The Musings of Ron Kapon

A Return Visit to Paradise- Puerto Vallarta

Acapulco, Cancun, Iztapa-Zihuatanejo, Tijuana, Guadalajara and Mazatlan are cities in Mexico that I have visited in the past 10 years. The North American Travel Journalist Conference allowed me to spend four days in Puerto Vallarta, which I had last visited 8 years ago as a guest of Continental Airlines. Conde Nast Magazine called it “the friendliest city in the world.” AARP voted Puerto Vallarta the top destination for Americans to retire overseas. U.S. News & World Report voted it the #2 place to visit in Mexico as well as the #4 best spring break destination. There are 330 days of sunshine and the average temperature is 83 degrees. Many airlines fly into the newly renovated and expanded Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport. The Puerto Vallarta Tourist Board through their public relations firm Latitude arranged the airfare. It was Aero Mexico down, through Mexico City and Delta back, leaving from Guadalajara, through Atlanta. Puerto Vallarta sits on the same latitude as the Hawaiian Islands, and enjoys a consistent sub-tropical climate throughout the year with the rainy season limited to June through September.

Puerto Vallarta is located in the state of Jalisco, on the Pacific coast of Mexico. It is the same state where Guadalajara and Tequila (yes, there is a town with that name) are located. The area features 40 miles of coastline and includes tropical jungles, rocky river beds, steep mountainsides and arid flat lands. Its 256,000 residents welcome over 3.9 million visitors a year, second only to Cancun. 1.5 million are visitors from the United States and Canada. It is also a very popular port of call for cruise ships on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. 50% of the population works in tourist related industries. The city is the most gay friendly in all of Mexico. There was an LGBT convention in town while we were there. The city was made famous (or infamous) by the 1964 movie Night of the Iguana, filmed entirely on location. Written by Tennessee Williams and directed by John Huston it starred Richard Burton, Ava Gardner and Deborah Kerr. Elizabeth Taylor had a relationship with Richard Burton during the filming. Both were married to other people at the time and they purchased a house --Casa Kimberley-- that was separated by what is now called “The Bridge of Love”. John Huston was enamored with the city and built a house at a nearby isolated cove called Las Caletas (more of that later) where he lived part time until his death in 1987.

The city is divided into the Marina, hotel zone, downtown, zona romantic and the south. The South Shore is where the Sierra Madre Mountains meet Banderas Bay creating many secluded beaches, coves and rivers. Downtown and Los Muertos Beach is the heart of the city with restaurants, bars, nightlife and shopping. It is very walk-friendly with its cobble-stoned streets, wrought-iron balconies and red-tiled roofs. The Malecon (boardwalk) lines the beach for 10 blocks and is home to much of the sand sculpture and public art. Travel and Leisure Magazine named Puerto Vallarta the best beach in Latin America in 2014. It is there that the Arcos (Arches) lead to the town’s main square with their open-air concerts and performances. The landmark Iglesias de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe church is a must stop here. The Hotel Zone stretches from downtown to Marina Vallarta and includes many high-rise condos, as well as hotels.

  Our headquarters hotel was the 345 all-suite, all-inclusive Velas Vallarta Suite Resort & convention center (see my Trip Advisor review- Servicio Fantastico) with some events at the next door sister hotel- Casa Vallarta. Located on the 18-hole Marina Vallarta Golf Course this is an adult only 80 suite all-inclusive property. They both were located in the Marina Vallarta area, Mexico’s largest with 500 slips. There are shops, art galleries and restaurants as well as the golf course. Nuevo Vallarta is a planned residential and resort community just north of the airport. The conference for NATJA brought over 125 travel journalists to town.

The Best of Puerto Vallarta-

Best view from a restaurant of water- Le Kliff. Perched on the edge of a cliff a short drive south of downtown it offers spectacular views of the ocean. The men’s room has a giant boulder formation over the urinals with constant water flowing. Seafood is their specialty.

Best view from a restaurant of the city- Vista Grill Restaurant and Lounge. It overlooks Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay. The temperature controlled wine room is next to the bar. It was awarded a Five Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. Sit outside on the multi-level terraces for a perfect view of the sunset.

Best children’s program & Best Tequila selection- Marriott Casa Magna Resort. The only hotel I have ever heard of that had its own resident clown to entertain the children of guests. The children’s club provides activities for kids 4-12. The hotel has its own Tequila sommelier that oversees their 170-label collection. The property was also awarded top recognition from Mexico’s National Tequila Regulatory Council.

Most romantic hotel and best place to get married- Hacienda San Angel- 14 suites in this luxury boutique hotel located just up from the Guadalupe Church. There is a private chapel across the street for weddings with two suites for the bride and groom and their families.

Best in-town restaurant setting- Café des Artistes, located downtown with two separate restaurants. We ate in the canopied multi-level garden with vertical lighting reflecting from the trees above the tables. They have a comprehensive wine library. “It is an environment in which patrons are inspired by the relationship between architecture and landscape."

Best public art- Le Malecon. While we were there The Last Supper was on display made from the sand on the beach. There are also permanent sculpture pieces along the 2,854-foot long boardwalk.

Best beach- Las Caletas. Once the private home of film director John Huston, it is now a private beach hideaway (exclusive to Vallarta Adventure customers) on Banderas Bay accessible only by sea. This tropical beach hideaway has places for lunch/dinner, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, sunbathing or strolling along the jungle paths There is also a parrot, monkey, owl area with opportunities to learn about and pose with any or all of them. Our group had dinner after the show called Rhythms of the Night. Be aware that it is a long uneven walk from the ship to the show & then to the restrooms. I saw several people fall. The crew on the boat was very talented and put on several musical shows.

Best spa treatment- Secret Hotel. Hydrotherapy water treatments- Hot, cold, swirling, neck, back, shoulders. All self-service and wonderfully refreshing.

Best & worst airport lounges used on my trip- Best: Air France JFK Terminal 1- Part of the Delta Sky Team. Waiting for my early Aero Mexico flight I had a wonderful breakfast, comfortable chairs and free Wi-Fi. Worst: Amex Centurion Lounge in Mexico City. I had a 3-hour layover and looked forward to using this lounge. My Amex Platinum card gained admission. It reminded me of a hotel lobby; crowded and sterile. You paid for food & alcohol.  What's that about?

Most under appreciated workers at airports- the people pushing the wheelchairs. I have neuropathy and needed a chair in Mexico City and Atlanta. Please tip them generously (almost no one does). They are mostly mature women paid at or below the minimum wage.

Friendliest staff and best service- Velas Vallarta (family all suite all inclusive) and its sister adjacent property Casa Velas (adult all suite all inclusive).

Best non-human visitor- Peacocks that roamed the grounds and slept on balcony rooms of Velas Vallarta. Luckily my room was on the top floor and at the end so I was not awakened by their screeching sounds. All of the staff has to be certified in their specialty and it showed. Think Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton and add 25% friendlier.

Most beautifully decorated restaurant- La Leche. The restaurant is visually amazing. Everything is white on white with milk cans for decoration. The large tables in the middle of the restaurant are communal. Everyone sits together and shares. The bag on top of the plate? That is your bread and it is delicious! Each night the menu at La Leche changes based on the fresh ingredients the chef (Alfonso Cadena) receives from local vendors. The noise level is maddening with the non-padded and very high ceilings.

Best art collection and best musical trio- River Café. Live music and a natural environment. Infinity water fountain, tropical vegetation and art work by Oleo. And the food was great.

