Warm Up & Welcome the New Year

This time of year as temperatures dip well below zero, you have to do everything you can to chase the chill away. This means, of course, taking advantage of the very thing you've come to dread by now, the weather!

How better to warm up and ring in the New Year than with a few nips of the perfect Après-Ski (or shovel or commute) Cocktail?

We've rounded up our Top 10 favorite winter refreshments for your enjoyment!

1. The Après Ski itself: Vodka, Licorice Liqueur, Green Creme de Menthe, and Lemonade, mixed and served in a julep cup with a sprig of fresh mint.
2. Crème Brulee Martini: Vanilla Vodka, Frangelico, and Cointreau, shaken and served in a chilled cocktail glass with a Crushed Graham Cracker rim.
3. Absinthe Suissesse: Absinthe with Crème de Menthe, Orgeat, Orange Flower Water, Egg White, and Half and Half, shaken and strained into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Brandy Avondale: Baileys, Tuaca, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur and Cream are added to Brandy, shaken, strained into a snifter, and then topped with warm spices.
5. The Hot Toddy: Combines Brandy, Whiskey, or Rum with hot tea. Garnish with any tea accoutrements of your choice, and voila! A gorgeous winter warmer.
6. Pumpkin Pie Martini: Vanilla Vodka, Milk, Heavy Whipping Cream, Simple Syrup, and Hazelnut Liqueur are shaken with Pumpkin Pie Spice and poured into chilled martini glasses with Crushed  Vanilla Wafer rims. Sprinkled with a dash of Cinnamon. 
7. Vin Chaud: Wine, Citrus Fruit, and Spices boiled with Sugar and served Hot. A definite favorite! 
8. Wassail: Along the same lines as Vin Chaud, Wassail is made with Bourbon or Rye Whiskey, Ale, and Cider. Boiled with Berries, Ginger Root, Cinnamon, and Brown Sugar, it is a tasty complement to any winter activity. 
9. Snowball: Advocaat is combined with Lemonade and Lime Juice for the perfectly refreshing post-slopes treat. 
10. Cafè Amore: Hot Black Coffee is much improved with the addition of Cognac, Amaretto, and plenty of Whipped Cream. 

There you have it! Your very own Top 10 delicious Après-Ski cocktails. Now, when you hit the slopes or simply welcome 2014 this weekend, you have even more to look forward to.

À votre santé et bonne année! 

Chez Daniel's Holiday Hours - 2013

Trying to best serve our customers while still accommodating the needs of our employees and managing business needs accordingly, Chez Daniel has decided upon the following holiday hours for the Christmas & New Year's Holidays this year.

Tuesday, December 24 {Christmas Eve}

Chez Daniel: Regular Hours 

Cork's Pub: Regular Hours 

City Blend: Regular Hours 

Wednesday, December 25 {Christmas Day}

Chez Daniel: Christmas Brunch 10am - 2pm

Cork's Pub: Regular Hours 

Tuesday, December 31 {New Year's Eve}

Chez Daniel: Regular Hours 

Cork's Pub: Regular Hours 

City Blend: Regular Hours 

Wednesday, January 1 {New Year's Day}

Chez Daniel: CLOSED 

Cork's Pub: Holiday Menu & Weekend Hours

(Regular Hours resume on Thursday, January 2, 2014). 

We wish everyone a Joyeux Noël et bonne année! 

Champagne Christmas Brunch 2013

Celebrate the joys of Christmas with this harmony of French and American cuisine designed by Executive Chef Pierre Jean Laupies. Our Christmas Day Champagne Brunch combines the best of breakfast, lunch and dinner in one magnificent buffet spread.

And this year promises to be no different! Join us on Wednesday, December 25 from 10:30am - 2pm.

Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made by calling Chez Daniel at 952.888.4447 or online at Open Table.

If you're looking for a great way to break bread with your family and friends on Christmas Day without the hassle of cooking or cleaning up, we hope you'll join us!

Joyeux Noël!

Chez Daniel - Your Holiday Hideaway

Here at Chez Daniel, we understand that the holidays can get stressful. With plenty of options to either fuel up or mellow out after a long day of shopping, make Chez Daniel your holiday hideaway.

