RareDaily.com

The Ultimate Sake Tasting Event

Editor — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 05:01:06 +0000

You’ve always had a thirst for all things Japanese.

And with Autumn arriving, it’s time to trade up to a new drink for the new season.

Skip the usual cocktails for something more exotic and refreshing. Find it at… The Joy of Sake. If you already know about the country’s premiere sake tasting event, just skip ahead to joyofsake.com for access. For everyone else, The Joy of Sake is the ultimate tasting of premium sakes in the U.S.

This year, over 300 premium sakes (327 to be exact) will find their way onto three floors at Webster Hall—including over 100 that never make it to the US aside from this event. There, you’ll learn to taste the difference between chewy junmai sakes, zippy ginjos, and delicate, aromatic daiginjo labels. Veteran aficionados head for bottles sporting colored stars–the winners of gold and silver awards at the 2008 U.S. National Sake Appraisal held last month in Honolulu.

To enhance your tasting, the city’s top restaurants are lending small plates and appetizers to the cause. Feast on complementary Japanese and pan-Asian fare from 15 East, Bond St, Nobu, Sakagura, SushiSamba, wd-50, and a host of other A-List eateries.

The best part?

You have three hours to indulge in it all.

The Joy of Sake kicks off at 6 p.m. on Thursday (9/25) at Webster Hall, 125 East 11th Street (off Third Avenue).

To score a ticket for Thursday’s main event or to learn more about The Joy of Sake, the country’s largest sake tasting event, head to JoyOfSake.com.

A Luxe Liqueur For A Lucky Lady

Editor — Wed, 07 May 2008 10:00:15 +0000

Delicious. Comforting. Indulgent.

There’s something wonderful about a spirit that manages to be incredibly smooth and satisfying… introducing Café Bohême.

Inspired by the rich cocktails enjoyed in the Salons of Paris during the Roaring Twenties, Café Bohême is a luxurious mix of gourmet coffee, multi-distilled French vodka and premium crème. Blended to be served straight up, on the rocks, or mixed with other premium spirits, Café Bohême also makes a fine after-dinner companion. Its amazing taste (ranked “Superb” by Wine Spectator) and low-alcohol component means it’s great for gifting.

And with Mother’s Day right around the corner (ahem, this Sunday), why not treat her to a little taste of Paris.

Sure it’s not your average gift of flowers or chocolate, but then again you’ve never been the average type.

Visit cafeboheme.com for cocktail recipes, Café Bohême souvenirs, and more.

Introducing Partida Tequila

Editor — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:00:04 +0000

Modern man has found many ways to unwind. None is more effective than tequila.

No other liquid has the power to transform an otherwise-predictable gathering into full-throttle revelry.

And now that you’re past the age of slamming low-end shots, it’s time to upgrade your tequila. It’s time that you get to know Partida Tequila. Made from 100% premium blue agave, Partida rides an elegant balance of smooth, clean notes with a complex aroma and flavor.

Its exceptionally pure taste (awarded Gold by the Beverage Tasting Institute) stems from generations of tequila-making expertise. To make the best, they start with the best harvests from their own plantation. Honoring the legacy of traditional Mexican methods, Partida allows their agave seven to ten years to achieve full maturity and better quality piñas, the heart of the plant. The piñas are then cooked slowly, twice-distilled, and aged to maturity - resulting in a full, rich flavor profile.

Partida’s even won five out of five stars from F. Paul Pacult (one of the world’s most accomplished and respected authorities in the wine & spirits world) in The Spirit Journal – a first for an entire tequila line.

It’s the kind of tequila you reserve for giant victories (or a Giant victory).

And for making, quite possibly, the best tasting tequila cocktails.

Get acquainted with PartidaTequila.com.

In The Black

Editor — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 05:01:08 +0000

You’ve been introduced.

The bold black bottle, the complex citrus notes, the strong finish. Yes, you know about ABSOLUT 100, the new ultra-premium vodka that’s perfectly suited for your table at home or in the club.

Maybe you had a chance to celebrate its New York soirée, a luxurious, ritzed out, Prohibition-themed evening of revelry. With vintage Model Ts parked outside, a townhouse in Tribeca was transformed into The 100 Club. Gentleman donned their finest pinstripes and ladies their flapper best as the big band blowed and cocktails flowed.

Angelenos got glammed up, too, as ABSOLUT 100 debuted in Hollywood at Les Deux on Halloween. Everyone was treated to an evening of cocktails and sweet saxophone. And of course, the stars came out. Lauren “LC” Conrad was there, so was Wilmer Valderamma, Mekhi Phifer, and Kevin Connolly from Entourage. There was even a special performance by The Pussycat Dolls to round out the lavish evening.

Now that the premiere parties have past, it’s time to start your own.

The toast: to Extravagance Has A Dark Side.

