Grape: Petie Arvine
Wine: Grioud Petite Arvine 2009
Tasting Notes: Best grape from Switzerland
Friday, January 13, 2012
Travel Review: Paris
Review: What can I say about Paris that hasn't been already said! But what does one do when you are going to Paree for the very first time and are there for only 6-7 hours ? This was my predicament and this is my conclusion. Rolling into Paris in Eurostar is not a very welcoming sight. Graffiti covered stations, shut industrial warehouses and ghettos welcome you. You are definitely not thinking of Renaissance then. But as with any great city, you need to immerse yourself in it before you make a judgement and so it is with Paris. A bus ride from Gare Du Nord to Arc de Triomphe I saw her come alive. A must Eiffel Tower tour (please pre-book it and skip the line) reveals breathtaking views of every corner of Paris and ,if you are lucky with your tour guide, illuminates you with history of Eiffel Tower, World Fair of 1889 (Exposition Universelle) and Paris. Take the ferry down Seine or metro to Notre Dame to have a walk about the famous Latin Quarters. With Notre Dame Cathedral, Lourve Museum, Pont des Arts, Tuileries Garden, Saint-Sulpice, Luxembourg Gardens and more all walking distance there is plenty to see and absorb. Take a break and relax yourself in one of the many restaurants and wine bars hidden all over the Latin Quarters. If you have some more time head to Opera or Sacré-Cœur Basilica!
Photo Album: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adigupta/sets/72157627597909191/
Travel Review: Munich
Review: I think Germans get a very unfair rap for being cold and serious. Oktoberfest crowd and carnival was anything but that. It was one of the most welcoming and warm crowd in spite of the carnival teeming with people and plenty of beer flowing. Contrary to general perception, Oktoberfest Carnival is not just gigantic beer tents. With German markets selling knick knacks, live music, plenty of food to indulge and kick-ass amusement rides (bumper cars!!!), it is an complete family affair and has something for everyone. Oktoberfest fever catches you the moment you step out of the train or the flight & buying a Oktoberfest hat / costume is perfect way to blend in :) Bottom line, if you like your beer and if you like to party, Oktoberfest is a definite must once in your life.
Photo Album: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adigupta/sets/72157627599747077/
Travel Review: Montreux
Review: Montreux is a quiet resort town on the eastern shores of Lake Geneva. If you are arriving from Geneva, you have the chance to take a beautiful drive to Montreux through the hills and vineyards of Southern Switzerland along Lake Geneva by-passing the cities of Nyon, Morges and Laussane. Beside the striking beauty of blue waters of Lake Geneva and the snow covered Alps in the background, Montreux gives you a chance to visit the historic Château de Chillon. Being driving distance from Gstaad, Inter Laken and Jungfrau, Montreux provides a great lodging alternative to more popular destinations preferred, and my I say crowded, by the vacation tours!
Photo Album:http://www.flickr.com/photos/adigupta/sets/72157626799878839/
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Food and Wine Reviews for April - December 2011
Thanks to my move to London, I was not able to write and post a monthly review for this section. But luckily I was able to visit and dine at multiple places during my 9-month stay in London. Below are reviews of some of the places I've been to in London since March 2011.
Megan's Cafe, Kings Road, London
Vagabond Wines - <FAVORITES> Local wine haunt. Lovely hosts serving a wide variety of grapes and massive selection of wines. With wine dispensing machines in place, you can taste samples of multiple wines or have a glass (or bottle) full of your favorite wine. Also, the special events are always a blast with like-minded wine enthusiasts, who want a mid-week night out, make for a fun night with great wines and charcuterie.
Del'Aziz - <FAVORITES> Love this place! Awesome food and great Moroccan Mint Team. Have already been here twice in first 3 days in London. Big help during my property search due to wi-fi connection. Actually sitting at Del Aziz and writing this review!
Megan's - <FAVORITES> Cosy eatery in the Fulham and Chelsea neighborhood. Go there for brunch on a weekend and if available, head downstairs to the garden sitting.