To fuel you up for a long day of shopping, baking, or even just for the workday ahead, look no further than our own in-house coffee shop, City Blend. Proudly brewing Starbucks® coffee, specialty espresso drinks, Tazo Tea® and serving up breakfast pastries along with sandwiches and salads, City Blend will happily get you your morning mocha, afternoon tea, or anything in between.

However, if the last thing you want is to keep going and you're just looking forward to unwinding, we can help with that as well. With plenty of options to warm you inside and out for lunch and dinner, take the opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine as the day's stresses melt away over a delectable, authentic French experience.

Being in close proximity to some of the best shopping in the Twin Cities, without being directly in the chaos sets Chez Daniel apart. Enjoy plenty of free parking directly in our adjoining lot as well. Why worry about a meter or parking blocks away, when you can park close and unwind as you dine to the backdrop of our garden atrium.

This holiday season, don't worry about rushing around. Enjoy yourself and be our guest as we treat you to either a pick-me-up or take-me-away escape.

Happy Holidays!

Giving Thanks

After a wonderful brunch today, we just wanted to take a moment to express our thanks.

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate their Thanksgiving with us. It was a wonderful time of seeing old faces, greeting new faces, and delighting everyone's expectations. We hope that you enjoyed your experience.

Also, thank you to all of our dedicated employees who spent their holiday with us. We appreciate your hard work and contributions each and every day. Without you, today could not have been nearly as spectacular for our guests and their families.

We're also thankful for both our wonderful patrons of Chez Daniel and our catering clients. We hope that you had much to be thankful for today.

Finally, we hope to see everyone again soon. And if you missed brunch today, stop in this Sunday. It won't be as extravagant as today's Thanksgiving Brunch, but we're pretty sure you'll be delighted.

Joyeux Thanksgiving!

French Thanksgiving Favorites

Once again, we're sharing some French-inspired and French favorite dishes for you to incorporate into your Thanksgiving menu.  We've come across some fabulous ideas that will have everyone at your table saying, "Ooh la la!"

Starters

Cheese Puffs

We suggest going with Comte or Gruyere. Yum!

Baked Brie with Cranberries

A classic holiday favorite

Pate, Smoked Salmon, Assorted Cheeses, Grapes Platter

Salads

Roasted Pears with Candied Pecans and Roquefort Cheese

We'll be serving this one at our Thanksgiving Day Brunch

Warm Green Bean Salad with Toasted Walnuts

Many French salads are actually served warm

Side Dishes

Herbed Zucchini and tomato Tian

Actually quite healthy

Pear & Red Onion Gratin 

Would make a fantastic substitute for stuffing

Butternut Squash Gratin with Onion & Sage 

Again, would make a fantastic substitute for stuffing

Alternative Main Courses

Duck with Apple & Cherry Sauce

Great if you're not big on turkey or wanted a second meat to serve

Classic Pot au Feu

Slow Roasted Beef served with Potatoes and Vegetables

The Finale! 

Apple Brioche Cake

Pumpkin Maple Créme Brûlée

A harvest twist on a classic favorite

Profiteroles

Serve filled with ice cream a la Chez Daniel or your own pastry cream preference!

Basque Custard Torte

White Chocolate Lemon Mousse

This Thanksgiving, spice up your spread with some French themed cuisine, and make sure you have plenty of your favorite French wines available to pair with your menu choices!

~ Bon Appetit & Joyeux Thanksgiving ~

Wine Pairings for Your Fall Feast

This Thanksgiving, don't waste time guessing and gambling about wine pairings. To help you, we've laid out some simple guidelines as to what wines you should be looking at for your Thanksgiving Dinner table.

Typically for turkey, you think a dry white wine should suffice. Good for pairing with your juicy Thanksgiving bird, and you're generally correct. However, depending on the sides you're incorporating into your Thanksgiving meal, your wine selection can broaden accordingly. Additionally, many guests have their own preferences that may run afoul of conventional pairings, so it's best to have a few go-to varieties on hand to suit everyone's palette while still complementing that dinner you worked so hard to prepare.

