The Rare $150 Bourbon Costco Shoppers Can Buy For $60 https://flip.it/M6zIc0
Category: Uncategorized
Islas: A Celebration of Tropical Cooking
“Whatever you cook or don’t cook, this book is a trip to the islands or islas of the world.”
A beauty of a book, all lively colors, and wonderful photos, Islas: A Celebration of Tropical Cooking (Chronicle Books) takes us from island to island through the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans.
“The people who live on tropical islands are among the toughest, scrappiest, most resilient people of the planet,” writes author Von Diaz, an Emmy Award-winning documentarian, food historian, and author of Coconuts to Collards: Recipes and Stories from Puerto Rico to the Deep South (University Press of Florida) . “Storms have always been unpredictable, and generations of islanders have cultivated ancestral knowledge around how to survive and, importantly, how to feed themselves despite it all. With limited ingredients, they cook in ways that are soul-nourishing and emphasize flavor. Making magic out of what’s available.”
Her cookbook is about preserving the wisdom and values of island people who live in what Diaz describes as the most volatile and vulnerable places on the planet. She follows their histories and how the grapple with their new realities, combining legacy, adaptability, culture, and fortitude.
She tells and shows us cooking techniques and recipes from faraway places such as Santo, Vanuatu’s largest island. Here we meet Primrose Siri who shares such recipes as Laplap, the national dish with its alternative layers of starch such as cassava or yam, seafood or chicken, herbs, spices, and fresh coconut milk cooked oven an earth oven heated with hot rock. Closer to home, there’s Pasteles de Masa, a Puerto Rican Christmas traditional dessert.
Even those who may never cook Arroz Negro Con Pulpo y Calamares (Black Rice with Octopus and Squid) with its rice blackened with squid ink, will be intrigued by this Puerto Rican dish that is definitely eye catching.
Keshi Yena’s history dates back to the first Dutch colonial period in Curaçao, a bustling island some 30 miles off the coast of Venezuela. It is the food of enslaved people, as Curaçao was a slave port, who out of necessity took the rinds of cheeses such as Gouda that were discarded by their masters and stuffing it with meat scraps and other scavenged ingredients.
Some recipes are simple and easy to make at home without a lot of extra ingredients such as Ensalada Talong (Grilled Eggplant and Vegetable Salad) from the Philippines. Others, such as Monfongo Con Guiso, a common dish of green plantains and chicharron or fried pork skins in Puerto Rico are more time consuming but within reach of any cook who wants to give it a try.
The book is arranged by the chapters including the island’s cooking techniques: Marinating, Pickling + Fermentation, Braising + Stewing, Steaming + In-Ground Cooking, Frying, Grilling, Roasting + Smoking, as well as pantry staples, and sauces, spice blends, and condiments that can easily be made.
Whatever you cook or don’t cook, this book is a trip to the islands or islas of the world.
Chamoru Barbecue Chicken with Juanita’s Fina’denne’
Island: Guam
Yield: 4 to 6 servings | Active Time: 1 hour | Total Time: At least 4 hours
“This adaptation of a classic Chamoru marinade has become my go-to for grilling chicken and pork. It comes together quickly and packs a punch; soy sauce and lemon deeply penetrate the meat, which is then infused with abundant garlic and ginger. Start your marinade the morning of your cookout instead of the night before, as this soy-heavy marinade is potent. Once you begin cooking, baste the chicken with the remaining marinade several times to glaze and char, being sure to let the marinade cook before taking the meat off the grill.”
Marinade:
- 10 to 12 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup [50 g] finely grated peeled fresh ginger
- 1 cup [240 ml] soy sauce
- 1/2 cup [120 ml] fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup [60 ml] white wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup [65 g] light brown sugar
- 1 cup [104 g] finely chopped green onions, white and green parts
To make the marinade: In a medium bowl, combine the garlic, ginger, soy sauce, lemon juice, vinegar, brown sugar, and onions and stir well to incorporate.
Chicken:
- 3 to 4 lb [1.4 to 1.8 kg] bone-in skin-on chicken pieces, dark or white meat
- Steamed white rice, for serving
- Fina’denne’ (recipe below), for serving
To make the chicken: Put the chicken pieces in a large resealable bag or airtight container, then pour the marinade over and seal the container. Marinate for at least 3 hours or up to 12.
Remove the chicken from the marinade and place the pieces on a rimmed baking sheet. Reserve the remaining marinade.
Bring a grill to medium heat, then cook the chicken for 25 to 40 minutes, turning often to avoid burning, and brushing with the reserved marinade a few times. Be sure to cook the last application of marinade before taking the chicken off the grill.
Tent the chicken with aluminum foil and let it rest for 5 to 7 minutes before eating. Serve with steamed rice and fina’denne’ on the side.
TIP: If you don’t have access to a grill, this recipe is easy to prepare in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F [180°C], then line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil. Arrange the chicken in an even layer, bone-side down. Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. To finish, brush with reserved marinade, turn the heat to a high broil, and place the baking sheet directly under the broiler. Watching carefully, and brushing with marinade a few more times, broil for 5 to 10 minutes until the chicken reaches your desired char.
Island: Guam
Yield: 1 ½ cups [360 ml]
Total Time: 5 minutes
FINA’DENNE’
CHAMORU SOY DIPPING SAUCE
A staple of Chamoru cuisine, this soy-based dipping sauce is flavored with lemon, green onions, and fiery chiles. You can replace the vinegar with additional lemon juice if desired. This recipe was inspired by Juanita Blaz, who is profiled in Islas.
Chamoru Barbecue Chicken with Juanita’s Fina’denne’
- 3/4 cup [180 ml] soy sauce, plus more as needed
- 1/2 cup [24 g] thinly sliced green onions or shallots
- 3 to 6 red bird’s eye chiles
- 1/2 cup [80 g] halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup [60 ml] coconut vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup [60 ml] fresh lemon juice
In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Taste and adjust soy sauce and chiles as desired.
