Tastings: Your New Favorite Spot

My husband's 30th birthday was this past weekend, and in my efforts to brainstorm a grand plan, a friend suggested I check out Tastings - A Wine Experience. As it turns out, I have very smart friends. Tastings ended up being the most perfect place to hang out and mingle with friends - we went for the pre-dinner plan, but in all honesty, we could have stayed put considering their wide range of delicious menu items.

The concept of Tastings is so genius; it is hands down the most interactive wine tasting I've ever experienced. You choose a dollar amount to pre-load onto a card that you then use to taste the wines. There are so many to choose from, and the cost of the 2 oz. tastes range from $2.50 and up. If you'd rather, you can order wines by the bottle - and here's where it gets really good. The wines by the bottle are sold at retail - and there are a lot of choices for $18-$25. When is the last time you went out for dinner and found a good selection of wines in that price range (no fair, you can't count 1/2 price bottle night)?

If you're looking for a fun night out - definitely head to Tastings. The staff is enormously helpful and the owners are clearly passionate about what they're doing!

Tastings is located at: 50 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN; call 317.423.2400 for more details.

Cheers!!...........................................................XOXO, Tiff.

When you want to make AMAZING chicken...

...use this recipe. My mom made this for a family get-together, and we couldn't get enough. Even the chicken breasts were tender enough to cut with a fork...and the flavor, well, let's just say this over-night marinade is well worth the effort. Here is the recipe (which serves 8-10):

Ingredients:

• 1 (12-ounce) package pitted, bite-size dried plums
• 1 (3.5-ounce) jar capers
• 1 (0.5-ounce) bottle dried oregano
• 6 bay leaves
• 1 garlic bulb, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
• 1 cup pimento-stuffed olives
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
• 2 teaspoons pepper
• 8 pounds mixed chicken pieces
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Preparation:

Combine first 10 ingredients in a large zip-top freezer bag or a large bowl. Add chicken pieces, turning to coat well; seal or cover and chill for at least 8 hours (overnight is best), turning chicken occasionally.

Arrange chicken in a single layer in one or two 13- x 9-inch baking pan(s). Pour marinade evenly over chicken, and sprinkle evenly with brown sugar; pour wine around pieces.

Bake at 350° for 50 minutes to 1 hour, basting frequently.

Remove chicken, dried plums, olives, and capers to serving platter. Drizzle with 3/4 cup pan juices; sprinkle parsley evenly over top. Serve with remaining pan juices.

Enjoy!.........................................XOXO, Tiff.

The other reason to be happy that it's December

My most favorite time of year is upon us. For all the reasons you expect - but maybe for one you're not aware of. Allow me to introduce you to the Glass Chimney Bar Special for December - Hungarian Goulash.

3 letters for you to describe: O.M.G. For the past few years, I have made it a habit during the month of December to grab the bar special as take-out and may have been known to pick up 4 orders at a time (for 2 people, mind you). It's THAT GOOD.

If the word Goulash scares you, please get past it quickly. This is the best beef stew you will ever put in your mouth, I assure you. How can you pass up a big bowl of deliciousness with a beer/wine for $14? And Denny, as seen to the left, will take the best care of you, ensuring the many trips back you will be making.

Do yourself a favor, and go. NOW. :)

XOXO...........................................Tiff.

SI Specials

FYI...at Scholar's Inn Indy (or SI), there are many drink specials to take advantage of - and they are offered at peak times, which is not too typical. Here they are:

1. 1/2 price bottles of wine on Mondays

2. 1/2 price signature cocktails on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays

3. 1/2 price champagne cocktails on Sundays (they have a very yummy assortment of brunch items to compliment the cocktails)

Follow SI on Facebook here and on Twitter here...check out their website here.

Bottoms Up!!!.....................................XOXO, Tiff.

Welcome!

Hello friends! Just a quick note - I wanted to start a separate Food blog because I've been thinking of so many foodie related things I'd love to share but my other blog just didn't seem to be the place! Hope you enjoy this one. :)

XOXO...........................Tiff.