For the sake of sanity, we made a few suggestions in the following wine categories to help you choose which selections to keep on hand this Thanksgiving. (For the sake of your wallet, it's up to you how many of each variety and at what vintage/price point you choose to enjoy).

the Sparkler

A before dinner warm-up when served with pre-meal relishes and appetizers as well as an all-around celebratory choice, a good sparkling wine is a great Thanksgiving choice. A drier brut is a good option for warming the appetite, and it even pairs quite nicely with the holiday bird.

the White

You have several options in this department. The Sauvignon Blanc is a classic Thanksgiving choice, as it pairs particularly well with not just turkey, but many of the traditional Thanksgiving side dishes too. A drier Gewürztraminer is also a favorite for with those savory holiday flavors, and your sweeter Rieslings can be a crowd pleaser when complementing squashes and other spiced wintry flavors.

the Red

A rich spicy Zinfandel is a great choice for a red Thanksgiving wine. With its bolder flavors, it pairs really well with cranberries and many other Thanksgiving flavors. Other great red options include the Pinot Noir, and if you're so inclined (like us), the Beaujolais. Traditionally released just before Thanksgiving, the Beaujolais Nouveau is not a wine meant to be aged. Its fruity flavors pair well with the larger meal, and it's generally a more approachable red for those non-wineophiles in your life. 

We hope this guide gets you started on making wine selections for your feast. However, if it just seems like too much trouble, you're always invited to join us for our Champagne Thanksgiving Brunch instead! We'll take care of ensuring all your favorites are prepared with the correct wines on hand for your added enjoyment. 

For more information or for reservations, please contact Chez Daniel at 952-888-4447.

Joyeux Thanksgiving!

Host Your Holiday Party with Chez Daniel

Now is the time to book your holiday party! As the premiere caterer within the Embassy Suites Bloomington, Chez Daniel's 5,600 square foot grand ballroom can hold up to 420 guests. 

The perfect way to thank your employees and co-workers for a great year, let our experienced catering managers make your holiday party at Chez Daniel a breeze. 

With plenty of great menu options plus the best contacts in the industry for entertainment and fun, treat your company to the ultimate experience of a Chez Daniel holiday party. 

Make this year's holiday celebration unforgettable! 

To reserve your date, contact our Catering Manager, Sheri DeGeorge, today at 952-967-8704.

Here's to some very happy holidays! 

La Toussiant & Le Jour des Morts

Happy November! Today, France celebrates the French holiday of La Toussaint (All Saints Day), and Le Jour des Morts (All Souls' Day). While Halloween is becoming increasingly popular with the globalization of American holidays and traditions, La Toussaint and Le Jour des Morts are both French through and through.

Celebrated annually on the day after Halloween (November 1st), La Toussaint is an authentically French holiday. (No American roots here). With origins dating back to the 5th century, La Toussaint began with the Celts celebrating Samhein at the beginning of November. Adapted into the church calendar, it wasn't officially celebrated in its current form, until Pope Gregory IV moved the holiday from May 13th and dedicated the day for the celebration of saints. Marked by the lighting of candles in cemeteries and decorating graves with chrysanthemums, La Toussaint is a day set apart for honoring the mother of God and all of the saints.

Then, the evening of La Toussaint also marks the eve of Le Jour des Morts, or All Souls Day, a day set apart for honoring the deceased. During this time, French churches are draped in black and people will commonly visit the graves of deceased loved ones to pray or sing. Additionally, some French will even host parties in remembrance which are highlighted with a special feast at midnight.

If you ever get a chance to be in Paris over La Toussaint, make sure you set aside time to visit the Pere-Lachaise Cemetary, which is one of the most famous cemeteries in all of France. Established by Napoleon I in 1804, it is the final resting place of many famous and historical figures worldwide and encompasses 110 acres of Parisian real estate.

However, don't be surprised if it's quite crowded, as La Toussaint and Le Jour des Morts are both French National holidays and fall during the time French children have a multi-week holiday off of school.


Wishing you all a Bonne fête de la Toussaint ! 

