Papadoble, the office!  Yes, this unassuming place was my evening watering spot so much that I referred to it as “The office”.  You’d walk right by if you hadn’t been warned how good it is.  But don’t skip it, don’t pass it up, and please don’t...

This bright yellow liquor named Liquore Strega, or ‘Witch” as it is known in Italian, dates back to 1860 where it was produced and distilled by the S.A. Distilleria Liquore Strega in Benevento, Campania, Italy.  This saffron and herb concoction is sweet, and bold.  It was called...

The official wineBOTAS from Spain, made by Jesus Blasco is awaiting your party. This vintage and modern BOTA is the traditional wine pouch from Spain often referred to as a wineskin in English.  The wineBOTA is made of two pieces of tanned goat or calfskin which through a process are then...

Ducati Wine??? What?  Wow!!! ...

Tasting Table is exactly what a foodie like myself loves. Lots of credible-edible information on the latest eateries, chefs, foods and drinks in and around town. They specialize in LA/New York/Chicago/San Francisco and Washington D.C., but they also have a generic “Everywhere”...

The Prisoner, this Napa Red Blend from Orin Swift is a must buy. Put this in your cellar and enjoy it. A deep red, with lush berry flavors and dark fruit is complex and delicious. A blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Charbono and Grenache. Orin Swift Cellars headed...

Of course you know about the big Barolo’s and Nebbiolo’s to the North, the Super Tuscans’ and Chianti’s and certainly you’ve heard about the Brunello Di Montalcino’s, all fantastic wines, deep reds with hint’s of tobacco, blackberry, vanilla, etc. etc....

Imagine if….. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORC8YSS1WrI

The original Milanese cocktail.  Ramazzotti amaro, was created by Ausano Ramazzotti in 1815.  A herbal doctor, he created this tonic liqueur from herbs and spices including gentian root, rhubarb, cinnamon, and the peel from Sicilian oranges.  Today the ingredients remain unchanged and still...

This “Layer Cake” Primitivo wine is my new favorite, everyday wine. Fairly inexpensive red wine, this Primitivo is made from 100 year old vines.  Coming directly from Puglia, Italy (The Heel of the boot).  Primitivo is actually the father of  the wine we know as Zinfandel....

Giovanni Achille Gaggia, a bar owner in Milan, born in 1895 in Milan, was experimenting with screw-type pistons to make coffee and that after the war he tried the lever piston and it worked. Another story goes that...

“Le Diciotto Lune” or “18 Moons” from maker Marzadro is a high quality aged Grappa that hails from Trentino, Italy. Made from selected vines and distilled in stills, it is left to refine for over two years in small cherry ash, oak, and robinia casks, each of which...

This Artisanal French liquor begins it’s life in the Alps as fresh handpicked Elderflower Blossoms during a three to four day window. These Elderflower Blossoms are then bicycled down to the distillery and immediately macerated to capture the freshest flavor. The St. Germain liquor is...

Touted as “The Largest retail wine cellar in the West”, Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa, California is quite huge. With over 24,000 square feet, this family owned retail store has been in operation since 1957. Founded by Fritz Hanson and Jim McVay the business is still in the...

From Sigg Switzerland, a water canteen maker since 1908 comes a product that is relevant to saving the earth now more than ever. These water bottles are aluminum on the outside and coated on the inside making them resistant to fruit juice acids, energy drinks, alcohol and virtually any...

Aperol is the Italian drink of the moment for this is the first year it has been imported to the United States. Aperol is an orange bitter aperitif made from a combination of herbs, rhubarb root and orange. The recipe has not changed since 1919. This goes great on the rocks with club soda,...

Cachaca, or Aguardiente “Fire Water” is the perfect spring/summer cocktail from Brazil. Cachaca produced only in Brazil is made from distilled sugar cane juice. It differs from Rum in that it is not made from molasses. Caipirinha, is the perfectly typical Brazilian cocktail. To...

Best hamburger and baked potato in the “Big Easy”. The Port of Call, located on 838 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans was my thrice a week hang. Lively bar, with a huge menu of tropical drinks but it was the huge hamburgers that kept me coming back time and time again. Next time you...

The Golden Cup indeed, this Tapas bar, located half a block away from the Marina Village in Barcelona was touted as “The Best Tapas” in Barcelona by my local guide. We slipped into this narrow bar and I began to order but was told that the bartender will not take your order, you...

Out in the field, camping, hiking? Can’t find a local Starbucks? No electricity? The Handpresso is the first non-electric espresso maker I have ever seen. It utilizes a hand pump that makes 16 bars of pressure, just enough to extract that perfect shot. All you need is a thermos of...