One of the best wines I’ve tasted recently is the 2006 LAN Rioja Crianza. Ratings:
There were about 200,000 cases made so should be widely available. The wine tasted like pure silk to me.
One of my favorite new products is called Burger Starter and is new at William Sonoma.
It contains sweet carmelized onions, worcestershire, dijon mustard, garlic, and other spices. It is great with any type of burger and is especially good with grass fed beef to add flavor or moisture.
The product sells for about $10:
What I’m recording this week:
Men’s Journal rated the streaming services this month:
If you want the most music – choose Spotify – it has over 15 million songs vs 13 million for other music services
If you want sound quality – choose MOG – it has a default stream of 320 kbps audio compared with 160 for Spotify
If you want to know what your friends are listening to – choose Spotify – it features a Facebook integration
If you want to listen on your phone – choose RDIO or Spotify – both stream over cellular or WIFI data connections
What They’re Drinking at Davos
At the economic forum’s hottest party, guests come to schmooze—and for the choice booze
For the past 17 years, the venture capital firm Accel Partners has thrown a hot-ticket party at the World Economic Forum. Held in the modern Kirchner Museum in Davos, Switzerland, the party draws heads of state, leading executives from technology and media companies, and the occasional celebrity. For the past 17 years, Accel Partners has thrown the hottest party at Davos, always with a memorable wine list. For the Jan. 27 event, Accel will show off 15 California wines made before 2000.
The 350 guests come not only to mingle with Google’s Larry Page and Sergey Brin, hear what Shimon Peres has to say about Middle East peace efforts or to find out when Facebook will go public (Accel owns about a 10% stake in the company). They also come for the wine.
The A List
Wines served at the Accel Party in Davos on Friday
Champagne:
Krug Grande Cuvée
White Wines:
2001 Peter Michael Chardonnay Cuvée Indigène
1976 Chappellet Chardonnay
Red Wines:
1999 Bond Vecina
1999 Colgin Cariad
1996 Williams Selyem Rochioli River Block Pinot Noir
I read recently that everyone should set a goal for 2012 for how they will be more green. I have decided to experiment with making some of my own cleaning products. Some of my favorites I’ve found so far:
Carpet Freshener
Shake to mix the ingredients and let sit overnight before using it.
When ready to use, sprinkle the mix over your carpet, let sit for about 20 minutes, then vacuum.
Bathroom Cleaner (countertops)
Mix in a spray bottle and use on bathroom countertops.
Furniture Polish
Mix the 3 ingredients in a 2 oz container and use on wood furniture.
Cleaning Blend
Mix in a spray bottle and use on kitchen sinks/countertops.
Visited Fort Worth Texas this weekend and although Fort Worth has many very good restaurants, the meal I had at Lonesome Dove was easily the best of the weekend:
Salad – Butter lettuce, applewood bacon, spiced pepitas, chili buttermilk dressing
Elk Sliders – served on white rolls with foie gras and blueberry jam (one of the best things I have had in a very long time)
Although we declined dessert, we were surprised with some small bites of chili chocolate fudge at the end of our meal. The chilis were evident but not overpowering.
Lonesome Dove is the restaurant of chef Tim Love. He offers a sophisticated twist on Western food. The menu includes Wagyu tomahawk, kangaroo carpaccio, wild boar, and rattlesnake. Love has been invited to cook at the James Beard House and has been recognized in the New York Times, Esquire, Southern Living, and Wine Spectator.
Chef Tim Love – Lonesome Dove Western Bistro (www.lonesomedovebistro.com)
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again Fort Worth is fortunate to have it’s own Italian Grandmother in Nonna Tata. The small and sunny yellow dining room with rustic tables, maw-maw-ish curtains, and mouthwatering smells coming from the kitchen is what I would imagine a Nonna’s house to be like. In fact Nonna Tata is named for owner/chef Donatella Trotti’s Italian grandmother.
Trading chiffon for a chef’s coat, Donatella Trotti opened Nonna Tata over two years ago after working in the fashion industry for Versace. Without any prior restaurant experience, Nonna Tata initially only opened for lunch but soon stayed open through dinner because of customer demand (I can imagine some begging went on).
Frequent trips back to the northern lake country of Italy where she is from (about every 3-4 months) and daily conversations with her mother help refine her classics and inspire new recipes. This along with seasonal ingredients account for the ever revolving menu. These trips also allow her to bring back ingredients from Italy in her suitcase that she uses in the dishes at Nonna Tata (lucky for us!).
