Uncorked: Chicago Edition

Analise Gregory November 5, 2019

“Too much of anything is bad. Too much Champagne is just right.” - Mark Twain

Our trip to Chicago during the last week of October was so much fun. The food was spectacular, but the cute wine bars and shops were just simply fantastic. Each person we met at each stop was just so helpful. They went above and beyond to make our experience really enjoyable.

I’m sharing my top three spots for wine and champagne in Chicago!

Pops for Champagne

Neighborhood: River North

Pops is legendary and has been open for more than 30 years. It is located in the River North neighborhood, and was a quick walk from our hotel at the St. Jane. One thing I love about Pops is that they focus on smaller production champagnes, which is really nice because you feel like you are getting something super special from this place. You are not able to pick up these champagnes in your local grocery store, which is what makes this place shine so much! Everything is super unique and new, so our experience was one of a kind. The service was fantastic, and our waitress recommended a wonderful selection for me to try. Also, they have wonderfully crafted cocktails, which G indulged in. This place is quaint, warm, and was the perfect way to wrap up our evening. If we ever visit Chicago again, we will definitely be making our way back to this spot, it was that wonderful.

What makes this place special?: Unique champagnes that you cannot find anywhere else.

Pops for Champagne in the River North neighborhood.

The Wine Bar at the Walnut Room

Neighborhood: The Loop

The legendary Walnut Room was the first restaurant ever opened in a department store. This place holds a special place in my heart, as the Walnut Room was a spot I’ve visited with my family in the past. I was so happy to share this experience with G and take him to a place I love. The restaurant and wine bar are located in Macy’s, which was formally known as Marshall Fields. This spot is tucked away in the theatre district, and the interior of this place is gorgeous with wood paneling all around. During our visit, the staff and interior decorators were actually transforming the restaurant to their breathtaking holiday theme. It was so cool to watch them flip the space and prepare for the upcoming Christmas season. The staff was so kind, attentive, and immediately sat us at their wine bar. They have a great variety of cocktails, champagnes, and even their own curated reserve wines.

What makes this place special?: It’s the first restaurant ever opened in a department store.

The Walnut Room’s reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.

Eataly

Neighborhood: The Magnificent Mile

Eataly came highly recommended by a coworker, and I was super happy to visit this market. What’s so cool about this spot is that you can enjoy Italian cuisine in the store. There are a few restaurants, various stands that sell coffee, pastries, chocolate, and so much more. Also, there is a lovely little wine bar on the second floor as well. Their wine selection is expansive, and there was so much to choose from! The wine options totally brought me back to my trip to Rome earlier this year, and I was so excited to pick a bottle to enjoy. Instead of enjoying the wine and food at the market, we opted to select a bottle of red to take back to the hotel. Also, I was super impressed with the price points for their wine at Eataly. The wine prices ranged from $15 all the way upwards of $75. The food that was being served looked so delicious, and if G and I weren’t so full from lunch earlier in the day we would have definitely stayed for a bite to eat. We will definitely return back to this spot in a future visit to Chicago.

What makes this place special?: There are 23 unique eateries, 6 private event spaces, a cooking school, and a market.

An amazing selection of fabulous Italian wine.

XO, Analise

The Battle of the Chicago Donuts: Stan's Donuts & Coffee vs. Firecakes

Analise Gregory October 31, 2019

“With a doughnut in each hand, anything is possible.” - Jameela Jamil

Before our wonderful trip to Chicago, one of the most suggested places G and I should visit were donut shops! I’ve visited Chicago many times growing up, but most recently this city has been boosting up some amazing donut and coffee shops! So, we did our homework on a few spots before traveling to the Windy City.

Firecakes has been featured on the Food Network, and received rave reviews from Chicago natives. Also, right outside out hotel, Stan’s Donuts was a hot place amongst locals and tourists.

My husband and I did the hard work for you guys, and visited two of the most popular spots for coffee and donuts - Stan’s Donuts & Coffee and Firecakes.