This review originally appeared in the New York Journal of Books.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at These Great Destinations
Last minute destinations and events to celebrate Cinco de Mayo this year. From the gorgeous beaches of San Juan and Los Cabos, to the bustling streets of Los Angeles, there is something for everyone.
Fairmont Century Plaza | Century City, CA
Fairmont Century Plaza’s signature restaurant, Lumiére, will be hosting the ultimate Cinco de Mayo party for locals and guests to enjoy.
In partnership with craft tequila, Tres Generaciones, the luxury hotel will be celebrating the holiday from 12-4pm with specialty tequila cocktails, fun activations, and a live DJ.
Condado Ocean Club | San Juan, PR
This Cinco de Mayo, the Caribbean beaches and ocean views await at Condado Ocean Club. Located in San Juan’s chic Condado Beach District, Condado Ocean Club is the only adults-only hotel located on the oceanfront in San Juan.
The chic, adults-only hotel has one of the most Instagrammable infinity pools on the island with spacious cabanas, and some of the best modern, oceanfront accommodations including a signature indoor-outdoor restaurant, SOCIAL, serving elevated cuisine with a local twist overlooking the water; and playful beachside dining at SANDBOX. On May 5th, SANDBOX is hosting guests from 5pm to 12am with happy hour specials and delicious eats!
La Concha Resort | San Juan, PR
With a prime oceanfront location in the heart of San Juan’s elevated Condado Beach district, travelers looking for the perfect spot this Cinco De Mayo, can have fun under the Caribbean sun at San Juan’s quintessential beach lifestyle destination La Concha Resort.
Thanks to social indoor/outdoor restaurants and bars, an expansive pool area where guests can see and be seen while enjoying live DJ sets every weekend, and nightlife and entertainment offerings, La Concha is the perfect getaway for all travelers. Specifically for Cinco De Mayo, La Concha Resort’s newest dining outlet, Tekka Bar: Handroll & Sake, is offering a new specialty roll for through May 5th: Hamachi al Pastor, Grilled Pineapple, Guajillo chile, created by award-winning Chef Scott Conant’s from VIVA! Restaurant in La Vegas.
Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection |Los Cabos, Mexico
Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection, Los Cabos’ only private beach resort, will offer an elevated, fresh twist on the classic by offering the “Mago de Piña,” an integration of grilled pineapple, fresh lime juice, cardamom syrup, Cointreau, and, of course, Tequila añejo, garnished with dehydrated pineapple and bitters.
Pro tip: Pair this pineapple-inspired drink with dinner at Cocina del Mar’s menu of locally grown and house-made ingredients.
- “The sweetness of the grilled pineapple perfectly compliments the warmth from the cardamom, and bitters makes the Mago de Piña a crowd pleaser. At Esperanza we pride ourselves on using classic ingredients in new combinations and presentations, and are always excited to introduce our guests to new agave-based spirits and local tequila producers” – Nicolas Morretti, Beverage Director at Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection
Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection|Los Cabos, Mexico
For those craving a bit more spice to go along with the hard stuff, Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection will be serving a “Yayarita,” aptly named after the hotel’s new Latin-Mediterranean restaurant, YAYA.
With the celebration of YAYA’s first anniversary this year, guests to the resort are welcomed with complimentary Yayaritas, impeccable service and cloudless skies. Crafted by lead mixologist Yared Alba, this cocktail is prepared with aquavit, tequila general gorostieta, carrot & ginger shrub and finished with ‘dessert dust.’
- “The Yayarita is the perfect celebratory drink, a perfect balance of smooth tequila, acidity from a homemade carrot & ginger shrub, a touch of sweetness from the dessert dust on the glass. The colors, flavors, and environment represent the vibrant yet laid-back spirit of our little coastal haven in Los Cabos.” – Courtesy of Miguel Vargas, Bartender at Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection
Ponte Vedra Inn & Club | Ponte Vedra, FL
Located on one of the finest beaches in North Florida, Ponte Vedra Inn & Club offers an unforgettable Cinco de Mayo celebration for families. Just outside Jacksonville, this award-winning resort not only boasts pristine shores but also offers a variety of activities tailored to the holiday.
While children enjoy Cinco de Mayo-themed fun at the kid’s club with Mexican-inspired crafts and movies, parents can unwind with a sunset Margarita and savor Fiesta Flare specials. From beachfront Margaritas to a lively atmosphere, the resort’s various dining options, including the signature Seahorse Grille and the alfresco Surf Deck Grille, ensure that parents can enjoy the well-deserved holiday weekend.
Introducing the James Beard 2024 Book Award Nominees
Baking and Desserts:
This award recognizes books with recipes focused on the art and craft of baking, pastries, and desserts, both sweet and savory items, including ingredients, techniques, equipment, and traditions.
This year, submissions to the Bread category were included for consideration within the Baking and Desserts category.
Dark Rye and Honey Cake: Festival Baking from Belgium, the Heart of the Low Countries
Regula Ysewijn
(Weldon Owen)
Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed
Abi Balingit
(HarperCollins)
More Than Cake: 100 Baking Recipes Built for Pleasure and Community
Natasha Pickowicz
(Artisan Books)
Beverage with Recipes:
This award recognizes books with recipes focused on beverages, such as
cocktails, beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, or juices.
Juke Joints, Jazz Clubs, and Juice: Cocktails from Two Centuries of African American Cookbooks
Toni Tipton-Martin
(Clarkson Potter)
The Maison Premiere Almanac: Cocktails, Oysters, Absinthe, and Other Essential Nutrients for the Sensualist, Aesthete, and Flaneur
Joshua Boissy, Jordan Mackay, and Krystof Zizka
(Clarkson Potter)
Danny Childs
(Hardie Grant North America)
Beverage without Recipes:
This award recognizes books without recipes that focus on beverages, such
as cocktails, beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea, or juices; or books that cover these subject areas where recipes are not the focus of cooking, not just a single topic, technique, or region.