Best hideaway for the 1%- Nemi Eco Villa. Joe & Nicole Sanchez moved to Puerto Vallarta from Chicago in 2008. As an architect he designed this 6-bedroom villa from shipping containers and to be environmentally friendly (composting, flowered plants etc.). Rented through Airbnb & Villa Rentals for $800-$1,500 night (3 night minimum) plus the cost of food ordered by the staff (included). Not a hotel, one can rent the whole villa or the top 3 or bottom 3 bedrooms. High season is late November thru late March.

Best rock formation- Los Arcos (arches) National Marine Park. Small granite islands that jut out of the water. The largest is 82 feet high and boats can go through those rocks. Lots of birds, snorkeling and diving.

Coolest way to go swimming- Start out at a real working ranch nestled in the Sierra Madre foothills. Go for a ride, and then stop to bathe in the volcanic hot springs and after the ride, relax at the Hacienda, eat or drink at the restaurant, and learn about how tequila is made. Rocks are slippery.

Best former private home converted to small inn- Luna Liquida Boutique Hotel. 14 rooms spread over 5 villas. Added a new section to the owners former home.

Best new hotel (non chain)- Hotel Mousai. 72 suite and adult only- AAA 5 Diamond. Opened December 2014 on the property above the Garca Blanca Preserve Resort- 172 room family-friendly. River on the property with the mountains behind the hotel that are part of the hotel. $250 PP all inclusive low season & $750 in high season.

Best new hotel (chain)- Hyatt Ziva. First hotel for this new concept. Opened December 20, 2014. I stayed at the Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall adult all-inclusive in Jamaica (next to the Ziva). It was a different hotel before being refurbished. 335 rooms- all-inclusive family oriented. There is a 24-hour deli in addition to the other restaurants. Wi-Fi included.

The best part of the trip was the reception accorded visitors. We were not treated as “gringos” but as friends. Tourism is the main industry and everyone we met treated us with respect. I can’t wait for another return visit.

For more information:

www.visitpuertovallarta.com

www.puertovallarta.net

www.casamagnapuertovallarta.com

www.vistagrill.com

www.haciendasanangel.com

www.lekliff.com

www.cafedesartistes.com

www.vallarta-adventures.com/las-calertas/index.html

www.secretsresort.com/vallarta-bay-puerto-vallarta

www.rivercafe.com.mx

www.velasvallarta.com

www.hotelcasavelas.com

visit-vallarta.com/discover/landmarks/los-arcos-national-marine-park

www.lunaliquida.mx Puertovallarta.ziva.hyatt.com

www.puertovallartatours.net/horse-back-ride-swim.htm Lalecherestaurant.com

Craft Beer Week- My Visit to Jimmy’s #43

New York Magazine says it best: “This inviting basement brew bar has a gourmet secret. In addition to dark-wood tables, beer regalia, and 50 brands of mostly German, Belgian and Brooklyn suds, the dive has a tiny hot-plate-equipped kitchen turning out seasonal, locavore grub (note: it now has a full kitchen; that review was written several years ago). Gastro pub worthy eats, rich in flavor and texture, do change often, but staples include their hearty appetizer of friend beer sausage as well as the widely hailed Shishito peppers, roasted with a hint of lemon and sea salt. These sharable dishes are tried-and-true complements to the bar-food liberties taken on nightly whims. “

Jimmy Carbone’s answer to the now outdated NY Magazine review: “There are 12 draught lines and a wide range of bottles from small craft breweries from around the world. We specialize in rare and hard to find beers more than standards from Germany and Belgium (although we typically do have a helles and always have several Belgians, along with beers from France, England, Italy and Spain).”

Jimmy Carbone runs Jimmy’s No. 43, an East Village bar and restaurant with a focus on unique beers and a green market menu. It has been around for over a decade. He believes strongly in supporting local purveyors. Beer Sessions Radio, Jimmy’s latest project, is a conversational format podcast carried on the Heritage Radio Network, where Jimmy and a series of rotating co-hosts discuss the beers, bars, and brewers that make up the craft beer movement.

Truth be told I am a wine & spirits guy with very little knowledge (or love) for beer. It was NYC Beer Week & I decided to learn more about this popular beverage by visiting & talking to Jimmy himself. “We officially launch NYC Beer Week tonight at 7 p.m. with the citywide Opening Tap (we’ll be raising our glass filled with Rocky Point Artisan Brewers’ American Brown Ale), but it’s only one of many local beers we’ll be tapping. Among the kegs ready to tap: Transmitter Brewing Co. (Queens) – NY1 beer, a pale ale/sour made with all NY State ingredients; Folksbier (Brooklyn) – Dark Rye Ale and Light Helles Lager; Big Alice (Queens) – Rye IPA and Multi-grain Sour; Other Half (Brooklyn) – Hop Deeded Imperial IPA and Nelson Sauvin Hop IPA.”

 

I attended a Sunday afternoon event called- Cicerone v. Cicerone Beer & Food Pairing- James Tai and Brendan Woodcock (both candidates for Master Cicerone – the beer equivalent to Master Sommelier) each paired beers to a tasting menu that included scallops wrapped in bacon to pair with Midnight Sun Snow Shoe (Alaska) & Oude Gueuze Tilquin (Belgium); a roasted parsnip and Brussels’ sprout dish with lemon gremolata to pair with Other Half Laste Ronee (Brooklyn) & NY1 Smash – Transmitter Brewing (LIC); a smoked pork was paired with Einbecker Mai-UR Bock (Germany) & Artisan Amber Ale (Belgium). The Stilton cheese dish was paired with Threes Supere Yawn (Brooklyn) & Evil Twin Brewery Lil B (Denmark). The last dish served was Belgium fries with chocolate paired with Marzenbier Westbrook Oktoberfest Lager (South Carolina) & ST Feuilien Triple (Belgium). Each of the 12 attendees was asked to vote for their favorite pairings. It was pretty much a tie vote.

I left Jimmy’s with a lot more knowledge about beer than I had before attending this event. Go and try the place. You will thank me.

For More Information-

www.jimmysno43.com

www.newyorkcitybrewersguild.com

 

Craft Beer Week: My Visit to Brooklyn Brewery

 

 

As defined by the Brewers Association a craft brewery produces less than 6 million barrels of beer a year (there are 31 gallons in a barrel). It is a distinctively flavored beer that is brewed and distributed regionally. If any alcoholic beverage industry member (who is not a craft brewer) owns or controls 25% or more of the brewery, then it cannot be called a craft brewery. To be a craft brewer, one must have “a majority of its total beverage alcohol volume in beers whose flavor derives from traditional innovative brewing ingredients and their fermentation.” Flavored malt beverages are not considered beers. Craft brewers may use other adjuncts like fruit, spices, rye, or oatmeal to enhance the flavor & mouth feel of their beers.

Source- http://www.brewersassociation.org/statistics/craft-brewer-defined/

The following figures are all for 2013: There were 2,770 craft breweries in the U.S. A microbrewery (1,410) produces less than 15,000 barrels a year. A Brewpub (1,240) is a restaurant-brewery that sells at least 25% of its beer on site. Anheuser-Busch InBev shipped 16 million barrels (down from 30 million in 2003). Bud’s US market share fell to 8.7% in 2013, down from 14.3 percent in 2005, according to data tracker Euromonitor. Craft breweries have about 7.8% of the US market selling around 15.3 billion barrels. The largest craft breweries include: Boston Beer Company as number one, followed by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co, New Belgium Brewing Co, Gambrinus and Lagunitas Brewing Co. Brooklyn Brewery is number 9.

