 The Frescobaldi family's Castello di Nipozzano By Emma Krasov Produced in limited amounts, moderately-oaked, and blended to perfection, Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi wines from the sangiovese varietal come from the nine estates that belong to the 700-year-old Tuscan family company. Continue reading  Discover food and romance in St. Helena The link between food as an aphrodisiac and romance is well-documented. For many, the path to their hearts is through their stomachs, which is why I choose to visit the Culinary Institute of America to discover culinary adventures that could spark romance. Located in the historic Christian Brothers winery in the heart of the Napa Valley, this is the ideal location for a food immersion experience. Continue reading  A couple enjoying the atmosphere at Arizona Biltmore. Photo Credit: Jill Richards Photography Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and everyone is searching for that perfect plan for this romantic holiday. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing weekend getaway or a pressure-free first date, Phoenix has you covered. Plus, Phoenicians make up the country’s third-youngest metropolitan area in the U.S. With a population of more than 4.3 million, you won’t be spending the holiday alone. That’s why we’ve made planning easy by finding resort packages and dinner specials this Valentine’s Day in Phoenix. Continue reading  Celebrating in style Wine tasting is a romantic outing, but champagne tasting is even more so. A favorite place to visit is Mumm Napa for the overall tasting experience and their repertoire of sparkling wines. Their expansive outdoor terrace is the perfect place to sip their champagne while gazing out over the vineyards with someone you love. The sound of the cork popping is enough to put a smile on my face as I anticipate the glass of bubbly that I will soon be drinking. Continue reading  Dark n’ Stormy cocktail at Original Joe’s in San Francisco By Emma Krasov, photography by Yuri Krasov The San Francisco legend is here! The old Original Joe’s feel is recreated with dark wood, moody lights, red leather booths, and rows upon rows of vintage photographs of family members, friends, and media reviews on the walls. Continue reading  Relaxation at the pool Finding the perfect accommodations can ensure a trip’s success and create lasting memories. On a recent romantic trip to Calistoga, I chose the Mount View Hotel and Spa. What impressed me most was their focus on relaxation, with plenty of romance packages from which to choose. Their suites are individually decorated with a separate sitting room, comfortable beds, luxury linens, and cozy robes. The artists’ cottages have an added bit of romance with a patio for sipping wine and a private outdoor Jacuzzi tub under the stars. Regardless of the room choice, accommodations include breakfast in bed. Continue reading  Honor Bar No, your honor, no one forced me to continue drinking… Thankfully, this transcript reflected only my nightmare – I wasn’t driving back home from Honor Bar in Emeryville that night. Driving back home might be the only problem with the Honor Bar’s exquisite cocktails as well as with its bucket of beer just sitting there waiting to be picked up and paid for later. Passing by, I spotted my favorite Delirium Tremens, Brother Thelonious, and other not-too-shabby brands.  Zinfandel Festival at Concourse By Emma Krasov, photography by Yuri Krasov Oh Zinfandel, glorious Zinfandel! There was time when you were snubbed as a stepchild of California’s thriving wine industry, but that time is, thankfully, gone. You were finally noticed as incredibly rich, robust, intense, and versatile. You’ve got so much style and elegance that the best chefs of the Golden State feel inspired to match you with their wholesome creations. You penetrate upscale eateries all over the United States, finding appreciation from your new converts near and far. Continue reading  Classic negroni cocktail at Puccini and Pinetti By Emma Krasov, photography by Yuri Krasov Centrally located and surrounded by tourist attractions and big hotels, Puccini and Pinetti Italian Restaurant and Bar in San Francisco’s Union Square neighborhood is a good ambassador for the city’s bustling culinary scene. Continue reading  Island Life Means Surprise Tenants When you plan a vacation to an island that gets 300 days of sun a year, you would expect your holiday to be filled with glowing rays right? Well, that is what my husband and I had planned for when we booked our trip to Tenerife, the biggest of the Canary Islands off the coast of Spain. We imagined relaxing on the beach, taking sunny mountain walks and coming home brown as berries. Well, that’s not exactly how it panned out, but in the end, the trip, albeit with a bit of crazy weather, was a great island vacation. Continue reading |
