Fred Foodie- Eating And Drinking In And Around Frederick, Maryland

Italian Mojitos

Fred — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:50:30 +0000

We were in an Italian restaurant in Savannah last fall. I can’t even remember the name of the place, it was close to the hotel and we were tired and hungry. The food was average Italian-American, I can not remember what we ate, but boy do I remember the cocktails we had. It was on the menu as an Italian mojito and we loved it so much that upon leaving we made a point to track down the bartender and interrogate him about his creation. He gave us the macro view, but was a little vague about the finer points. So with high mojito season approaching (ok- I’ll admit it’s in full swing at stately Fred Manor) I have been working to perfect my version. Here it is.

Muddle some basil leaves (6-8) in about 1 1/2 ounces of lime juice with a few wedges of lime for effect To this add 1 1/2 ounces of limoncello. Fill the glass with a good scoop of crushed ice and then top off with prosecco. Enjoy!

What’s A Wine Lover To Do- Wes Marshall

Fred — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:21:03 +0000

I just finished reading a very good book: What’s A Wine Lover To Do? by Wes Marshall. Consisting of 334 paragraph sized entries on all aspects of wine it is not a book that you can easily read from start to finish. At least I could not. However it is an excellent book for picking up, reading a few entries here and there and learning. This book would give a novice a fantastic foundation but do not assume that it is just for newbies. I guarantee anyone from beginner to expert will learn a lot from reading this book. I consider myself a fairly advanced amateur when it comes to wine and I felt like I learned a lot from it. I really liked the section on wine retailers; not something you find in your average wine book. Verdict: a worthy addition to any wine lover’s bookshelf.

Changes

Fred — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:24:55 +0000

Welcome readers. After over 45,000 page views I have decided to make some changes and migrate the blog to a new host. Consequently things are going to look different and there might be a few glitches around here for a few days. This stuff is at the edge of my comfort level, I’d much rather be writing about wine, so please bear with me. The good news is that the intentional changes will be for the most part cosmetic. The URL, content etc. will stay the same. Please feel free to give me you feedback and let me know if something isn’t working.

Fred

Flying Dog Ad

Fred — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:32:58 +0000

You’ve got to love this Flying Dog ad. “Crack One Open DC” with a picture of Marion Berry.

I have not seen any Under Dog Atlantic Lager in stores around here yet, but I will be on the lookout for it.

Champagne Claude Baron

Fred — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:43:00 +0000

Sometimes you get the urge to splurge and for several reasons I found myself looking for such a bubbly. I selected the Champagne Claude Baron Cuvee Topaze 2006. Vintage Champagnes are a small subset of Champagne. The theory is that the wineries make these wines only in their best years when the grapes are of such quality that the usual blending is not needed. Vintage champagnes account for about 4% of champagne sales in the United States. This wine happened to be a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. I was not blown away by it. The bubbles were very fine and disappeared quickly in the glass. I was looking for some of the characteristics of vintage champagne: nuttiness, dried fruits, toasted bread. I found none of this. Rather a delicate and fresh wine of lemons and nice acidity. Six years should have been enough time to impart some of these flavors. Bottom line: decent but not worth the price paid. You can get comparable champagnes for $20 less. Oh well the hunt and exploration of new bottles is a large part of what makes wine so exciting for me. Cheers!

Purchased at the Frederick Wine House for $49.99

Maryland Craft Beer Festival

Fred — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:07:13 +0000

The Maryland Craft Beer Festival is tomorrow at the Frederick Fairgrounds. Weather forecast looks beautiful. Some of those VIP beers look fascinating; Green peppercorn trippel or wild sour cherry porter? Here is a guide to the festival from the Gazette. You can still buy the discounted tickets at their site as of this morning. I wonder if I qualify for a press pass?

Odds and Ends & Validation!

Fred — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:06:45 +0000

Grocery stores seeking way around alcohol sales ban. I have mixed feelings about this. Comments anyone? I do admit that I stop at the Leesburg Costco from time to time to get wine.

Good op-ed piece in the Sun on this issue by Adam Borden president of MBBWL.

And finally on Monday I posted about the best rose I have had in ages. Well it seems that I am not the only one who feels this way. In today’s wine column in the Washington Post Dave McIntyre gives the Alexander Valley Vineyards Dry Rose of Sangiovese the highest rating out of all the rose he reviewed. Refined palate or just plebeian tastes? I know which theory I’m going with.

Cupcake Wars Frederick Style- Sweet Angela’s Cupcakery

Fred — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:11:08 +0000

For years Frederick managed to survive without a single cupcake store, but now we find ourselves in the enviable position of having two within 400 yards of each other. I reviewed the original cupcake bakery, Angelcakes, here about ten months ago. Since that time a newcomer opened up: Sweet Angela’s Cupcakery. Of course this begs the question; which is better? To answer that pressing question I first had to try the wares at Sweet Angelas. Whereas Angelcakes is chrome , white and Tiffany blue the minute you walk in to Sweet Angela’s you are greeted by a sea of pink. It reminded me of a nursery of a couple who are expecting their first daughter: pink on the walls and bright pink boxes.

Pink is the theme at Sweet Angela’s

I picked up a four pack of their chocolate-chocolate, chocolate peanut butter, Southern Belle (red velvet) and yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Cost $10. On their menu they have five daily flavors and had a dozen specialty flavors but on the day I visited the only specialty flavor available was the chocolate peanut butter. Drooling I headed for the office where we conducted a taste test.

