ARTIST TO WATCH JIMMIE HIGHSMITH JR.

Posted on October 3, 2008
Filed Under The Brick Vine, Jazz Music | Leave a Comment

IT IS WHAT IT IS Mixing elements of smooth jazz, r&b, gospel,and funk, Jimmie’s third album features several exciting guests, including Grammy winner Wycliffe Gordon.

Born September 18, 1967 in Rochester, New York, James, or as his friends call him “Jimmie” is a seasoned Jazz musician who began his musical incipiency at the mere age of 7. Jimmie began studying piano, which created an early basis for his music writing in his later years. His music teacher introduced him to and he began playing the saxophone, shortly thereafter. Recognizing Jimmie’s promising potential, he was guided to study music at the Hochstein School of Music where he honed his ability to musically shine and stand out from his peers. Jimmie brought that same focus and thirst for music playing to the High School for Performing Arts. At the High School for the Performing Arts, Jimmie was exposed to a musically competitive environment of band competitions, jazz combo performances, and other competitive solo scenarios. In Jimmie’s senior year of high school, he auditioned for and was accepted into the prestigious Eastman School of Music, where he played Baritone sax in the Eastman School Jazz Band………..To learn more and purchase click here

RESTAURANT PICK OF THE WEEK: THE CLERKENWELL KITCHEN, ‘BEST SUSTAINABLE RESTAURANT’, TIME OUT LONDON 2008 AWARDS

Posted on October 3, 2008
Filed Under The Brick Vine, Food and Wine | 1 Comment

Clerkenwell

The first winner is The Clerkenwell Kitchen founded in 2002 by Helen Gray and Emma Miles.

They think local more than organic.

For fish and seafood they buy what’s plentiful rather than fashionable.

On a practical note, they work with 2 recycling firms to reduce waste to a minimum.

This super eaterie, tucked between Farringdon and Clerkenwell Road, serves delicious, fresh, seasonal food that avoids intensive agriculture at fair prices. The furnishings are simple: plenty of wood, windows and white walls with architectural seating and lighting. In the warmer months, the outdoor decked terrace comes into play.
Before opening the Kitchen, its two owners, Helen and Emma worked at the Eyre Brothers restaurant in Shoreditch, and for Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall at River Cottage in Dorset, respectively. The open kitchen serves breakfast (anything from a bowl of muesli to big bacon and free-range egg constructions) through to afternoon tea (own-made brownies, muffins, pastries, delicious lemon tarts).
At lunchtime you can pick up a takeaway (freshly made soup, perhaps, or a luxuriously creamy courgette and parmesan tart with a lentil, mint and beetroot salad) or sit down for the works. Each day there are six dishes offered, such as honey-roasted gammon, roasted carrots and parsley sauce, or fish stew with squid, mussels, chorizo and croûtons. A decent glass of red or white will cost an additional £3.75. Your fellow diners will likely be as sleek and stylish as the surroundings; many of them hail from nearby architectural practices and workshops.

WINE TASTING AT GRAND CRU WINE MERCHANTS

Posted on October 2, 2008
Filed Under The Brick Vine, Living, Food and Wine | 1 Comment

Join us Saturday, October 4th for our next free in store tasting from 1-5pm. We will be tasting a selection of new arrivals from around the world. Cost is always free and no reservations are needed. For more information please feel free to contact us at 847-392-9463 or you can check us out at www.gcwines.net. To stay informed sign up for our email newsletter on our website. Date: (Sat) Oct 04, 2008Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Cost: Free

Place: Grand Cru Wine Merchants
1826 N. Arlington Heights Rd
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Phone: 847-392-9463

More Info: Grand Cru Wine Merchants Google Wine

BRICK VINE FAVORITE: MARC ANTOINE HI-LO SPLIT

Posted on October 2, 2008
Filed Under The Brick Vine, Jazz Music | Leave a Comment

Guitarist Marc Antoine is a native of France and “Hi-Lo Split,” his first album for the Concord-distributed Peak label, was recorded in Spain, where he currently lives. But notwithstanding his European and Latin influences, his primary interest is sleek American-style smooth jazz. Antoine is a graceful player with a glowing tone on nylon strings, and percussive effects give the music a welcome edge. Marc’s signature nylon and steel sound is enhanced this time by the Mediterranean ambience of his home in Madrid. Just sit back and let the music wash away the worries of the day.

