What Does MPD Stand For?

amNY had me find out. But you have to read the article to discover it for yourself.

Ha!

Goldfinger's Lair? Tzigan, New York

There seems to be enough gold in new MePa club Tzigan to potentially settle the national debt.

Tzigan, which is an obscure reference to a band of gypsies, is located on the lower level of Villa Pacri, below the Italian-bistro hybrid resto, La Gazzetta. And it is a room decked out in gold, gold and more gold. So much gold, in fact, that we're concerned it may be Goldfinger's underground lair. Only a villanous creature intent on world domination could dream up such a space!

Tzigan is the type of place where a certain supermodel might throw a diamond-encrusted cell phone at her foolhardy assistant--only to be blinded by the bling all around and awkwardly miss, shattering another celeb's Lalique-bottled, 25 year old Scotch. Not that we witnessed such a scandal at Tzigan. But we're just saying, it could happen at a place like Tzigan.

Here's more on Tzigan, courtesy of amNY.

Wine Horoscope

Palm readers. Frightening fortune tellers (like the one pictured here). The bizarre machine in that weird Tom Hanks movie, BIG.

There's no need to resort to extremes, people. You can figure out what the stars have in store for you--especially if it relates to drinking.

I wrote a highly controversial "Wine By Sign" article for WineMag.com. Sheesh...I really got a lot of crap for that one. But I have to say, it was surprisingly accurate for readers.

Click here to read your wine horoscope.

Does it resonate for you? Or does it drive you to the drink?

This Man Makes Wine....In Tunisia!

Surprised? Don't be. Tunisians have been making wine since...the beginning of time. Practically.

So if you're wondering, "where is the most exotic wine-making destination in the world?", could the answer be Tunisia?

YES!

Chit-chatting with the owners of Reunion surf bar one evening (the only cool bar near Times Square, really), I noted that Le Poisson wines were appearing on wine lists city-wide. 'Natch, it is made by a French-Tunisian family. Bien sur.

I explored the trend for Wine Enthusiast, and sat down with the winemaker's son, and importer, Phillippe, for an interview session.

Read the full interview here.

The Superman of Sommeliers?

Anyone been to GILT lately in the New York Palace Hotel? I love this super-swanky spot (so do the producers of Gossip Girl...and TRUST there are a lot of Chuck Bass lookalikes).

I must admit part of the draw is the resto's somm, Patrick Cappiello. Is it just me, or does he resemble Clark Kent? No really, take a closer look.

A self-confessed wine "geek," Cappiello kills the wine list. Practically murders it.

Read the full Q&A session here.

Take the Plunge

You're fed up with the Gansevoort in MePa. (You're fed up with MePa. Period.) But that doesn't mean you need to shirk the Gansevoort for good.

Consider the Gansevoort Park Avenue, and its Plunge Bar. There's a pool with a bathing beauty (er...painted on the floor), wraparound rooftop and killer pasta. That's right. I said pasta. Eat that, models!

Wanna know more? Read my full review at amNY.

Bottoms up!

Most Haunted Bars in America

You asked for it.

Halloween's right around the corner, and you're getting ready to party, all dressed up at your favorite watering hole. But have you ever wondered if the undead like to drink as much as you do?

Wonder no more, fellow imbibers. We've fearlessly lassoed (yes, that's a word) America's most haunted bars for Wine Enthusiast. Click on the image for all the gory details.

And Happy Halloween!

Could You Do Seven Hours in a Spa?

We could. And you can too. Check out my Luxe Life column (above) for Wine Enthusiast .

If Wine Enthusiast magazine could be compared to Gilligan's Island (an analogy that somehow works, keep reading)...Luxe Life would be the Mr. and Mrs. Howell on the ship.

Extravagant. Over-the-top. Dedicated to the finer things in life.

That's why the Guerlain spa in New Orleans blew my mind. Seven hour spa treatments?

YES YOU CAN!

Click on the image to read more.

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!

Interested in Trying Exotic Meats?

No, we don't mean SPAM. (Ewww!)

If you're interested in trying alternatives to basic beef, click on the above image to read my article, "Wild at Heart" published in Wine Enthusiast's November issue.

It outlines some great, sustainable options served at several stellar restaurants.

Dig in!