I wasn’t quick enough with the camera to get all four on film.

I found the cupcakes to be incredibly moist. The icing was very sweet but there was slightly less on the the cupcakes than Angelcakes which I liked (see my review of Angelcakes for my feelings on icing). Two of the cupcakes, southern belle and chocolate peanut butter had cream cheese based frosting as opposed to the standard buttercream. So who’s best? Here is my take you decide what’s important to you:

Color: AC (What can I say? I’m a guy I prefer blue)

Cupcake SA (Much moister than AC)

Icing SA

Price Tie ($2.50 each at both places)

Selection AC (seven standard varieties and specific rotating daily specials)

Alexander Valley Vineyards- Dry Rose of Sangiovese 2011

Fred — Mon, 07 May 2012 12:29:01 +0000

I’m secure enough in my manhood to proclaim my love of a good rose. Of course not the blush, white zin type of crap. And boy did I love the rose I just had. Alexander Valley Vineyards “Dry Rose of Sangiovese” 2011. This was a bright scarlet wine, with tons of flavors of strawberry, watermelon and a touch of tropical fruit. Medium acidity with the barest hint of sweetness at the end. The best rose I have had in a long, long time especially at this price. I’m violating my rule of making sure I buy more before I post here, but I got it at the Frederick Wine House for around $12 if I recall. I’m going to get a bunch for the summer. 100% Sangiovese, fermented in stainless steel. 13.2% ABV

Family Meal

Fred — Fri, 04 May 2012 13:05:45 +0000

The Frederick News Post reports that Bryan Voltaggio’s (and Hilda Staples’- don’t forget the other half of the team. The media, including this article, always seems to forget her) new restaurant will be named Family Meal. A first or second week of June opening is slated.

Odds and Ends

Fred — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:43:36 +0000

Channel 9 video on Adam Frey’s new Frederick county farm brewery. I’d card the reporter though.

Brewer’s Alley released a special wedding beer, Wedding Alt, with customizable labels. How about a divorce one? Should it be something dark and heavy or light and celebratory?

The Grateful Gourmet tries a Frederick County wine and finds he likes it.

Six Rules For Dining Out

Fred — Wed, 02 May 2012 11:49:43 +0000

I came across a great article in the May 2012 Atlantic Magazine by Tyler Cowen. Its called Six Rules for Dining Out and I found it fascinating. Amongst the rules are: in the fanciest restaurants, order what sounds least appetizing. Sound nonsensical? Read the article and see his logical explanation. I also loved his take on Thai food. It reinforces my concerns about Thai food that I’ve expressed here previously- do I really know what authentic Thai food tastes like? Give it a read. I also saw at the end of the article that this was adapted from his forthcoming book. FCPL has it on order and I’m third in the holds line, so number one and two read quickly!

Flying Dog Disobedience Abbey Dubbel

Fred — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:06:31 +0000

I keep no secret of the fact that I am a big fan of Flying Dog beers. So I just had to try the new Flying Dog Disobedience Abbey Dubbel. An Abbey Dubbel is a type of beer that originated from the Trappist monks of Belgium. Typically these beers are double fermented which gives them complexity and a higher alcohol content. The Flying Dog Abbey Dubbel is part of their limited release Brewhouse Rarities Line. According to their website this line consists of beers that are the brainchildren of individual brewers at Flying Dog and “push the confines of conventional beer styles.” Now I’m not really sure I would say this beer pushes the boundaries of conventional beer styles, but it certainly was tasty and one of the better Abbey Dubbels I have tried. I came in a big 750 ml bottle with the racking date printed right on the front. (April 12 in my case) The beer had an opaque, dark caramel color. When poured the glass was filled with fine, tight bubbles. It had a complex but gentle,creamy malty flavor. Very little hop notes were present. It finished with a touch of sweetness. Sweet is not something I’m a big fan of in a beer and I had my reservations because Abbey Dubbels can tend toward the sweet side. I also saw that it said on the bottle that it was made with “local maple syrup.” Luckily there was only a touch of sweetness, but it was not overpowering and did not clash with the food.

VERDICT: A fine sipping beer!

7.6% ABV. I paid $10.88 for a 750ml bottle at Ye Olde Spirit Shoppe

Shout Out- Marylanders for Better Beer & Wine Laws

Fred — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:47:15 +0000

This blog got a mention in the Marylander’s for Better Beer & Wine Laws 2012 Alcohol Legislative Roundup for my April 23rd post on some of the changes to Maryland’s alcohol laws. This is a good time to reaffirm what a great organization MBBWL is, and not just because they gave me a shout out. I’ve been plugging them on this blog from as far back as October 2009. They are the only organization in this state that fights for the consumer on these issues and they have been instrumental in the incremental progress that has been made in bringing a measure of sanity to Maryland’s alcohol laws. They wage a David versus Goliath battle against the beverage wholesalers lobby. Send them some love by liking them on facebook, following them on twitter and most importantly giving them a little money by going to their home page and clicking the please donate button on the right.

Odds and Ends

Fred — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:54:13 +0000

Nice article on Frederick County’s newest winery, Catoctin Breeze Vineyard, in the Frederick News Post. I can’t think of any other business where so many people go into the business out of sheer love for the product. Of course talking to Maryland winery owners you would be delusional if you were getting into it for the money. I look forward to sampling their wines.

West Frederick Farmer’s Market re-opens Saturday May 5th for the season!