Sources:  http://www.brewersassociation.org/press-releases/2013-craft-beer-data-infographic/

http://www.brewersassociation.org/statistics/national-beer-sales-production-data/

http://www.brewersassociation.org/press-releases/brewers-association-lists-top-50-breweries-of-2013/

 

Co-founder of Brooklyn Brewery Steve Hindy was the Middle East Correspondent for the Associated Press where he covered wars and assassinations in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Sudan. Steve befriended diplomats based in Saudi Arabia, where Islamic law prohibits alcoholic beverages. The envoys were avid home brewers and showed Steve their techniques. While editing foreign news for Newsday (Long Island) Steve started brewing at his Brooklyn home. His downstairs neighbor was banker Tom Potter, and they agreed to establish the Brooklyn Brewery.

A few Brooklyn breweries survived Prohibition by marketing malt beverages and medicinal alcohol. The last two great brewing families Schaefer and Liebmann (Rheingold) closed in 1976. Intent on starting a brewery that would pay homage to the rich history of their beloved borough, Steve and Tom set their sights on bringing in the legendary graphic designer Milton Glaser (I Love NY logo- NY Magazine) to create a logo that would give their fledgling Brooklyn Eagle (newspaper) Brewery brand an instant identity. Milton even agreed to waive his usual fees in exchange for an equity stake in the company. Steve and Tom raised $500,000 from family and friends, personally persuading each to share with them in their plan to build a “microbrewery.” 

Shelving the “microbrewery” plan, Steve and Tom commissioned brewmaster William M. Moeller, a former head brewer at Philadelphia’s Schmidt Brewery, to brew Brooklyn Lager at the FX Matt Brewery in Utica, New York. Moeller pored over the brewing logs of a grandfather of his who had brewed in Brooklyn at the turn of the last century to develop a recipe for Brooklyn Lager. The result was an all-malt lager beer with a tangy aroma created by “dry-hopping,” an age-old technique of adding hops during the maturation process to create a robust aroma. Brooklyn Lager made quite a splash in the 1980’s beer scene in New York City, dominated by the light, rice and corn lagers sold by Budweiser, Miller and Coors.

In 1988 Steve and Tom were hitting the streets to educate consumers from the bottom up, exposing a new generation of beer drinkers to flavorful beers that had been all but lost to the American beer scene. In 1994, Garrett Oliver was brought on board as brewmaster. His beers and books include The Good Beer Book, The Brewmaster’s Table and The Oxford Companion to Beer. He won the 2014 James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Professional.  On May 28, 1996, Mayor Rudy Giuliani cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the new Brooklyn Brewery brewhouse, tasting room and offices in Williamsburg Brooklyn.

Tom, who had been heavily involved in the distribution division for the previous fifteen years, decided the time was right for him to retire and sold his shares to the Ottaway family. Not long after, Tom grew bored with retirement and founded the New York Distilling Company not far from the Brooklyn Brewery. In 2014 Eric Ottaway became the CEO and Robin Ottaway President. 

Amarcord Brewery in Rimini, Italy teamed up with Brooklyn Brewery in 2011 to launch the first of four collaborative beers: Ama Bionda, Ama Bruna, Ama Mora and Ama Reserva. In 2003, Carlsberg, the fourth largest brewery in the world, assumed responsibility for distributing Brooklyn beers in Scandinavia. The Brooklyn brands took off as Brooklyn as a borough began to develop an international reputation as a center of the arts and entrepreneurship and America’s craft beer revolution began to take root around the world. In 2014, Brooklyn Brewery and Carlsberg celebrated the opening of their joint venture brewery Nya Carnegie, operating as a brewery and tasting room in Stockholm, Sweden. It was the first time an American craft brewery had established a facility overseas. Later that year, Brooklyn donated a microbrewery to the Culinary Institute of America, one of the world’s foremost cooking schools located in the Hudson Valley north of New York City. Garrett is developing a brewing curriculum for the CIA to familiarize students with the brewing process and produce beers for the school’s restaurants. Garrett has an expanded barrel-aging program housed in the historic Brooklyn Navy Yard down the road from the brewery and an extensive roster of experimental batches tucked away for study (and tasting).

I along with some 25 other people took the Small Batch Tour that takes place from 5-7PM Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required. We started by tasting 4 of their beers & even got to keep the tasting glass. Quite a bargain at just $10. The beers we tasted were: Brooklyn Lager, Local1, Wild Horse Porter & Unsung Hero.

For More Information-

www.brooklynbrewery.com

www.brewersassociation.org

Greater Palm Springs- Inexpensive Living?

 
I did not think of the Greater Palm Springs area as a budget metropolis. It consists of the communities of Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio, Cathedral City and Desert Hot Springs. As I drove around I noticed the names of streets: Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Shore, Fred Waring, Bing Crosby, Jack Benny, etc. They had one thing in common- they are all dead and they all lived, at least part of the year, in the Palm Springs area. Lucille Ball owned a hotel there. More residents included: Walt Disney, Kirk Douglas, Judy Garland, Bill Gates, Cary Grant, Liberace, Marilyn Monroe, Barry Manilow, Elvis Presley, Elizabeth Taylor, Gene Autry, Dean Martin, Ann Miller, Errol Flynn and Jean Harlow.
 
The city became a fashionable resort in the 1900s when tourists with health problems arrived to sample the dry heat. They were comfortable in the microclimate because the mountains blocked the cold winds. There were also inventive architects that designed unique vacation homes using prefabricated panels, folding roofs, glass-and-steel houses with open-design plans, air-conditioning, swimming pools and very large windows. In those days Hollywood had a “Two Hour Rule” meaning that contracted employees had to be available within two-hours from the studio in case last minute filming had to be done. Palm Springs fit that window.
 
The film colony and tourists discovered this desert playground in the early 1940’s. There were golf courses, tennis courts and more swimming pools than anywhere else in the United States. There was even gambling at several clubs in Cathedral City. After World War II the area added spas and new homes. The Palm Desert Corporation built office buildings and more homes and country clubs. Thirty years later this area became the city of Palm Desert. Bob Hope, a longtime resident, was appointed Honorary Mayor. Palm Springs became known as the “Golf Capitol of the World.”  Polo was revived, as were tennis tournaments.

Dwight D. Eisenhower arrived in 1954 and Harry Truman also spent considerable time in the area. In 1962 John F. Kennedy came to town on the first of several trips. President Gerald Ford had visited Palm Springs during his term as Vice President and in 1976 returned to build a home there. Mrs. Ford had her alcohol and drug center in Rancho Mirage. Then mayor Sonny Bono founded the Palm Springs International Film Festival which is held every January. This year it was January 2-12th. The area has been rediscovered by today’s Hollywood stars.
 
The last time I was in Palm Springs the downtown area was seedy, even around the Spa Resort Casino. It reminded me of the areas of Atlantic City that were off the boardwalk area. Then the renaissance began, slowly at the beginning, with gay people from the San Francisco area being priced out of their homes and shops. They found their new area in Greater Palm Springs and the movement started. Great weather 10 months of the year, mountains nearby, and wind energy for cheap electricity, an international airport and well maintained highways and roads. No potholes caused by rain and snow, as in my hometown of NYC.
 