Now, I’m by no means describing some undiscovered gem here. The word has been out among food loving folks in Fort Worth so chances are there will a bit of a wait for a table. That’s alright, you can bide your time with a little pre-dinner vino in your car, a cocktail atThe Chat Room Pub, or mix cultures with a margarita at Benito’s. Here’s a few other things you should know before heading your hungry self over there:
– they are only open Tuesday through Friday and no reservations are taken
– there are only six tables inside and most likely they will be full so you will have to wait
– the staff will take your cell number and call you when your table is ready
– there are tables set up outside which is wonderful when the weather is right
– while you’re waiting you can hit an ATM because they only take cash or checks
– if you’d like wine with your meal, bring your own bottle or two (no corkage fee)
– wine glasses are no longer provided you can bring your own or pay $3 to purchase one of theirs
– phone ahead to make sure they’re open, you never know when Donatella’s taken a jet plane back to Italy
– some folks bring their own tables and set them up outside, this isn’t a problem the waitstaff even have a system and will account for you (if you set up next to table #7, you become table #7 1/2)
The Food
Now onto the food. Do not expect a pasta plate laden with marinara. This is not “Americanized” Italian food, not that there’s anything wrong with that, I’m a baked ziti girl myself and pink sauce – love it. However, if you’re looking for or are curious about the real deal Italian food then Nonna Tata is as close as you’re going to get short of jumping on a jet plane direct to Milano.
On my first trip to Italy I was surprised by the fact that the food tasted NOTHING like I imagined, not a meatball in sight. The food was beyond fresh and seemed deceptively simple. In Rome I’ve happily eaten pasta that is topped with only fresh sheep’s milk pecorino romano cheese, fresh ground black pepper (lots), and olive oil (Cacio e Pepe). I don’t know that the same dish would fly at the neighborhood Italian joint. That’s what makes Nonna Tata so special – it captures the true flavors of Italy. By that I mean, they take a few simple, selectively sourced ingredients and combine them to make spectacular dishes.
I’ve eaten at Nonna Tata several times and because of the ever changing menu, I’ve never gotten the same thing twice. The parmesan dusted spinach gnocchi I got on my first visit was lighter than air and has never made a reappearance. However, the antipasto plate with a variety of meats and cheeses is always offered and is a great place to start. There are always a multitude of pasta options, some of which are made with in-house homemade pasta (such as the gnocchi-mmmm).
On my last visit to Nonna Tata my mom came with me for lunch. The pumpkin soup was sublime with it’s light spicing and creamy, rich subtlety. The soup also served as good dunking material for the rosemary topped fresh focaccia bread. My mom had a Caesar salad that had a fairly light dressing which she much preferred to the heavy, mayonnaise-y variety.
We ordered the Pasta con Zucca e Nocciole (Pasta with Butternut Squash and Hazlenuts) and Focaccia Pomodore e Mozzarella (Sandwich with Tomato and Mozzarella). The butternut squash dotted the pasta like little rays of autumn sunshine and was cooked perfectly – sweet, but still with a little firmness. Grated parmesan, red onions and brown butter fried sage provided a rich flavor contrast to the mellow sweetness of the squash. The bits of grated hazelnut throughout the pasta complemented the squash and added a unique nutty flavor.
The sandwich arrived to the table with the focaccia toasted and glistening. The fresh mozzarella was at the perfect melting point. Fresh tomato and basil balanced the richness of the mozzarella and the crusty buttery foccacia bread to make this a standout. I’ll take this version of a sandwich any day. Potatoes served in a generous helping of olive oil accompanied the sandwich.
Desert seemed too good to pass up, so we decided to split a slice of almond cake with lemon sauce.
Ok, full disclosure here the waitress brought us the cake with a comped cioccolata calda (hot chocolate). Maybe me taking photos made me look important, who knows? I gladly took it – and for the record I’ll always accept freebies. The waitress said that Donatella wanted us to try it and she emphasized that she whips the cream by hand and that she uses a secret recipe for the chocolate itself. Although I was reading the Star T. the other day and saw that she had indeed shared her recipe, hmmm. I wouldn’t even bother making it at home though, it’s never going to taste as good as it does whipped up at Nonna Tata. The whipped cream layer is piled high atop decadently rich hot chocolate – what a way to end a fabulous meal.
Service
Our waitress was adorable and helpful. She was knowledgeable about the menu and too busy to hover (yay!). Bonus points for being the deliverer of the freebie cioccolata calda and explaining why it’s so good.
