Microclimate [a wine bar]

Microclimate [a wine bar] is a hidden gem in downtown Geneva, NY and one of my new favorite hang-out places. The concept behind Microclimate is simple and ingenious. You can choose to open a bottle of your favorite wine, indulge in a glass at happy hour, or choose my favorite, the flight. With the flight you pick a type of wine, and then you taste five wines of the same type from around the world. Every flight has one wine that is local to the Finger Lakes. I am in love with this idea. I chose the Rose flight (every flight equals out to be one glass of wine) and Jared chose the Pinot Noir. I am not a huge red wine fan, but there was a German wine on the Pinot flight that was ahhhmazing. But go figure, we both loved the Finger Lakes wine in each of our flights the best. We also ordered the cheese platter, and our favorite was the Italian manchego cheese pictured in the upper left hand corner. The bread was made just a few blocks away at Normal Bread, which I intend to check out very soon.

Stephanie Mira de Orduna, our sommelier and co-owner of Microclimate, was very attentive and so knowledgeable. If you're the type of person who is intimidated by wine, I highly encourage you to check this place out. It is snobbery-free and the exposed brick walls and steel and leather touches give it a relaxed yet edgy feel. If you're an expert, you'll love the opportunity to place your palate to the test with a world tour of your favorite varietal. Microclimate will be added a sparkling wine flight for the month of August, which I will most definitely be tasting, along with a Gewürztraminer flight for the fall. Wine not really your thing? They also have a huge variety of beer from all over the world.

What: Microclimate [a wine bar]
Where: 38 Linden St, Geneva, NY
When:

Mon:	6:00 pm	-	12:00 am
Thu - Sat:	4:30 pm	-	1:00 am
Sun:	4:30 pm	-	12:00 am

All opinions are my own. Pictures were taken on my iPhone and filtered with Instagram.

Wilton's Cake Decorating Class

Hello lovelies! Pardon my absence, but I have been so busy the past two weeks! In flour & sugar related news I finished my introductory-level cake decorating class at Michael's this last Thursday, which also happened to fall on my madre's birthday. Therefore my final cakes had to be a birthday cake! I learned a lot and reinforced some basic baking techniques for this class, but I am do glad this class is over with because I am over baking in this 92 degree wether with 90% humidity.

What: Wilton Cake Decorating Class
Where: Michaels Craft Stores
When: my class happened to be on Thursday nights from 6-8 PM. Classes are 4 weeks long, once a week.

Pros: Learn or brush up on (depending on your experience) the basics of how to bake and frost the perfect cake. You learn a lot of basic decorating techniques, such as how to make ribbon roses! This class provides the foundation needed for the more advanced work, such as gum paste and fondant.

Cons: This class ends up being a much bigger time commitment then just those two class hours. You have to put in a lot of at home prep work -which does pay off in class, but for those that work full time you will have to make everything a day or two in advanced. Also, at times it does seem like a giant marketing scam for Wilton to try to convince you, you need a Wilton cake lifter. What do you mean you don't already have one?!

Not Perfect, but my mom loved it :)

Dot boarder and design on the side of the cake.

Ninja Cupcakes

For my boyfriend's last class tonight at his karate school, I made ninja cupcakes to share with his students. I'm so proud of you J, and everything you've accomplished in the past year! xoxo

Wine, Wine, and Some Frosting

This week has been crazy busy between working, helping friends with events, and out-of-state family visiting. Here's a quick photo bomb from my past week. The cupcakes for this weekend are going to be Ninja Cupcakes! Stay tuned for photos of those later this week.

 The Seneca County Chamber of Commerce's Annual Membership BBQ & Small Business Award Presentation (Congrats to Fuzzy Guppies!) at Knapp Winery.

Catered by Aaron's Smokey Bar B Que.

Dining among the grapes, it's how we do in the Finger Lakes.

Sunflowers plucked from right down the road. 

Entertainment provided by The Casey McDonald Band. 

Grapes. Soon to be in my wine glass.

Cash bar featuring Knapp Winery's finest wines.

Mama Kitty!

Thursday night's are spent at Michael's in Ithaca, NY perfecting my decorating techniques. 

Shell border anyone?