Thanksgiving Brunch at Chez Daniel - 2013

Our bountiful Thanksgiving Champagne Brunch is right around the corner! Join us from 10:30am to 2pm on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 28, 2012) for a feast like no other. We'll have all of your traditional Thanksgiving favorites featured alongside our staple award-winning brunch offerings.

We sincerely hope that you'll join us this Thanksgiving and leave the cooking and cleaning to us, so that you can spend more time with your loved ones. Thanksgiving Brunch is priced as follows:

Adults: $28.95, Kids 5 to 12: $12.95, Kids 4 & under: Free.

To make your party's reservation, please visit Open Table online or call Chez Daniel at 952-888-4447. 

Joyeux Thanksgiving!

Cirque du Soleil's Return to Bloomington with Amaluna

As only an authentic French restaurant could be, we were terribly excited for Cirque du Soleil's return to Bloomington. We've been hearing all of the buzz surrounding their latest show, Amaluna, and hopefully you were able to catch the show under the Grand Chapiteau in the Mall of America's North Parking Lot. If not, this is your last chance as the circus wraps up its final performances for the Minneapolis leg of their tour this weekend.

Don't miss this opportunity to see a fabulous Cirque show and top the whole evening off with dinner at Chez Daniel.

We can't think of a better way to spend the weekend than by enjoying Cirque du Soleil and an authentic French meal at Chez Daniel! 

"Amaluna invites the audience to a mysterious island governed by goddesses and guided by the cycles of the moon." This mythical fantasy is played out in a series of acts that engage even the wildest of imaginations in a child friendly show that is sure to delight and engage your whole family.

Make sure you have your tickets for Amaluna and your reservations for Chez Daniel for one enchanting and exciting evening you won't soon to forget!


For more information on Amaluna, we invite you to visit Cirque du Soleil's website: CLICK HERE.

NEW Fall Features!

Starting today, Friday, October 11, we're pleased to present our brand new Fall Features menu. One starter, two sandwiches, an entree, and a dessert that all represent the bounty of the season.

Available for a limited time only, stop in and try some fabulous fall comfort food (with a French flair, of course):

NEW FALL FEATURES

Mac & Gouda Cheese Bites 

A classic created for us adults!

Macaroni & cheese lightly breaded and golden-fried, stuffed with delicious gouda cheese. Served with our house smoky tomato sauce. 

Turkey & Brie Sandwich

All-natural turkey breast & brie cheese topped with apple-lingonberry chutney on a buttery croissant bun. Served with sweet potato fries. 

Buffalo Chicken Pita Pockets

Romaine, tomatoes, avocado, pepper-jack cheese, beer-battered chicken, churrasco sauce & ranch stuffed in soft pita pockets. Served with our hand-cut fries. 

Apple Pork Loin

Slow-roasted and tender pork loin accompanied by house potatoes, topped with our signature apple-cream sauce & garnished with balsamic. 

Rustic Triple Berry Tart

Blueberries, blackberries, apples & raspberries wrapped in a homemade flaky crust with a hint of cinnamon & sugar glaze, topped with Madagascar vanilla bean ice cream ... Yum!

Just like the gorgeous fall colors, these specials won't be around forever, so don't miss out. Stop in this week. 

Bon Appétit !

Crème Caramel

We get to celebrate another fabulous food holiday on October 3 this week, National Caramel Custard Day! While that should be enough to pique your sweet tooth, we thought we would go one step further and devote a whole blog post to the French version of Caramel Custard, Crème Caramel.

Crème Caramel (commonly known as Caramel Custard or Flan) is a custard-based dessert topped with a layer of soft caramel. Crème Caramel remains a dessert staple in many European restaurants due to its ability to be prepared in advance. This doesn't necessarily mean it's easy to prepare, as both making the custard to the ideal consistency as well as preserving its integrity and keeping it from splitting takes care.

Composed of sugar, milk, cream, eggs, salt, and vanilla, the standard recipe for Crème Caramel involves making the caramel for the bottom of each custard cup. Then, one whips up the custard base and pours it over the caramel before baking the whole thing in a hot water bath. The final step involves inverting the cooled custard onto a serving plate at which point the liquid caramel tops the custard and drizzles down the sides.

