Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Survivor Week 5

The Chowfather came through again last week with Carolina over Atlanta. Hope you are all still alive in your respective pools. This weeks slate is much stronger than last weeks. I expect New England to bounce back and beat San Fran by a TD or more but can't recommend them since they are on the road and still have some question marks. There are also three stronger plays on the board. If you passed on my Carolina pick last week I would consider taking them this week at home against KC. I really like this Carolina team and expect their defense to shut down KC and win easily. They were my official pick last week so I will not take them again.

Next up is Dallas. They are at home against a weak Cincy team who may be without Palmer again. I expect Dallas to bounce back and win easily.

I also really like the Giants. They are at home, coming off a bye and facing a west coast team (Seattle) making the long trip. Giants should come out with the W.

Carolina, Dallas and the Giants should all prevail this week. The official pick is the Giants. Good luck

Single Malt Scotch Tasting @ Hollywood Vine

$15.00 per person (will be applied to any purchase from the entire portfolio)

Artisan Brands & Hollywood Vine Presents

Michael Urquhart, proprietor of

Gordon & Macphail

The world’s largest & best Single Malt Scotch Portfolio

Date: Saturday October 4th 2008

Time: 2pm to 5pm

Location: Hollywood Vine

2035 HARRISON ST

Hollywood, FL 33020

954-922-2910

Single Malts to be tasted:

Lowland

Bladnoch 15yr

Islands

Bunnahabhain 14yr

Speyside

Benromach Organic

Speymalt from Macallan 1990

Strathisla 25 yr

Highlands

Clynelish 10yr

Old & Rare

Glenrothes 30 yr

Glen Grant 30 yr

These labels will all be available for sale during the tasting at a discounted price, as well the entire catalog is available for special order

Hollywood Vine

2035 Harrison Street

Hollywood Vine

2035 Harrison Street

Hollywood, FL 33020

hvine@comcast.net

www.hvine.com

954-922-2910

954-922-7660 fax

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Survivor week 4

I'm sure a lot of people in your pool went down last week thanks to the Patriots. Shocking but The Chowfather advised against taking the Patriots. Buffalo just barely pulled out the win for us but they don't call this survivor for nothing. On to week 4's slate.

There are several good plays on the slate this week. Denver should beat KC easily and San Diego should win at Oakland BUT both are on the road and facing division rivals. Experience tells me to pass on both. There are two better home team plays this week. Carolina is home against Atlanta and Pittsburgh is home on Monday night against Baltimore. Both are division rivals but there are no other stronger non-division matchups so we are forced to go with one of the these two. Let's go with Carolina this week.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Sunset Fridays @ China Grill

SUNSET FRIDAYS AT CHINA GRILL FORT LAUDERDALE
Beginning Friday, September 19th from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Sunset Fridays at China Grill Fort Lauderdale offers complimentary Ketel One Cosmopolitans for ladies with the music of DJ Anthony Pisano and Joey Martorano (son of Steve Martorano), theme parties, fashion shows and much more, along the Ft. Lauderdale waterway. China Grill Fort Lauderdale at the Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel, is open daily for dinner from 6 to 10 p.m. 1881 SE 17th Street, Fort Lauderdale (954-759-9950)

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

China Grill Ft Lauderdale tasting Menu

'CLASSICS TASTING MENU' FOR $69.00 AT CHINA GRILL FORT LAUDERDALE
China Grill Ft. Lauderdale is offering a six-course ‘classics tasting menu’ for dinner nightly – except Saturday nights - priced at $69.00 per person (excluding tax and gratuity) with specials such as Confucius Chicken salads; Spicy Beef & Scallion Dumplings in a soy ginger sauce and Lobster Pancakes stir-fried with wild mushrooms, red chili, scallions and coconut milk, Grilled Szechuan Beef with sake, soy, spicy shallots and cilantro and Grilled Garlic Shrimp with black fettuccini and red curry coconut sauce, and Duck Two Ways, with chocolate-orange sauce and ‘Moo Shu’ style confit of leg with spicy hoisin sauce. Dinner is available from 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. China Grill Fort Lauderdale, 1881 SE 17th Street, Fort Lauderdale 954-759-9950

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Survivor Week 3

Well my official pick last week was Houston and they didn't go. However, my tow other recommendations both won Giants and Tampa.