Explore absolut.com/darkside for more exclusive ABSOLUT events, cocktail recipes, and offers.

Fabulous Tan By Travelzoo

Editor — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:01:37 +0000

As you descend into Autumn, now is an excellent time to think about a little rest and relaxation. You could spend your time surfing the Web or you could spend time surfing in the Caribbean while the vacation experts at Travelzoo do the work for you. It’s simple: just sign up for Travelzoo’s Top 20® list to get the week’s absolute best travel deals.

11 million subscribers can’t be wrong.

Join the 11 million people who have already signed up for the Travelzoo Top 20® list at top20.travelzoo.com.

Here are the deals* on this week’s Top 20®:

$393 & up - Fly to 40+ European Cities (Roundtrip) - Swiss International Air Lines

$449 - 11-Night Hawaii Cruise - Cruises-N-More

$143-$164 - 2-Day Sale: Florida from Across the U.S. (R/T) - Orbitz

$59 - Orlando Hotel near Disney at 50% OFF - Radisson Resort Orlando-Celebration

$129 - Bahamas ‘Atlantis’ Resort, up to 50% OFF - Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas

$599 - Paris & London: 6 Nights & Air - Air France Holidays

$189 - Las Vegas 5-Diamond Hotel on the Strip (Reg. $450) - Wynn Las Vegas

$699 - Mexico All-Inclusive Upscale Vacation, Save $300 - CheapCaribbean.com

$49-$109 - 50+ Cities on Sale; Travel into February - United Airlines

$199 - Manhattan 4-Star Boutique Hotel, Save $150 - 70 park avenue - A Kimpton Hotel

$1799 - See Antarctica: 15-Night Cruise over Christmas - CruiseDeals.com

$149 - Ultra-Chic Seattle Hotel at $100 OFF - W Seattle

$615 & up - Puerto Rico: Ritz-Carlton Vacation w/Air - Expedia.com

$99 - Stay & Ski Package in the Sierra Mountains, $75 OFF - Mammoth Mountain

$49 & up - Denver to/from 40+ Cities; Book by Thursday - Frontier Airlines

$79-$99 - Chicago 4-Diamond Hotel over Holidays - Hyatt Regency Chicago

$999 - 10-Night Caribbean Cruise in Peak Season w/Air - CruCon Cruise Outlet

$99 - Montreal 4-Diamond Hotel (Regularly $200) - Hotel Omni Mont-Royal

$279-$399 - London from Across the U.S. (Roundtrip) - Air Canada

$1199 - Israel 7-Night Escorted Package w/Air - Gate 1 Travel

Click here to get the Top 20® every Wednesday.

OCTOBER 24, 2007
Copyright © 2007 Travelzoo Inc. All Rights Reserved.
*Taxes & fees may apply

Once It Hits Your Lips…

Laura — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 05:01:22 +0000

It has been called the “roman orgy of microbrews”.

That sounds about right. Brewtopia: The Great World Beer Festival is the longest running festival dedicated to the enjoyment of finely crafted beer in New York City history.

This year’s event will be held at Pier 92 (60,000 square feet of beer!), the “Show Pier” located in midtown Manhattan at 52nd Street and the Hudson River, and will bring together hundreds of brewers and thousand of participants. A mere $49.99 will give you full access to this planet’s most awesome tribute to malted barley. You’ll revel in the sounds of live bands jamming on center stage, be amazed by fun games, and even get a souvenir glass to remind yourself that you sampled over 50 beers in one setting.

You also be supporting Hope For A Cure, Brewtopia’s choice non-profit, in helping to raise awareness for Parkinson’s disease.

So grab your fellow beerman and come on down.

This brew’s for you.

For more information and tickets, visit worldbeerfest.com, or call (800) 935-8537. Tickets are also available at the door (cash only).

Brewtopia V: The Great World Beer Festival
Pier 92, 52nd Street and the Hudson River
Friday 10/26: 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday 10/27: Session 1, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. & Session 2, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Back In Black

Editor — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 05:01:59 +0000

You know all about ABSOLUT 100, the new ultra-premium offering from ABSOLUT.

The swaggering, smooth spirit deserves its exalted status. Made of winter wheat grown in Southern Sweden, pristine water, and perfected through a continuous distillation process, ABSOLUT 100 is everything a luxury vodka should be. It even arrives in a sleek black bottle that sends a clear message: “Extravagance Has A Dark Side”.

To fête its Gotham debut, ABSOLUT 100 has set a grand stage - The 100 Club, complete with a speakeasy setting, mobster mentality, and killer cocktails. A private entrance and password will lead you into the soirée with a blazing jazz band and a decadence this city hasn’t seen since the Roaring 20s. You’ll have to dress the part, too. But that should be easy: wear a smart pinstripe suit and fedora to match the ladies in their finest flapper dresses topped with feathered headbands.

