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Published: 22 October 2012

Created: 22 October 2012

Last Updated: 22 October 2012

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Thanks to the Scarsdale Adult School, on Wednesday night, Vintology (10 Palmer Rd) was the scene of Shades of Grey, White and Red as they hosted "The Wines of Christian Grey". Christian was unable to attend, but 14 women were privileged to try his favorite wines. Although, as one woman commented, "I never really noticed the wines"! The sexy, steamy and controversial trilogy however was ripe with marvelous white and red wines that gave some insight into Christian. Elizabeth Miller, manager of Vintology, treated us not only to the history of the wines themselves, but a trivia contest related to the books. There was no doubt some of us were a bit embarrassed to admit we read closely enough to answer trivia questions. But guess we did. And those who answered correctly were treated to a prize of a mini bottle of rose found in the book. Husband beware, (or maybe get excited) we were coming home with Shades of Grey wine! Each wine was accompanied by the quote from the book they appeared in and more red faces ensued when Elizabeth asked for volunteers to read the quotes. Some were rather tame and there was definitely a bidding war to read those quotes as opposed to some of the more salacious ones. But everyone was good natured, and quickly got into the spirit of the evening. Christian would have been proud. And now for some of the wines. Included are the parts of the trilogy where you can find these wines. Feel free to buy them and reread the books while you drink each particular wine. Who knows what that will lead to.

"He leans down and kisses me, pouring a delicious, crisp liquid into my mouth as he does. It's so unexpected so hot though it's chilled and Chistian's lis are cool. Fifty Shades of Grey page 162. Okay...this is going to be a wine tasting like no other.

Flor Rose Prosecco NV, Valdobbiadene. $18. A wonderful aperitif or great to accompany a dessert. Christian and Anastasia drank this in Fifty Shades of Grey on page 268. This was one of those "tame" quotes that had many of the women volunteering to read aloud.

Conte Brandolini Pinot Grigio Friuli DOC 2011. $14. A lively and fruity white from NE Italy. Fifty Shades Darker, page 57. "Christian leans against the couch, with his tasseled hair, his long legs stretched out in front of him". Slightly fewer volunteers for this passage and some "nervous" laughter followed. We were starting to get this feeling we would need much more to drink to continue. Luckily more great wines to follow.

Vincent Vatan Pouilly Fume 2009. $22. a crisp, fruity 100% savignon blanc grade from the Loire Valley. Fifty Shades Freed, page 191. "You like the wine?" he whispers, his breath warm on my cheek. I'm bathes in his proximity, his vitality, the head radiating fro his body, even though he doesn't touch me". Oh my. It took a couple of minutes for one brave woman, her face redder than a Cabernet, to volunteer to read this aloud. The rest of us were just anxious to drink. And drink. And drink some more.

Gilbert Picq & ses Fils Chablis 2010. $24. Fifty Shades of Grey, page 250. This crisp, steely and edgy wine from Burgundy probably most personified Christian. Thank goodness the quote was tame. We had been drinking a lot of wine by this point. "Why thank you Miss Steele", he mummers. He sits beside me, holding a bottle of wine. "Chablis?"

"The Hedonist" Shiraz 2010, McLaren Vale, Australia. $26. The only red wine in the book, ridiculously aptly named and a elegant, feminine and delicate wine form the south central coast of Australia. "I know nothing about wine. You chose," I answer sullen buy chastened. "Two glasses of Shiraz, please" Christian chooses. Interesting he chose a light and delicate red wine. The major problem in reading this quote aloud was that we had been drinking for an hour and half by this point. But spirits remained high, laughter was constant and trust me, we were all BFFs. It's amazing how quickly you bond with strangers drinking and discussing what are essentially porn novels!

This was a wonderful night, the wines were excellent and Elizabeth did an amazing job putting it all together, researching the wines of the trilogy and explaining their characteristics. Being responsible adults, very few of us drove, so as we all staggered out to our pre-arranged rides, our minds were on wines, friends, new friends, and getting home, perhaps to re-read the trilogy.

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Published: 14 November 2012

Created: 14 November 2012

Last Updated: 14 November 2012

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With Thanksgiving a week away, you better start planning the menu –and deciding to cook and what to buy. Fortunately for us, we live in a town where there’s so much fresh, innovative and delicious prepared food available that you don’t need to travel far to secure the goods. We took a look at the Thanksgiving menus of several purveyors and here is a sampling of what we found:

Thanksgiving Dinner:

At Balducci’s on Palmer Avenue in Scarsdale you can buy an entire Thanksgiving for 6-8 people for $129.99 to $169.99 depending on your choice of menu. Choose from apricot glazed turkey breast or herb roasted turkey dinner and add on relish, breads, sweet potatoes, creamed spinach, butternut squash, pie and more. Order online at http://www.balduccis.com/catering/thanksgiving/custom_dinners or call 1-866-278-8866

Cooked and Co. on Garth Road is accepting orders until 11/16 – and they offer the works – including a 14 pound herb roasted turkey breast that serves 12 for $65. Also on the menu are roasted butternut squash soup and mushroom bisque, D’s sweet potato crunch, sauteed truffled mushrooms and light and airy popovers with gruyere. Check out their menu at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cooked-and-co/ and call 914-205-3939. If you mention their Facebook post they will throw in a dozen of their famous mini Nutella crunch muffins for free with orders of $150 or more.

