North Fork Wine

We're usually on the South Fork of Long Island, but for our anniversary (it's been a year today!) we wanted to head North to do a little wine tasting. It was so much fun! The weather was perfect and each winery we visited was great. It was really fun to see the differences between them and try all of the wines.

I think Palmer was our favorite - the setting was so pretty, and the 2009 Reserve Cabernet Franc was great, and the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon was really rich and deep and interesting, and the 2012 Pinot Blanc was fruity and crisp. We also went to Lieb, where our favorite was the 2008 Reserve Cabernet Franc. The tasting room is modern and somewhat industrial, and there's not much charm with vineyards in view or anything, but the staff is very attentive and explains the wines really well.

Las Ramblas

Last night was Jamie and my 2nd anniversary and, to follow tradition, we had dinner at Las Ramblas. This is a tiny tapas place on West 4th. We had our first date here, so we came last year for our anniversary and again last night. It's so cute, we probably should go more often, but now it's kind of established as our once a year special date spot.

It's a great place for a first date! Intimate, but crowded enough that there's a good atmosphere and a little noise so it's not awkward. The food is flavorful and it's fun to share, and the red pear sangria is great - especially the booze soaked slices of pear in there.

We ordered:
Brochetas De Res-grilled skewers of beef in a tempranillo wine reduction

Banderillas Con Chorizo De Pato-mini skewers of duck sausage, quail eggs, & pearl onions (above, very pretty)
Piquillos Con Morcilla-spanish peppers stuffed with morcilla, saffron rice, & manchego cheesE

FRIED cuddle fish, just like calamari, but a little less chewy (I had already eaten a lot of it before I remembered to take a picture - can't go wrong with crispy, fried things!)

Everything was served on a bed of fried veggie and tortilla strips. Yum! And it's not terribly expensive.

Las Ramblas
170 West 4th St (between Cornelia and Jones)
no reservations