StringGrrl sees the World

The brewing room at 512 Austin is a city which revels in weirdness, so when a friend suggested that for dinner we go to a Beer and Cheese tasting, I thought; "Sure, why not?". The beer and cheese tasting was sponsored by Slow Food  Austin, and hosted by (512) Brewing and Antonelli's Cheese Shop. Having a beer with some locals  (512) Brewing, founded in 2008, recently celebrated their eighth anniversary and was hosting their 7th annual Beer and Cheese Tasting. So, apparently not a new thing, but something that they have been hosting nearly since their founding. It was a warm and social event attended by maybe 50-60 members and guests of Slow Food Austin. We met the owners of both the brewery and the cheese shop, who each shared with us a bit about their products and their love of beer and cheese. Kevin Brand, co-founder, owner, brewer  Upon arrival we were welcomed into the brew room to taste from tap several of the beers currently being served at the brewer...

Miriam and Eric at the entrance to La Spiga Foggy weather spoiled the normally stunning views of the Wine country of La Morra photo by  Gabriele Motta under Creative Commons attribution, non-comm, no remix La Spiga is a restaurant and hotel located in the Langhe region just south of Torino. Operated by a couple who built and run the restaurant since 2005. It has a small country hotel -8 rooms- attached to the restaurant. The dining room is not very large and was supported quite well by the small but attentive staff. Amuse-bouche of pumpkin soup The restaurant was selected by Fabri and Dani when they discovered that we had never had white truffles in our travels. Apparently, this is quite a thing in Piedmonte and the region to be sure to enjoy the truffles. We were there at the time of the annual truffle fair, http://www.fieradeltartufo.org/2016/it/ but did not visit the fair itself. Instead opting for the simpler pleasures of fine food at La Spiga and a short...

Firenze Santa Maria Novella, the terminal station in Florence  After a long weekend in Torino spent with friends it was back to reality for work and off to Florence for an afternoon of customer meetings and maybe a little time in the city center of Florence. Arrival at the main station Piazza del Repubblica  StringGirl and me at the Doumo StringGirl and the stunning stone work of the Doumo Cathederal Santa Maria Fiore Mercado Centrale, the central market where restaurants and shops are open until 1:00 am Nice wines and beers to be had at the Mercado Very loud, lively, and welcoming. Mercado Central was a nice spot for dinner Luca from ESI Italy was our host that evening When telling anyone that it it is your first time in Florence they will list off all the things to see and eat. Undoubtedly the Bistecca Fiorentina will be among them. Now, when most 'muricans think of italian cuisine they might immediately think of thick and heavy pa...

Erika at Gallo Wine Gallery, who celebrated her birthday by giving drinks  While spending a weekend in Piedemonte, Italy, my friends took me for a weekend in wine and truffle country. Specifically, La Morra, where we stumbled (literally after we finished our tour of the shop) upon the Gallo Wine Gallery. Just a few tipples to warm the shoppers who come into the store After a meal of Tartufo Blanco (white truffles) at a nearby restaurant we stopped into La Morra to visit the heart of the regional wine country. The village is mostly wine shops and gift shops, so is a complete tourist trap, but a delightful one at that. Barolo Chinato, pharmaceuticals from the old days For a reasonable 10€ fee they took me on a 3 glass tasting through local wines. Starting first with Barbera d'Asti, followed by Nebbiollo, and wrapped up with Barolo. As the former Self-Proclaimed-Die-Expert is a savage when it comes to wines, any 3 wines are good ones most often. But at 10€ for ...