Telluride Restaurant (Stamford, Connecticut)

2006 Newsletter

One of the great strengths of art is that it can transcend politics and cultural divides. It expresses how various people see the world, their lives, their people. Artists are observers of the divine comedy we call life. What the artist sees and how he or she expresses it can be a gift. In keeping with this thought, please support your local forum for expression by attending the many wonderful films at the newly renovated Avon Theatre across the street.

It's the most celebrated wine event in the United States! Don't miss this opportunity to taste over 1,800 wines from around the world as the Boston Wine Expo attracts the best that the wine world has to offer. Over 440 wineries from 12 countries will sample their latest vintages at the Grand Tasting. Along with the Grand Tasting, this year's Expo offers the hottest celebrity chef line-up to date and a wide variety of seminars perfect for both the novice or the connoisseur. For the first time ever, two Vintner Dinners will be held, making Wine Expo weekend all the more festive. Great Gift Idea! Tickets to the Boston Wine Expo make great holiday gifts. Place your order before December 15 and your tickets come enclosed in a holiday gift envelope. They're even perfect for Valentine's Day! www.wine-expos.com or by calling 1-877- 946-3976. January 31st and February 1sy 2004.

Did you know that if you have lunch with Declan or Andrea at the bar then you will enjoy a complimentary flight of either red or white wines. We are trying to encourage bar dining during the day, expose you to the great wine selection we offer and reward you for being a loyal customer. Same great food and hey, maybe better service!

Sunday is "Wine Night:" at Telluride. Order any item (except sparkling wines) off of our wine list and pay 50%. We did this for several reasons: make Sunday night a destination night, unload some inventory and upgrade your palette to crave that $80 bottle of wine next time! So please come and crack a bottle and pair it with some awesome food! Don't forget the State of Connecticut now allows a customer to leave with an open bottle of wine (as long as it has been re- corked) after consuming a "meal." Go figure, you can now take what you've paid for? Connecticut is coming around.

Benziger Winery, 2001, North Coast, Fume Blanc. This wine has a great citrus, lemongrass and tropical aroma. Medium body with good acidity and a long, crisp finish. French in style. This is a versatile wine with the ability to be served with or without food. Perfect with shellfish, oysters or spicy dishes. Great value and a great gift when visiting over the holidays.

www.thedirectorsview.com

February 12-16th, 2004. You have to fly to Telluride or Sundance for a great film festival any longer. This year the festival will honor director Sidney Lumet and his body of work like, Serpico, The Verdict and Dog Day Afternoon. The festival offers a chance to see Independent, Student and Hollywood films. There are many events taking place over the five days. Please log on and check it out.

With the ease of shopping on-line don't forget to browse our web site at www.telluriderestaurant.com to check out recipes, wine info, private party menus and you can make reservations on-line. We ask that you phone us directly (203- 357-7679) if less than 24 hours from the day requested. We only take reservations at lunch for 6 or more. Dinner any amount.

Crush or mince garlic to release more of its essential oils rather than slicing it. Place it on a flat surface and lay the flat side of the knife on top and whack the knife with your fist.
To chill a large amount of soup quickly or store quickly at home: place a clean plastic bottle of frozen water in the pot. Once the soup has cooled, simply remove the bottle. You never want to put a hot soup directly in the refrigerator.
If a recipe calls for buttermilk make your own. Use 1 cup of whole milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes. There you go!
Ginger is easier to grate or crush when it's been frozen, because freezing breaks down the fibers.

I've got a great neighbor: the Berger Family. They have been in the baby business for 75 years and quite frankly, they are the leading expert for trusting your must precious cargo with: your children. Their customer service supercedes all competition. The quality of their lines of products is unmatched. I am telling you this because The Baby & Toy Store and Kid's Solutions, along with many other "Mom & Pop" run family stores face a very tough challenge ahead against a giant like Wal Mart. They simply bankrupt their competitors. The latest casualty, according to analysts is FAO Schwarz, who they say Wal-Mart crushed in the toy wars. The corporate owner of F.A.O. Schwarz stores said that it would file for bankruptcy. Bemoaning the news, analysts explained that the F.A.O. Schwarz formula of selling premium-priced toys in sumptuous surroundings could not withstand the steady advance of Wal-Mart into the toy business. The toy war is merely the most recent manifestation of what is known as the Wal-Mart effect. To the company's critics, Wal-Mart points the way to a grim Darwinian world of bankrupt competitors, low wages, meager health benefits, jobs lost to imports, and devastated downtowns and rural areas across America. Wal-Mart is the largest American corporation in terms of sales, $245 billion last year. It is now the nation's largest grocer, toy seller and furniture retailer. More than 30 percent of the disposable diapers purchased in the country are sold in Wal-Mart stores, as are 30 percent of hair-care products, 26 percent of toothpaste and 20 percent of pet food. Wal-Mart has nearly 3,000 stores in the United States, and plans to add an additional 1,000 over the next five years. Increasingly, the company is taking its formula abroad; Wal-Mart is now the largest private employer in Mexico. So after all of those gritty details what am I trying to say? Support your "mom & pop" businesses!