Latkes, Chocolate, and Sparkling Wine, oh my!

I was on the go last night when I hit a Chanukah Bordello party, then was off to a champagne and chocolate tasting at Bacchus in Manhattan.

I had heard that Sandi Dubowski knows how to throw a soiree with style, so I was expecting a good 'ole time. The other hosts for the evening were Nancy Schwartzman(shown in pix above), Amichai Lau Lavie, and Matt Wolf.

I brought nutella and mini croissants which are a nice treat for any gathering. This treat can stand alone as a dessert or goes well with other mini desserts.

The theme for the soiree was latkes and bubbly. There was a lot of prosecco in the house. Prosecco and latkes are a delightful match. The rich body of the sparkling wine brings out the flavor ofthe potato making for a savory pairing. At one point, Sandi ran out of the kitchen to take a survey for the type of latke he should make next. Now that is some good entertaining!

There was a woman at the soiree that looked familiar, I couldn't figure out how I knew her. I caught a glance of her on my way out the door and before I knew what I was doing I yelled, *"Lisa Kron". It was indeed her, she came over to say hello and goodbye. It was a groovy way to leave an event, off to the tasting..

The tasting at Bacchus on Broadway and 72nd Street was absolutely horrible. It turned me off so much that I don't even want to go back into store to buy wine. I could go on and on about how horrible it was, but I won’t.

The only breathe of fresh air at the tasting was meeting, Lynne Bernstein, the founder of glasshalfull.com..steller cellar tees. She was way cool and her shirts are FUN. I will be ordering one for myself! (www.glasshalfull.com)

At the end of the night I grabbed a bag for my champagne flute, wished I had stayed at the Chanukah soiree, and then took myself home.

Food and entertaining...I live for this!

Peace, love, & soul,

~Shoshi

Kosher Soul Gourmet

(*Lisa Kron is a performer/writer of solo shows. She wrote 2.5 Minute Ride and Well)

Photos courtesy of Karma Hallmark was was with me on my adventures.

Chanukah Blog Tour!

This blog is normally about food & entertaining, but I had to be a part of this fresh project!

( photo of Amy Guth)

Amy Guth, the writer of the new book Fallen Women had the FABULOUS vision to have a Chanukah blog tour. Therefore, I blog before you..a stop on Amy's Chanukah meme questions tour . Holla!

To get find out more about Amy and the new book http://www.amyguth.com/.

1. Quick! You must turn a plate of latkes into an upscale gourmet delight (as if they aren't already?). What would you add to them to dress them up,flavor and/or garnish them?
I would make yam or sweet potato latkes first of all, not that there is anything wrong with the regular potato. I would add cilantro and chives to them which would give a nice little kick in the taste buds! Garnished with sour cream and fresh chives.

2. What is the dumbest thing you've ever heard anyone say about Chanukah?
"You Jews have your own Christmas, it's called Passover or something like that"

3. What's the best possible use for olive oil?

Your feet! If you have dry crusty feet (be honest with yourself), slather Olive Oil on those hard ashy toes, and it's like magic.

4. Settle it once and for all. Latkes or hammentaschen? Which to you prefer? What about pitting the winner of that contest against sufganiyot?
Hands down latkes. Hammentaschen scares me because so many people make BAD hammentaschen. Oy vey, it's hard to think about it...

I would eat both, latkes and sufganiyot, as a way to support diversity in the Jewish community and my never ending appetite. But if have to pick, just one, it would be sufganiyot. For me sugar always trumps fried.

5. What's the best way to mix up a game of dreidel?
A little bit of Manischewitz, a room full of naked hot peeps, it would be on baby! What happens with the dreidel stays with the dreidel.

6. My novel, Three Fallen Women, shockingly enough, is about the three women. Which three women would you like to have over this year for latkes and why?
Oprah- I would love to see her gobbling a plate of sweet potato latkes and sour cream. Imagine that for the cover of O Magazine

Martha Stewart- not only would Martha probably make the latkes, but she would make a big meal and then clean the kitchen. Now that is a very...good thing

Nicole Ritchie- At least I would know that she has eaten something for the day

7. Other than Three Fallen Women (har har), what book do you think would make a great Chanukah gift this year? What book would you like to receive as a gift this year?

How This Night is Different by Elisa Albert would be a great Chanukah gift.

I happen to already have How This Night is Different, so I would like to receive any book by the Barefoot Contessa. The book would be wonderful for food research and of course the mouth watering photos.

8. What bloggers didn't participate in Chanukah Blog Tour 5767 and you think should have? Leah Koenig, (http://www.goodshmeats.blogspot.com), Hadassah Gross, Sandi Dubowski, Alexandra Jacoby, Myla Fraser of Rabbi's Daughter's.