What to Drink Tonight
Chile is the only country in the world to produce wine from the carménère grape. Originally a French grape from the Bordeaux region, it has long since lost out to Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in plantings there. But in Chile, where cuttings from Europe were planted widely the 1800’s carménère thrived because it was mistaken for merlot. More than a century passed before the error was discovered, and this smaller berried grape with higher quality potential was hailed as the lost grape of Bordeaux.
Flavor-wise, carménère bears strong resemblance to its relations in the Bordeaux family, with the black plummy core of fruit so pleasing in merlot, cabernet sauvignon’s depth and chocolatey aromas, and the herbal edge of cabernet franc, yet it also has a Mediterranean character all its own. Carménère is a delight with savory foods, from cheese pizza to pot roast. One of the best values — just $10.99 — and most widely available in Pennsylvania, is premium Casillero del Diablo from Concha y Toro.
Chile is the only country in the world to produce wine from the carménère grape. Originally a French grape from the Bordeaux region, it has long since lost out to Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in plantings there. But in Chile, where cuttings from Europe were planted widely the 1800’s carménère thrived because it was mistaken for merlot. More than a century passed before the error was discovered, and this smaller berried grape with higher quality potential was hailed as the lost grape of Bordeaux.
Flavor-wise, carménère bears strong resemblance to its relations in the Bordeaux family, with the black plummy core of fruit so pleasing in merlot, cabernet sauvignon’s depth and chocolatey aromas, and the herbal edge of cabernet franc, yet it also has a Mediterranean character all its own. Carménère is a delight with savory foods, from cheese pizza to pot roast. One of the best values — just $10.99 — and most widely available in Pennsylvania, is premium Casillero del Diablo from Concha y Toro.
When the Headhouse Farmers’ Market set up under the shambles at 2nd and Lombard streets last summer, it was a major moment in Philadelphia food. Finally, we had something to compare to New York’s famous Union Square Greenmarket, a place where the food community — chefs, locavores, food writers, etc. — converged every Sunday morning to buy directly from our region’s growers. 
It’s easy to forget when you stop at most ice cream shops, but the serving size of a frozen dessert should be a mere 1/2 cup. Ice cream cones typically sport three scoops — triple the recommended portion size. But at 
My name is Joy, and I am former Starbucks barista. For one hot summer in the mid-’90s, I pulled espressos and blended Frappuccinos. Those sweet icy drinks were still new then and the rumor around the company was that the Frap had been invented by a store manager who was trying to keep his customers happy and cool. I imagine it was originally just strong coffee, half-and-half, sugar and ice, but when Starbucks’s R&D got its hands on the idea, the Frappuccino became a money-making monster based on high fructose corn syrup and other food science staples. 
Many people associate white rum with a cheap buzz. But one sip of Rhum Clément Première Canne, a $27.99 stunner from Martinique, demonstrates conclusively why experts consider rum one of the world’s superlative spirits. Exotic and complex, silky textured and rich, Première Canne is to Bacardi Light as Valrhona is to Hershey’s. Its nuanced layers of subtle fruit flavors slowly reveal an essence of earthy spice redolent of the tropics — all in a spirit so whisper-light as to feel ethereal on the palate. 
In Center City, west of Broad is the place to be. South of Washington Avenue, though, that whole cultural compass changes dramatically. There, the blocks just West of Broad Street have a reputation for being run down and dangerous – which hasn’t stopped urban pioneers from scooping up real estate in Point Breeze and Newbold. For some, part of the lure has been the success of a handful restaurants and bars. Think of it as eating as civic duty.
So it’s not exactly sit on the porch with a cold glass of lemonade weather, yet, but with this Spring Spritzer from the winemakers at 
Philly has no shortage of gourmet chocolates. John & Kira and Eclat established Philadelphia’s place on the chocolate map – and now there’s a new candy maker in town who is taking artisanal chocolates a step further. 
With temperatures now breaking the 70-degree mark, restaurants are setting up their sidewalk cafes for the season. Here are my three current favorite spots for springtime al fresco dining. 
The Chesapeake’s waters are finally warming up, which means it’s blue crab season. And