As the older (my) generation died off, younger people moved in. Yes, there is the Rodeo Drive of Palm Desert (El Paseo) but there is also Highway 111 & Interstate 10 with Cosco, Target, Home Depot, Wal-Mart and all the budget motel/hotels/fast food restaurants and outlet stores. There are also other casinos in Rancho Mirage, Coachella, and Indio and in Cabazon (on the highway to & from Los Angeles, next to the 180 store Desert Hills Premium Outlet stores where I shopped and bought several items).
 
I spent 4 days with Sally Jessy Raphael and her husband Karl Soderlund at their home. Sally has excellent taste and the home reflects that. Everything in quotes were from her notes to me.
"I consider the Palm Springs area to be an inexpensive place to live. The weather is ideal 10 months of the year. There is very little rain and it is dry and mild with temperatures between 65-80 degrees. True it is hot in July & August but I love the heat and everyone has air conditioning. There's lots to do. Even though we don’t play golf there are more than 100 courses in the region for our guests to use. This is a big tennis town and lots of swimming pools.The area is also a good place for hikers and rock climbers. There are mountains everywhere. It was also voted the cleanest city in America. There are no bad areas and I always feel safe, many times not even locking my front door."
"The International Film Festival is wonderful and I believe it is the 3rd largest in the US. The McCallum Theater has a different show almost every night with big stars. The casinos also have great shows. Almost half the population is young and the schools are well run. The town is very health conscious. The gays have done a lot opening small boutiques, restaurants, B&B's etc. People are very friendly. There are lots of art fairs and galleries. (Sally is an accomplished artist with several gallery exhibits). Also, because of the abundance of wind turbines electric rates are low. You saw the airport- no roof and two non-stop flights a week from NYC. I like the slow pace of life here and the excellent nightlife.”
 

There is a lot to see and to do in the Greater Palm Springs area. I will concentrate on 3 places where I spent considerable time. The Living Desert; Two Bunch Palms Spa Resort and the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. I briefly stopped at the following attractions that are worthwhile if you have more free time than I had: San Jacinto Mountain Range (drove around them coming from Temecula to Palm Desert. Don’t try at night); Palm Springs Art Museum (had 15 minutes there), Cabots Pueblo Museum (5 minutes from Two Bunch Palms) & El Paseo Shopping Avenue (had lunch there).
 

I met the CEO of Two Bunch Palms located in Desert Hot Springs (30 minutes from Palm Desert) several months ago at a press dinner here in NYC organized by the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau. He was kind enough to invite Sally & her husband Karl to accompany me there for spa treatments & lunch. This 77-acre resort was built in 1930. It had become rundown when the new owners took over in 2012. There are 70 newly refurbished rooms including 13 suites with outdoor patios and/or courtyards (18 years and older only). The Wellness Spa has 19 indoor/outdoor treatments rooms, 2 mud baths (my choice of treatment) and 2 water therapy pools. There is a lap pool, two tennis courts, fitness room, many movement & enrichment classes and a huge earth mount dome dedicated to yoga. The tour I was given by cart also included nature trails, a duck & turtle pond where you can feed the fish and a new conference center.

We had lunch in the farm-to-table restaurant Essense where Chef Cossi Houegban prepared a fabulous lunch.  We changed into our swimsuits and relaxed by the natural spring artesian waters that are 169 degrees and are cooled to 90 and 104 degrees in the Grotto. The waters contain lithium, calcium and magnesium. The best value is the day spa. Non-resort guests can gain access to the facility with a minimum reservation of one (1) 60 minute treatment along with a Day Spa Fee ($40 weekend/$25 weekday) that allows access to the Grotto, the pool and the grounds from 10 am to 6 pm. World Away Day Spa packages are also available and designed to include at least one treatment, gratuity, lunch credit and the day spa fee ($195). For more information- www.twobunchpalms.com

I spent 3 hours at The Living Desert, both walking and using their tram. You really need 5-6 hours to see everything. It was established in 1970 by people who foresaw the impact that resort development would have on the local desert ecosystem. This led to the interpretive nature trail and preserve in Palm Desert. The grounds have been expanded to 1,200 acres of which 1,000 acres remain in their natural state. A desert oasis was created with animal enclosures and small animal exhibits. Then came a walk-through aviary and an animal care center that I visited watching an operation take place. They soon accepted threatened and endangered species. An Education Center followed as well as Eagle Canyon, home to mountain lions, Mexican wolves, bobcats, badgers and many birds. Before the turn of the century they completed an amphitheater for a twice-daily Wild Wonders show as well as the Village WaTuTu with a new café, gift shop and new exhibits featuring striped hyenas, camels, sheep and goats. In the early 21st Century they added a children’s play park, an exhibit housing a reticulated giraffe and ostrich and a butterfly pavilion. Soon there was an added endangered species carousel and camel rides. I actually managed to see most of the above, ending at the very large model railroad exhibit. For further information- www.Livingdesert.org

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is located in the rugged Chino Canyon on the north edge of Palm Springs. The dream began in 1935 but construction was not complete until 1963. Not one cent of public funds was used for either the construction or operation of the tramway. It was an engineering challenge and was labeled as the “eighth wonder of the world.” The first tower is the only one that can be reached by road. Helicopters flew over 20,000 missions during the 26 months of construction, hauling men and material needed to erect the four other towers and the 25,000 sq. Mountain Station. It is 10,834 feet to the top of Mount San Jacinto. In 2000 there were new cars installed including the world’s largest rotating tramcars. Since it opened over 18 million people have travelled the 10-minute, 2.5-mile ride, which begins at the Valley Station- elevation 2,643 feet and ends at the Mountain Station- elevation 8,516 feet. The cost of a ride is- $23.95 for adults & children 3-12 are $16.95. It’s a very small world; the last time I was in Palm Springs I met Greg Purdy the PR person for the Palm Springs Follies (no longer in business). Greg is doing the same work for the Tramway and honored me by riding up and back with me. For further information- www.pstramway.com
 
For More Information about Greater Palm Springs-  www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com

Return to Westchester

In 2008 I spent two days in Westchester County and referred to the county as New York City’s 6th borough. The tourism folks liked the name and used it on many of their advertising campaigns. This September I spent the better part of a Sunday in Scarsdale at the Southern Westchester Food & Wine Festival which was located 10 steps from the Metro North station. I thought it was time to spend a day looking at some new areas of the county. I was lucky that Lydia Ruth of the Westchester County Tourism & Film office once again served as my guide.

Who needs a car in the county when they have lots of public transportation options? My senior fare on Metro North from Grand Central to Yonkers was just $5 one way. I could have opted for any of the NYC subway lines and caught a Bee Line bus from the end of the lines as well. I was in Yonkers in less than 30 minutes and only had a 2 block walk to the Hudson River for my first (but not last) WOW! moment. Yonkers is the 4th largest city in New York and downtown Yonkers is experiencing a renaissance of culture, community, development and art: a parking lot replaced by a babbling brook filled with fish; new and converted apartment buildings facing the Hudson; many restaurants, a post office, hotels, the public library, sculptures galore, the Motor Vehicle Bureau and clean streets and sidewalks. Robert M. Walters, the Science Barge director, was my guide. The Science Barge is a prototype sustainable urban farm developed by NY Sun Works and acquired by Groundwork Hudson Valley in October 2008 to be operated as an environmental education center. The Science Barge is a sustainable urban farm powered by solar, wind and biofuel and irrigated by rainwater and purified river water. They grow fresh fruit and vegetables using recirculating hydroponics and aquaponics. It is designed for school kids in grades 3-12, youth groups as well as teacher training. I was then led next door to the Sarah Lawrence College Center for the Urban River at Beczak (CURB). A long name for a comprehensive river education experience, learning about the Hudson River ecosystem and water quality. But the best was still to come. Lunch was at X20 Xaviars on the Hudson.

