PAnews.com, Port Arthur, Texas

Features

Discussion

August 17, 2006

Tradewinds Tavern sets sail at MCM Elegante

By Darragh Doiron

Tradewinds Tavern sets sail at MCM Elegante



A curved wall of TV showing poker was just one conversation piece at the new Tradewinds Tavern at MCM Elegante Hotel. I can’t believe I was so focused on shrimp skewers and boudain balls at the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce opening that I missed chocolate martinis. Tradewinds has a beautifully stocked wine cellar and several separated sections perfect for after-work meeting. They also boast 45 beer varieties.



We liked it, and dim sum

As much as my family loves Asian food, we’d never had dim sum, where they roll around a cart of little samples and you order from there. Kim Phung Restaurant in Houston was our introduction and we loved that we could try so many flavors in one seating. We were bold enough to try chicken feet, which were spicy and good, but all those little bones sure felt weird in the mouth.



Lunch kit

I know plenty a grown woman who still gets misty-eyed over Barbie. I’m not to old to carry a part of her with me, one of Mattel’s new lunch kits. Her logo is on a cute purse-styled floral and striped pack that could hold a third-grader’s sandwich as fashionably as a teen’s cell phone. I’ve been toting lettuce wraps and fruit along with Crystal Light in the accompanying Thermos sippy cup. If you don’t have a little girl who needs one, consider it a conversation starter in the break room. Wal-Mart, Toys R Us and Walgreens are carriers; the suggested retail price is $7.99.



Beer is for breakfast

Maybe you’re heading to the new movie “Beerfest.” If so, you may be interested in a recipe from The National Beer Wholesalers Association. They have an easy lager syrup designed for cheese ale waffles:

Sweet Lager Syrup

1 1/2 cups light brown sugar

3/4 cup lager beer

2 tablespoons butter

Combine ingredients and in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir to dissolve sugar. Boil two minutes, cool and set aside.



Pizza passion

“Everybody Loves Pizza: The Deep Dish on America’s Favorite Food” should come with a passport. Authors trace pie development from the poor streets of Naples to New York slices, Chicago’s deep dishes and California’s new wave. It’s like gumbo and potato salad — everyone has a favorite — but how could you not enjoy any one of the dishes described in this book? You’ll want to travel the globe and try ‘em all. Side dishes are fun facts, like pizzeria names (Pizza My Heart in California) and pizza movie moments (remember when Spicoli had a pizza sent to class in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”).

Contact this reporter at ddoiron@panews.com.

Text Only
Features
Subscribe today
Community Photos
Wild- LU Basketball.jpg

Morgan Jones
Alexis Werner of Port Neches dances with the Lamar University Dance Team during their Wednesday night basketball game against Northwestern State University.

Video
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Facebook
Sports Tweets
  • Sports tweets

Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com