Hey Al Biernat, This Guy Says Hi

ASPEN, COLORADO­­–I have no idea what this guy’s name is, but he told me I had to post his picture and a “hey, come to Aspen” to Al Biernat or he would cut my thumbs off. Obviously I believed him.

A Little Spain in the Aspen

ASPEN, COLORADO­­–Just say “Spain” in Dallas and almost anyone who knows anything about food and wine will say, “Janet Kafka.” Janet is a busy gal–she runs a public relations company, is the Honorary Consul of Spain, was decorated by King Juan Carlos in 2004, is involved in all kinds of philanthropic work, and she and her husband Terry, live in a fabulously modern home in Dallas. (It’s so cool, it was featured in D Home.) Anywhoo, Friday night Janet hosted a sassy wine dinner, “Made in Spain,” at Jimmy’s, one of Aspen’s toniest restaurants. At the dinner, sponsored by Freixenet and the wines from the Ferrer family, Janet toasted her partnership with the coolest Spanish chef on TV, Jose Andres, whose show, Made in Spain runs on PBS.

Monica Greene is Alive and More Than Well in Aspen

ASPEN, COLORADO­­–Sunshine on Monica Greene’s shoulders makes her happy. She is running a small vegetarian/vegan bistro on the top floor of the Explorer Bookstore & Bistro on Main Street here in Aspen. “I just came to a time in my life when I wanted to take better care of myself and live a better life,” she said. “I think if you asked anyone what true happiness is you would be talking about living here. It’s a very centering place.” Her friend, Dallasite Cheryl Wyly, wife of Sam, bought the building last year and enticed Monica to come up for a while and consult. After being here for a few months she decided to buy a small condo in Basalt. She still comes to Dallas, still owns Monica’s, and still weighs offers to open another restaurant in Dallas, but boy she is one happy camper here. She is calm and serene. Some people have called her crazy for doing what she’s doing. I have to say, I’d switch cosmic states with her in an Aspen moment. Once again Monica has proved that she is a woman who has never been afraid to follow her dream.

Tre Wilcox Spotted in Aspen

ASPEN, COLORADO­­–Man, Tre Wilcox is good about keeping his projects secret. I just ran into him at the Honolulu Fish Company booth. He’s a spokesman for the company and he was also whipping up some fine ahi tuna poke in soy sauce, green onions, sesame oil, ginger, chile peppers, sesame seeds, and macadamia nuts. People were lining up for second helpings. Tre’s pretty much kept to himself throughout the festival—I’ve heard his former boss, Kent Rathbun is somewhere around town but I’ve yet to see him, and there are a handful of chefs he competed against in this season’s his Top Chef hanging out as well. “I’m just hanging low,” said Tre. “I’ve got some things in the works and I’ll just say this-it’s definitely going to be in Dallas.” Monday I’ll post a video interview with Tre.

Texas Tenderloin Kicks Aspen

ASPEN, COLORADO­­–Live from Perini Ranch Steakhouse in Buffalo Gap, Texas –population of 463-Dishers, meet Tom and Lisa Perini. You may not know it but the Perini’s have devoted their whole lives to promoting how to cook and eat a proper steak and they have influenced many a Dallas chef (Hi Dean! Hi Stephan!) with their mesquite-smoked pepper beef tenderloin. Today they dazzled the taste buds of sunburned wine guzzlers in the Grand Tasting Tent in Aspen. Check out their website—the Perini Ranch Steak Rub is something every backyard griller should have in his or her pantry.

Bobby Flay Can Cook, Talk, and Sign His Name

ASPEN, COLORADO­­–I was in a seminar yesterday and Bobby Flay was on the panel. OK, the guy is an icon on foodie TV, but you know what? He’s also pretty dang smart. And just when you think his act is all smoke and mirrors, he starts talking about food with the kind of passion you would think had burned out in him long ago. Yesterday when asked to name one defining moment in his early career, Flay said, “Jonathan Waxman taught me what good food is. I was chopping shitake mushrooms in the kitchen and he walked over to me and grabbed my knife and said ‘you must learn to respect your ingredients.’ I fell in love with the tastes of the Southwest and since that moment, I have had the ultimate respect for my ingredients.” To put this quote in perspective, Flay was talking to a room full of big-time restaurateurs and industry people. He wasn’t talking in sound bites for the media or some TV show. IJS.

Is Beer the New Wine?

ASPEN, COLORADO­­–In case you haven’t noticed, beer is rising on the beverage scene. Since I’ve been here I’ve met with several small, hand-crafted breweries and the most important fact I’ve picked up (remembered?) is Colorado is the number one producer of beers in the U.S. Outside of the Coors box, the state is filled with hundreds of small microbreweries. The talk in the Tent is that beer is coming back strong and that notion was in full visual force at the Stella Artois pouring station this afternoon. People were hopping in line for a cold glass of beer –it was the longest one of the afternoon.

Becker Vineyards is the Only Texas Wine in Aspen

ASPEN, COLORADO­­–Don’t get me wrong, Bunny and Richard Becker make some of the finest wine in the great state of Texas, but they are the only vineyard from Texas pouring at the Grand Tasting Tent. Their vineyard is located in the Texas Hill Country between Fredericksburg and Stonewall, where they have 46 acres of French Vinifera vines that generate 8 different available varietals, including Syrah, Petite Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Petite Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Today they were also pouring a Viognier, but like I said, I’m working so I haven’t tasted it. Great looking labels (always so important!) and wonderful folks—they made me proud to be a Texan in a tent full of crazy Coloradoans. BTW, not so many Europeans at the Classic this year. Hmm.

Mick Fleetwood Hearts Wine

ASPEN, COLORADO­­–Look who I bumped into at the Grand Tasting this afternoon—one Mr. Mick Fleetwood. Like I said yesterday, he’s here promoting his line of wines that are produced by Langtry Estates, a sprawling vineyard that straddles Lake and Napa counties in I’m-so-trendy-you-can-taste-me California. I was working so natch I didn’t taste, however that will change when they reopen the tent later this afternoon. (Check back later for my tasting notes.) Here’s what Mick has to say about his wines: “I strive to create approachable wines,” he says, “Wines that I like, that my friends like, and most importantly wines that most people appreciate. My signature wines are mellow and easy to drink. Wine should always be fun, never challenging. When everyone I know tells me they love my vintages, I know I’ve got a great wine.” Mellow? Did I just write the words mellow and Mick Fleetwood in one paragraph? Feeling like a fine vintage wine and post plastic surgery Stevie Nicks about now.

UPDATE: I met with the reps from Langtry Estates who distribute Mick’s wine. I tasted the Merlot-fruit forward, particularily heavy on the boysenberry with hints of herb, and a long back finish-which translated means it was, to my palate, just OK–a little thin, but drinkable on a first date. Then I moved to the Cabernet which was full of wild berries (did I just write that?) with a sweet bouquet accented with a hint of cedar, sandalwood (natch), and an aroma of caramel. All of that translates into this: turpentine came to mind; I thought one sip would melt the enamel off of my teeth. Could I say it would promise you heaven? Loving wine is a state of mind. (Fade out.)

On the other side of the table, I tried the wines from Langtry Estates. The Petite Sirah and Sauvignon Blanc were both superb.