Water, Chocolate, Wine

Just a couple of quick notes today.... I'm still reeling a bit from watching last night Like Water for Chocolate, about a young woman who is forbidden to marry by her mother who (of course) falls in love. The movie is sexy, sensual, and full of food, as the young woman in love is (of course) also in charge of the family's meals. I had seen it before, and it was worth watching again... particularly as it's the theme for this year's Nord Vineyards client dinner later this month.

Speaking of the Nord's, more on this soon, but here is the link to the Crush series "sizzle" reel that will, any day now, be making its way around the offices of various cable big-wigs. The plan is (of course) to have one of the cable networks pick up the show, and produce 6-7 episodes. Much more on this soon, but definitely check out the sizzle reel. And you can view their web site, too. Ciao.

Who's Your (Sugar) Daddy?

The benefits to FROTB just keep coming: all, here's an invitation to help support the Sonoma County Public Library Foundation by tasting chocolate and watching a great old-time movie. See why you should never miss an EMAF posting?!? I mean, come on: does it get much better than that?

The SC Public Library Foundation's annual Chocolate Tasting at the Rialto takes place October 17. The tasting begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by the movie Singin' in the Rain at 7:30 p.m. Needless to say, there will be a huge and fascinating assortment of chocolate from places like Michelle Marie's Patisserie, Powell's Sweet Shoppe (AWESOME web site--check it out), Dinner's Ready Catering, and Petaluma's Water Street Bistro. Tickets are just $30 per person or $50 per couple. All proceeds benefit the Library Foundation. NOTE: This event sold out last year, so don't delay. To purchase tickets or to receive more information (or if you can't go and still want to make a donation), contact Melissa Kelley, who is President of the Library Foundation, at:
mkelley@sonic.net
(707) 537-8783

To get you in the chocolat mood (as if that's ever an issue, right?), you might want to rent the movie Chocolat or check out La Maison du Chocolat in Paris.

Anyway, I hope to see you at the Rialto on the 17th, and remember, this charity event is for the kids!

Friday Night Fun

As a food and wine lover, I have a special attraction to France in general, and Paris in particular. (I've been to Paris twice, and want to go back VERY soon.) To help whet my Paris/France appetite, I like to watch French-made movies. Why the stories often aren't the greatest, I love to watch the scenery, particularly when food and wine are involved.

So here's a suggestion for a fun French food and wine movie: Apres Vous (please mentally add that little accent over the 'e'). It's about a headwaiter at a French restaurant (Daniel Auteuil) who, to help a stranger, tries to have the stranger (played by Jose Garcia) become the restaurant's sommelier. Everything gets complicated, of course (no good deed goes unpunished!) when, of course, Auteuil falls in love with Garcia's love-of-his-life, Blanche (Sandrine Kiberlain). Of course.

While the story may be a bit predictable, particularly the ending, I thought that there were many funny moments and of course great food and wine scenes. And there's something more: Apres Vous has a very human touch, its humanity---what it means to be human---is very evident, and to me, that makes any movie worth seeing. Check it out and enjoy.