raise a glass

food detective
Categories: Beverages, Dinner for Two, Supper, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Posted on September 8, 2023 by Sandy Bergsten
Summer 2023 has had undeniable highs and a few rocky lows. Rather than lift a half-glass of rosé and whine, let me share a libation that has allowed me to toast the bounty of this summer season. This watermelon margarita is perfectly balanced- slightly sweet, just enough acid, and a smokey kick mezcal instead of tequila. The pureed fresh
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drop in

food detective
Categories: Beverages, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Posted on March 29, 2022 by Sandy Bergsten
When entertaining one of my favorite things to do is to greet a guest with their favorite libation. I like to think of it as personal serial signature cocktails. Let’s be honest, most folks like to drink what they like to drink. This week I am having a small group over for dinner and it turns out lemon drop martinis are one of my guests’ darlings.
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a change of perspective

food detective
Categories: Appetizers, Beverages, Dinner for Two, Cocktail Party, Eating Out, Posted on January 17, 2022 by Sandy Bergsten
What to do with a world that seems to have turned itself on its side… again?    One thing’s for sure people’s nerves are frayed, tensions are rising, civility seems at an all-time low. My infrequent outings are often greeted with toddler meltdowns by people who are old enough to be their parents or grandparents. Just the other day I was berated
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smoke signal

food detective
Categories: Beverages, Eating Out, Posted on September 27, 2021 by Sandy Bergsten
When I find myself alone one of my favorite things to do is visit a local haunt and indulge in an app and a cocktail. Nothing beats Fish Bar in my Lakeview Chicago neighborhood. Biting into their lobster rolls or crispy cod sandwiches you’ll feel as though you are on the coast of Maine. And a plate of their East or West Coast oysters coupled with a
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just what the doctor ordered

cooking for one... or two
Categories: Beverages, Cocktail Party, Breakfast/Brunch, Sources, Posted on July 5, 2020 by Sandy Bergsten
I don’t know about you, but some days I could really use a drink. Most times it’s a crisp glass of white wine while I’m preparing dinner. But I’ll confess on rare occasions I’ve craved a little something a little earlier. Properly doctored, a bloody mary is the perfect tonic. A fitting connotation to accompany brunch, lunch or dinner. Suitably garn
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a kick in the …

food detective
Categories: Beverages, Cocktail Party, Sources, Eating Out, Posted on August 15, 2019 by Sandy Bergsten
The apartment we just moved into has structural damage and we need to move… again. While the mere thought of packing everything up again has brought me to the brink of tears (several times), I’ve decided to set my mind on the positives. First, we are renting, so in essence this is not our problem. Second, there is another unit in our building that
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with a grain of salt

food detective
Categories: Beverages, Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Posted on May 14, 2018 by Sandy Bergsten
I pulled into my desert house right after my 26-year-old daughter and her friends had driven off after a little Cinco de Mayo girls’ weekend. I was truly impressed that they had left the house just as they had found it. And even more elated when I opened the freezer to find a large bottle of top shelf tequila chilling on its side. Let’s get serious
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raise the bar

perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Categories: Beverages, Cocktail Party, Setting the Stage, Wine Line, Posted on September 3, 2013 by Sandy Bergsten
When entertaining you agree to do three things: provide you guests with something to eat, something to drink, and the opportunity to be merry. The easiest part of planning a party should be the beverages. Most folks make this step complicated by thinking they need to come up with some snazzy signature cocktail. Few will be happy with your frozen
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ole´

food detective
Categories: Beverages, Cocktail Party, Posted on May 13, 2013 by Sandy Bergsten
Last Sunday marked not only Cinco de Mayo but a special friend’s seventieth birthday. They threw the perfect outdoors bash complete with a traveling mariachi band, killer authentic Mexican fare and some of the best margaritas I have ever had. The secret it turns out is fresh citrus juice steeped in zest. This week I took a stab at liberating this
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21 candles

food detective
Categories: Beverages, Cocktail Party, Posted on January 14, 2013 by Sandy Bergsten
My baby just turned twenty-one. What better way to celebrate than a road trip Las Vegas. I’ve never been to the strip so the prospect of tagging along with a bevy of twenty-somethings seemed irresistible. The trek from Palm Springs to Nevada was indeed an excursion. Once you pull on to the 15 after Barstow don’t count on a gas station, bathroom or
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