Agave Spirits: The Past, Present, and Future of Mezcals
Gary Paul Nabhan and David Suro Piñera
(W. W. Norton & Company)
The New French Wine
Jon Bonné
(Ten Speed Press)
Vines in a Cold Climate: The People Behind the English Wine Revolution
Henry Jeffreys
(Atlantic)
Food Issues and Advocacy:
This award recognizes books that focus on investigative journalism, food
policy, food advocacy, deep dives, and critical analysis of the changing social landscape around food.
At the Table: The Chef’s Guide to Advocacy
Katherine Miller
(Island Press)
Avocado Anxiety: and Other Stories About Where Your Food Comes From
Louise Gray
(Bloomsbury Wildlife)
Resilient Kitchens: American Immigrant Cooking in a Time of Crisis: Essays and Recipes
Philip Gleissner and Harry Eli Kashdan
(Rutgers University Press)
General:
This award recognizes books with recipes that address a broad scope of cooking, not just a single topic, technique, or region.
Nigel Slater
(Ten Speed)
The Everlasting Meal Cookbook: Leftovers A-Z
Tamar Adler
(Scribner)
Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook
Sohla El-Waylly
(Alfred A. Knopf)
International:
This award recognizes books with recipes focused on food or cooking traditions of countries, regions, or communities outside of the United States.
Made in Taiwan: Recipes and Stories from the Island Nation
Clarissa Wei with Ivy Chen
(Simon & Schuster/Simon Element)
My Everyday Lagos: Nigerian Cooking at Home and in the Diaspora
Yewande Komolafe
(Ten Speed Press)
The World Central Kitchen Cookbook
José Andrés and Sam Chapple-Sokol
(Clarkson Potter)
Literary Writing:
This award recognizes narrative nonfiction books, including memoirs, culinary travel, culinary tourism, biography, reflections on food in a cultural context, and personal essays.
Food Stories: Writing That Stirs the Pot
(The Bitter Southerner)
For The Culture: Phenomenal Black Women and Femmes in Food: Interviews, Inspiration, and Recipes
Klancy Miller
(HarperCollins)
The Migrant Chef: The Life and Times of Lalo García
Laura Tillman
(W. W. Norton & Company)
Reference, History, and Scholarship:
This award recognizes manuals, guides, encyclopedias, or books
that present research related to food or foodways.
The Ark of Taste: Delicious and Distinctive Foods That Define the United States
David S. Shields and Giselle K. Lord
(Hachette Book Group)
Food Power Politics: The Food Story of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement
Bobby J. Smith II
(University of North Carolina Press)
White Burgers, Black Cash: Fast Food from Black Exclusion to Exploitation
Naa Oyo A. Kwate
(University of Minnesota Press)
Restaurant and Professional:
This award recognizes books written by a culinary professional or
restaurant chef with recipes that may include advanced cooking techniques, the use of specialty ingredients and professional equipment, including culinary arts textbooks.
Mat Lindsay with Pat Nourse
(Murdoch Books)
Fish Butchery: Mastering The Catch, Cut, and Craft
Josh Niland
Hardie Grant Books)
Rintaro: Japanese Food from an Izakaya in California
Jessica Battilana and Sylvan Mishima Brackett
(Hardie Grant North America)
Single Subject:
This award recognizes books with recipes focused on a single ingredient, dish, or method of cooking. Examples include seafood, grains, pasta, burgers, or canning. Exceptions are baking and desserts books, vegetable-focused books, restaurant and professional books, and beverage books—
which would be entered in their respective categories.
The Hog Island Book of Fish and Seafood: Culinary Treasures from Our Waters
John Ash
(Cameron Books)
Pasta Every Day: Make It, Shape It, Sauce It, Eat It
Meryl Feinstein
(Hachette Book Group
Yogurt & Whey: Recipes of an Iranian Immigrant Life
Homa Dashtaki
(W. W. Norton & Company)
U.S. Foodways:
This award recognizes books with recipes focused on the cooking or foodways of regions or communities located within the United States.
Ed Mitchell, Ryan Mitchell, and Zella Palmer
(Ecco)
Love Japan: Recipes from Our Japanese American Kitchen
Aaron Israel and Sawako Okochi with Gabriella Gershenson
(Ten Speed Press)
Made Here Recipes & Reflections From NYC’s Asian Communities
Send Chinatown Love
(Self-Published)
Vegetable-Focused Cooking:
This award recognizes books on vegetable cookery with recipes that are meatless, vegetarian, or vegan.
Ever-Green Vietnamese: Super-Fresh Recipes, Starring Plants from Land and Sea
Andrea Nguyen
(Ten Speed Press)
Japan: The Vegetarian Cookbook
Nancy Singleton Hachisu
Phaidon Press)
Tenderheart: A Cookbook About Vegetables and Unbreakable Family Bonds
Hetty Lui McKinnon
(Alfred A. Knopf)
Visuals:
This award recognizes books on food or beverage with exceptional graphic design, art, or photography.
The Book of Sichuan Chili Crisp
Yudi Echevarria
(Ten Speed Press)
For The Culture: Phenomenal Black Women and Femmes in Food: Interviews, Inspiration, and Recipes
Kelly Marshall and Sarah Madden
(HarperCollins)
Thank You Please Come Again: How Gas Stations Feed & Fuel the American South
Kate Medley with Dave Whitling
(BS Publishing)
Cookbook Hall of Fame:
This award is given to either a cookbook that has significantly influenced the way we think about food, honoring authors who possess an exceptional ability to communicate their gastronomic vision via the printed page, or an author whose cookbooks and other culinary books and work, taken together, make a difference in the world of food and cooking.
The Book Awards Subcommittee selects the winner for this category. The Cookbook Hall of Fame winner will be announced at the Media Awards ceremony on June 8.