Altitude 360 - Definitely have great 360 degree views of London but the brunch buffet is nothing to write home about. Not worth the full price of £107+
Brumus - Really nice bar and restaurant for an elegant evening at Haymarket Hotel.
LVPO - <FAVORITES> Great find in Soho. It's really popular and has line around the corner on weekend nights so get there early. Multi-level bar/club/lounge to get lost and party!
Vinopolis - <FAVORITES> A wine museum!!! Great place to go spend an evening exploring the world of wine. Highly recommended if you have time and are a wine enthusiast. Located in a very busy and chic Borough Market neighborhood.
Dishoom - Went there for the Restaurant festival week but was an okay visit. Perhaps will make another visit giving it a benefit of doubt of having an off day since I have heard so much good reviews about it!
Morito - <FAVORITES> Great tapas place in casual setting (very Barcelona like) in the hip Exmouth Market. Reservation is highly recommended.
Planet of the Grapes- Lovely wine bar tucked away in Bow street near Bank and Mansion House. It boasts of huge and impressive list of wines to purchase (and to drink for an additional surcharge of £10). Basement sitting area makes for cosy evening. The food menu leaves much to be desired. But if you are just looking to have and purchase some wine, it's definitely recommended.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland - <FAVORITES> Hyde Park hosts Annual Winter Wonderland in the heart of the City and brings the warm festive glow to London. It's perfect oasis just off the madness of Knightsbridge to capture the the mood of season in the month of December. With German market, Skating Rink, Circus and plenty of amusement rides, it has something for everyone !!!
Monday, January 2, 2012
Grape of the Month December 2011: Gropello
Grape: Gropello
Wine: Garda Classico Gropello 2007
Tasting Notes:
Photograph of the Month December 2011: Single Seater Experience, Silverstone
About photograph: Single Seater Experience at the Silverstone track puts you in the cockpit and feel the rush of Formula racing. As per Silverstone crew, it's their best driving experience and I couldn't agree more.
Camera: Samsung Galaxy S2
Photograph of the Month November 2011: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
About photograph: Hyde Park hosts Annual Winter Wonderland in the heart of City of London. It's perfect oasis just off the madness of Knightsbridge to capture the festive feelings in the month of December. With German market, Skating Rink, Circus and plenty of amusement rides, it has something for everyone !!!
Camera: Canon Powershot S95
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Year in Review 2011
My review of 2011
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The Daily Show review of 2011
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Most watched YouTube videos in 2011
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2011 seen from Space
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Top News Story of 2011: The Death of Osama Bin Laden
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GigaOm's Top 10 Green stories of 2011
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India 2011: The Year Gone By
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The Test and ODI Teams of 2011
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The 11 Funniest Late Night Moments Of 2011
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11 Best Books of 2011
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A Unique Review of 2011: The Year That Wasn't!
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National Geographic Photography Contest Winners: 2011
My Review of Year 2011
January 2011: Challenger disaster remembered 25 years later and Steve Jobs medical absence tests Apple's bench strength. Some particularly sad news to me as Liverpool sells Fernando Torres to Chelsea for record £50 million and astronomers find a new star sign! I wasted 25 years of my life reading the wrong horoscope!!!
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February 2011: Egyptian Revolution causes turmoil in the largest and most stable Arab state in the Middle East as the U.S. Congressional Republicans pander to the idiocy of Sarah Palin's and Glen Beck's doomsday rhetoric. King Danglish reigns supreme at Stamford Bridge as Liverpool fans quickly forget Torres. Elsewhere in the Premiership, Rooney hits the Goal of the Season, may be even year. Last but not the least, Sourav Ganguly retires and as during his playing days so in his retirement, no one divides cricket fans like Dada, The Magnificent Bastard.
