Surprise! You'll have no idea what's in store for you at these restaurants!

Are you the kind of person who despises surprises? If so, you may as well stop reading right now. Because these restaurants--culled from our Best 100 Wine Restaurants list in Wine Enthusiast Magazine--know how to shock and confuse diners, in the best possible way.

(This surprise from CityZen in Washington, DC is prettier than a bouquet of flowers)

Sometimes the chefs at these restaurants surprise themselves with their creations! I don't know about you, but I think this is very postmodern and exciting. Yes, I said postmodern. (Are you surprised?)

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/June-2013/Element-of-Surprise/

Game On! Why Duck is the new Bacon (or so I hear...)

For us vegetarians, we have to marvel at the meat-centric debates that rile up the carnivores of the world. Good thing you have those flesh-ripping teeth! Meooow!

Yet while (civilly) creating Wine Enthusiast Magazine's Best 100 Wine Restaurants issue for 2013 (and munching on some sublime watercress, yum!), I noticed a trend: All of our restaurants were obsessed with duck!

Yes, duck is the new bacon. And did we mention it makes for a cool wine plaything? Sommeliers and chefs are in cahoots on this one.

(Ducks hanging in the meat locker at Saison...poor little guys..)

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/June-2013/Game-On/

Wine Wonderlands!

Ok, so it is officially spring here in New Orleans, but that doesn't mean all the snow has melted in the world!

For all you wine-obsessed ski bums, we've got your top wine and ski vacays mapped out (just try not to drink before you hit the slopes):

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/Best-Of-Year-2012/Top-Wine-Wonderlands/

Texas's Hottest Tipples: Just in Time for SXSW!

Y'all listen up: There's more than margaritas and beer to explore in the Lone Star State. And with everyone all about Austin this week, here are six sips to savor in honor of Texas, brought to you by the Daily Meal:

http://www.thedailymeal.com/texas-tipples-hottest-6-drinks-lone-star-state

Are Beet Cocktails a Thing?

Stop beeting yourself up. Who would have guessed the humble root vegetable would become the little darling of the cocktail world? Sure, it's color-saturated and sweet, and lends itself well to punny drink names, but beets should probably stick to salad, right?

Not so, say mixologists. Read all about the beet cocktail trend here, and whip up one of your own. It's kind of like juicing, but with booze. What's not to like?

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/Best-Of-Year-2012/The-Beet-Goes-On/

What is a Pop Up? Chef Ludo Lefebvre Explains

If we had to vote for the most ubiquitous dining term of 2012, it would be "pop up." But does that mean the pop up trend is dead??

Mais, non! At least, not according to Chef Ludo Lefebvre of LudoBites, and of LudoBites America fame, the hit Sundance Channel TV show chronicling the chef's ascent in the dining world.

Read about the past, present and future of the pop up in this piece for Wine Enthusiast:

http://www.winemag.com/Wine-Enthusiast-Magazine/Best-Of-Year-2012/The-King-of-Pop-Ups/

Trend Watch: Mobile Mixologists

Amsterdam has always been forward-thinking. Take its liberal marijuana laws, for example. (We're just saying...)

Now you can add a mobile mixology academy to this modern city's long list of cool traits. The trend has already popped up in New Orleans, as I reported for Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Just click on the image above to read all about it.

Cheers!

Beer Gardens Around the World

Schnitzel. Schlogg. Drindle-sporting servers. Beer gardens are the best! And Wine Enthusiast had me round up the top-notch beer gardens around the world. Click on the image to sate your thirst.

Tea Cocktails Take Over

Cocktail trends come and go, but it looks like one summer staple--iced tea--will stick around all year. The luxe tea trend has fallen off the wagon, and I found a bunch of bars stateside picking up the trend.

Click on the article for more info, or click here for the version on winemag.com.

News from the World of Wine

Wondering what's going on in the wine world these days? Here's a page from Wine Enthusiast's August print issue. We've got flying "wine angels" and exclusive tours in Bordeaux. Click on the image to enlarge. Cin cin!