Tickets Now On Sale for One of World’s Most Thrilling Race-Watching Experiences
MGM Resorts International’s Bellagio Fountain Club makes its return for the FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN SILVER LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX 2024, delivering race fans one of the circuit’s most exciting event experiences.
Tickets for the premier race weekend destination are now on sale, inviting attendees to enjoy an extraordinary VIP experience only available at Bellagio Fountain Club. Centrally located on the Las Vegas Strip, Bellagio Fountain Club will deliver unparalleled track and Fountain views; front row seats of the Las Vegas Grand Prix Winner’s Stage; private indoor and rooftop hospitality decks; and unlimited food & beverage throughout the weekend, prepared by an extraordinary collection of the world’s most acclaimed chefs.
Offering unrivaled proximity to both the circuit and MGM Resorts’ portfolio of luxury properties, Bellagio Fountain Club encapsulates a best-of Las Vegas dining, nightlife, entertainment, attractions and luxurious hospitality in one unforgettable venue. Mario Carbone, David Chang, Alain Ducasse, Masaharu Morimoto and Jean-Georges Vongerichten are the first set of chefs confirmed for the culinary program, offering eventgoers new and limitless selections of fine-dining delights nightly. Throughout the weekend, Bellagio Fountain Club guests will be treated to exclusive pop-up performances from Las Vegas’ signature entertainers, buzzing nightlife experiences, and an open bar crafted by master sommeliers and award-winning mixologists.
“Bellagio Fountain Club’s debut at last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix event surpassed all expectations,” said Andrew Lanzino, MGM Resorts International’s Vice President of Citywide Events Strategy. “Following the incredible reception from our guests last year, the team is hard at work crafting plans for an even more exceptional experience when racing’s most exciting event returns to Las Vegas.”
Bellagio Fountain Club packages include three-day event tickets and accommodations within MGM Resorts’ premier portfolio of rooms and suites, all walking distance from the circuit. Guests can book their experience via Bellagio Fountain Club Packages.
Additional details on MGM Resorts’ events and activations surrounding the FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN SILVER LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX 2024 will be announced over the coming months. Follow @MGMResortsIntl for updates throughout the year.
About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is an S&P 500® global gaming and entertainment company with national and international locations featuring best-in-class hotels and casinos, state-of-the-art meetings and conference spaces, incredible live and theatrical entertainment experiences, and an extensive array of restaurant, nightlife and retail offerings. MGM Resorts creates immersive, iconic experiences through its suite of Las Vegas-inspired brands.
The MGM Resorts portfolio encompasses 31 unique hotel and gaming destinations globally, including some of the most recognizable resort brands in the industry. The Company’s 50/50 venture, BetMGM, LLC, offers U.S. sports betting and online gaming through market-leading brands, including BetMGM and partypoker, and the Company’s subsidiary, LeoVegas AB, offers sports betting and online gaming through market-leading brands in several jurisdictions throughout Europe. The Company is currently pursuing targeted expansion in Asia through the integrated resort opportunity in Japan. Through its “Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet” philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make a bigger difference in the lives of its employees, guests, and in the communities where it operates. The global employees of MGM Resorts are proud of their company for being recognized as one of FORTUNE® Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies®. For more information, please visit us at www.mgmresorts.com. Please also connect with us @MGMResortsIntl on Twitter as well as Facebook and Instagram.
About FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN SILVER LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX
Established in 2023, the FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN SILVER LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX is co-promoted by Formula 1® and Liberty Media Corporation, in collaboration with Clark County. The 50-lap race takes place on a 3.8-mile circuit in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip and sees drivers reach jaw-dropping speeds of over 215 mph (346 kph) as they drive around some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, hotels, and casinos. Through the Las Vegas Grand Prix Foundation, Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc. has donated nearly $1 million to local organizations and programs across the state and is committed to providing resources that directly address some of the most pressing challenges facing local families and communities. The 2024 race will take place on November 21-23, 2024. For more information, visit www.f1lasvegasgp.com.
A Unique Alternative to the Kentucky Derby: National Corvette Museum’s Horsepower Experience
The Kentucky Derby is famous for its combination of horse-racing thrills (it’s the most exciting two minutes in sports!) and elegant fashion. But this year, as the Derby celebrates its 150th anniversary, fans can experience horsepower of a completely different kind … and one that’s just as much a part of Kentucky as horses.
Bowling Green, the third-largest city in the Bluegrass State, is home to the only Corvette manufacturing center in the entire world. It’s also home to the National Corvette Museum (NCM), a place that honors this automobile that’s a breed apart. (While an actual horse’s horsepower tops out at 15, newer Corvettes range from 490 to 670 horsepower, depending on model.)
The NCM is offering its own unique “Horsepower Experience” in honor of the Derby’s Sesquicentennial on select dates in April and May. With admission to the museum, a lap around a different kind of race track at the Motorsports Park in a C8 Corvette, Derby-influenced menu items at the museum’s own Stingray Grill (including a mint julep!), photo ops featuring traditional race elements (rose blanket, anyone?) and more, Bowling Green is embracing both kinds of horsepower this spring. This package will be sold for $249, but it’s valued at more than $330.
Can’t make it to the Experience, but still looking for something fun on your way to or from the Derby? There’s more horsepower where that came from! You can still check out the National Corvette Museum or sign up to take a Corvette out on the track. For something a bit milder but that still gets the adrenaline pumping, the Motorsports Park also offers go-karts you can take for a spin. Or you can head to one of the country’s oldest continuously operating drag strips at Beech Bend. The strip hosts a series of regular events and races, and you can view their schedule HERE.
Both horse and horsepower lovers will enjoy this unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the spirit of the Kentucky Derby and enjoy a different breed of fun this spring. To start planning your Derby side trip, head to www.visitbgky.com.
Bonus Fun Facts
- Triple Crown winner Secretariat was nicknamed “Big Red.” Here in Bowling Green, “Big Red” is the name of Western Kentucky University’s quirky mascot.
