their site) if you want a serene place to vacation in.

Jennifer Aaker in her lecture at Stanford Business School gives you the long version of my short take on Authenticity (via Vimeo).

It might often be mistreated and misused, nevertheless for Monday Work Etiquette # 123 , I am rolling the dice.

2010 will be the year of Authenticity. 

Previously: Seeing My Contacts on a Map, My End of the Year Work Wish