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

WINE AND CUISINE PAIRING PICK: CARBONARA AND PINOT GRIGIO

Posted on October 2, 2008
Filed Under The Brick Vine, Food and Wine | Leave a Comment

CARBONARO CARBONARA - Ingredients:

1 lb Bacon, fried (you can substitue using turkey bacon)
1 onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 pint of heavy cream
1 lb Chicken sauteed until done
2 cups Parmesan or Romano cheese, shredded

Directions:

Fry bacon in pan, remove bacon from the pan, leave the bacon grease in the pan. Set aside bacon to cool and then chop.
Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan with the bacon grease. Saute onions and garlic until golden brown, set aside.
Start noodles at this time. Cook according to the instructions on the package, drain water setting aside 1-2 cups of the pasta water.
In a large sauce pan, combine, onion and garlic mixture and chicken. Add 1 pint of cream, simmer to thicken.
Add about 1- 2 cups of the boiling pasta water to the sauce at this point, to create the right consistency for the sauce, this depends on how thick you want your sauce to be. If you like your sauce thick then add less.
Add 2 cups of Parmesan and/or Romano Cheese, mix well.
Poor sauce over noodles, sprinkle with chopped up bacon and more cheese and enjoy

Pinot Grigio - This wine has a clear, straw yellow color, with light golden reflections. A low concentration of surmaturo grapes gives the wine tropical fruit notes that make this unique vintage truly exotic, with apple and pineapple aromas and flavors. The wine is full bodied, with a pleasantly soft palate and a long finish.

Now Thats Good Eats!

CASA MARINA RESORT AND BEACH CLUB

Posted on October 2, 2008
Filed Under The Brick Vine, Living, Travel and Leisure, Luxury | Leave a Comment

Casa Marina Resort & Beach Club is a legendary Florida Keys hotel, conveniently situated near rolling surf, historic museums, and a lively downtown. Enjoy diverse shopping, colorful dining, and a vibrant nightlife along Duval Street - just minutes away. Allow our convenient shuttle to transport you to and from the most popular attractions in the area. Our dedicated staff is happy to help you with everything from tickets to tee times, reservations to recommendations. Discover the excitement near our landmark Florida Keys resort, surrounded by entertaining attractions. Casa Marina Resort Conveniently set among the best Key West attractions, Casa Marina Resort & Beach Club also offers easy access to the area’s most exciting activities.

Excellent. Perfect. Unsurpassed. Discover the quintessential Key West experience at Casa Marina Resort & Beach Club - where old-world elegance and legendary history blend to create an environment of exceptional charms.Click here for information and reservations!

CIGAR PICK OF THE WEEK: Aurora Preferidos 1903-cameroon wrapper

Posted on October 2, 2008
Filed Under The Brick Vine, Smoke Shop | Leave a Comment

La Aurora Starting at: $160.00

These full bodied preferidos are the crowning jewel of the Don Eduardo Leon Jimenes lines. The unique shape and presentation of these beautiful cigars celebrate over a century of exceptional cigar rolling at the Aurora factory. Full of flavor and spice and made with only the best tobaccos the Leon Jimenez farm has to offer. Often backordered for months. If they are available and you enjoy a great cigar stock up. Buy here: Duque Cigars

22nd ANNUAL CATALINA ISLAND JAZZTRAX FESTIVAL

Posted on October 1, 2008
Filed Under The Brick Vine, Living, Travel and Leisure, Jazz Music | Leave a Comment

Jazz Trax 22nd Annual
Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival
Over 30 Different Stars of Smooth Jazz
Over 3 Consecutive Island WEEKENDS
On an Island 26 Miles Out to Sea
October 3, 4, 5
October 10, 11, 12
October 17, 18, 19
ALL AGES WELCOME

^{CLICK HERE}

WINE AND CHEESE PAIRING PICK: BEAUJOLAIS AND GOAT CHEESE

Posted on October 1, 2008
Filed Under The Brick Vine, Food and Wine | Leave a Comment

Beaujolais is a light, fruity wine that is virtually free of tannins. Flavors of strawberry and raspberry dominate along with a grapey appeal. Beaujolais Nouveau is meant to be served chilled, around 55 degrees Farenheit. Due to its food-friendliness, this wine will also pair well with grilled or roasted meats, a variety of pastas, salads and cheeses.

Goat cheese is sometimes called chevre, is a cheese product made from the milk of goats. Goat cheese comes in a wide variety of forms, although the most common is a soft, easily spread cheese. Goat cheese can also be made in hard aged varieties as well as semi firm cheeses like feta. Goat cheese is especially common in the Middle East, Africa, and some Mediterranean countries, where the hardy goat survives in areas where cows cannot. Goat cheese is distinctive due to the tangy flavor of goat milk.

GREAT GIFT IDEA SAYER AUTO COCKTAIL SHAKER

Posted on October 1, 2008
Filed Under The Brick Vine, Gift Ideas | Leave a Comment

RAULPH LAUREN PRICE: $295.00

This sleek, sophisticated cocktail shaker is the perfect addition to the well-appointed home bar. Crafted from highly polished silver-plated brass in a sweeping, cylindrical silhouette that tapers to the base. Shaker is accented with our RL monogram in oversized block letters. Comes with a removable warmer in supple stitched leather. The Ralph Lauren monogram is delicately etched at the base.

GIFT IT HERE

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