- Both Louisville and Bowling Green have iconic spires. You’ll find the Twin Spires at Churchill Downs. Head to the Corvette Museum and one of the first things you’ll see is the 12-story red spire in the Skydome.
NEW WAYS TO EXPERIENCE MARI VINEYARDS
Mari Vineyards on beautiful Old Mission Peninsula is dedicated to making exquisite red and white wine from experimental Italian grapes alongside traditionally grown appellation varieties.
Mari Vineyards, known for their estate grown wine and Italian varieties, is now a food destination as well with menu offerings ranging from sizzling small plates to s’more kits, available daily with varying specials.
The small plate menu is designed to sample, share, or have all to yourself. From cool Cucumber Crostini to hot Meatball Skillets, dishes are sure to please everyone with not only savory items, but sweets such as Fire Roasted S’mores and Chocolate Cake made with Mari wine. All of the dishes from the Mari Kitchen are selected to pair perfectly with Mari estate wine, with each dish featuring a wine recommendation hand picked by Mari staff. Current wine selections range from sparkling cider, to Chardonnay, to Italian red blends.
New weekly discounts and events invite a variety of guests to take advantage. Pasta Tuesdays feature unique pasta dishes with wine pairings; Thursday is OMP Local’s Day, offering Old Mission Peninsula residents 25% off small plates with the purchase of a wine flight or glass; Friday Happy Hour from 4-7pm includes half-off small plates and 20% off wine by the glass with live local music from 4-6pm; Saturdays are Educator’s Day, with half off small plates and 20% off wine by the glass and wine flights for teachers of any kind; and Sundays from 11am-3pm the new one-mile Winter Trail at Mari is open—hikers can purchase insulated tumblers full of mulled cherry wine, grilled paninis will be available to order, and hot cocoa is free for kids.
Offering new experiences and wine pairing opportunities is important to Mari Vineyards’ Chef, Aric Anagnost. “The enthusiasm from both new guests and returning club members at having increased food options available during their visits has been overwhelmingly positive” he said.
Stop in to enjoy fantastic food, delicious wine, live music, and great discounts by the fire this season before these hot items are off the menu. Summer experiences and menus will begin this May.
To find out more about Mari Vineyards’ winter menu, wine, hours of operation, and experiences please visit www.marivineyards.com or call 231.938.6116. 8175 Center Dr. Traverse City, MI 49686.
—Mari Vineyards, an estate grown and produced winery, is located on Old Mission Peninsula just north of Traverse City, Michigan. Growing over 20 different grape varieties, Mari produces both local favorites such as Riesling and unexpected Italian varieties like Nebbiolo. Old Mission Peninsula’s stunning appellation and proximity to Lake Michigan provide not only an ideal climate for growing varietal wine grapes, but a breathtaking travel destination as well. Visit Mari for tastings, glasses, small plates, and wine cave tours.
Coming Soon: Rock Legend Sammy Hagar Debuting Sammy’s Island
Trendsetter and Rock & Roll Hall of Farmer Sammy Hagar, who turned the Cabo Wabo-beach vibe into an iconic lifestyle brand is transforming the Palms Casino Resort’s pool into a Red Rocker-inspired island getaway debuting Friday, May 17.
This summer, Sammy Hagar and Palms Casino Resort will introduce Sammy’s Island, a tropical pool getaway inspired by the music and Baja beach vibe of the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, lifestyle trendsetter and spirits trailblazer. Featuring a vibrant blend of delicious food, refreshing cocktails made with Hagar’s signature spirits, and live music performances to make poolside days and nights come alive, Sammy’s Island will officially debut on Friday, May 17.
“Sammy’s Island is something I’ve dreamed about for years and the pool at Palms is the perfect location for it,” said Hagar, who has been instrumental in the design and overall setting of the Cabo-inspired oasis. “In addition to their Pearl Theater being one of my favorite places to play, the Palms has a gorgeous pool deck with multiple pools and a stage for live music, which is undergoing a total transformation into Sammy’s Island. I couldn’t be more grateful to the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and the entire team at the Palms for making this dream a reality.”
The sun-filled oasis will feature an abundance of stylish cabanas and daybeds, four ultra-exclusive Red Rocker-themed cabanas, a stunning pool island designed for lounging in the sun, and a poolside restaurant. Each bar will offer a unique spirits experience, including a Tiki Bar serving tropical cocktails featuring Hagar’s premium Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum, a partnership with rock icon Rick Springfield, and Sammy’s Beach Bar Cocktails canned cocktails. In addition, guests can enjoy the tequila-forward Tequileria offering flights of additive-free Santo Tequila and Santo Mezquila, a unique tequila/mezcal blend by Santo Spirits, Hagar’s top-shelf tequila brand in partnership with celebrity chef Guy Fieri.
Sunsoaked guests can indulge in poolside beverage service offering a wide selection of drinks, canned cocktails, beers such as Red Rocker Lager, and an assortment of specialty cocktails featuring Hagar’s top-shelf spirits such as the signature Maui-jito, crafted with Sammy’s Beach Bar Platinum rum, fresh lime juice, pineapple syrup, fresh mint leaves and topped with club soda and dehydrated pineapple; strawberry daiquiris made with Sammy’s Beach Bar Platinum rum and the Palm’s signature frozen strawberry mix; and refreshing frozen Cabo-rita featuring Santo Blanco tequila, Cointreau and fresh lime sour.
Sammy’s Island offers poolside bites delivered throughout the day with a wide selection of dining options including breakfast favorites such as the Baja Breakfast Burrito made with carne asada, scrambled eggs, fries, pepper jack cheese, pico de gallo and avocado in a flour tortilla and Egg Sandwich made with applewood bacon, cheddar cheese, over medium eggs and maple aioli, served on a brioche bun and with a Tajin fruit cup.
