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The other day when I was checking out Wine Library TV, which is basically my main source for when I want to try out some new wines, I came across this video that’s a couple of years old in which the super knowledgeable, super entertaining Gary Vaynerchuk tastes a number of different random things that are flavors frequently found in wine and I felt the need to share it. This is apparently how he learned to train his palate at the age of 17, when he was too young to really be training his palate by trying the actual wine. As I was watching this, I couldn’t help but think that I should try this out as a tasting exercise – perhaps with a few friends (any takers?) with the wines that are supposed to contain these sorts of flavor profiles. OK, so probably not all like 30 some odd things he tasted here – probably not socks, or dirt, or a rock (unless you’re up for that), but we could try out a few… As someone who enjoys wine, but has trouble really picking out the various flavors present in it, I think this could be a really neat exercise.
By the way, if you haven’t checked out Wine Library TV and you have any interest in learning more about wine, you definitely should check it out. Gary Vaynerchuk is pretty awesome to watch (definitely high energy and something of an insane genius) and probably the reason I’ve taken such a great interest in wine. I usually hit up the site on Saturday mornings before I do my wine shopping – just to get some ideas of what I might want to purchase and what I should be looking out for.
So anyway, check out the video – it’s a half hour long, but fairly entertaining (I think)- even if you’re not really into wine.
 If you hadn’t picked up on it yet by reading this blog, I’m a bit food centered. I’m constantly thinking about food. I like to cook, I like to read about food, I like to write about it, I like to look at photos of it, watch it on TV, but most of all I like to eat it! Duh!
So anyway since I moved out on my own a few years ago, many of my gifts are now kitchen items. As you may recall, I have a birthday coming up in a couple of weeks – and in my family we frequently get early birthday gifts – mostly because my mom doesn’t want to wrap them. This year, I’ve gotten a Le Creuset enameled cast iron French oven from my parents – oval 9 1/2 qts in Salsa Red. It is one sexy beast!
I have been looking at these for years – long before I did any cooking or had any desire to cook. They’re just beautiful to look at and and I’m told they last forever! They look lovely from the stove top to the oven and onto your dining room table. Now I have my very own!
I’ve already made a few things in it – and it works just wonderfully. Everything cooks perfectly and the clean up is simple – much easier than I’d expected. It is, of course, a bit heavy, but that’s how you know it’s of good quality.
Thanks Mom and Dad!
 Last night we went out with Tom and Heather for Kevin’s birthday. Yes, I’m a day late with the birthday wishes on the blog – worst girlfriend ever, I know, but I did make him a happy birthday breakfast involving bacon yesterday morning, so that must count for something, right?
Anyway, we decided to head down to New Haven for some quality sushi and lots of drinks. We decided on a sushi place we’d never tried before – MISO. The sushi was quite good with some really interesting roll options, the vibe was somewhat young and hip, the cocktails were pretty good (with an exception of Kevin’s Manhattan, which was a watered down disappointment), and I even got to try some fresh ground wasabi – awesome. I would definitely go back again – and perhaps I will for my birthday in a few weeks.
After MISO, we hit up Delaney’s Tap Room (always a favorite of ours- see my review here) and enjoyed a few beers. We even had a couple of beers bought for us after a couple of random drunk guys spilled beer on our table – and Heather. It was completely unnecessary, but they insisted – and hell, it was Kevin’s birthday – he should have a drink purchased for him by a stranger. We left as the lights were being turned on in the bar. There was also a situation involving a fire extinguisher, which really made it imperative that we got out quickly because we couldn’t really breathe properly.
All and all, a good evening was had. Happy Birthday, Dear!
As planned, our first night in Baltimore was spent with our friends Jake and Elizabeth at the Rams Head Tavern in Savage, MD. This really ended up being the perfect spot to catch up with some friends, relax and enjoy our evening. We actually enjoyed there everything so much that on our last day in the area, we hit up their Annapolis location. It is unlike me to enjoy something so much that I would want to go to one place twice while on vacation –especially when there are so many exciting options to choose from.
The Rams Head Tavern does what it does well. The food was great and there was a wide variety of options to choose from on the menu. The first night, at the Savage location, we started with an appetizer of Old Bay wings… what an excellent idea! Old Bay on wings! They put Old Bay on just about everything on there and it really is great on the wings. Kevin had a crab cake sandwich, which was really good, and I had a veggie sandwich served on focaccia bread, with mozzarella and a Dijon vinaigrette. Excellent. At the Annapolis location, Kevin had the Toby. Oh my god, what a wonderful idea – a grilled chicken sandwich, topped with crab dip – it was pretty special. I had the Kent Island Salad, which was really awesome if you like spicy. A salad with spinach, grilled chicken, sliced jalapenos, red onion, tomatoes. and their signature jalapeno and cilantro vinaigrette. It was even a little spicy at times for me!
While we did not join the World Beer Club and imbibe all 100 bottles on their list, we did enjoy some very excellent brews. We mostly stuck to their own list of beer, which were all quite good and just done really well. We were particularly fond of their Tavern Ale.
The service is good and the atmosphere is welcoming. We especially enjoyed sitting outside at the Savage location on Friday night. It proved to be the perfect place to just unwind with friends and a few drinks.
I’m sure we will end up going back to the Rams Head Tavern again and again on future visits to the area.
Kevin and I are heading down to Baltimore today for the weekend and, in typical fashion, we really have no definite plans other than where we will be eating and drinking, which is fine by me, because I’m pretty sure that’s the most important part of the trip.
Tonight we will be meeting up with his friends Jake and Elizabeth and heading to the Rams Head Tavern. Kevin is very excited about their 100 Bottle Beer List and their World Beer Club, where if you
Drink all one hundred of the world famous beers listed on the Passport, and you graduate!
Upon completion, you will be awarded:
Rams Head Tavern World Beer Club Mug
Rams Head Tavern World Beer Club T-Shirt
Name & Completion # Engraved on our “Great Minds” plaque
a symbol of your education and appreciation of fine beers from around the world
Kevin is, of course, very excited… however, I don’t think we’ll have the time or money necessary to imbibe all 100 beers on this trip. The t-shirt would have to read something along the lines of I drank 100 beers at Rams Head Tavern and all I got was this lousy t-shirt… and alcohol poisoning. Good times! Probably not how I want to spend my trip.
Anyway, I’ve got lots of stuff to take care of before I take off. Posting will probably be light or nonexistant this weekend, but I’ll sure to post about everything (probably mostly food) when we get back!
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