This week there are 3 strong plays. Giants at home against Cincy, New England at home against Miami and Buffalo at home against Oakland. Giants are a lock but you may want to stash them for later. NE should win easily but it is a division rival so I hold.
Go with Buffalo. Stout defense and improving young QB face a below average team making the long trip with an early start time. This will probably be the best time to use Buffalo.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Wine Down Wednesday @Chef Allen's

Wine Down Wednesday Returns!
Featuring Torres Wines
September 24, 2008
6:30pm




MENU
Pan Roasted Jumbo Wild Florida Shrimp
White Bean and Chick Pea Ragu, Pistachio Pesto
Torres Vina Esmeralda

Wood Grilled Local Swordfish
Grilled Zucchini, Shiitakes, Kimchee Slaw
Torres Gran Sangre de Toro

Tamarind Braised Pork Short Ribs
Green Pea Risotto
Torres Salmost Priorat

Chocolate Raspberry Paradise
Chocolate and Espresso Mousses, Raspberry Sacher, Valrhona Cocoa Dust

$59 per guest

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Miami Spice Lunch Winner

I was in the Brickell area today around lunch time and figured it was a good
opportunity to finally try Abokado. They are one of the few restaurants that are open for lunch on the weekend AND offering a spice menu. I was hesitant to do the spice menu at first because I really wanted to try some of their interesting rolls. However, after reviewing the menu it became obvious that their spice menu was a great deal based on their regular prices. My meal would have easily been 2x more. (whether the normal prices are too high can be the topic of another post and irrelevant to this one)

In a nutshell, the meal was very good and much better than I anticipated. I did go in with low expectations despite being a big fan of the sushi chef from his prior stint at Bond St. I have no idea if he is still affiliated with Abokado but I assume so since I have not seen anything to the contrary.

I started with the Crispy Cheese which is a combination of roasted tomato, gorgonzola, cilantro, queso blanco and wrapped in a spring roll. It comes with a chili based dipping sauce. The spring roll portion was light and did not interfere with the cheese and roasted tomato. Portion size was small (2) but that was fine for a four course lunch. Probably not somethimg I would normally order but it worked and I enjoyed it.

Next up was the Himachi Tiradito. This combination was serrano pepper, cilantro, guacamole and a chil ponzu sauce. This was a good size portion with I think 6 pieces of Himachi. (Tiradito is similar to sashimi.) Flavor combinations worked well and the Himachi was fresh. I would order again.

For the next course I opted for the Revolucion roll. (2 other roll options were available) The roll was a good size and the individual pieces were sized perfectly. Oh yeah, the roll was spicy tuna with asparagus topped with albacore tuna and a ginger ponzu sauce. Great roll. Fresh and a tasty combination. Rice played a small roll and did not get in the way.
I also had the opportunity to try the spicy snow crab roll which I haven't seen outside of New Orleans and was very good. For dessert I opted for the yuzu cheesecake. Not a dessert person but this was a nice end to the meal.

I would definitely recommend trying their spice menu if you are in the area and I look forward to going back for dinner and trying more of their rolls and sushi.

Abokado Japanese Pan Latin on Urbanspoon

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Survivor week 2

Ok Ok, I knew I should have gone with Pittsburgh or Philly. I told you this was harder than it looked. Please explain how Indy lost at home in a new stadium on opening night??
On to week two- Giants @ St Louis is a solid pick but goes against my strategy to avoid road teams.
I also really like Tampa v. Atlanta but they are division rivals.
Tampa is the best play but if you want to avoid a division matchup
Take Houston at home over Balt