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March 2011: Cricket World Cup 2011 consumes India and the cricketing world and with a high-scoring tie & a thrilling upset, Chinnaswamy sets it up perfectly for the grand finale! On the more somber note, an 8.9-magnitude earthquake hit off the east coast of Japan creating unprecedented mayhem and the US Presidential Election 2012 kicks off. In the absurd, Charlie Sheen reveals his off the hook crazy life and India media goes crazy for mega-bucks wedding.
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April 2011: India wins the Cricket World Cup 2011 and the Royal Wedding captures the imagination of the entire world!
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May 2011: Navy Seals kill Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan as the Arab Spring gathers steam and spreads across the entire Middle East Region. In the tech world, Google launches Chromebook and Apple reveals iOS5 and iCloud.
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June 2011: The Space Shuttle program retires and an absolute classic "KODAK" moment to capture it in time. As iPhone celebrates 4 years, Nokia is just about catching on the game with new hot N9.
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July 2011: Last Potter movie releases and puts the Potter Mania in overdrive. London 2012 reveals the Olympic Stadium view shop and staggering riches are discovered hidden beneath South Indian temple.
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August 2011: India rejoices in success of Anna Hazare's hunger strike, London burns in the 2011 riots and Manhattan gets evacuated due to hurricane warning.
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September 2011: Mansur Ali Khan, Tiger Pataudi, passes away and in a fitting tribute Rahul Dravid creates a lasting impression on his last tour of England playing for the Pautadi Trophy. New York and the world remembers the attacks of September 11th 2001 on it's 10th anniversary as the Occupy Wall Street movement takes over downtown Manhattan.
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October 2011: Steve Jobs, The Minister of Magic, and Jagit Singh, The Sultan of Ghazal, pass away! Elsewhere, Libyan rebels put down Muhammad Gadhafi and inaugural Indian Grand Prix is hailed has a huge success.
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November 2011: Republican Primary rolls on giving plenty of fodder to late-night shows & 7th Billionth person is born!
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December 2011: The legendary Dev Anand passes away leaving an unparalleled legacy in Indian Cinema! Rahul Dravid gives a memorable speech at Bradman's oration and Virendar Sehwag breaks ODI 200 runs barrier and then some more. Finally, Lokpal Bill has a date with the Parliament and last US troops leave Iraq.
The Daily Show Review of Year 2011
Quick look back at 2011 through the eyes of the Daily Show with Jon Stewart
January 2011: Seniors are having an alarming amount of unprotected sex, Egyptians are rioting for a new leader, and America shows China our military might..
February 2011: Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's proposed education cuts elicit protests from teachers' unions, and no Republicans are interested in being president.
March 2011: A missing snake has a day on the town in New York, and Jon talks about Mormons with Matt Stone and Trey Parker.
April 2011: Jon does one last impression of Glenn Beck as he bids him farewell, Olivia Munn explores tiger moms, and John Oliver reports on the Royal Wedding.
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May 2011: Jon hails the death of Osama bin Laden and explains the Anthony Weiner Twitter scandal, and Jason Jones visits the gayest city in America.
June 2011: Jon apologizes for his Weiner coverage, Kristen Schaal reacts to the rash of penis photos, and puppet John McCain accuses Mexicans of starting fires.
July 2011: Republicans don't want to raise taxes, Jerry Seinfeld gives advice on covering Marcus Bachmann, and Jon's interview with former President Pervez Musharraf gets awkward.
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August 2011: Samantha Bee explores congressional approval ratings, Fox News is outraged at free birth control, and The Best F#@king News Team Ever covers the Ames straw poll.
September 2011: Kristen Schaal promotes her Michele Bachmann condoms, Jason Jones reports on the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, and Tony Bologna goes rogue.
October 2011: Jason Jones reports on the crisis in Mexico, Hugh Jackman talks robot boxing, and Herman Cain doesn't have facts to back anything up.
November 2011: Rick Perry says the oops heard 'round the world, and The Best F#@king News Team Ever discusses Herman Cain's blackness.
December 2011: Jon Hodgman edits "It's a Wonderful Life," Wyatt Cenac launches a campaign to save the post office, and Jon reminisces with Matt Damon about his beard.
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