Author Archives: J Reilly

Fondue Family Tradition

My husband’s family tradition for Christmas Eve dinner is gathering around the fondue pot where bite-sized pieces of chicken, beef, and cocktail franks are skewered with a fondue fork and cooked in a cauldron of hot vegetable oil. With a few new ideas from The Melting Pot restaurant, we stepped up the family tradition with someContinueContinue reading “Fondue Family Tradition”

Turkey Breast with Fennel

We’re not hosting Thanksgiving or Christmas this year, so I’m subjected to the whims of relatives for holiday meals. I’m not ungrateful for the trade-off. Washing a few dishes is certainly easier than shopping and cooking for 15 people. But I long to control the destiny of my own turkey dinner, for better or forContinueContinue reading “Turkey Breast with Fennel”

Napa Wine Tasting Holiday

Visiting family for the Thanksgiving holiday who live just north of San Francisco provided the perfect opportunity for a wine tasting excursion in Napa Valley. Remembering our recent experience with a 1998 vintage of Merlot (see blog “Rombauer Rescue”), we decided to start with Rombauer Vineyards in St Helena. When we told the staff memberContinueContinue reading “Napa Wine Tasting Holiday”

McManis Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

There aren’t many $10 wines that deliver as well as McManis Cabernet Sauvignon. I guess that’s why several vintages have recently made the Wine Enthusiast Best Buy List. The McManis Vineyard is a family owned and operated winery located near the town of Ripon, California. Ron McManis joined the family business in 1979, becoming theContinueContinue reading “McManis Cabernet Sauvignon 2014”