On Saturday I was invited to Garden Creek Vineyard to celebrate the release of their 2003 vintage. The family owned winery is one of the first fully sustainable wineries in California. Our hosts Karin, Justin, Elsa and Leif make some wonderful wine on this Alexander Valley Ranch. A setting so perfect, it almost makes me want to leave the city. Almost.

Karin tells us a bit more about the wine. Press Play.


Garden Creek Vineyards
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In a reversal of the growing fast growing trend, Boston has banned bottle service.

Most people see bottle service with VIP treatment at a hot club in a big city a special treat and a perk of being able to afford spendy bottles of booze. But one Boston official disagrees and is cracking down on the clubs that offer bottle service to their clients. His argument? That the price of the bottle causes patrons to feel they have to down the whole thing before the night is over which, consequently, steps on the toes of the “happy hour” law of a two-drink max per patron.

Hooray for the average guy!

Just before every bar stool in the nation required buying a full bottle of booze. I’ve been to clubs where every seat requires bottle service, it is a bit much.

From the Boston Herald
via Liquor Snob

Revolution is my favorite club in Vegas. It is intimate, Beatles retro sheik and located right in the heart of the Mirage. Since we were staying at the Mirage, the location is ideal, just a short stumble to the room elevators!

I liked Revolution so much that I went twice. My last night in Vegas was a Party hosted by PINK Vodka at Revolution. What a great bunch if folks.

The club has a casual bar outside and inside is a room right out of Sleeper. Some of the bottle service areas have some of the cool new Microsoft Surface, it is like an interactive coffee table all controlled by an ashtray. This one was Beatles themed and way cool! It is a great addition to any club.

Pictured is a MS Surface creation of mine honoring our hosts!

Revolution - the Mirage - Las Vegas
PINK Spirits
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The folks from BleacherReport.com had us to a Giants game.
In a suite, it was hat night, and a bottle of Jack!

Thanks guys, I had a great time.
Cheers!

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After a meeting we ended up at Palomino on San Francisco’s Embarcadero. The place is known for a great bar, wonderful bay views and innovative cocktails. Our server, Marsha, suggested I try this vodka martini flavored with a splash of 18 year old Glenlivet and Nolly Pratt Dry Vermouth. Not one to mix my vodka and whiskey, I was skeptical to say the least. Marsha ensured me it was tasty. She was right. The Scotch gave the cocktail a wonderful smoky flavor. Garnished with a pepperoni and a blue cheese stuffed olive this martini get a DOTW thumbs up.

Smoky Martini

3 oz. Grey Goose Vodka
Splash 18 year old Glenlivet Scotch
Splash Nolly Pratt Dry Vermouth

Combine is a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a blue cheese stuffed olive and a pepperoni.

Thanks Marsha!



Palomino - San Francisco
past Drinks
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This week Web 2.0 descended on San Francisco and the event celebrated with a crawl through South Park. Not South Park, Colorado, but the famous few blocks of San Francisco that is the epicenter of Web 2.0. Companies located on the Park or nearby opened the doors to revelers and others hosted events in galleries and restaurants sprinkled on all around the Park and surroundings.

I spent most of the night at Federated Media’s Party at the South Park Cafe. What can I say, I work for FM and they rep this site. Gotta represent! After a stop at Wired’s party at Nova and a few others, we made it over to Mel’s Drive In for some good old fashioned dinner fare. Jean from NotCot took some awesome photos of her Apple Pie with Cheese and for extra fun, a few of the kids at the table next to us building a utensil sculpture.


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MasterCard asked me for my “Priceless Picks” in Art, Food and Travel. A “Priceless Picks” is based on real, first-hand experiences and feelings of people all over the world. Picking one in each category was hard, but I like these three.

Art - Vintage Beverage Posters
Food - Vodka Martini
Travel - Waikiki

Share your own “Perfect Picks” and you could win a $250 prepaid MasterCard! So what are you waiting for? Post your Perfect Picks Here. Don’t forget to give DOTW a vote while your at it, Cheers!