Wine is the new oil

2007 could very well go down as the year of wine. We've seen a number of high-end wine bars open up in the area, and more are set to come.



Yet, according to an article in the Washington Post, this wine boom is just the tip of the iceberg.

There's an entire exchange, much like the NYSE, that deals in the buying and selling of wine. And we're not talking about the bottle of Yellowtail in your kitchen, we're talking wines bought at $3,500 and sold at $10,000.

Overall this year the market is up an amazing 39%, but that doesn't mean there still isn't plenty of risk involved.

So, will you be investing in wine in 2008?

At least it only happens once a year...

Now that I'm back from Florida it's time to start planning for New Years. So far we haven't developed anything past a party at Steve's, which is probably going to end up looking like this.



Does anyone have any NYE suggestions? What are you doing for the big night?

I think I got something here...

Finally, a nice day here in Florida. And without any sign of red tide or clouds, my father and I walked down to the beach to do a little surf fishing.



With the help of some sand fleas I was actually able to catch something, a beautiful black drum.





Unfortunately three hours of solid fishing only produced this one fish. But hey, it's one more than I've ever caught in DC, so I'll take it.

Note: Shortly after taking that last picture, I unhooked the fish and threw it back. It swam happily back to sea to be with its other fish friends.

Comment of the Year

Brought to you by the fine readers of the Miami Herald:

Food Critic...

Do you realize how big of a douchebag you are?

Posted by:
12/26/2007 2:21 PM
25827.4 Report as Violation

Food Day: It's an awards post!

The math is simple folks. Bad weather + a lack of ideas = an end of the year awards post!



Stay with me on this, I'll try to make it as painless as possible.

Best Performance by a Meal or a large snack: Donut and margarita pizza at 2 Amy's
I've eaten a lot of really good food over the past year, but for what it's worth, nothing quite does the trick like a Sunday morning donut and margarita pie at 2 Amy's. I come out spending only $15, I'm in and out in about a half hour (I've I'm there by myself), and I've consumed enough food for the entire day. It's nowhere near the fanciest, but hey, I'll take it any day of the week.

Best Restaurant (Comedy or Musical): Zola
A lot of things have changed for me over the past year. How I eat and who I’ve eaten with being the two primary. But through all of that, Zola has always stood out to me. I feel that this restaurant always gets overlooked, and to me, that’s just fine. It didn’t even make the top 100 list, but I’d still rather go there than most of those who did. The service is always sharp, the bar has a great drink selection, and the menu changes enough to keep things interesting. Oh yeah, and the food is pretty damn good too.

Best Supporting Role by an Alcoholic Beverage: The Grog at PX
If this was all there was to drink in the world, I’d be a happy man. I’d drink this like water if I could, and trust me, I’ve tried.

Best Performance by a Restaurant not in Washington DC: Osaka, Northampton, MA.
I’m not even sure I’ve been to Osaka in the past year, but every sushi restaurant to visit is, and will always be judged against Osaka. This is on my top five places to eat in 2008. Of course getting up to NoHo will be a bit difficult.

Worst Performance by a Meal or Snack: Beer Cheese at King Street Blues
I love beer. I love cheese. But I also love my right hand and blenders. Beer cheese was almost as painful as combining the later two, and probably less healthy.

Worst Restaurant (Drama): Burma
I guess this is what you get when you’re down to your 10th option. I’ve never had to go up and essentially process my own bill, and I’ve never not eaten more than two bites of any meal. Thank you Burma, you’ve shown me what truly horrible food and service really is.

Worst Supporting Role by an Alcoholic Beverage: I don’t remember
If it was that bad, odds are I had enough of it not to remember it. Ah the beauty of booze.

So, let’s hear yours. Leave a comment, let me know what you felt was the best and worst in food in 2007.