X2O is Peter X Kelly’s latest addition to the Xaviars Restaurant Group which includes Restaurant X & Bully Boy Bar in Congers and Xaviars at Piermont as well as Freelance Café & Wine bar, also in Piermont. X2O sits in the Hudson on the only turn-of-the-century Victorian pier still existing in the river. The main dining salon’s 25-foot vaulted ceiling and 3 walls of glass frames offers views of the George Washington and Tappan Zee Bridges, as well as sunsets over the Palisades. Dishes incorporate classic French technique with Italian and Spanish influences and Asian embellishments. In 2007 self-taught Chef-owner Peter Kelly appeared on the Food Networks Iron Chef America and beat Bobby Flay in Battle “Cowboy Rib Eye”. He also played host to Anthony Bourdain on his “No Reservations” program, introducing Tony to the beauty of the Hudson Valley. Since the early 90’s Peter has also been a vintner. His wines at Xaviar’s Cellars in Napa Valley are known as “Silenus” (the Teacher of Bacchus in Greek Mythology). Peter has also consulted on several bottlings from the emerging Hudson Valley region. My salmon was so fresh I did not need a fork; it melted directly into my mouth. The real bargain was the 3-course lunch for just $25. I had such a great experience that I plan on taking Metro North to Yonkers once the weather turns warm for another lunch, along with the nearby farmers market and concert pavilion.

Another WOW! moment was my visit to Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway. It is a half-mile harness-racing track & a casino with slot machines, electronic games & multiple eateries. You can play the roulette wheel or blackjack using electronics with no human interaction. I am not a gambler but what really impressed me was pinch (not Pinch) which is run by Alain Ducasse’s consulting company, Ducasse Studio. There are 245 seats and both the beverage and dessert menus come on an iPad. The restaurant has a growler filling station (to go), where you can choose from one of 100 New York State beers. It also has six "draft booths," which are tables outfitted with self-service beer taps (I am not kidding). The interior design inspiration is a classic 1950’s vintage diner with automotive interiors, tailored banquettes, a raw bar and an open kitchen. Since I grew up in the 1950’s this is my kind of restaurant. I can’t wait to go back for a meal.

 

I asked my host if we could stop at Untermyer Gardens Conservancy in Yonkers. I didn’t realize that nothing was growing during the late fall and winter months & vowed to return next spring. Samuel Untermyer was passionately interested in horticulture. He said that if he could do it over again, he would want to be the Parks Commissioner in New York City! Unlike most wealthy garden-owners, Untermyer was expertly knowledgeable about horticulture. The level of horticulture at the Untermyer Gardens was nationally famous and some great gardeners got their training there.

The only place I revisited from my 2008 trip to Westchester was Lyndhurst. It was built in 1838 and purchased in 1880 by railroad magnate Jay Gould as a summer home. Mr. Gould used Lyndhurst as an escape from the pressures of his business life and when his health was impaired by tuberculosis; Lyndhurst served as a country retreat until his death in 1892. After passing to various family members the 67-acre estate became a property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The grounds at Lyndhurst are an example of 19th century landscape design including sweeping lawns accented with shrubs and specimen trees, the curving entrance drive, the angular repetition of the Gothic roofline in the evergreens and the nation’s first steel-framed conservatory. The rose garden and fernery were later additions. The building was temporarily closed as they decorated for the holiday season. They kindly allowed me to get a sneak peek of A Very Dutchess Holiday. I want to return for the full effect.

As I was still full from lunch I only tried a lobster main course (yummy) at The Stone Manor in Hawthorne. The restaurant is the latest project by Michael Casarella and Tommy Stratis, the owners of Goldfish in Ossining and Casa Rina in Thornwood. It opened in July 2013 after an 18-month renovation of its old stone building. The 14,000-square-foot Mediterranean steakhouse and catering hall creates a modern ambiance that embraces nods to the space’s 180-year history.

 
It was a short drive into White Plains where I caught my Metro North train back to Grand Central. I am already planning my return trip. So should you.

For More Information-

www.mta.info/mnr

www.yonkersdowntown.com

www.beelinebus.com

www.westchestergov.com

www.visitwestchesterny.com

www.groundworkhv.org

www.centerfortheurbanriver.org

www.xaviars.com

www.empirecitycasino.com

www.untermyergardens.org

www.lyndhurst.org

www.thestonemanor101.com

Hip Hop or Doo Wop

 

I admit it; I know almost nothing about Hip Hop. But Doo Wop, that is another story. I literally know thousands of songs and singers. While using my computer I often turn to the video jukebox of songs from the 1950’s & 1960’s and sing along (very loudly to my neighbors' demise) while I write. So why did I accept an invitation from Hush Tours (www.hushtours.com) to spend 4 hours on a lovely fall day touring Harlem and the Bronx on their Birthplace of Hip Hop Tour? Take a look and read on. 

Debra Harris, aka Debbie Deb, founded Hush Tours Inc. in 2002. Hush is an acronym for the “Us” in Hip Hop and is all about telling the full story through its roots to current day. To some hip-hop may be just a music genre while to others it is “a culture.” It is undeniably one of the most influential, musically focused facets of American ideals in the past four decades.

Hush Tours has hip-hop celebrities as their tour guides as they explore the 4 elements of hip-hop: Dance, Graffiti (now known as Aerosol Art), DJing (Disk Jockey) and Mcing (Master of Ceremony)- aka-Rap. It is a NYC & NYS certified woman/minority business enterprise. Our tour driver John Shepherd is a vice president of the company. Our guides were Reggie Reg of the legendary Crash Crew (1977), assisted by Austin aka Rayza. They filled the TV screen with photos of the legends of hip-hop as well as music videos to illustrate the places we were visiting. The three of them explained and illustrated the history of hip-hop and made it easy for this novice to understand and enjoy the journey.

We met our van at 59^th off Lexington Avenue. Our group of 10 included guests from London, Amsterdam, Florida & New Jersey. As I had assumed I was the oldest person on the tour (by 40 years, alas). Our first brief stop was at Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel at Madison Avenue & 81st Street where the likes of Biggie Small, Aaliyah, John Lennon and Notorious B.I.G. had their funeral services. To me the best part of the tour was stop #2 at 106^th & Park Ave in Spanish Harlem. We had a chance to view the Graffiti Wall of Fame at the playground of the Jackie Robinson Educational Complex. Across the street we watched a demonstration of break dancing by B-Boy Mouse. He is currently pursuing a Masters program in dance through Alvin Alley in NYC.  Even yours truly managed a few moves. Our drive through the main part of Harlem took us past Graham Court, the first luxury apartment house in the area built in 1910 at 116^th Street & Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard. The former location of Harlem World Ballroom was pointed out as well as the once famous Hotel Teresa (Fidel Castro stayed there when visiting the UN). We had a short visit inside the lobby of the Apollo Theater and viewed the mural depicting many of the famous artists who performed there. On the way to the Bronx we stopped briefly at the world famous Holcombe Rucker Park at 155th Street & Lenox Ave & its Entertainers Summer Basketball Classic.

http://youtu.be/H16tzyiWjBQ?list=UU9JorCWRvTSpbgGuCQ4LLlg

Check out my moves

 

There was a short photo opportunity at Yankee Stadium before we stopped at 1520 Sedgwick Ave that was the site of the first ever hip-hop party (hosted by DJ Kool Herc) on August 11, 1973. It might have been an historic moment in hip-hop but all we saw was the front of an apartment building. We then stopped to take photos of the iconic street murals dedicated to the legends of hip-hop including Big L & Kool Herc. We stopped for lunch (on our own and average at best) and then drove back to Manhattan finishing the tour at 59^th & Fifth Ave. The Harlem part of the tour was the best. The Bronx half needs some reworking. But, overall it was a unique and enjoyable journey and highly recommended.