A version of Crème Caramel is served throughout the world, with different regions "spicing" up their versions to accommodate local tastes and preferences. In Latin America, Crème Caramel may be enjoyed with Dulce de Leche, and in the Caribbean, different localities add things like cinnamon and coconut milk to their renditions. Additionally, in some parts of southern Vietnam, a black coffee is poured over the top of the dessert prior to serving. In fact, the only continent that doesn't have their own versions of Crème Caramel is Antarctica!

So, no matter where you're enjoying it or how you take your Crème Caramel, Happy Caramel Custard Day and bon appétit!

Wine Pairings for Your Favorite Fall Dishes

You may think it's time to put away those crisp whites in favor of the deeper notes and flavors in their red counterparts; however, your go-to bottle choice depends on the age old question, "What's for dinner?" Depending on your main course, the wine selection could be equally varied.

If you're looking for a great pairing for a hearty stew, cool-weather casserole, or beef dish, you're probably going to go red. While the steadfast Cabernet is generally a suitable choice for pairing with your savory fall feasts, we encourage you to branch out with a Syrah or a Malbec this autumn.

Syrah (also known as Shiraz) originated in France's Rhône region centuries ago. Increasing in popularity lately, Syrahs are generally full-bodied with common characteristics including cherries/berries, plum, chocolate, cloves, licorice, espresso, and black pepper. Richly sweet and just a bit spicy, Syrah is an ideal pairing for smoked/grilled meats, stews, and even lightly-spiced wild game dishes. It's also a great wine for those on a budget, because there are many approachable Syrahs and Shirazes on the market for under $30 a bottle.

Malbecs also originated in France, but in the Bordeaux region. Malbecs tend to be a little bit drier than Syrahs, but are equally tasty. With similar fruity notes, such as plums and berries/cherries, Malbecs can also have the spicy characteristics of black pepper, smoke, and earth. Gaining in popularity are Malbecs from Argentina, as they are one of the key wine varietals produced there. For your spicier fall meat dishes, try a Malbec pairing, as they work well with not only grilled fare, but ethnic dishes as well. From Mexican to Thai, Indian to Italian, the Malbec is a versatile and affordable choice.

If you're not feeling red and would like to enjoy a white on those warm fall afternoons, don't put away that corkscrew just yet. Dive back into France's Rhône Valley grapes and try a Rhône-style white blend. With higher ABV's than your typical white wine, you can expect fall-friendly notes of peach, apricots, pears, and of course apples perfectly balanced with herbs, such as lavender and sage. Also a versatile option, try decanting first and then pairing with your favorite cream or cheese-based pasta dish, broiled cauliflower gratin, or even your favorite nut-coated fish and poultry dishes.

We hope this gets you started on building your autumn cellar -- À votre santé!

A Crêpe a Day

When you say crêpes, most people think pancakes, but true French crêpes aren't just a vehicle for sweet toppings. Crêpes are also a savory option when filled with more substantial, dinner-worthy fare. While we certainly believe that fruit and cream sweet crêpes are worthy of their own meal, we also wanted to show the beauty of the crêpe's versatility!

Whether strawberries and cream, apples and caramel, fresh blueberries, Nutella/chocolate or even Crêpes Suzette, sweet crepes can be filled with pretty much any sweet topping or filling you dream up. But did you know that savory crêpes also lend themselves just as equally to the same variety of options? From bacon and mushroom or turkey and tarragon to spinach, tomatoes, ham, and cheese or the even spicier olive and chicken curry, you can certainly fill your crêpes with any substantial, dinner-worthy fare you dream up.

The best part of crêpes is the ease at which they can make the journey from ingredients to enjoyment! They are pretty simple to prepare, but if you're serious about crêpe making, do yourself a favor and invest in a crêpe pan and crêpe spreader. No matter your technique, the recipe is generally six ingredients: flour, salt, eggs, oil (or butter), milk, and water. Whether sweet or savory crêpes, you'll be following the same recipe; however, as with Crêpes Suzette, you'll also add orange zest.

If you're interested in giving crêpes a whirl, but don't feel like making your own, it's a good thing there are plenty of places to check out this French staple. From crêperies who offer both sweet and savory options to breakfast restaurants that offer the sweet variety on their morning menus, there's even a Crêpes Stand in the Mall of America!