Stan's Donuts & Coffee

Stan’s has the cutest little location on Michigan Avenue, which was right by our hotel. This California based donut shop made its way to Chicago, and has made a huge impact on this city. When we arrived into town, this was one of the first places we popped into, and the line was so long - needless to say that Stan's was very popular. The service was quick, and they had an amazing variety of donuts! It was hard choosing just one donut, but G and I finally made some amazing selections. The donuts were a really good size, and were definitely filling, but most of all super delicious. Also, their coffee was amazing, my husband grabbed a cappuccino and was super impressed with it.

The most colorful and cutest donut and coffee shop.

The cutest little pink bag filled with goodies.

Enjoying the cinnamon sugar donut from Stan’s.

Firecakes

This quaint little shop is tucked away on W Hubbard Street, and away from all of the hustle and bustle. The shop is cozy and filled with some of the most unique donuts. Firecakes uses amazing ingredients in their baked goods, and you can taste the quality. The staff was super sweet, and patiently helped any customer that came in. This experience was much different than the popular Stan’s shop, and we were able to leisurely pick out donuts and chat with the staff. Also, there was no seating in this location, but a cute gazebo and patio was set up right outside the entryway for you to enjoy your baked goods.

All of the amazing selections for the day.

My favorite pick, as well as G’s was Stan’s Donuts & Coffee. G preferred the coffee and donut combination much more at Stan’s. I loved Stan’s because their selection was much more vast than Firecakes. While I enjoyed both during my visit to Chicago, Stan’s won in my book!

Also, another popular donut spot in Chicago is Do-Rite Donuts. We did pass by a Do-Rite’s in Chicago, and honestly were not super impressed with them, which was a bummer.

If you are heading to Chicago anytime soon definitely give these sweet spots a try!

XO, Analise

Dining Out: Virginia Beach, VA

Analise Gregory October 24, 2019

“I try to cook as much as possible, but I love to eat out.” - Karrueche Tran

Virginia Beach is totally bursting at the seams with amazing new restaurants - and today I’m sharing three of my faves.

One spot is right in my neighborhood, and I love being able to drive 5 minutes to an awesome restaurant. The second, is a place that is close to my heart, and instead of having to drive an hour to enjoy their delicious wine and fare, they’re now in my city! Last, and certainly not least is a cool little spot near the Oceanfront, and is full of warmth, delicious bites, and kind faces.

Today, I’m sharing my experiences at Civil Libation, The Williamsburg Winery Wine Bar, and Hearth.

Civil Libation - Virginia Beach, VA

Civil Libation is such a cool and eclectic place. The vibe in the restaurant is welcoming, and their menu is so unique. They specialize in hand crafted speciality cocktails that are very popular amongst the patrons visiting. Also, their menu has expanded since their opening a year ago, and they did not disappoint with the new additions. The meals we ordered were really delicious, and G absolutely raved about the Porkchop - many guests have gushed about how wonderful it is. What I personally truly loved, were the Squash Rings. The deep fried squash rings paired with the chipotle aioli was absolutely so delicious. I could literally eat the squash rings by themselves, they are that filling!

Civil Libation will definitely be a spot that I visit on a regular basis. The food, hospitality, and especially the close proximity to my house make it a total winner in my book.

Duroc Pork Chop - 12oz bone-in, Bourbon maple glaze, sautéed greens, and garlic mashed

Squash Rings - Crispy butternut squash, chipotle aioli

Pesto Chicken Sammy - Grilled chicken breast, basil pesto, provolone, bibb lettuce, vine ripe tomato, bacon all on a toasted brioche bun

The Williamsburg Winery Wine Bar - Virginia Beach, VA

Williamsburg Winery is a place that I love to visit several times a year. This past summer, they have set up shop, opened a cozy and darling wine bar in Virginia Beach. They are staying true to their roots, and serving up all of their wines, in addition to local favorites as well. Also, their menu is so delicious - their charcuterie board was so yummy, and had such a stellar variety available! The staff and Manager, Clay Hale were absolutely so nice. Clay was so attentive, and provided wonderful recommendations during our visit! This spot is now my new favorite wine bar in town, and I cannot wait to attend regularly now that they are open.