The menu will also feature shareable dishes such as Chicken Tinga Nachos featuring shredded chicken tinga, black beans, shredded cheese mix, jalapeño, cotija cheese, pico de gallo and house-made salsa; Chicken Wings, made with a chef’s dry rub and served with veggies and ranch or blue cheese and tossed in choice of buffalo, Vegas hot, or sweet chili sauce; and quesadillas featuring cheese mix, pico de gallo, lime crema, guacamole and salsa verde on a flour tortilla, or add a choice of protein such as carne, pork, chicken or Impossible Beef.
A variety of tacos, burgers and salads, bowls and wraps are also available such as the Veracruz Chopped Salad with lettuce blend, tomatoes, black beans, avocado, roasted corn, cheddar cheese, jicama, tortilla strips and creamy cilantro dressing; a vegan Thai Salad with shredded cabbage, romaine, bell peppers, carrots, red onion, mint, cilantro, peanuts, spicy peanut and coconut dressing with the option to add chicken or seared tuna; or a Poke Bowl with tuna, surimi, seasoned rice, nori, edamame, cucumber, O’s hot sauce, pickled onion and crispy shallots.
Rooted in the immortal spirit of rock ‘n’ roll, Sammy’s Island will host live poolside events throughout the summer featuring a variety of musical acts from headline performances to some of Vegas’ favorite local entertainers. On Saturday through Monday, the pool will feature top DJs spinning sets of music to keep the Sammy’s Island vibes going strong.
Since opening his flagship Cabo Wabo Cantina in 1990, Hagar has turned a lifelong passion for great food, music and spirits into a thriving and iconic lifestyle brand encompassing restaurants Cabo Wabo Beach Club in Huntington Beach, Cabo Wabo Cantina in Las Vegas and Sammy’s Beach Bar and Grills in Cleveland, Maui, Honolulu and Las Vegas airports, as well as a successful spirits portfolio featuring Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum, Sammy’s Beach Bar Cocktails, Santo Spirits and Red Rocker Brewing Co.
Sammy’s Island at Palms Pool, located at Palms Casino Resort at 4321 W. Flamingo Rd., will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More information will soon be available at https://www.palms.com/experiences/sammys-island.
The opening of Sammy’s Island is another highlight in the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s year which also includes him being honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, April 30, and the highly-anticipated launch of his THE BEST OF ALL WORLDS” 2024 tour. Hagar will be joined by rock heavyweights and longtime bandmates Michael Anthony (bass, backing vocals), Jason Bonham (drums) and guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani. Collectively, they have played together in nearly every phase of Hagar’s career including Van Halen, Chickenfoot and The Circle so fans can expect a setlist that includes rock anthems such as “Finish What Ya Started,” “5150,” “Your Love is Driving Me Crazy,” “Best of Both Worlds,” “Poundcake,” “Sexy Little Thing,” “One Way To Rock,” “Right Now,” “Good Enough,” “Eagles Fly” and more.
Cabo-rita Cocktail with Santo Blanco Tequila at Sammy’s Island
⦁ 1 ounce Cabo Wabo tequila (blanco is my preference, but reposado works great, too)
⦁ 1⁄2 ounce Damiana liqueur (sub more orange liqueur if you can’t find this, but it won’t quite be the same)
⦁ 1⁄2 ounce orange liqueur (e.g. triple sec, Cointreau, etc)
⦁ 1⁄2 ounce fresh squeezed lime juice
⦁ splash blue Curaçao
⦁ ice
⦁ lime peel (garnish)
Method
1. Pour tequila, Damiana, orange liqueur, and lime juice in a shaker and fill with plenty of ice.
2. Shake until ice cold. (If using a stainless cocktail shaker, you should start to see frost on the exterior. Yeah, that cold.)
3. Pour into a chilled, salt rimmed Martini or Margarita glass. Those handblown ones from Mexico are perfect.
4. Drop lime peel into glass.
5. Pour a splash of blue Curaçao onto the drink (I suggest 1/2 – 1 teaspoon) and serve.
A ZESTY RIFF ON THEALL-TIME CLASSIC
The quintessential tequila concoction gets a snap of ginger for just the right balance of sassy and sweet. Meet your new go-to cocktail.
- 1 1/2 oz Santo Tequila Reposado
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1 oz ginger syrup
For the ginger syrup:
- 2/3 cup freshly peeled and sliced ginger
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¾ cup water
To make the margarita:
Pour the ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake well and pour all contents into a glass.
To make the ginger syrup:
Combine the ingredients in a small saucepan and cook, stirring occasionally, on medium-low heat until simmering. Allow to cook for an additional 25 minutes on low heat. Strain the ginger out of the syrup and chill in a heat-proof container until cold.
NOTES
The syrup recipe will produce enough to make several margaritas. Only fresh ginger will work for this recipe.
We do not recommend dried, frozen, or preserved ginger.
About Sammy Hagar:
For more than four decades, Sammy Hagar has been recognized as one of the best and most accomplished lead singers and songwriters in rock music. From breaking into the industry with the seminal hard rock band Montrose, to his multi-platinum solo career, to his ride as the frontman of Van Halen, Chickenfoot and his latest best-selling supergroup, The Circle, Hagar has amassed 25 Platinum albums on sales surpassing 50 million worldwide. Along his journey, he has set the tone for some of the greatest rock anthems ever written with songs like “I Can’t Drive 55,” “Right Now,” and “Why Can’t This Be Love,” and earned the highest respect of the music industry with a Grammy Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Since opening his flagship Cabo Wabo Cantina in 1990, he’s turned a lifelong passion for great food, music and spirits into a thriving and iconic lifestyle brand encompassing restaurants and spirits. He launched Cabo Wabo Tequila in 1996 and catapulted it into the #2 ultra-premium tequila brand in the United States, cementing his position as a spirits industry trailblazer. He sold Cabo Wabo Tequila in 2010 for what was then a record-setting nine-figure deal. He now owns an award-winning portfolio of top-shelf spirits and beer that embody that same spirit of Baja beach life and rock ‘n’ roll.