Then it’s time to reward yourself with an ABSOLUT 100 cocktail served from one of the white-gloved waiters, and mingling with fellow pinstripes and flappers.

Repeat with abandon.

Visit absolut.com/darkside to find out more about The 100 Club, coming to NYC in a Tribeca townhouse this Saturday (10/27), and LA’s Les Deux next Wednesday (10/31).

Extravagance Has A Dark Side

Editor — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 05:01:19 +0000

You live for this time of year.

For you, shorter days mean longer nights and better parties. And better parties start with better vodka. Bring on the night with ABSOLUT 100, the latest premium spirit from the first name in vodka.

Bold and spicy yet smooth and sophisticated, ABSOLUT 100 is a luxury vodka you can relate to. Like you, it mixes well, making vodka tonics crisper and Cosmopolitans richer. Order it cold and neat to savor its citrus and floral notes, or indulge in a bottle when the occasion arises.

Or resurrect the glamour of the Prohibition Era with a vodka martini, served with a big band jazz soundtrack and an umbrella of darkness. As you unwind into the night with drink in hand, you’ll notice your cocktail is stronger, smoother, with a long, warm aftertaste (it’s the strong, silent type). That’s the result of a complex distillation process that results in a more prominent overall aroma. It’s what cocktail connoisseurs call “mind blowing”.

You can call it ABSOLUT 100.

Enter Absolut.com/Darkside.

Prepare For Takeoff

Laura — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 05:01:02 +0000

Scheduling a vacation shouldn’t be as difficult as nabbing a table at Nobu. Here to make your life easier: Travelzoo’s Top 20® list. The Top 20 was designed with one goal in mind - to deliver to you the week’s absolute best travel deals. That means reviewing 600+ sources and running the short list through their clever Test Booking Center to ensure everything books perfectly.

All you’ll have to do is sign up, sit back, and wait until Wednesday for the deals to flow.

Hey, you gotta do something with all those vacation days.

Join the 11 million people who have already signed up for the Travelzoo Top 20® list at top20.travelzoo.com.

Here are the deals* on this week’s Top 20®:

$148 & up — Costa Rica from 20+ Cities (Roundtrip)
American Airlines

$95 — Hip Miami ‘South Beach’ Hotel incl. $100 in Extras
The Catalina Hotel & Beach Club

$349 — 7-Night Caribbean Cruise
MSC Cruises

$152 & up — Fly to Europe from 40+ Cities (each way)
United Airlines

$499 — Los Cabos: Brand-New, All-Inclusive Resort w/Air
CheapCaribbean.com

$99 — Grand-Opening of Stylish L.A. Hotel (Regularly $169)
Custom Hotel

$654 — Jamaica ‘Sandals’ Vacation incl. Air, 55% OFF
BookIt.com

$49 — Colorado 3-Diamond Lodge, incl. Lift Tickets
The Grand Lodge Hotel

$84 & up — Fly to Mexico from 11 Cities, 2-Day Sale
Frontier Airlines

$1399 — Kuala Lumpur & Penang Package incl. Tours, from NYC
Malaysia Tourism Board

$89 — Coastal California B&B Package near Hearst Castle
Orchid Inn at San Simeon

$35 — Tickets to 8 New York Off-Broadway Shows
Multiple New York City Shows

$1499 — India 3-City Package incl. Upscale Hotels & Air
Ports of India by Picasso Travel

$248 — Honolulu from Seattle (Roundtrip)
Hawaiian Airlines

$160 — London 4-Star Hotel w/Breakfast, over the Holidays
Park Plaza Riverbank London

$1169 — Spring Transatlantic Cruise w/Air, Save $1000
CruCon Cruise Outlet

$89 — Hilton Head 2-Bedroom Villa w/FREE Golf
Spinnaker Resorts

$164 & up — Las Vegas 4-Star Getaways w/Air
Expedia.com

$125 — Cancun: Suite at Luxurious All-Inclusive Resort
Paradisus Riviera Cancun Resort

$8 & up — Spirit Slashes Winter Fares from 9 Cities
Spirit Airlines

Click here to get the Top 20® every Wednesday.

Hot Style In The City

Editor — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 15:11:40 +0000

The premieres. The parties. The pretty people at the parties.

You’ve been a Gen Art fan for some time. Get to know Gen Art Pulse New York, their free, bi-weekly email featuring the best of what’s next in fashion, film, and the visual arts around town.

As the nation’s leading arts and entertainment organization, Gen Art introduces the hottest emerging talent in the fashion and film industries. They’ve nurtured the careers of designers from Cloak to Zac Posen. “Long before there was Project Runway there was Gen Art,” says New York Magazine.

And for you, that means behind-the-scenes coverage and trusted editorial on tomorrow’s rising stars. Whether it’s a new musician, an indie film, or a cutting-edge artist, the cool hunters at Gen Art Pulse know about it, and want you to know about it, too.