Artwork by local Hampton Roads artist, Reba

Hearth Wood Fired Cuisine & Craft Beer - Virginia Beach, VA

I have been hearing wonderful reviews from several people about Hearth. We were really excited to try out their food. They specialize in wood fired food - and G and I were pretty impressed with their options! First of all, the staff was very nice and so accommodating. Our waitress provided a great overview of the entire menu as it was our first time visiting. I opted for the Wood Fried Deviled Oysters, and they were so good! Also, their Garlic Herb Fries with the assortment of house made dipping sauces did not disappoint either! G’s order of the Steak Frites was a delight to him, and he absolutely enjoyed his dish. I honestly cannot wait to return back to this spot, especially to try their pizzas! Their pizza menu looked so good - and the variety was fantastic!

Wood Fired Deviled Oysters - East Coast Oysters, Apple Wood Smoked Bacon, Deviled Stuffing, Tabasco-Hollandaise

Steak Frites - Cast Iron 8oz Center Cut Sirloin, Hand Cut Truffle Fries, Baby Arugula Salad, Lemon, Veal Jus

Garlic Herb Fries - with their three signature sauces: Chipotle Ketchup, Kalamata Olive Aioli, Hearth Remoulade,

XO, Analise

Uncorked: Wine Q&A, Part II

Analise Gregory October 17, 2019

“At the end of the day, I let myself have a glass of wine.” - Jane Seymour

I often get quite a few inquiries about wine - my love for it, my varietal of choice, and so on. Last year, I answered some of the frequently asked questions that were sent my way, and today, I’m answering more!

Check out my Q&A below!

Wine tasting at Tinto Wine & Cheese - Chesapeake, VA

Q: Have you taken any wine courses or classes?

A: Yes, I have! I’ve taken some classes at Total Wine & More, which were super informative. It’s such a neat way to learn about some of the wines that are available in their store for purchase. Total Wine covers a wide range of topics. Their laid back environment is an amazing way to learn about the various regions and varietals of wines. Also, local wine shops are always super great with workshops, and different offerings around the wines they sell as well.

Recently, I have started down the WSET - Wine and Spirit Education Trust path. I completed my Level 1 course, which is the beginner’s introduction into wine. This class is a hands-on intro to the world of wine. I loved this course, as I was able to explore the main types and styles of wine through sight, smell, and taste, and make optimal food and wine pairings.

Q: Do you have any wine certifications? If so, what course or program would you recommend?

A: Yes, I passed my WSET Level 1 exam this past September! I took the course and exam through Capital Wine School. Crystal, from Crystal Palate in Norfolk, VA was an amazing instructor, and it was wonderful learning so much from her. I would totally recommend the course if you love wine, and want an introduction to it! My favorite part about the program is that anyone can take, and you do not have to be in food or wine industry to enroll.

Q: What’s your preferred price range per bottle that you buy?

A: It truly depends, for my everyday table bottle, I’ll usually spend no more than $10 - Trader Joe’s has a great value for your buck. For a super special occasion, I have spent upwards to $75 or more for a bottle of Red or Champagne. My preferred place to purchasing wine are local wineries and vineyards - supporting local is always best. In short, my wine of choice ultimately depends what, who, and when I’m sharing wine with. Also, I am a firm believer that wine should never break the budget, and no palate is the same. Drink what you love!

Meeting Ryan Bogle, from Bogle Vineyards

Q: Which winery have you visited has given the best tours and/or tastings?

A: It is hard to just choose one. I’ve had amazing experiences at Baurboursville Vineyards, Williamsburg Winery, Stone Tower Winery, and Upper Shirley Vineyards. I’ve shared some of my favorite Virginia wineries and vineyards, read about them here!

