http://www.thedrunkenfrog.com Thu, 01 May 2008 18:46:32 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The other day, I was walking past the bar in our lower level, the one that the previous owners were so kind to put in before they moved. There’s a case of wine sitting on it, unopened, with the Elyse label prominently displayed. Elyse is a “Mom & ... http://www.thedrunkenfrog.com/2008/05/01/so-much-wine-so-little-time/ I remember friends giving me a shocked look when I returned a $90 bottle of Gevrey Chambertin back to the Sommelier, and asked for another one. To the surprise of my guest, he smelled the bottle and without saying another word said "I will open another bottle right away Sir". ... http://www.thedrunkenfrog.com/2008/03/21/dont-be-shy-speak-up/ This restaurant in Arles came recommended by Joe Donovan.  It was fabulous.  Each of the 13 courses were very small "amuse bouches".  Most of the unusual ingredients came from Jean-Luc's garden.  The presentations were beautiful and each were described to us in every detail.  The degustation of wines were equally ... http://www.thedrunkenfrog.com/2008/03/03/latelier-de-jean-luc-rabanel/ Well we decided to take a day trip to the Viaduct.  It didn't look that far away so we took the scenic route (N106 from Alès toward the Lot).  Almost three hours later we arrived at the viaduct.  It was gorgeous.  It is actually taller than the Eiffle Tower.  Currently ... http://www.thedrunkenfrog.com/2008/02/21/viaduct-de-millau/ In the Jan 25th WSJ, Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher published 10 tips for a successful OTBN. Well actually 12, but the last two aren't really tips. I urge you to take a look for the full write up, but here is the short list: CHOOSE THE SETTING - ... http://www.thedrunkenfrog.com/2008/02/15/otbn-tips/ The is an interesting website called Paris Daily Photo: http://www.parisdailyphoto.com/.  I always take pleasure looking at these surprising and yet familiar pictures.  It can make me home sick in no time! Valentines Day on Canal St Martin http://www.thedrunkenfrog.com/2008/02/15/if-you-love-french-wines-you-must-love-paris/ Ok, here's a new one for me.  Late last week we visited a really small village in the Gard, named Verfeuil.  This town was so small that it only had one restaurant "Augerge des Concluses".  Their specialty was Brandade de Morue which is mixture of salt cod, milk, olive oil ... http://www.thedrunkenfrog.com/2008/02/11/specialty-of-the-house-is-brandade-de-morue/ We arrived in Southern France last Friday and we've been visiting some interesting cities.  On Sunday we spent some time in Nimes which has a huge Roman arena.  It is supposedly the best preserved of all the Roman arenas.  They still have bull fights there now.  After our touring the ... http://www.thedrunkenfrog.com/2008/02/06/when-you-see-taurreau-on-the-menu/ With all the makings of a Hallmark holiday, Open that Bottle Night "OTBN" is fast becoming one of my favorites. The 1998 brainchild of the Wall Street Journal's wine editors, Dorothy Gaither and John Brecher, OTBN is based their premise that; "All of us, no matter how big or ... http://www.thedrunkenfrog.com/2008/01/20/open-that-bottle-night/ As Ben Franklin said: In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria. In a number of carefully controlled trials, scientists have demonstrated that if we drink 1 liter of water each day, at the end of the year we would have absorbed more than ... http://www.thedrunkenfrog.com/2008/01/09/for-those-who-enjoy-a-glass-of-wine-and-those-who-don%e2%80%99t/