There are many answers to this question, but I decided that I would use basically the same approach that I use with Burgundy wine. In Burgundy it's this is relatively straight forward - the basic wines are regional wines, Bourgognes and the like. like the wines very much in general, but I'm still a bit intimidated. some do not. MORE >>

At about $85 we're into vintage Champagne expensive territory, but here you're definitely getting your money's worth, in my opinion. But Coteaux Champenois can be as beautifully perfumed, elegant, and hauntingly delicious as a lot of expensive Burgundy wine. Isabelle and Franck Pascal, and their name tags. That's right.3 cases. MORE >>

Said wine bar is technically located in the West Village, but it is just North of trendy Tribeca - and it definitely had a trendy aura to it. The two people behind the bar that helped out were also quite knowledgeable, and definitely NOT pretentious. As reported in my previous post, I did in fact make it out to a wine bar tonight. MORE >>

That's right, I have now finished posting about our Burgundy trip. We were lucky - a friend recommended several restaurants and they were excellent. BrooklynLady is so good at sussing out restaurants before traveling. had a green salad, something I missed while in Burgundy, BrooklynLady had snail risotto (I was so proud of her). MORE >>

Maybe I'm too picky, but there just aren't that many high-end restaurants that appeal to me these days. We have been a bit disappointed by meals at several well-regarded and pricey restaurants in the past few months (Grammercy Tavern, The Tasting Room, Stone Park, to name a few). Rose Water in Park Slope is one my three favorites. MORE >>