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

"GOLD MEDAL WINE TOUR" DINNER SERIES

"GOLD MEDAL WINE TOUR" DINNER SERIES
The Gold and Double Gold medal winners from the 2007 American Fine Wine Competition will be "on tour" at South Florida's premiere restaurants. Each dinner features a Sparkling Wine reception, five Gold medal wines paired with a five-course wine country inspired dinner, a silent auction to benefit End Childhood Hunger, and a few surprises...
Paradiso 625 Lucerne Ave, Lake Worth Sept 10, 2008
Cafe Maxx 2601 E Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach Sept 17, 2008
Two Chefs Too 2286 NE 123rd St, North Miami Sept 24, 2008
Ortanique 278 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables Oct 15, 2008
Opus 5 5050 Town Center, Boca Raton Oct 22, 2008
Cafe Boulud 301 Australian Ave, Palm Beach Oct 29, 2008

Seating is limited For reservations and information contact Shari Gherman goldmedalwinetour@gmail.com or call: 954-949-7580. Cost: $175, all inclusive (prepay is $150) Checks should be made to End Childhood Hunger

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

NFL Survivor week 1

The Chowfather participates in an NFL Survivor pool (for entertainment purposes only of course)
and will post my weekly pick/advice in case anyone else cares...

For people who are unfamiliar with Survivor aka last man standing, all you have to do is pick 1 winner each week regardless of point spread. You can only select the same team one time during the season. Sounds easy, right? NOT

The Chowfather has a couple of rules he follows. 1. Avoid road teams and 2 avoid conference rivalries. I also look to go against teams making a long road trip.

WEEK 1 has 4 teams that I think are strong options
1. Indy at home v Bears
2. Pittsburgh at home v Houston
3. Eagles at home v Rams
4. San Diego at home v Carolina (long trip)

** New England is obviously a strong play BUT I am going to save them for later in the year**
I am going with Indy this week. They have a very tough schedule and will not be as strong this year so there is no reason to save them. Take the week one W and move on..

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

NFL Predictions

The Chowfather is gearing up for another NFL Season. Here are my playoff predictions.

AFC East

1. New England- Still #1 in division
2. J-E-T-S- Jets should be much improved and in a battle for a playoff spot.
3. Buffalo- Bills could surprise and make a playoff appearance.
4. Dolphins- Parcells and crew will turn this team around. 5 wins would be a good season.

AFC South

1. Indy- Can a team with Peyton be on the decline? They will be solid but not as strong as recent teams.
2. Jacksonville- Can win division. Garrard underrated.
3. Tenn- No one will want to play this team. Should be in every game, can Young take next step??
4. Houston- Tough schedule

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh- Browns are gaining but Pitt's defense and addition of rookie power back Mendenhall keep them in first
2. Browns- Can they take next step? Will push for division and playoffs
3. Cincy- Need to clean up act
4. Baltimore- This team going in wrong direction.

AFC West

1. San Diego- Cream of crop in division
2. Denver- Ehhh 7 wins
3 Kansas City- Great draft and should be competitive
4 Oakland- McFadden will be special. Expect improvement

NFC East

1. Giants- Everyone on Dallas bandwagon, not me. Wade will not get them to next level.
2. Dallas- Two words- Joe Simpson
3. Philadelphia- Underrated
4. Washington- New coach, new system no good.

NFC South

1. New Orleans- Must start off better than last year
2. Carolina- Does Stewart emerge?
3. Tampa Bay- There is some talent on this team. Does Garcia have anything left?
4. Atlanta- With the first pick in the 2009 NFL Draft....

NFC North

1. Minnesota- Hard to put them here with Jackson at QB but Petterson and DL make up for him
2. Chicago- Hard to gauge
3. Green Bay- Bust
4. Detroit- great WR's, Millen factor...

NFC West

1 Seattle- default
2. Arizona- Warner?? Oy. Has some weapons though, sleeper in fantasy
3. San Fran- Martz and Gore but...
4. St Louis- what happened tp them?

AFC Wildcards
1. Jacksonville
2. Jets

NFC Wildcards
1. Dallas
2. Philly beats out Carolina

AFC Title
Jacksonville v San Diego

NFC Title
New Orleans v Giants

Super Bowl
??? stay tuned