Tribeca Film Center/499 Park Avenue/NYC
Tires...and that roly-poly icon, all
Michelin, of course---but also a respected and très discriminating travel and restaurant guide series- used worldwide---
and now-a newly launched collection...that brought us downtown last week.
What's New--- the "
Like A Local" Series of urban/country books...that answer the call for more authentic traveling experiences here and abroad...something newbies and seasoned voyagers want in a world of mass marketing---where the same exact Starbucks coffee, Apple iPad, Gucci bag or H&M frock can be bought anywhere on the planet, ...and even 'unique' cultural experiences are cloned---replicated- for easy consumption.
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| Easy on the palette Malbec and a crisp Chardonnay from Argentina |
Peter Greenberg, a CBS news fixture...and travel guru, as it is...collab-ed with Michelin on this guide series...and was the congenial host of the evening's festivities...which featured beverages from the countries that so far ---have published tomes.
There is a NYC Green Michelin guide---that recommended spots we would suggest for visitors the highlights---importantly including outer borough destinations we could use as we are tourists there...
The book we snagged to take home was the one on Cuba---but there's a whole series forthcoming if not available now.
Entertainment...the Argentinian Tango...danced ...well. 'Like A Local..." from Buenos Aires.
A week later, we were once again reminded that many authentic international experiences can be found in the most multi-ethnic city anywhere, NYC---when we were graciously hosted by the family owned French luxury brand,
La Maison du Chocolat...to attend an exclusive SAKE tasting/chocolate pairing reception at the family owned, French luxury brand of fine porcelain and les objets de la maison- with a chic flair,
Bernardaud---
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| To begin the cross-cultural tasting-guests received one of these beautiful Bernardaud Anno cups designed by architect Sylvain Dubuisson |
SAKE breweries....as revered in Japan as exclusive vineyards in France .... are also multi-generational, family owned entities.
Made from Japanese rice---a grain that's cultivation is in itself- a fine art---with many quality grades yielding distinct /subtle taste differences...Sakes too, no surprise---have distinct/subtle taste differences...with well regarded brewing techniques, handed down through the ages-as honored traditions.
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| 55th (!!!) generation of his family to run this 850 years old brewery, Mr. Gen-uemon Sudo, www.sudohonke.co.jp |
Magically, the sakes we were able to taste---paired flawlessly with the deluxe chocolates we sampled, provided courtesy of La Maison du Chocolat.
We actually had a nice chat with Michael Olsen, the La Maison du Chocolat Boutique manager at the 1018 Madison Avenue locale...who clued us in on the hours' long process of of
exactly sizing up
correctly, which chocolate smoothly aligned with the textures and tastes of the individual sakes.
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| "Masuizumi" Kijyoshu Sake |
Gee, that sounded like a fun day to us.
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| "Masuizumi" Kijyoshu is uniquely made using already completed sake in place of water...a rich flavor that goes well with cheese (not a typical Japanese food), and desserts. |
Truthfully though, what doesn't pair well with the best chocolates in the world????
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| Euro Tropiques |
Bernardaud was SRO--- with many distinguished guests from the Japanese consulate included in the mix...
Lucky us, we got there early and had time to admire some of the artist designed Limoges porcelain and dinnerware collections that were displayed.
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| Practical-this dishwasher/microwavable china collection transports us to a beach house somewhere... |
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| Collection Marc Chagall |
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| Aux Oiseaux |
words/images Judith Ecochard
What's New--- the "Like A Local" Series of urban/country books...that answer the call for more authentic traveling experiences here and abroad...something newbies and seasoned voyagers want in a world of mass marketing---where the same exact Starbucks coffee, Apple iPad, Gucci bag or H&M frock can be bought anywhere on the planet, ...and even 'unique' cultural experiences are cloned---replicated- for easy consumption.
There is a NYC Green Michelin guide---that recommended spots we would suggest for visitors the highlights---importantly including outer borough destinations we could use as we are tourists there...
The book we snagged to take home was the one on Cuba---but there's a whole series forthcoming if not available now.
Entertainment...the Argentinian Tango...danced ...well. 'Like A Local..." from Buenos Aires.
Made from Japanese rice---a grain that's cultivation is in itself- a fine art---with many quality grades yielding distinct /subtle taste differences...Sakes too, no surprise---have distinct/subtle taste differences...with well regarded brewing techniques, handed down through the ages-as honored traditions.