 

Cost of the Birthplace of Hip Hop Harlem/Bronx tour is $75 for adults; $58 for children under 18; under 5 rides for free.

 

 

 

 

The Little Wine Bus

I thought I was a AAA person until I met Tania Dougherty, the owner operator major domo of The Little Wine Bus. I received a press release about their Memorial Day Saturday tour of Hudson Valley wineries and was accepted as her guest. She liked what I had written about her friend Tony Muia and his Slice of Brooklyn and Brooklyn Neighborhood Tours.

I was early for their 9AM pickup at 47th off Broadway across from the W Hotel. Eventually the bus filled to capacity with 52 people. Tania also had several other smaller buses from New Jersey and Westchester going to the same wineries. The average age in my bus was probably mid to late ‘20s which included a bachelorette group. Most were New Yorkers and several had been on previous tours. The Hudson Valley wineries visited change based on availability due to private parties and concerts.

The Little Wine Bus was founded in 2007 by Tania who also owns and operates Hudson Valley Wine Tours and Events, The Little Beer Bus, Hudson Valley Brewery and Distillery Tours, and The Little Beach Bus, New York and New Jersey shore Beach Tours. Her tours are all about fun, especially when she puts on the Karaoke machine. There are day tours, special events, corporate events and team building, wine/beer dinner parties, bachelorette/bachelor parties, wedding showers, engagement parties, rehearsal dinners, family reunions, birthdays, etc. Tania has over 18 years of experience in the travel industry with a background in planning special events, corporate meetings and outings for some of Wall Street’s most prominent firms. She grew up in the Hudson Valley and still resides there with her new baby daughter.

My Take Me To The Vino tour cost $145 per person and included: three winery visits, all wine tastings at each winery, a grand cellar tour, wine education, full buffet lunch, dessert, afternoon snacks, water, raffles, wine trivia, cheese, cracker & fruit platters, great music and fun on the bus with a movie for the way home, a signature wine glass to take home, and Fun! Fun! Fun!

Our first stop was a familiar one to me- Benmarl Winery in Marlboro, the oldest vineyard in America. I had interviewed the late owner and famed magazine illustrator Mark Miller many times. Victor Spaccarelli purchased the winery in 2006 and his son Matthew is the GM and winemaker. There are 37 acres with sales of about 4,000 cases with 30% from their own grapes. I particularly enjoyed the Seyval Blanc, the estate grown Baco Noir and Cabernet Franc, the Merlot sourced from grapes from the North Fork of Long Island and the Riesling sourced from Seneca Lake.  www.benmarl.com

Glorie Farm Winery was also located in Marlboro in a 1913 barn at the top of Mt. Zion Mountain (great views of the Hudson Valley). Doug and MaryEllen Glorie had a fruit farm of 20 acres, with 7 acres devoted to wine grapes. In 2004 they decided to open their own winery instead of selling their grapes to other wineries. They are small with sales of about 1,000 cases. My favorites were their whites including: Seyval Blanc, semi-dry Riesling and Rumple Pumpkin, plus the semi-sweet Peach wine.  www.gloriewine.com  

By the time we got to the last winery, Palaia Vineyards in Highland Mills (only 5 miles north of the famed Woodbury Commons Premium Outlet Stores), I had made friends with quite a few of the participants (wine will do that). They all seemed to be enjoying themselves without worrying about drinking and driving. The tasting room was inside a 200 year-old barn on land that, in 1784, was owned by Aaron Burr. Jan and Joe Palaggi both were musicians when they bought the property in 2006 and opened the winery. There are 10 acres of vineyards, all vinifera, producing about 2,00 cases. Four times a week there is live music, either in the outdoor space or in the “treehouse” music room. There is an outdoor BBQ in the summer and NY beers on tap. I recommend the Cabernet Franc, the semi-sweet Pearl, made from Cayuga varieties and the Honey mead.  www.palaiavineyards.com  

My snooty wine snob friends are going to take me to task for not discussing PH, residual sugar and malolactic fermentation. Sorry folks, this is a story about a 8 ½ hour fun day where no one got sick or drunk and everyone, including yours truly, had a fabulous time. Tania- you did good.

Additional Information-

www.travelhudsonvalley.com
www.hudsonvalleywinecountry.org
www.gunkswine.comm
www.orangetourism.org

EDITORS NOTE- In the 10 years I have been using the internet to post my stories I have NEVER had anyone not proof an article, when requested. I sent 3 notes to Tania asking her to please fact check this story. She has a new born child and is a very busy business woman BUT, she certainly could have taken 10 minutes to check my story for additions, deletions or corrections. I waited 10 days and never got a responce. This story has been posted WITHOUT the facts having been checked.

 

This & That: Catching Up, Part 2

 


I have known Tania Grossinger for more years than either one of us care to count. Since I spent my teenage & early 20s in the "Catskill Mountain Resorts, I have read and reread Tania's Growing Up at Grossinger's when it first came out in 2008. I recently gave her new children's book Jackie & Me (Jackie Robinson) to my 5 year old grand-nephew to enjoy. I just spent Memorial Day fascinated by her newest book, which was literally released this week, Memoir of an Independent Woman; An Unconventional Life Well Lived. There is love, lust, drama, pathos, joy, sorrow, death, life, murder (maybe), marriage, divorce, travel..... and that is in the first chapter. What do Timothy Leary, Hugh Hefner, Betty Friedan, Jackie Robinson, Ayn Rand and Art D'Lugoff have in common? You will have to read the book. Published by www.skyhorsepublishing.com.

Ori Mor started Take Me Out New York Nightlife Tours in 2012. There is a Party Bus Tour ($100) but I am 50 years too old for that one. The same goes for the Night Club Tour ($180). I was interested in the Prohibition ($150) and Mixology Tours ($150). There was available space on a Wednesday night Mixology Tour and I grabbed the spot. There were two couples visiting New York from Alaska that found out about TMO through a Groupon promotion. Ori told me that sale generated close to 1,800 customers. “We did not make any money but it sure got our name out there. We don’t want to compete with the large companies doing daytime sightseeing tours and I found an unfilled niche.” I met the stretch limo in front of the Barnes & Noble bookstore on 17^th & Union Square Park. Ryan Kahl was the mixologist who made and served the three drinks sampled (included) during the three-hour tour. He has developed cocktails for the Four Seasons and Waldorf Hotels, as well as Food & Wine Magazine and the TV show, Bar Rescue. He was terrific and acted as the host at the three bars we visited that night. Locations vary since they customize the tours to specific days and the dynamics of the group. We started at Bathtub Gin at 132 Ninth Ave (18-19^th St). You enter through a coffee shop into a very noisy and jammed back room with a bathtub sitting in the middle. TMO had a table reserved where one could order food or drinks (not included in the price). There was another bar next door that was completely empty. In vs. out. A very American bar, as opposed to the more laid back French style Experimental Cocktail Club at 191 Chrystie Street on the Lower East Side. Our last stop was The Rooftop at 230 Fifth Ave at 27^th Street. It was 75 degrees at 11 PM and the view and cool breeze was welcome. What I liked was the VIP experience. We did not have to wait in line to get into the most prestigious bars in the city. With a TMO tour, all-inclusive access means skipping the lines. Also there are no cover charges. Check their website for special promotions-www.takemeoutnyc.com.

