Category Archives: New York City

Losing My Mac Virginity…

Posted on June 14, 2011 by upstatedowntown

Buying a Mac for the very first time Continue reading →

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Serious Spanish Wine Value: Toro’s Bodegas Fariña

Posted on June 10, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews For wine lovers seeking value, Toro, a historical and up-and-coming wine region in north-central Spain — traditionally known for its brawny reds — is well worth getting to know. And among Toro’s wineries, Bodegas Fariña is a flagship producer, turning out exceptional wines at … Continue reading →

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Negroni: Manhattan Cocktail Classic’s Comeback Kid

Posted on May 16, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews On Friday evening, May 13, the stately New York Public Library (NYPL) transformed into the City’s — if not the nation’s — largest cocktail party for the kick-off Gala of the five-day 2011 Manhattan Cocktail Classic. Massive … Continue reading →

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The James Beard Foundation Awards 2011

Posted on May 12, 2011 by upstatedowntown

Inside scoop…at the 2011 James Beard Award Awards Continue reading →

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Bake It Yourself: Yeasted Breads

Posted on May 5, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews I was surprised when I finally held a copy of Simply Great Breads by Hudson Valley baker Daniel Leader (with Lauren Chattman) in my hands.  I figured it would be a hefty coffee table-type paean to artisanal … Continue reading →

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Found @ Omega NYC: Inspiration. Renewal.

Posted on April 20, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews On a cold, damp April Fool’s Day, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I arrived at the Sheraton Hotel & Towers in midtown Manhattan for the kick-off evening of “A Time of Renewal”, a three-day annual … Continue reading →

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Blockbuster Homage from Tablas Creek

Posted on April 14, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews At our recent Paso Robles wine dinner at BLT Prime, all four wines poured that evening were excellent, as Kathryn reported, but one wine in particular — the 2007 Tablas Creek “Esprit de Beaucastel” Rouge — simply floored us. Jointly owned … Continue reading →

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Heirloom Vintages from California’s Centenary Wineries

Posted on April 7, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews This April, history is very much on our minds, prompted by the sesquicentennial of the US Civil War, and the 50th anniversary of the first man in space, Colonel Yuri Gagarin. On April 6, history was also the theme at … Continue reading →

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Not Your Average Pinot Grigio

Posted on April 1, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews We import more Pinot Grigio into this country than any other varietal wine, almost a quarter of the total, with some 90% of it coming from Italy. Despite our obvious, collective thirst for the grape, however, it has a … Continue reading →

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Rain Art Eat

Posted on March 24, 2011 by upstatedowntown

Daniel Borlandelli art exhibit in Chelsea and dinner at Boutique Eat Shop Continue reading →

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