Chef Joho awarded 5 Diamonds again and the Mondavis are coming

Congratulations to Chef Jean Joho and Everest for earning AAA Five Diamonds again this year, along with Grant Achatz's Alinea, Arun's and Tru. And the next generation of Mondavi's head to Chicago from Napa to personally introduce new family brands.---Pat Colander, Associate Publisher and Edi…

A pause and reflection on food, glorious food media

Nigella Lawson found the tipping point, you reach a certain point with food where you are full: enough contest television, enough buzzy restaurants and enough eating and drinking press. I'm going on a diet now.---Pat Colander, Associate Publisher and Editor, Shore Magazine.

Round Barn's Matt Moersch takes top honors at Michigan Grape Society

Congratulations once again to Round Barn Winery and Free Run Cellars Matt Moersch and his team, who took first place for Gewurztraminer and Pinot Noir in the February 5th, competitive evaluation.---Pat Colander, Associate Publisher and Editor, Shore Magazine.

My favorite cocktails in the Shore area

My usual cocktails are classic, if not boring, but occasionally a really exceptional offering will tempt me away from my old standards. Here are a few of my favorites in Chicago, Indiana and Michigan.---Kathleen Dorsey, Managing Editor, Shore Magazine.

A few words about my never-ending inner conflict about chocolate

I can't stand being constantly reminded about chocolate, my eyes glaze over. Is it love or hate, sometimes that is impossible to know. Chocolate can induce a passionate sweat.---Pat Colander, Associate Publisher and Editor, Shore Magazine.

Christmas in Napa Valley

My son was in love with a beautiful young woman whose family lives in Northern California. I was gripped with fear and I hadn't even met them yet. My (and my son's) future in-laws invited us to meet them at a resort in Yountville, a town in Napa Valley, where Thomas Keller's world-renowned F…

Finding the tastiest choices for food book gifts

It's that time of year again, when retailers deck their halls, radio stations relentlessly jingle and cookbooks go forth and multiply.

April 2012 Shore magazine's letter from the editor

Small plates at the Heritage and Millar scores in James Beard

Incredible food lineup for Saturday night at the Heritage Center in St. Joe includes chocolate-covered bacon mousse and Reserve Chef Matt Millar is in James Beard semifinals. --Pat Colander, Associate Publisher and Editor, Shore magazine

True comfort of corned beef hash and eggs

A few years have gone by since I was in the right place--six.one.six in Grand Rapids in winter--at the right time to have corned beef hash and eggs. --Pat Colander, Associate Publisher and Editor, Shore magazine

Eating in the woods in winter

By not spacing out on the time zone and other mishaps of previous years, we managed to arrive at Bev's Second Season Ball in LaPorte Saturday almost an hour early. --Pat Colander, Associate Publisher and Editor, Shore magazine

The first of many Titanic centennial dinners

I have officially received the first announcement of 2012 for a Titanic dinner, a memorial for the centennial year of the disaster. The last dinner for first class passengers was 11 courses. --Pat Colander, Associate Publisher and Editor, Shore magazine.

Chef Jean Joho and Everest awarded Michelin star

Chef Jean Joho and Everest are awarded 3 Michelin stars and Wyncroft Winemaker Jim Lester reaches out with news about what happened in 2011, vintages on last call and an invitation to stop by. --Pat Colander, Associate Publisher and Editor, Shore magazine.

February/March 2012 Shore magazine's letter from the editor

Last year was a traumatic year in food. Cantaloupe made people sick. Charlie Trotter decided to close his restaurant. Even Mario Batali lost weight. I believe I'm beginning to make a separation in my mind between what tastes good, what is good and what becomes not so good when you have it to…

The Year of the Dragon Starts Monday

The Chinese New Year begins Monday, January 23rd and, for those who keep track of baroque personality quirks and tendencies, it is the Year of the Dragon. Count on plenty of drama, especially if you have friends and family turning 24-36-48, etc. in 2012 ---- Pat Colander, Associate Publisher…

A Fine Cava for 2012 and Outstanding Breakfasts

Raventos 1 Blanc, Sant Sadurni d'Anoia, Barcelona, Reserva Brut 2008 Cava was recommended to me for New Year's Eve and I thought it was better than many champagnes I've had. --Pat Colander, Associate Publisher and Editor, Shore magazine.

Countdown to the end of 25 years for Charlie Trotter's

Big national food news this week was the announcement by Charlie Trotter that he would close his iconic, landmark Lincoln Park restaurant on August 17 after 25 years, to pursue a master's degree in philosophy and political science. Chef Trotter surprised both staff and clients.

Eating Italian this season was never better

There was no avoiding Italian eating this season and it was, of course, magnificent. It started with a couple hours of the beef-tasting menu at Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich's Carnevino in Las Vegas.

Just the start of an incredible dinner at Eiffel

Chef Jean Joho's Eiffel Tower restaurant is in the Paris complex in Las Vegas, where I was lucky enough to have the best dining experience of my life a few days ago.