I write for 12 (mostly) online outlets that had 3.8 million visitors in 2012. Unfortunately, most are not household names. For that reason I am often passed over when invites are extended to the press. I am not insulted but sometimes wonder if I should start bragging about my outlets covering wine, spirits, food, sports and travel. Now in its sixth year the New Taste of the Upper West Side (my neighborhood) is one of my favorite events. I have attended several of the Friday night Comfort Classics where over 40 of the Upper West Side’s chefs serve samples of their “comfort food.” Since I am not on the press list I ask wine and food friends for a ticket. Thankfully, they have never turned me down. This year I spent time with my friends at Palm Bay International who had all the wine and spirits being poured. I knew, from past experience, what would occur as soon as the crowds were let in. I stopped by Luke’s Lobster for their Maine Shrimp Roll, an all-time yummy dish. A few minutes later there were 100 people in that line. I visited and tasted dishes from some old and some new local restaurants including: 5 napkin Burger, Artie’s Deli and Restaurant, Baconery, Big Daddy’s, Bomboloni, Café Frida, Ditch Plains, Insomnia Cookies, Isabella’s, Magnolia Bakery, Momofuku Milk Bar, One Cup Two Cupcakes, Picnic Market & Café, P.J. Clarke’s, Rigoletto Pizzeria, Piposa 72, Sarabeth’s, Shake Shack, Toloni Wine Restaurant, Virgil’s Real BBQ, Sysco Metro NY and Whole Foods Market www.newtasteuws.com.

Languedoc-Roussillon is one of the 27 regions of France. It comprises five areas and borders the other French regions of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Rhône-Alpes, Auvergne, Midi-Pyrénées on the one side, and Spain, Andorra and the Mediterranean Sea on the other side. It is the southernmost region of France. The Sud de France Festival 2013 ran from June 2^nd to June 23^rd. There were wine classes, concerts, wine tastings, seminars and local restaurant events. I was invited on a two-hour tour around NYC with stops in Manhattan & Brooklyn. There were 3 tours given during this year’s festival. They left from the Languedoc-Roussillon ground floor showroom at 53^rd Street between Fifth & Madison Avenues. The best part of the Sud de France bus tour was the Luck Chops Brass Band, especially Josh Holcomb the trombonist. The driver got lost finding 53rd Street between Madison & Fifth Avenues so we started out 40 minutes late. The open upper deck was filled and the 5-piece band was in the first two rows and played continuously for almost an hour as we drove downtown. People along the route were dancing to the music. The driver tried to make a turn down a narrow village street. I could tell immediately he was not going to make it. A car was legally parked at the corner and the driver literally touched his bumper. Then the great city of New York took over. People gathered to watch. The bus was half way out into 7th Avenue, which backed traffic up for blocks. A person on the ground began directing the driver and spent a good 15 minutes trying to help him. A Fire Department ambulance came by and the men put on their lights and directed traffic around the bus. Eventually the bus backed out and found another route to the first stop- Beau Marchais at 409 West 19th Street. It was Tuesday night jazz and our band joined their band while we were served wine from the South of France. Then it was already 9PM (the time the bus should have returned us to East 53rd Street) so I left the group and went home. Their next stop in Brooklyn was at Battery Harris in Williamsburg. I was told the view from the Brooklyn Bridge was spectacular. For more information- http://www.festivalsuddefrance.com/Events.181.0.html.

I have known F. Paul Pacult for more than 30 years. His Kindred Spirits book is my bible for everything spiritus. The Fourth annual Ultimate Spirits Challenge was held in March 2013 and resulted in the first 100-point score- Highland Park 25-year old Single Malt Scotch Whisky. In June I was invited to briefly observe the Ultimate Wine Challenge at The Astor Center in NYC. How impressed was I that Paul, who founded the challenges and is the judging Chairman, was able to get 7 Masters of Wine as judges? This may be the most talented wine-judging panel in industry history. Wines are tasted blind, in flights organized by category. All tasting and scoring is by panel and subject to three separate, progressive sets of evaluations. Top honors go to best wine in a category- i.e. best cabernet Sauvignon, best Riesling, best Champagne, etc. I did my old mini-blind tasting and can’t wait to see how my results stacked up against the judges- www.ultimate-beverage.com.

Wine & Food Festivals have become so commonplace that I don’t normally read the press releases announcing yet another event. This was different. In earl June the third annual Westchester Magazine Wine & Food Weekend featured seminars by Kevin Zraly, author of Windows on the World Complete Wine course and teacher extraordinaire. Rumor has it that Kevin has sold over 4 million copies of this book. I may have been teaching and writing about wine for more than 50 years but Kevin makes me look like a beginner. He is the most entertaining wine lecturer/teacher out there bar none. That is why I wanted to drive up to the Ritz Carlton Hotel in White Plains and sit in on one of his three tasting seminars- Grand Cru Vineyards of Washington, Oregon and New York. I got there early so I could spend some time at the Grand Tasting with many wines available to sample. But that was just the tip of the iceberg. The food samplings were the best I have had at any wine & food festival I have ever attended. The weekend also included the Burger & Beer Bash, a winemaker’s dinner, bartender’s shake-off, a sparkling Sunday brunch and a beer and vodka seminar.  Bravo Westchester Magazine- www.westchestermagazine.com/wineweekend.

My last item was supposed to be about a wine tour of Long Island. We would visit three wineries including making our own blend at one of the stops. Lunch was included in this all-day trip from Manhattan. Unfortunately, the day before the tour was to leave, the bus company informed me that they were without a bus for this trip.  What to do on this lovely late spring day? I had a good idea in an email from On Location Tours that they have just partnered with TMZ (Thirty Mile Zone- referring to the area around Los Angeles) to offer the TMZ Tour NYC. A call confirmed there was one space available the next day on the 1 PM two-hour tour, leaving from 51^st Street and Broadway.  I had taken an On Location Tour before, the Sex and the City Hotspots. They operate in New York and Boston and have other tours including: Sopranos, Gossip Girl, and the New York TV & Movie Sites tour. I watch the TV version of TMZ many nights on Channel 5 at 6:30 PM here in NYC. They are the fourth most searched news source in 2012 according to Google.  The tour showcases over 70 locations in Manhattan. The real star of the tour was our guide Mathew Chadwick, who 10 years ago was a finalist in the Australian version of American Idol and the TMZ video clips that focused on locations and people on our route. We moved through Times Square and past Macy’s, Madison Square Garden and Chelsea. After a right turn on 14^th street through the Meatpacking District, down 9^th Avenue and the Chelsea Market, West Village and Soho. The bus moved down Lower Broadway, along Canal Street, and then uptown on the West Side Highway. There goes Chelsea Piers, the Jacob Javits Convention Center, the Circle Line and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. There was a ship docked at the Cruise Terminal as we turned toward Columbus Circle, past the Time Warner Center and Central Park. Hello F.A.O. Schwartz, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall and NBC, as our tour came to an end. Well worth the $49 price, children are $39 www.onlocationtours.com.