Overall
Nonna Tata satisfies the culinary cravings of anyone that’s been to Italy or has dreams of going. I taste Italy in every bite and the rustic and charming atmosphere add to the foodie fantasy. Well worth the wait and the effort to eat here. The menu is ever changing so repeat visitors will be rewarded with new menu items. I’m dying to bring my own table some time – where else can you do that?
I Eat This
At lunch a pasta or a sandwich. Dinner should start with an antipasto then a homemade pasta dish or the special.
Open Tuesday through Friday
11:30AM – 3:30 PM Lunch
5:30PM – 8:30PM Dinner
Prices
Soups
$4.55 – $6.95
Entrees come with side salad and one piece of focaccia (extra .50/piece)
$9.00 and up
Salads
$8.50 – $11.50
Nonna Tata
1400 W. Magnolia Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76104
(817) 332-0250
Donna Karan Says: Seven Easy Pieces
“You don’t need a lot of pieces, just the right ones, so think versatility,” said Donna Karan. For starters, the fashion designer recommends a simple dress that can be worn by day and jazzed up for evening. A body-tailored jacket is a must—as part of a suit or as a light coat—as is a bare top that can be covered up or worn on its own at night. “I would also want a skirt that flatters your shape, slim pants that can be suited or worn casually, a cashmere sweater to throw over everything and an evening piece that’s sexy and illuminating,” she added. Voilà! There, in a nutshell, is Ms. Karan’s Seven Easy Pieces system of flexible dressing. “Each piece is a mini-wardrobe, designed to be worn multiple ways. I love seasonless fabrics such as crepe and jersey,” she said. From her spring collection, Ms. Karan favors an off-the-shoulder ivory zip jacket and one of her twisted jersey dresses.
Carolina Herrera Says: Perfect White Shirt
Carolina Herrera, lauded as much for her own style as for the clothes she designs, would immediately replace the item for which she’s most well-known: the white shirt. “For day or evening it’s a staple all women should have,” she said. “It’s an easy element for anyone to wear and most importantly, to wear it in her own way.” Ms. Herrera’s starter gear is comprised of classic separates but with a modern touch. “If you have a few pieces you can mix and match to create an interesting look for yourself, you can build on them,” she said.
Vera Wang Says: Leggings and a Cardigan
“Replacement would be focused on underpinnings,” said Vera Wang. “I would immediately buy leggings. They’re my middle name. T-shirts—Rick Owens or my own label—and sweaters are important for me. I like to layer so both would be thin silk and cashmere weaves or light viscose chiffon. I’m such a hoarder I couldn’t redo my entire closet unless it was a catastrophic circumstance. I’d be heartbroken if I lost my cardigan collection,” she added. Ms. Wang’s go-to piece for spring is her signature short-to-long skirt. “You can work it with a legging by day and a high heel by night.”
Nanette Lepore Says: Reinvent Yourself
Designer Nanette Lepore thinks having to replace everything is a unique opportunity for self reinvention. “Sometimes you build up in your mind what you had and loved, sort of like the boyfriend that got away,” she said. “The instinct is to recreate what you lost. First buy what you’re most obsessed with so you don’t think about the loss and then break the mold.” From her spring collection, Ms. Lepore would start with wide-leg, high-waisted 1940s-movie-star-style trousers in pale blue. “I would reinvent myself and become a glamour girl,” she said. Another top pick is a blazer and pleated skirt in hot tangerine, and a lace pastel dress with a neon slip underneath.
Rachel Roy Says: Stay Timeless
For Rachel Roy, a shift dress and classic trench coat are jump-start pieces. “Both make you feel strong and confident,” she said. “The trench can be worn as a dress and feminized with a statement necklace.” The designer’s advice for building a new wardrobe is to go for a poised, timeless look with an edge. “I love a fitted button-down shirt tucked into a red cropped pant and topped off with a pair of snakeskin shoes.” Choosing from her own collection, Ms. Roy recommends a romantic pantsuit in a neutral color, a silk pajama shirt and one of her black-and-white graphic floral dresses. “I think all of them embody effortless chic.”
Gigi Mortimer Says: Pack and Learn
Gigi Mortimer, co-founder of the clothing and accessories label Glamourpuss NYC, equates building a new wardrobe with packing for a trip: “Each time you pack, you re-evaluate your image and start fresh. You decide on the key pieces you need to feel comfortable, confident and chic.” Ms. Mortimer’s fundamental items include a white stretch cotton button-down shirt, a V-neck camel cashmere sweater and well-fitting jeans in navy and white. “I’d also buy a trench coat—the color isn’t as important as the cut. To this I’d add straight black cropped pants. For night, dressy black trousers and a white silk shirt with interesting detail. Starting over would be fun. Having been in the fashion business for so long I don’t get attached to anything. Every season you find something great.”
