Food Wine Travel

Eyeglass Shop for the Connoisseur...Lunettes du Jura...Tokyo

While scouting for ideas that could fit on Tokyo Thursdays, I found that deep in the heart of Tokyo existed an Eyeglass Shop for the connoisseur with the very French name of Lunettes du Jura.
Sorry the site is mostly in Japanese. They actually count more than one location.

An underground Tokyo Guide describes it as "an amazing wacky glasses store. more kinds of crazy nutty frames. . . somewhere beyond New Wave in terms of candy-like wackiness".   

Related: Camembert and Sushi

Copenhagen, a 'Top 20 Most Liveable Cities' says Monocle

I have written about Copenhagen numerous times on Serge the Concierge and was not surprised that Monocle magazine chose it as one of its Top 20 Most Liveable Cities in the world.

Related piece: Mr Conran goes to Copenhagen

Appetite for Destruction, when Food Trends might suck dry the Seafood Stock

Fake labeling, endless scooping up of certain species, our culinary tastes can turn into an appetite for destruction as Something's fishy as Europe dines by Elisabeth Rosenthal illustrates (International Herald Tribune).

Related: Sounds fishy, Blue Moki and the Maoris.

How to 'Kill a Lobster and Save your Soul'? (via Trevor Corson)

I cannot quite get the connection but looking for details on a book covering 'food and drink' freebies given by political campaigns, The Secret Life of Lobsters came up as a suggested related read (from same publisher, Harper Collins).

In the companion blog, Trevor Corson offers concerned foodies his guide on how to Kill a Lobster and Save Your Soul.

'Bread, Lard and Potatoes'...everything the Gourmet from Belarus wants

I heard yesterday that Belarus is currently holding the World Record for Potato Consumption.
I have to believe it after reading Bread, Lard and Potatoes.
This humorless piece of officialdom announced a year ago that "scientists from the nutrition research center at the Belarusian Academy of Sciences have prepared a new present for us. They have developed 22 new potato dishes"...no less.

Grower Champagne...Great Taste and Better Buys?

Grower Champagne, great taste and better buys? That is at least what Amy Cortese suggests in Champagne Beyond the Big Names (Business Section, NY Times Sunday).

One good point she makes is that many of the main Champagne houses are anything but exclusive.
The element of luxury they convey is mostly due to mucho marketing.

Related: In Champagne, Single Vineyards offer rare pleasures...Lap of Luxury 2

Beyond cliches...Good Food Ireland shows the country rich palette

Before you hop on the plane for a trip to Ireland, it might be wise to visit Good Food Ireland.
They go beyond the cliches and show us the country rich palette from restaurants to markets to local talent such as artisan chocolatier ChocOneill of Kildare County.
If you cannot get over there, try their recipes.

From 'Red White and Drunk' to 'Woodstock Buddha'...All my Menu for Hope Prizes

Want a quick look at my Menu For Hope 4 prizes, visit the following pages:

Cupid's got a secret...An Edible Chocolate Box...A Menu for Hope 4 Prize

Macarons, 'The French Connection', MadMac, another sweet for Menu for Hope 4

Let's Get Spiritual with Mr. Kita's Woodstock Buddha...My First delivery for Menu For Hope 4

Wine by the Book 'Red, White and Drunk All Over' By Natalie McLean (Signed Copy)

Last: Get your Kicks with Berkshire Bark Chocolate Bars...2 treats for Menu for Hope 4

Pick your favorite, get the prize code, open your heart and your wallet, Visit the Donation Page.

Get your Kicks with Berkshire Bark Chocolate Bars...2 treats for Menu for Hope 4

Hey! it starts to feel like Marathon Writing but at least I am sweating for a great cause.

I already offered 3 other prizes on Serge the Concierge, the elder statesman of my blogging constellation.

Here come my 4th (Prize Code: UE 34) and 5th treat (Prize Code: UE 35) for for my second participation in Menu for Hope 4, a December Fundraising Event which involves bloggers the world over. It benefits the UN Food Programme.

The 2006 Edition raised $62,925 (US). Help us top that this year!

Treat 4 and 5 are actually identical twins.

Each goodie consists of a selection of 4 bars by our friends at Berkshire Bark which they kindly gave us.

The surprising and delicious flavors are: Tropical Heat, Mocha Buzz, White Lightning and Midnight Harvest.

Berkshire Bark is a tad over 1 year old.

I fell in love with their treats at the Chocolate Show 2006, read From the Sky to the Mountains for my first impressions.

Want it? Remember Prize Code: UE 34 for one, Prize Code UE 35 for the other.

PLEASE NOTE: Since this is a food item, we will take bids only from people in the US as we are not familiar with rules and regulations of other countries.

Next Step: Go to the Menu for Hope 4 Donation Page hosted by First Giving.

Then Make a Donation of at least $10 (US). Each $10 donation gives you one raffle ticket towards the prize you chose.

For US donors, if your company has agreed to match your charitable donation, please remember to select that option and fill in the necessary information so we may claim the corporate match.

Do not forget to leave your e-mail address so we can contact all you lucky winners.

For all other East Coast (US) Options visit Serious Eats.

Thanks to Helen of Grab Your Fork in Sidney for writing her guidelines ahead of us.

Check her Roundup of Prizes for the Asia Pacific Region.

Related: Giving Time...With 'Menu for Hope 4' Help us Raise Funds for UN Food Program

Absinthe Verte (via NY Times) and 'All about Absinthe' (San Francisco Chronicle)

Pete Wells gives us a behind the scene look at the launch of Absinthe Verte by St George Spirits (Hanger 1) in A Liquor of Legend Makes a Comeback (NY Times, December 5th).

Want to know the basics on this mythic drink, read All About Absinthe (SF Chronicle, December 5th).

On Serge the Concierge: Absinthe...Aperitif...Myth, Madness and the Dead Poets Society