Q: How easy is it to ship wine from a different country back to the U.S.?

A: Super easy! I had a great experience with Rimessa Roscioli in Italy. They shipped through DHL, which was such a great option, as they deliver without needing anyone to sign for the package. Also, be aware it does take about 2-3 weeks for delivery outside of the U.S., as the package has to go through customs, which can cause a slight delay. Most international wine shops, like Rimessa only ship during the cooler months out of the year, and halt delivery during the summer - to avoid any damage to the wine. In short, I’ll definitely recommend buying wines internationally, especially if the shops have unique wines you can’t find domestically.

Q: How do you keep your wine glasses sparkly clean?

A: The secret is white vinegar! I drink quite a bit of red wine, and the sediments from my drink of choice can sometimes stain the bottom of our glasses over time. Create a soapy mixture of warm water, dishwashing liquid, and 2 tablespoons of vinegar does the drink. Also, use a soft dish towel to hand dry the glasses.

Hope you loved the Q&A! Feel free to send more questions, and I’ll do another one very soon!

XO, Analise

Dining In: Pizza Night

Analise Gregory October 7, 2019

“I would never win an award for not loving pizza.” - Dwayne Johnson

Pizza is something my hubby and I really love. When G posed the idea of making our own pies from scratch, I fell in love with him all over again, LOL. Seriously, it was such a cool weekend activity for us. We created two completely different pizzas, that were both equally delicious.

Today, I’m sharing our homemade pizzas, what we chose for our toppings, and how surprisingly easy it all was!

The dough is the most important part, and creates the foundation for your pizza. I suggest preparing your dough either the night before, or the morning of when you’re eating your delicious pizza.

Here is what you’ll need for the crust:

3 1/2 to 4 cups bread flour (plus more for rolling)
1 teaspoon sugar
1 envelope of instant dry yeast
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 cups of hot water
2 tablespoons olive oil

Once you combine all of your ingredients in a mixer, oil a glass bowl, and put your dough into it. This will make your dough super easy to get out of the bowl after it rises. Then use saran wrap to cover your bowl tightly with.

With the dough recipe provided above, G and I were able to have enough dough for two personal sized pizzas - approximately 10 inches, which yielded 4 slices each. If you want to make one larger pizza pie, this recipe is perfect!

Pro Tip #1: Your dough should be sticky, and not clumpy or hard. If your mixture doesn't have a sticky texture to it, add additional hot water until it has a better consistency.

The dough and all of the ingredients we selected for our personal pizzas.

Once the dough was ready to go, and formed into molds, we began preparing for our pizzas. We oiled our cast iron pans, and put them into the oven at 500 degrees. Next, G and I gathered our ingredients for our individual pizza, while the cast irons were getting nice and hot in the oven.

G opted for a traditional pepperoni pizza, with a new twist. He added red pepper flakes to his marinara, layered mozzarella cheese on top, and later drizzled honey along with fresh chopped basil on top.

My pizza was a bit more simple. I added fresh basil pesto onto my dough, added mozzarella cheese on top, and cracked black pepper.

Pro tip #2: Once your cast irons are super hot and ready to go, put your dough in first, then layer your preferred ingredients on top. This will give your dough a nice crunch and crust in the cast iron.

Pro tip #3: Use low moisture mozzarella cheese - this is super important! Most mozzarella is high in moisture, and that particular cheese can water log your dough.

The pizzas looking amazing in the 500 degree oven.

Spicy Pepperoni Pizza + Fresh Basil and Hot Honey

Basil Pesto Pizza + Fresh Basil, Oregano, and Black Pepper

Our pizzas turned out amazing! I always had the preconceived notion that making homemade pizza would be super complicated, but I was oh so wrong. We prepped everything well in advance, and gathered all of our ingredients ahead of time to make these delicious pies. G and I will now opt for making pizzas at home, and it’s such a fun date night activity for us - we can’t wait to do this again soon!

XO, Analise