Do you have a favorite crêpes restaurant, recipe or topping/filling? Let us know in the comments. We'd love to hear from you!

September Client Appreciation Event Recap

Last week, we again had the pleasure of participating in our Corporate Client Appreciation Event. For the third year running, we partnered with our sister restaurant, Woolley's Steakhouse, as well as our lovely neighbors, the Embassy Suites Minneapolis Airport and the Embassy Suites Bloomington West, in what's become tradition.

This year, it wasn't our turn to play host as we had in the past, but we were still able to pitch in on one great event! With our co-hosts, we invited our corporate meeting and event clients to a showcase of some of the best that the industry as well as our properties have to offer in one gigantic display of our gratitude.

Of course, our awesome Embassy Weddings' team was also on-hand to lend their expertise in helping display some up-to-the-minute trends as well as to just show off our team's capabilities. This year, the theme of the event was "Around the World".

Each and every guest was presented with a passport that allowed them to "travel around the globe", as they visited different meeting spaces in the Embassy Suites Minneapolis Airport, each uniquely themed for the event. We even brought Craft Mobile Kitchen, a new Food Truck, into the fun! Guests were rewarded with delicious, expertly prepared cuisine and activities/entertainment that matched the "location" of each area.

We're so thankful that Andrews Photography captured the whole event for us. To review the full gallery, we invite you to CLICK HERE.

For everyone that attended and helped with the event, our utmost thanks! We are so grateful and lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful clients, team members, vendor partners, and ultimately friends. Without any one of these things, none of the rest would be possible. 

Until next year!

Bring Your French Class to Chez Daniel!

With all of the kids back to school, now is the perfect time to schedule a field trip to Chez Daniel for your French class!

Chez Daniel provides an unforgettable learning opportunity for students taking a French language course in middle or high school. Instructors of French language classes are welcome to contact us to schedule a field trip to Chez Daniel, where students will be served an authentic Parisian feast by French-speaking servers.

During their visit, students will be encouraged to use their knowledge of the French language to communicate with their waiters and each other. French class trips to Chez Daniel allow students to experience the French language and culture in an unforgettable way.

Our executive chef, Pierre Jean, was actually born in France and works diligently to present a menu of traditional French favorites. From Croissant, Crepes and Quiche Lorraine to French Onion Soup, Boeuf Bourguingnon, and Bouillabaisse, Coq au Vin and Croque Monsieur, students and chaperones alike will be delighted with the variety, choices, and utmost quality of the dishes presented.

Make sure you finish your meal with our signature dessert, Profiteroles (cream puffs filled with vanilla ice cream and topped with hot fudge and raspberry coulis)!  

For more information or to book this much loved and remembered field trip for your students, please contact our Catering Manager, Sheri DeGeorge, at 952-967-8704 or sdegeorge@embassybloomington.com.

Venez Chez Daniel avec votre classe et régalez vos èleves avec ma cuisine Française!

- Pierre Jean

Happy Labor Day!

La Fête du Travail, or Labor Day, is not celebrated on the first Monday in September as in the United States and Canada. However, in France La Fête du Travail is celebrated on May 1. A chance to celebrate workers' rights, the French have celebrated La Fête du Travail for over 65 years.

Lily of the Valley

Rumored to be a centuries-old tradition dating back to King Charles IX, many French give Lily of the Valley to one another to commemorate the holiday. In 1907, two decades after the movement that celebrated the anniversary of the French Revolution as well as serve as a workers' rights day began, the Lily of the Valley took prominence as the holiday's symbol. 

With the introduction of the eight-hour work day in France, May 1 became publicly recognized as a holiday in 1919. After a hiatus during World War II, May 1 was reinstated as a holiday in 1947, officially becoming La Fête du Travail the very next year. 

Throughout France, La Fête du Travail is a day for celebrating workers and their rights, while campaigning against injustice and promoting human rights in general.

However, since we here at Chez Daniel reside stateside, we will be celebrating Labor Day with the rest of the United States on Monday, September 2. (Please note: We will be closed while we celebrate the occasion). Therefore, use the day to reflect on the positive contributions that workers have made for the country as well as be inspired to further the social and economic achievements of our workers. We know we will!

