For a day full of chocolates, flowers, and other seductive pleasures, there's a wine that seems custom-made. From its ruby-red color to its rose-petal bouquet and sweet effervescence, Rosa Regale Brachetto d’Acqui captures the romance of Valentine's Day in a bottle.
With its sparkling hints of raspberry, strawberry, and rose, Rosa Regale offers an ideal complement to the inherent sweetness of chocolate. Made entirely from Brachetto grapes grown at the La Rosa Vineyard in the town of Acqui Terme, in Italy's Piedmont region, the wine imparts a slight earthiness that pairs especially well with dark or bittersweet chocolate. Its 7% ABV even makes it easy to drink by itself. Flavorful, fizzy, and fun, Rosa Regale adds sensuality to Valentine's Day, or to any other sweet occasion.
With an increasing number of fine chocolates available these days, it's often difficult to seek out a favorite. Occasionally, however, one finds superb indulgences fortuitously. Such was the case at this year's Boston Wine Expo, at which I discovered Chocolate Springs, producer of some of the most exquisite artisanal chocolates to delight my palate in recent years.
Joshua Needleman handcrafts his nearly 30 bonbon varieties using the finest, fresh, all-natural ingredients, without adding preservatives. An alumnus of The Culinary Institute of America and La Maison du Chocolat (in both Manhattan and Paris), he realized his lifelong dream when, in 2003, he opened Chocolate Springs Café in the Berkshire town of Lenox, Massachusetts. Three years later, Mr. Needleman was recognized by Saveur as one the country's top ten artisanal chocolatiers. Since then, his wares have been mentioned in TIME, Travel + Leisure, Elle Decor, and most notably, Comestiblog.
The Queens Economic Development Corporation celebrated its Entrepreneur Space's first anniversary on 25 January 2012 with an open party featuring clients' food samples, lively interaction, and a collector's frozen birthday cake. It was an occasion to speak with numerous business owners who have utilized the E-Space to launch or further their food ventures.
Situated in Long Island City, Queens, the Entrepreneur Space opened officially on 19 January 2011. One year later, the 12,500-square-foot, city-sponsored, food-and-business incubator boasts roughly 175 clients. Many take advantage of the round-the-clock commercial kitchen (replete with culinary essentials ranging from a walk-in refrigerator to basic utensils), while others avail themselves of the workstations and classroom space. In addition, many participate in free business counseling, technical assistance, and financial classes.
My tour began with Dan and Rebecca Dengrove's refreshing frozen Brewla Bars. Unlike many iced fruit pops, these are produced from brewed beverages and, most important, are not overly sweet.
The Hero: Cherry Pomegranate Red Tea
While I didn't taste the next product myself, Comestidog wagged with approval upon taking a bite of the all-natural Ruv Roos from Woofshire Farms.
Among the standouts of the afternoon was the all-natural skordaliá from Samios Foods. The vegan Go Go's Garlic Dips were simply delicious! Happily for me, they're available at Whole Foods Markets in the Tri-State Area.
Left to Right: Original, Olive & Rosemary, Roasted Red Pepper, and Dill
As I continued to wend my way through the E-Space, I tasted samples at nearly every table.
Larry's Mix, Gwen's Batch, and Original MIx from Brooklyn Nuts
In the large kitchen space, I found Viva Natural's pão de queijo. The yummy Portuguese baked cheese rolls beckoned me to return for seconds, thirds, …
At the next table, I slurped Lane Li's delicious Sichuan-style Dan Dan Noodles: egg noodles served with a bold savory sauce and chili oil, topped with sautéed minced pork, Sichuan pickled vegetable, bean sprouts, and scallions. This dish delivered a spicy burst of flavor with every bite.
Lane Li, founder of Noodle Lane, serves Dan Dan Noodles
The festivities also included the unveiling of a chocolate cake—roughly four inches in diameter, topped with a sugary violet flower and a green leaf—from Hollywood star Elizabeth Taylor's 60th birthday party in February 1992.
The pastry was frozen soon after the gala, and remains in excellent condition. It was lent to the Entrepreneur Space by author Jane Scovell.
Entrepreneur Space
36-46 37th Street Long Island City, NY 11101-1606 (map)
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