They include Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum, a partnership with rock icon Rick Springfield, Santo Spirits, a partnership with tastemaker Guy Fieri, Sammy’s Beach Bar Cocktails. and Red Rocker Brewing Co. Made in Puerto Rico, Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum was founded in 2012 and comes in three varieties: the newly enhanced Platinum Rum and Kola Spiced Rum as well as Red Head Rum. Santo Spirits was founded in 2017 and now offers Santo Tequila Añejo, Santo Tequila Blanco, Santo Tequila Reposado and Santo Tequila Blanco 110, as well as the innovative Mezquila – the world’s first tequila/mezcal blend. Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum steeps island flavor into Sammy’s Beach Bar Cocktails’ top-shelf sparkling rum cocktails, founded in 2021. The canned cocktails come in four playful twists on classic flavors: Tangerine Dream, Pineapple Splash, Island Pop and Cherry Kola Chill. A nod to Hagar’s Cabo roots, Red Rocker Brewing Co.’s inaugural release, Red Rocker Lager is a Mexican-style lager that is light, crisp and refreshing, with just a touch of sweetness.
Sammy is #1 NYT bestselling author, a dedicated philanthropist, donating millions back to local communities through his private non-profit Hagar Family Foundation, and the first Honorary Ambassador to Los Cabos, an honor he was bestowed in 2022 in recognition of his longtime investment in the people and economy of Mexico. Visit RedRocker.com for more information.
About Palms Casino Resort:
Palms Casino Resort is making history as the first resort in Las Vegas fully owned and operated by a Native American Tribe. Palms Casino Resort features two distinct towers with 766 hotel rooms and suites, a diverse mix of bars, restaurants, live entertainment venues, and immersive lifestyle experiences across a 95,000-square-foot reimagined casino. Offering free valet and self-parking, the resort also includes over 190,000 square feet of meeting, convention, and event space; the Pearl, a 2,500-seat theater; an expansive pool, The Spa & Salon at Palms; a wedding chapel; the Brenden Theatre 14-screen cinema and nearly 600 units at Palms Place condominiums.
Palms is located just west of the center of the Las Vegas Strip off I-15 on Flamingo Road. Palms Casino Resort is owned by The San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority (“SMGHA”) an affiliate of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. For more information visit http://www.palms.com/ or the Palms Press Room. Follow Palms on social media at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
What’s New Chicago: Exhibitions, Immersive Art & Museums
The Art Institute of Chicago has announced its winter/spring programming. (Neighborhood: The Loop)
- David Goldblatt: No Ulterior Motive (through March 25, 2024) – Known for his nuanced portrayals of life under and after apartheid, South African photographer David Goldblatt (1930–2018) devoted himself to documenting his country and its people. Born into a family of Lithuanian Jews who emigrated to South Africa, Goldblatt focused much of his work on Johannesburg, the city where he lived for most of his life. His relative freedom to move within a society bitterly divided by racial segregation influenced the critical perspective of his work. In a church facade, down a mineshaft, through the exchange of glances between a passing man and woman, Goldblatt recorded the uneven application and reception of South Africa’s political values and beliefs. The highly descriptive captions he wrote for his photographs—which grew increasingly detailed over time—express his incisive attention to the country’s land, people, and history.
- Radical Clay: Contemporary Women Artists from Japan (through June 3, 2024) – Radical Clay celebrates thirty-six contemporary ceramic artists—all women—through 40 stunning, virtuosic pieces. Since World War II, women have made influential contributions to the ceramics field in Japan that have not been adequately recognized. This exhibition focuses on the explosion of innovative and technically ambitious compositions by such artists since 1970—a body of work that developed in parallel with, but often separately from, traditional, male-dominated Japanese practice and its countermovements.
Chicago History Museum’s Back Home: Polish Chicago is open now through June 8, 2024. Through the lens of Chicago’s Polish communities, experience the journeys immigrants have taken to get to the city, how they have established themselves in its neighborhoods, and the duality of feeling a deep connection to two places at once. Back Home: Polish Chicago features more than 90 artifacts and documents and more than 100 reproduced photographs to help tell the story of the Chicago area’s vibrant Polish communities from the mid-1800s to today. Explore personal narratives, music, and community involvement, and art installations from five local Polish artists. (Neighborhood: Lincoln Park)
Damen Ave Nocturne, Oil on canvas, 48 x 60”, Emily Rapport
Cleve Carney Art Museum will present UNEARTH: Karen Perl, Emily Rapport & Gwendolyn Zabicki (January 20-March 10, 2024). The built environment is an aspirational reflection of social self-awareness. Buildings are torn down, built up, and then torn down again. An empty lot holds space like a pause. The push to optimize our bodies, schedules, and relationships underscores the impermanence of all structures to time and calamity. In the tradition of American painters from the early 20th century who described the activities and moments that comprise daily life, the three artists represented in this proposal find beauty and meaning in everyday urban scenes. United by their choice of materials, painters Perl, Rapport, and Zabicki follow strong individual sensibilities to delve into perceived reality and unearth a moment or interaction that, when painted, reveals an intensely present experience. (Glen Ellyn, Illinois)
NBCUniversal and Imagine Exhibitions have announced that Downton Abbey: The Exhibition (until March 31, 2024), an immersive experience celebrating the global hit series, is set to take up residence at the Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center. Chicago marks the sixth U.S. stop of the exhibition’s hugely popular U.S. tour, following successful engagements in New York; West Palm Beach, FL; Boston; Atlanta; and The Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. (Skokie, IL)
Elmhurst Art Museum’sexhibit A Love Supreme (January 20-April 28, 2024), a solo exhibition by Norman Teague inspired by legendary jazz musician John Coltrane, will have an adjoining installation in Mies van der Rohe’s McCormick House by Chicago-based BIPOC designers. Teague uses Coltrane’s album “A Love Supreme” as a personal, cultural, and spiritual touchstone to consider design influences from his life-long home in Chicago, exploring how the power of bold improvisational jazz and unapologetic Black aesthetics have expanded the minds and inspired creative communities of color.(Elmhurst, Illinois)
Hyde Park Art Center presents Aimée Beaubien: Through the Hothouse (March 2-June 2, 2024). The installation by the internationally exhibited artist, who has established herself as an educator and peer in the Chicago art community, showcases her innovative techniques and transforms a 92-foot-long hallway into a green corridor by integrating elements such as plant matter, weaving, photographs, and 3D drawings. These elements symbolize the intricate interplay between ecological, social, and cultural dimensions within the vibrant creative community of the Art Center. (Neighborhood: Hyde Park)
- Alice Shaddle: Fuller Circles (March 23-June 16, 2024) – Discover the intricate world of Alice Shaddle (1928 – 2017), an artist whose practice centered more than 60 years on paper-based creations in Chicago. The exhibition introduces Shaddle’s ingenious, original manipulations of paper, including daring papier mâché bas relief sculpture; shadow boxes with haunting visages; enigmatically constructed and layered collaged objects; documentation and remnants from Shaddle’s elaborate, immersive installations with related, large-scale colored pencil drawings; and her meticulously constructed, cut paper mosaic collage compositions. The exhibition will reveal Shaddle’s intensive modes of working and inventive use of materials. Among these is a collection of handcrafted collaged notecards with missives to her closest artist friend, Kathryn Kucera, revealing her sharp sense of humor and evidence of their deep friendship and support for each other’s creative lives.