Jackie & Me

April 15th is best known as income tax day. But it is also Jackie Robinson Day, commemorating and honoring the day Jackie Robinson made his major league debut. April 15, 1947 was opening day for Robinson's first season in the Major Leagues. Initiated for the first time on April 15, 2004, Jackie Robinson Day is celebrated each year on that date.


On April 12th, 2013 the movie "42" opens starring Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson and Harrison Ford as Branch Rickey.

Jackie and Me tells the story of then thirteen-year-old Tania Grossinger living in the famous Grossinger hotel in New York's Catskill Mountains. Her mother Karla was the social director.  Her cousins owned the hotel but Tania didn't feel like a real Grossinger.  Lots of celebrities came to Grossinger's, but Tania just wanted to meet one man: Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play Major League baseball.

In the early 1950s Robinson arrived with his wife Rachel and their children for a weekend at Grossinger’s. Somehow, he found out that young Tania was a self-styled “terrific ping-pong player,” even if “a little chubby,” and as they shook hands he said, “How about meeting me in the ping-pong room at 4 o’clock?”

Skeptical Tania dismissed it as a pleasantry, but when 4 o’clock rolled round, the telephone in her room rang; It was Jackie. He was in the ping-pong room, where was she?

Tania reminisced, “I think he let me win. He bought me an ice cream soda and said: ‘You’re too young to be so cynical.’ ” A lifetime friendship resulted and Jackie told the young Tania, "You should never be ashamed of who you are. That is what makes you special. Never give up."

I have known and admired Tania for over 30 years. She is the author of Growing Up at Grossinger's and Memoir of an Independent Women as well as the co-author of the novel Weekend. We've crossed paths many times as she is a well known travel writer. This slender 32 page childrens book (recommended for 5-9 year olds) has beautiful illustrations by Charles G. Esperanza and is published (April 1st, 2013) by Sky Pony Press at $16.95.

Mohegan Sun Winefest 2013

In 1996 on the banks of the Thames River in Southeast Connecticut the history of Mohegan Sun began with the 180,000 square-foot Casino of the Earth. It was a tribute to the heritage of the Mohegan Tribe. The casino was circular with four entrances representing the four seasons of the year. In 2001 the Casino of the Sky opened with four quadrants representing the natural elements of earth, wind, fire and water. It contained the world’s largest fully functional indoor planetarium dome and added 119,000 square-feet of gaming space. In 2002 the 34-story, 1,200 room hotel tower was completed. It included the 20,000 square-foot Elemis Spa and a 10,000 square-foot indoor pool. The Casino of the Wind opened in 2008 and added 45,000 square-feet of gaming space. It symbolizes the tribe’s history and contains a 55-foot tall waterfall. 

Mohegan Sun casino is the among the largest in the US with over 300,000 square-feet of gaming space. Casinos are measured by the amount of gaming space and the number of table games and slot machines. The Mohegan Sun has over 6,000 slot machines and more than 350 table games. The Mohegan Sun arena has a 10,000-seat capacity and is the home of the WNBA Connecticut Sun. There is the more intimate Cabaret Theatre with less than 350 seats and the 300 seat Wolf Den, in the center of the Casino of the Earth, where one can see free nightly shows. Coming with the family? There is a Kid’s Quest facility. 

The Mohegan Sun has over 40 different restaurants, bars and lounges including: Michael Jordan’s, Todd English’s Tuscany, Bobby Flay’s Bar Americain, Ballo Italian Restaurant & Social Club and Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritville. There are 36 shops and specialty stores as well as Mohegan Sun Country Club at Pautipaug. The 18-hole course is less than 30 minutes from the casino. 

The festivities started for the 10^th Annual Sun WineFest Friday night with a Bourbon tasting ($90) and the use of a cigar lounge. Saturday featured a trade and press hour, followed by the Grand Tasting ($80-repeated on Sunday-$70) with over 1,000 wines, craft beers and spirits. Both days had chef demonstrations, including Todd English, Mary Ann Esposito and Donatella Arpaia. I heard the late Saturday afternoon grape stomp was fun for both the participants and spectators. I was told that the Elite Cru Tasting, with a separate admission of $200 (including admission to the Saturday Grand Tasting), was less crowded than the Grand Tasting. Wineries poured included: Duckhorn, Terlato Wines International, Moet Hennessy USA, Gloria Ferrer and Willamette Valley Vineyards. Approximately 10,000 people attended the two days of the Grand Tasting. Saturday night featured a Celebrity Chef Dine Around with separate food, wine and spirits stations ($185). Between the sessions there were winemakers’ seminars and book signings.

The weather forecast was for light snow so I decided not to drive but to take Amtrak to New London (2 1/2 hours) very early on Sunday morning. A casino limo picked me up and in 20 minutes I was relaxing in my room getting ready for the Sunday press and trade preview of the Grand Tasting. It was a great learning experience for me. The 11AM-Noon time also had All Things Food with Bobby Flay ($50 including a copy of his book- Burgers, Fries & Shakers). Since even I could not be in two places at once I chose the early entrance into the Grand Tasting. I sampled a Massachusetts apple ice wine from Still River and learned about the Taste of Massachusetts Wine Festival this June. Mead from the New Hampshire based Moonlight Meadery was another newcomer for me. I was charmed by the handcrafted ceramic wine charms by Dani Titterton.

I had a chance to become reacquainted with old friends including: The San Francisco Wine Exchange, Gallo Family Vineyards, Frederick Wildman & Sons, Winebow, Castello Banfi and Martin Scott Wines. What was different about The Sun Winefest was the multitude of beer tables, in a separate section, up one flight from the main hall. Not being a beer person I did have to try one of Brooklyn Brewery’s offerings. Interspersed among the wine tables, lifestyle and restaurant (extra charge) exhibitors were several spirit exhibitors including: The Balvenie, Beam, Hendrick’s Gin, Kahlua, Sailor Jerry Rum and Reyka Vodka.

A half hour after the doors opened for general admission I was in the fitness center, Jacuzzi and pool resting my aching feet. Refreshed, I returned to the Convention Center in time for the 9^th Annual Mohegan Sun Oyster Open. The nation’s best oyster shuckers competed for a $5,000 purse. Dinner was at Ballo Italian Restaurant and then to the final event of the weekend- Bubbles and Bon Bons ($95). I watched Yannick Passemart, Connecticut on-premise manager for Moet Hennessy USA, saber several bottles of Moet & Chandon Imperial Champagne. Three incredibly talented pastry chefs paired their desserts with Grand Marnier and Moet & Chandon Imperial Champagne. There were chairs and banquets throughout the Cabaret Theatre to sip and nibble. It was a most relaxing way to end the weekend.

Then it was a restful night, breakfast at Tuscany and a reverse limo ride back to the New London Amtrak station. The ride back was relaxing and uneventful as the predicted light snow did arrive but had no effect on my ride home. I look forward to the 11^th annual Mohegan WineFest. 

For More Information- 

www.mohegansun/sitelet/winefest.com

Photos- Ron Kapon- Mohegan Sun- Diane Pontious- Khoi Ton