Amy Fine Collins Says: Develop Designer Relationships
Not so for Amy Fine Collins, whose closet is sacred territory and each garment has a historical narrative attached to it. “I don’t love shopping. I never wear a designer I don’t know. What I like is the dialogue between the designer and me,” said the fashion writer, who has earned a place in the International Best-Dressed List Hall of Fame. If forced to rebuild, Ms. Collins said she would create a fresher identity with a new designer who has an exciting future. For now, she’d make an SOS call to Carolina Herrera, Stacey Bendet of Alice & Olivia and her new favorite, Paola Quadretti. Her emergency kit would consist of two black dresses—one for evening and a workhorse day piece. “I’d buy a cardigan with special detail on it and a pencil skirt in a print like leopard or stretch tweed and two black scooped-neck cashmere sweaters—one long-sleeved and one tank. The palette would be black and white to get it all going quickly, and for spring, I’d choose a dress with horizontal stripes. Accessories are the hardest items to replace. I’ve never thrown out a belt in my life.”
Carolyne Roehm Says: Be True to Yourself
Carolyne Roehm, fashion-designer-turned-lifestyle-expert and author, was forced to replace her wardrobe in 1999 when she lost it all in a fire at her Connecticut home. “I followed the less-is-more approach and only bought things of enduring style and quality. That latter gave way to whims based upon the fashions of the moment—at the time it was difficult to find what the French call ‘le grande classique,’ so whenever I found them I would buy in three or four classic colors. I built a huge inventory of clothes. Today, I would make a realistic assessment of my lifestyle needs and ask myself what are the pieces that set me apart from the crowd in a positive way and what items reflect my personal style and not one currently promoted in fashion media. I would base a new wardrobe on exciting accessories and build classics around them.”
Lauren Santo Domingo Says: Be Provocative
Lauren Santo Domingo’s philosophy is the polar opposite of Ms. Roehm’s. “I wouldn’t stick with classics,” said the co-founder of Moda Operandi, the online boutique that allows customers to pre-order the latest runway collections. “I say invest in fashion because it’s an opportunity to revamp your wardrobe. I’m drawn to the more provocative pieces in a collection. The foundation would be a basic shift dress but a bit conceptual so that I wouldn’t get bored. Limited options frustrate me so I’d push the envelope. Givenchy, Balenciaga or Proenza Schouler would likely have something that fits the bill. I would immediately replace my jeans and buy several pairs of the same ones. From there I would buy staples from a one-stop shop like J.Crew or Brooks Brothers.”
What would I buy? For me, it’s not about what but where. When I shop I can be pathologically indecisive or weirdly impulsive, so the task would be some version of a Rorschach test. I’m at a point in my life where I would turn to a stylist or buyer whose taste I trust. I wouldn’t shop a department store—way too overwhelming—even though many of them have excellent personal shoppers; nor would I choose one specific designer’s freestanding shop. I’d rather select a boutique where the owner has a well-edited collection of clothes by a variety of designers, and has thoughtfully selected pieces that can all work well together. I like Diane Firsten in Palm Beach and Gail Rothwell in East Hampton.
Woman’s Day just held a chili cook-off and I think all 3 winning recipes are exceptional. They included a healthier turkey chili, a vegetarian version, and a deluxe version if you are not watching what you eat. Could be a great idea for the Super Bowl–
For the Health Conscious – a Turkey Chili
Serves 4 to 6
1. In a large saucepan, heat canola oil over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey, onion and pepper, stirring often until meat is browned and onion is tender, 7 to 10 minutes. Stir in diced tomatoes. Add mushroom tomato or marinara sauce, chili powder, salt, cayenne, paprika and hot sauce. Bring to a simmer.
2. Cover and cook for 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
3. Stir in the beans and cook an additional five minutes to heat thoroughly.
Nutritional information per 15-ounce serving: 370 calories, 12 grams fat (2 grams saturated fat), 26 grams protein, 46 grams carbohydrates, 8 grams fiber.
For the Vegetarians
ingredients
directions
Serves 8
Directions
Nutritional Information: 378 calories, 13g fat, 37 g carbs, 13g fiber, 28 g protein
(per serving)
life as it should be 