- The United Colors of Robert Earl Paige (April 6-October 27, 2024) – The largest exhibition of Robert Paige’s work to date, The United Colors of Robert Earl Paige, surveys the iconic textile designs and painted fabric of one of the most generative artists/designers from the South Side of Chicago. In addition to the fabric work made over the past sixty years, the exhibition will debut recent clay, wall/floor paintings, drawings, and collage work made during his Radicle Residency at Hyde Park Art Center in 2022-23.
Illinois Holocaust Museum presents a new temporary special exhibition,Shtetl in the Sun: Andy Sweet’s South Beach 1977-1980 (through October 13, 2024). In the late 1970s, more than 20,000 elderly Jews, many of them New York transplants and Holocaust Survivors, called South Beach home. This area of barely two square miles had become a modern-day shtetl, reminiscent of the tightly knit, predominantly Jewish Pre-World War II Eastern European villages. Sweet’s photographs capture the liveliness of this “shtetl in the sun,” their interactions with one another, day-to-day activities, outdoor Jewish services, and the hustle and bustle of a vibrant, energetic populace. They dispel the stereotype of 1970s South Beach being “God’s Waiting Room.” Instead, we see an array of daily activities on the sand and in the sun, in cafeterias and delis, and the constant flow of parties that fill the neighborhood. The lightheartedness, bright colors, and geniality of the people Sweet photographed illustrate the ways Survivors lived full and joyful lives after the Holocaust. (Skokie, Illinois)
Poetry Foundation will feature Kara Walker: Back of Hand from February 15 to May 18, 2024. The exhibition features 2015 Book, a series of 11 typewritten pages with ink and watercolor illustrations and two large-scale drawings, The Ballad of How We Got Here and Feast of Famine. Completed in 2021, this will be the first time these works are shown in Chicago. The mural-like compositions present a disorienting tableau of inked collaged forms surrounded by swirling forms of handwritten text. Words and sentence fragments jump out from the deluge, appearing like excerpts from a larger, ongoing conversation around power and history. In The Ballad of How We Got Here and Feast of Famine, these torrential narratives unfold as visual poems, yielding a multiplicity of parallel readings. New York-based artist Kara Walker is best known for her candid investigation of race, gender, sexuality, and violence. Her work can be found in museums and public collections throughout the United States and Europe including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Museum of Modern Art, and Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Tate Gallery, London; the Museo Nazionale delle Arti del XXI Secolo (MAXXI), Rome; and Deutsche Bank, Frankfurt. (Neighborhood: River North)
The Museum of Science and Industry has annually displayed the Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition since 1970. On view through April 21 2024 and included in the Museum Entry, this exhibit features paintings, drawings, fine art prints, sculpture, mixed-media, ceramics and photography by African Americans, including youth artists between the ages of 14 and 17. (Neighborhood: Hyde Park)
The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture is hosting “Caribbean Indigenous Resistance / Resistencia Indígena del Caribe ¡Taíno Vive!”(Until June 16, 2024). The exhibition from the Smithsonian presents the history of the Taínos, the Indigenous peoples of the northern Caribbean islands, and how their descendants are reaffirming their culture and identity today. (Neighborhood: Humboldt Park)
The Richard H. Driehaus Museum will present A Tale of Today Sif Itona Westerberg: Twin Flame, Double Ruin (February 16-April 14, 2024) this spring. This is the first solo US museum exhibition of Copenhagen-based artist Sif Itona Westerberg, featuring recent bronze and concrete sculptures that draw from popular mythological narratives in dialogue with the museum’s richly-ornamented 1883 Nickerson Mansion. Curated by Stephanie Cristello, Sif Itona Westerberg: Twin Flame, Double Ruin is presented as part of the Driehaus Museum’s contemporary art series, A Tale of Today, in which emerging artists build upon the immersive experience and cultural history of the Gilded Age building to expand our understanding of the world through the art, architecture, and design. (Neighborhood: River North)
Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake
This gnocchi and broccoli bake is cheesy comfort food at its best! It’s a quick and easy vegetarian dish featuring pillowy gnocchi and tender broccoli in a creamy sauce that is guaranteed to please the entire family. I’ve been a massive gnocchi lover ever since I first set eyes on these delicious little potato dumplings. […]
Gnocchi and Broccoli Bake