Lange’s on Spencer Place in Scarsdale is offering complete Thanksgiving dinners for 8 people, 15 people or 25 people. Dinner includes turkey, ham, potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, rolls, cranberry compote and pies. If you don’t want the whole meal but want to supplement yours with sides from Lange’s they are offering soup, string beans almandine, creamed corn au gratin and more. Orders will be accepted until 6 pm on Tuesday November 20th – and Lange’s is even open for breakfast on Thanksgiving Day – so you can stop by to pick up your dinner and enjoy coffee and donuts before the parade. Lange’s – 914-472-0330.

Ruffled Feathers, Scarsdale’s poultry experts also offer the entire feast or separate components. A 14-16 pound turkey to feed 10-12 people is just $70.00 and you can add on soup and sides to please everyone at the table. On the menu are rosemary roasted fingerling potatoes, purees of butternut squash, creamless creamed spinach, roasted brussel sprouts with carrots and lots more. You can even get chopped chicken liver to eat before and apple crumb, pumpkin or pecan pie to end the feast. Call 725-6880 to order by November 17.

Bakeries:

Galloways in Scarsdale has been famous for their pies for as long as I have lived in Scarsdale. Rather than take orders, the bakery will be open from 7 am to 7 pm on Wednesday November 21 and they promise to be ”baking all day.” They are selling 9” deep dish pies in every flavor imaginable – apple, pecan, pumpkin, banana cream, chocolate cream, coconut cream and mincemeat to name a few. They will also have dinner rolls and cookies. You don’t need to plan ahead – just show up and line up at 69 Harney Road in Scarsdale on Wednesday and you’ll have dessert for your Thanksgiving table.

La Renaissance Patisserie Francaise at 9 Harwood Court has a special Thanksgiving menu – with traditional favorites like pumpkin pie, apple pie, pecan pie and pumpkin cheesecake as well as a breads including traditional pumpkin loaf, plus pumpkin and corn muffins. They are taking orders until Sunday November 18. Take at look at the full menu at LRBakery.com or call 472-0702.

Lulu Cake Boutique at 40 Garth Road in Scarsdale has a special Thanksgiving menu with some novel creations such as Pumpkin Praline Mousse Dacquoise with Crunchy Nougatine Crust, Pecan Bourbon Tarte with Organic Pecans and Maker’s Mark and Pumpkin Caramel Spice Layer Cake that has pumpkin spice cake, salty caramel and browned butter frosting. I was tempted to order the Gigantic Deep Dish Organic Apple Torte filled with eight pounds of apples, plump raisins, walnuts and spiced cookie streusel in a Pate Sucree shell but stopped when I saw the $50 price tag. Call to order at 914-722-8300.

At Martines on East Parkway in Scarsdale, find a unique assortment of breads, cakes, cookies and quiches. Their Thanksgiving menu includes their signature Apple Wine Cake and Sicilian Orange Cake plus assorted flavors and colors of French macaroons that can be purchased in boxes to bring as gifts to your hosts. Their mushroom leek, broccoli and spinach and ham quiche make good hors d’oeuvres or can be serve to your guests at lunch the following day. Call 722-4949 to order no later than November 19.

If you have other local spots to order, share their names and information in the comments section below:

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Published: 19 October 2012

Created: 19 October 2012

Last Updated: 19 October 2012

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Just in from the Scarsdale Adult School, here are some delectable course offerings where you can explore wine, chocolate and even make your own caramel apples. SAS offers evening classes for the enophile on each of the next three Wednesdays. Vintology, at 10 Palmer Avenue in Scarsdale, is hosting “Close Your Eyes: Guided Blind Wine Tasting” on Oct. 24 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for $40. The following week, Vintology pairs up with Maria Valente of Chocolations for “Wine and Chocolate Expressions,” on Nov. 7, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for $60. “Wines of the World,” a virtual tour of the most famous wine producing regions in at least six countries, concludes this semester’s enology offerings on Nov. 14, from 8 to 10 p.m. at Aries Wine and Spirits, at 128 West Post Road in White Plains, for $30 plus a $20 sampling fee.

Get into the spirit of Halloween with “The Art of Chocolate-Covered Caramel Apples” on Wednesday, Oct. 24, with Maria Valente of Chocolations at 607 East Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck. Create a delicious and decadent treat and learn how to pair different varieties of apples with chocolate and caramel in this $40 class.

Bake even more tasty treats in “Cooking Basics.” In this series of two-session themed classes, Heather Solomon of Schoolhouse Lunch focuses on simplerecipes for hungry families. Easy desserts are next up in the schedule on Friday, Nov. 2 and Nov. 9 from 10 to 12:30 p.m. at her home in Hartsdale for $145. After that, join her for soups starting Nov. 30. Tuition is $145 for each pair in the series.

Register at on the Scarsdale Adult School website