Eco-Luxury Can a luxury hotel with a reputation for making history do it again? Absolutely, says Hervé Houdré, general manager of the Willard InterContinental Washington Hotel, and the French born hotelier is leading the way. more>>
TEXAS—The landmark 41 year old Brennan's of Houston was destroyed by a fire during Hurricane Ike. Several people were severely burned, including the restaurant's sommelier James Koonce, his 4 year old daughter, and gm Carl Walker. more>>
Frederick, Maryland In August Bryan Voltaggio, who clocked nine years with Charlie Palmer, including a stint as chef/partner at Charlie Palmer Steak (D.C.), returned to his hometown to open Volt (228 North Market Street) with partner Hilda Staples. more>>
The Caribbean The 60 seat The Beach House restaurant opened in late May on St. Kitts, on the site of the former Turtle Beach Bar & Grill. It's the first component of the Christophe Harbour development, which will ultimately include two hotels, a yacht club, shops, restaurants, villas, and a golf course. more>>
Best Buys
Waterbrook Mélange Red Columbia Valley 2006
The latest release in this decade-old tradition of eclectic blending brings together Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Sangiovese and adds up to a great value, layering blackberry and cherry aromas with floral notes and hints of baking spice. On the palate, the fruit shows great length, with bright acidity lending verve. 11,930 cases made.
Score: 89 Cost: $150 per case more>>
Developing small batch wines with new grapes, a venerable large Australian producer has set out to satisfy a modern demand for new styles. Martin Gillam reports. more>>
Cocktail Mixers Were there a 24 hour theme park for cocktail enthusiasts, it would probably include a raucous jazz funeral for cliché cocktails, like the Sour Apple Martini, an authentic tiki party with throngs of revelers sipping from carved coconuts, and an Iron Chef-style Bar Chef Challenge, where competitors face off to create new drinks using secret ingredients, like ginger marmalade. It would probably look a lot like Tales of the Cocktail, held in New Orleans each July. more>>
Food Arts presents the November 2008 Silver Spoon Award for sterling performance to Clark Wolf, the über consultant whose transformative vision has resonated throughout the hospitality industry for more than 25 years. more>>
Tabletop From seafood to Italian to steakhouse, Atlantic City's new generation of restaurants offers something for everyone. more>>
Leftovers have never been put to better use or tasted so good. The Sabarsky torte, one of more than a dozen dessert choices on prominent display at Café Sabarsky in New York City, ingeniously epitomizes the perfect solution to the problem of what to do with leftover cake by using it as a major component in an altogether new dessert. more>>
