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Archive for January, 2008

How to Buy Wine Furniture

Tuesday, January 8th, 2008

Available in a variety of different materials and styles, decorative wine furniture can immediately create a warm and welcoming ambience. Deciding factors on what kind of wine storage to purchase depends on how many bottles of wine you wish to store or display, available floor space, your existing color scheme and any specific features you might require.

Wine racks come in a variety of shapes and sizes, materials and colors. The most common materials are wood and metal. Freestanding wine racks often include a table or tray-style top ideal for wine tasting or serving purposes and, depending on the manufacturer, can hold up to 50 bottles. Tabletop wine racks are also freestanding, but are designed to conveniently sit on a table or a counter and tend to hold a smaller number.

Wine bars and wine servers resemble buffets and are generally larger pieces of furniture that might require more space, depending on the size selected. Wine bars and servers are cabinets specifically designed to hold bottles. They may include drawers, removable serving trays, shelves and open or enclosed storage areas. Depending on the style, a wine bar or server can also have a glass rack. Practical and functional, a wine bar or server keeps everything in one place, both the wine and all of the accessories needed to enjoy it.

Resembling a curio cabinet in style and function, wine cabinets can vary in size from compact to medium and larger. Many styles of wine cabinets boast hand-painted detailing, dark rich finishes, accessory drawers and hanging racks for wine glasses. Ornate iron scrollwork or wood carvings are other popular decorative touches that give a wine cabinet a distinct appearance. Corner wine cabinets typically have the features that other types of wine cabinets have, but are specifically designed to stand in a corner of a room.

Wine carts combine the function of a wine rack with the convenience of a kitchen cart. While they generally hold a very limited number of wine bottles, wine carts have the added appeal of mobility. A wine cart can be conveniently wheeled from the kitchen to any place where it’s needed. Wine carts range in style, from ones meant especially for the kitchen, complete with a knife block and paper towel holder to classically styled ones. More formal wine carts offer a number of stylish features, such as mirrored tray tops, shelves and drawers.

Whether you purchase a wine rack, a wine bar or server, a wine cabinet or a wine cart, keep in mind that it is an accent piece of furniture. You will want to select a style and color that will seamlessly blend with your current decor while adding its own character to your dining or entertaining area.

Wine furniture is gaining in popularity simply because it is a stylish way to store and display wine. Wine furniture, including wine racks, is designed to accommodate any sized collection, from large to small. I hope these general guidelines will help you find the perfect wine cabinet or wine rack that will make entertaining more enjoyable.

Breckenridge, Colorado Dining Guide

Tuesday, January 8th, 2008

When vacationing in Breckenridge, Colorado, dining and nightlife options can be somewhat daunting, especially when you consider there are over one hundred restaurants and bars in the town alone. While many visitors simply select an eatery based on its convenient location or perhaps a catchy name, those who do a bit more research will be rewarded with fantastic Colorado-inspired cuisine as well as a surprising variety of ethnic flavors. If you’re traveling to Breckenridge this season and mulling over the town’s dining options prior to your stay, you’ve come to the right place. This is your guide to dining in Breckenridge, Colorado.

Breakfast

Breakfast options in Breckenridge are somewhat slim, given the array of restaurants in the town. Columbine Café, a locals’ favorite, serves up hearty breakfasts in a warm, cabin-like atmosphere. The only down side to the café is its popularity, which can lead to long waits for a table, especially during busy seasons. For an equally delicious breakfast at a reasonable price, a short walk up Lincoln Avenue to the Salt Creek Restaurant may reward you with a shorter wait for a table. Cool River Café serves up the town’s best smoothies as well as breakfast wraps. For a quick bite to eat, drop by Clint’s for a bagel or a breakfast sandwich or Daylight Donuts for diner-style food that’s served up in a hurry.

Lunch

When skiing at the Breckenridge Ski Resort, the most convenient dining options are located right on the mountain. Drop by Spencer’s Steaks and Spirits, located within Beaver Run Resort, for a hearty all you can eat lunch buffet. The Ten Mile Station, Peak 9 Restaurant, Vista Haus and Bergenhoff round out the ski area’s on-mountain offerings.

Peak 9′s base area is home to unique dining options such the Quandary Grille and Mi Casa, both of which offer great après ski opportunities. Giampietro on Main Street serves up some of the town’s best Italian at prices that won’t break the bank. The Kenosha Steakhouse and Breckenridge Brewery and Downstairs at Eric’s all offer great pub food and reasonable prices. For something a bit higher end, check out Relish or the Blue River Bistro.

Dinner

Breckenridge visitors will find an impressive lineup of restaurants serving dinner. For Colorado-inspired cuisine visit the Hearthstone, Briar Rose, Top of the World and Relish. All four eateries offer various wild game options as well as phenomenal steaks and seafood. Speaking of seafood, if you prefer yours raw, you’ll love Mountain Flying Fish and Wasabi, both of which feature amazing sushi nearly two miles above sea level. The South Ridge Seafood Grill, also a locals’ favorite, serves up a delicious array of seafood options and features an extremely popular happy hour.

If you’re in the mood for Mexican food, Breckenridge features an exciting variety of choices. Visit Fiesta Jalisco or Jalepeno’s for authentic cuisine at reasonable prices. Mi Casa is a popular cantina featuring a twist on traditional Mexican flavors as well as an enticing selection of margaritas and tequilas.

For Italian, check out Taddeo’s, Michael’s, The Blue River Bistro, Fatty’s Pizzeria and Giampietro. The first three options comprise the town’s higher end Italian offerings with the Bistro featuring an extensive martini menu and live jazz groups nightly. Fatty’s and “”Giam’s,”" as the locals call it, offer more affordable dining options and are well known for their pies.

Popular pub and saloon offerings include the Breckenridge Brewery, Burke & Riley’s, Downstairs at Eric’s, the Kenosha Steakhouse and the Dredge Boathouse. All are excellent choices for affordable cuisine and remain fashionable into the evenings after their kitchens close.

Those seeking a dining experience that defies traditional definitions will appreciate the following choices. For an extensive wine list, be sure to check out the Cellar Wine Bar, featuring an a la carte menu. Breckenridge’s newest restaurant, Modis, offers contemporary cuisine in an urban meets mountain-chic atmosphere. The Swiss Haven features fondue, raclette, rostis and fine bottles of Swiss wines. Finally, Café Alpine, features a new menu daily, prepared entirely of fresh ingredients.

While this article doesn’t manage to cover all of Breckenridge’s restaurants, it adequately serves as the Cliffs Notes for the best of them. If you’re vacationing in the Rocky Mountains, any of the choices listed here will do a fine job of satisfying your palate. After all, you could take your best guess, but since we’ve already visited and reviewed them for you, that’s simply unnecessary. Enjoy!