The historic row townhouses in downtown Geneva, NY.

Cruisin' Night Block Party in Geneva, NY.

How cool is this stair case?! Starting to notice a theme here?

I may need this in my future home.

I love to hear what you lovelies have been up to this week as well!

The Weekend Dish

Hello Lovlies, I hope everyone had an amazing weekend! I know that mine went way too fast, but it was spent well with good friends and good food.

Friday night the boyfriend and I stayed in, and made tacos (nom nom nom). We then went to see the local-theater production of Avenue Q. Now, I knew about Avenue Q from when my brother saw it on Broadway years ago, but I have to say I was not quite prepared for it. Especially for the puppet sex. Yes, I just said puppet sex. Needless to say it was completely irreverent, hilarious, kind-of offensive and enjoyably un-PC.

Saturday I attending a baby shower, made these cupcakes, and then celebrated summer/a friend's birthday/just-because-we-can party. Any night that ends with me sipping wine with a glow-stick straw, is a good one in my opinion.

Then Sunday, I ate at one of my favorite places on Earth, Americana Winery. I'm not exaggerating either. A part of me almost doesn't want to tell you about it, because then you will go and taste how delicious the food is and see how chill the atmosphere is, and then I'll have to start making reservations to go because it'll be so crowded. (--> That was definitely a run-on sentence.)

The boyfriend and I are regulars of this place. We particularly love it in the summer time when you can sit outside and enjoy a chilled glass of the Gewürztraminer (my favorite), and listen to a local band playing, while you pet one of the resident dogs or cats roaming around.

The view from our table.

 One of the labradors playing catch in the lawn at Americana.

Then there is the food. It's local, it's fresh, and it's freaking amazing. They have their regular menu at the Crystal Lake Cafe, which will change to accommodate with what's in season, however my favorite part is the daily specials. I have never ever seen the same special run twice, which is awesome because I love to try new dishes.

For our appetizer we shared the Spinach Artichoke Dip with Toasted Focaccia Bread. Did I mention that they make all of their breads, rolls, etc. from scratch?! Because they do.

The boyfriend ordered the Lamb Burger with a side of Sweet Potato fries. They are $2 extra, but they're worth it.

Look at the cross-section on that! The Lamb Burger has rosemary aioli, black olive tapenade, lettuce, tomato, red onion and feta on a roll. I am really not a fan of lamb at all -I've tried it so many different ways and in different parts of the world, because for some reason I really want to like it and can't; but this burger is the only version of lamb that may eventually convert me.

I opted for the Curried Chicken Salad on an open face sandwich with the Sweet Potato Fries as well.

One of the cats lounging near our table. Super fluffy -just how I like 'em.

Who: The Crystal Lake Cafe at Americana Vineyards

What: Wine tastings, delicious food, and cuddly creatures

Where: Interlaken, NY

All opinions and photos are my own. I was not paid nor invited by Americana Vineyards to review the Crystal Lake Cafe. To be honest, I'm pretty sure they don't even know this blog exists. All photos were taken on my iPhone and snazzed up with Instagram.

Martha Knows Best

Hello Lovlies,

 

I was asked to make cupcakes for a chocoholic friend's birthday this past Saturday, and Pinterest led me to this amazing Devil's Food Cupcake recipe by Martha Stewart. I decided to take it one step further and hide whole fresh strawberries in the cupcake, to mimic a chocolate covered strawberry. To top it all off was a decadent swirl of chocolate ganache frosting. All pictures taken with my iPhone and snazzed up by Instagram.

Chocolate Cupcakes with Espresso Buttercream & Ganche

Good morning lovlies,

One of my older sisters asked me to make cupcakes for her  birthday dinner this past weekend. She loves chocolate, but I have to be honest, I feel like chocolate can become boring if you're not careful. I wanted to do something a little more special and grown-up than the simple chocolate cupcake with chocolate buttercream, so I made her a chocolate cupcake topped with a layer of chocolate ganache and fluffy espresso buttercream. I am going to keep experimenting with my mocha and espresso buttercreams though, because while this one was a good first effort, it tasted vaguely of maple syrup to me. Strange I know. Stay tuned for another variation on the chocolate cupcake this coming weekend!