Happy Labor Day!

Cool Off with a Champagne Cocktail!

With this August heatwave that's got a grip on the Twin Cities, everyone's looking for ways to chill out and cool off. Champagne Cocktails are the perfect way to celebrate summer's bold end in style and add some 'pop' to your patio time. Plus, many champagne cocktails may be easily modified with lemon-lime or even plain soda water if you'd prefer not to imbibe in the heat.

We're re-sharing the list of a few of our favorite Champagne Cocktails for you to make, drink, and enjoy during these last, lazy days of summer.

Champagne Punch

(From Martha Stewart Weddings)

Ingredients

1 thinly sliced peach

1 cup raspberries

1 cup blueberries

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1/3 cup Simple Syrup

1 bottle champagne or other sparkling white wine

Directions

In a pitcher, combine ice, peach, raspberries, blueberries, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Slowly pour in champagne or other sparkling white wine.

The Fizz 

(From our friends at Woolley's Steakhouse)

Ingredients

1/2 ounce Malibu Caribbean Rum 

1/2 ounce Midori Melon Liqueur

3/4 ounce Pineapple Juice

Champagne, for topping off (about 

Directions

Combine equal parts Malibu and Midori to two parts Pineapple Juice in a shaker. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Top with champagne.

Pear Lemon Fizz

(From Martha Stewart Weddings)

Ingredients

1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) pear vodka

3/4 ounce (4 1/2 teaspoons) Lemon Verbena Simple Syrup

1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) fresh lemon juice

Champagne, for topping off (about 1/2 cup)

1 fresh lemon verbena leaf, for garnish

Directions

Combine vodka, syrup, and lemon juice in a shaker. Shake, and then strain into a glass. Top off with Champagne. Garnish with lemon verbena.

Frizzante Mojito

(From Martha Stewart Weddings)

Ingredients

6 fresh mint leaves

3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

1 ounce Simple Syrup

1 1/2 ounces rum, preferably Cruzan

2 dashes Angostura bitters

2 ounces Champagne or Prosecco, chilled

Directions

In a pint or mixing glass, muddle together mint, lime juice, and simple syrup to release mint oils. Add rum and bitters; shake over ice. Strain into a cocktail glass or coupe; top with Champagne.

We're pretty sure that gives you a good start. Then, there are always Bellinis, sparklers, sangria, and even mimosas - perfect for celebrating the kids' timely return to school!

À votre santé !

French Macarons -- The New Cupcake

While we've long hailed the joys of a perfectly made French macaron, it seems that the world is beginning to take notice as well. Now being touted as the "next cupcake", we're glad that people are finally catching on.

In his HuffPost Taste article, Damon Banks would have to agree. "Though I do enjoy a moist cupcake as much as the next guy, now seeing storefronts elegantly decorated with the beautiful colors from the many flavors of these macarons is a refreshing update from the past few years where cupcakes seem to be advertised on every corner."

While the discussion of macarons probably stirs up fond thoughts of those delicious coconut delights that we in the U.S. like to refer to as macaroons (with two o's), true French macarons are a whole different treat!

A meringue cookie, the name macaron comes from the description of one of its principal ingredients, almond paste. Macarons are the delight of French patisseries and can be found throughout the world in French bakeries. Beautifully colored, depending on their main flavor, they're almost too pretty to eat! (That is until you try a bite).

From Sea Salt Caramel to Mint Chocolate, Pistachio to Lavender, Strawberry to Green Tea, the flavors are endless!

However, with the macaron's growing popularity here in the U.S., they're not nearly as hard to find as they once were. Many local bakeries here in the Twin Cities offer up some pretty fierce macaron competition. We won't name names or dish on favorites, but we haven't met one locally that we haven't liked!

There are several different historical claims as well as variations that you'll find in your taste travels. However, they can also be made at home. For a simple, easy to try recipe, we like the following French Macaron recipe, borrowed from the Food Network.

Go out in search of some French macarons or make some for your next gathering, and you're sure to be the hit of the party!