West Hartford Panel Reviews Delamar Hotel Designs

 

The draft plans show a stately, six-story building that architect Israel Smith said is inspired by old-world buildings in  France and Canada, as well as in 19^th century New England. The building's shape brings to mind Boston's Long Wharf; details are drawn from places like the Paris Le Grand Hotel. The designs show a building made with sandstone blocks of varying sizes, featuring tall windows with Juliet balconies and dormers on the top floor. A top-floor pool will be covered, with large windows around it that may open in the summer months. "We wanted to create something that had a sense of being of the past on the one hand, but do a contemporary interpretation on the other," said Charles Mallory of Greenwich Hospitality Group, one half of the partnership behind the new hotel, which is expected to open in late 2015.  Greenwich Hospitality runs the Delamar Greenwich Harbor, the Delamar Southport in Fairfield and Hotel Zero Degrees in Stamford. 

Holiday Cocktail Recipes

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Kick off your Christmas gathering with one of these fun festive holiday cocktails!

BEER NOG- A beer lover's Egg Nog you can make in a cinch!
  •  4 large eggs, separated 
  •  1/2 c. sugar
  •  1 1/2 c. milk 
  •  1 c. heavy whipping cream
  •  nutmeg, vanilla
  •  Brown Ale
  •  Bourbon or Dark Rum (optional)

Preparation:
Separate the eggs. Beat the sugar into the yolks, milk and cream until smooth. Season with a dash  of nutmeg and dash of vanilla. Beat the egg whites, fold into eggnog.
Fill a 6-8 oz glass 1/4 full with beer (optional: add 1/2 oz rum, be careful not to go overboard too much rum can overwhelm the beer's flavor). Fill glass with eggnog.

ROSY CHEEKS SHOTS
  •  1/2 c. heavy whipping cream
  •  1/4 c. Chambord
  •  3 Tbs Raspberry Vodka
  •  2 Tbs. Vanilla Vodka
  •  1/2 c. ice cubes
  •  8 fresh raspberries

Preparation:
In a blender, combing whipping cream, liquors, and ice cubes. Cover and blend thoroughly. Pour mixture into eight 1.5 - 2 ounce shot glasses, garnish with raspberries and serve immediately.

THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE - for a dessert drink, with three ounces of straight alcohol
  •  1 ounce peppermint schnapps
  •  1 ounce Kahlua
  •  1 ounce Bailey's

Preparation:
Combine the ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake thoroughly then strain the ingredients into a chilled martini class

RED HOT SANTA-TINI - to spice things up
  •  Cocoa powder
  •  Cayenne pepper 
  •  Thai chili pepper 
  •  Whipped cream
  •  Chocolate liquor
  •  Vodka (to add a bit more heat, choose chili-infused vodka)

Preparation:
Rim a martini class with a cocoa powder and pinch of cayenne pepper mixture. Shake together 2 oz vodka and 2 oz chocolate liquor and pour into glass, top with whipped cream and garnish with a small Thai chili pepper.

THE GRINCH - for those who aren't a fan of the typical Christmas-y drinks
  •  2 ounces Midori
  •  1/2 ounce lemon juice
  •  1 teaspoon simple syrup

Preparation:
Combine the ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Chapel Street Project Ready To Go

www.RMS-Companies.com/

"The City Plan Commission approved the site plan for a 53,000 square-foot development on Chapel Street, giving the green light to an ambitious project that had been delayed by neighborhood opposition and lawsuits."

 

The project will replace a parking lot at the corner of Chapel Street and Howe Street with a six-story building containing 136 apartments and about 4,5000 square feet of retail space. Read New Haven Independent's article to learn more!

A Saturday in Stamford

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Get in the giving spirit and celebrate the holidays with Mill River Collaborative for Volunteer Day. Head to Mill River Park at The Grand Steps tomorrow, the 21st, from 1pm - 3pm for a fun-filled afternoon working in the park! To sign up for a spot, email: alex@millriverpark.com and visit their Facebook page for more information.

Looking for the perfect Saturday morning plan before volunteering? Why not go for a free fun run starting at 9am with Fleet Feet Sports Stamford on Bedford St and end it at Lorca with a muffin and coffee! Fleet Feet is introducing the Muffin Run starting tomorrow, the weather's supposed to be beautiful so get your running shoes ready!

Finally, to wrap up your day head to the newly open Cask Republic Stamford! 56 Drafts, 80+ bottles of seasonal, specialty, limited release, vintage, and casks - all available at Cask Republic at 191 Summer Street. Not to mention a delicious food menu, definitely a spot to check out!

What are your plans this weekend? Let us know on our Facebook page!

Wine Pairings for Christmas Dinner

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Christmas dinner presents a time to try some new wines with your favorite recipes. If you're looking for a new wine to compliment this year's holiday meal, see below for some pairing suggestions:

Wines to serve with Ham: baked, smoked, or honeyed hams beg for wines with a dash of sweet
Red: Beajolais Nouveau, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Tempranillo
White: Riesling and Gewurztraminer
 
Wines to serve with Turkey: Turkey on its own presents a pretty straight forward pairing partner, its the side dishes one must take into account.
Red: Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah/Shiraz, Beajolais Nouveau
White: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Gewurztraminer
 
Wines to serve with Prime Rib: Red meats and red wines go hand in hand to bring out bold or subtle flavors
Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Shiraz, Tempranillo
 
Wine to serve with Fish: Opposite from the above, white wines are favored for fish pairings.
White: Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc
Red: Pinot Noir can pair nicely with salmon 

Looking for something more specific? Wine Enthusiast Magazine put together a great 'Twelve Wines of Christmas' list featuring their favorit gift worthy bottles. So whether you are hosting dinner or heading to a loved ones, check out some of these suggestions of bottles to bring:

Excerpt from Wine Enthusiast Magazine:

Bottle: Alain Voge 2009 Vieilles Vignes (Cornas), $70
“When I think of wines I like to drink, share and gift during the holidays, I immediately go to wines that pull at my sensory heartstrings,” says Shelley Lindgren, co-owner and beverage director at A16, SPQR, and A16 Rockridge in San Francisco and Oakland. “Cornas has long been one of these special wines.”

Bottle: Robert Sinskey Vineyards 2010 Pinot Noir (Carneros), $38
“This Pinot Noir is incredibly versatile, and as Christmas parties can be a smorgasbord of dishes and flavors, a wine like this is necessary,” says Cappie Peete, beverage director at McCraddy’s Restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina. “Robert Sinskey believes in producing elegant wines with bright acidity so that they can age beautifully. This gives the recipient the freedom to decide whether to share the wine during the holidays or tuck it away for another special occasion."

Bottle: Grosjean 2005 Fumin (Vallée d’Aoste), $40
“Instead of defaulting to a cult Cabernet or—even though we love Champagne—a predictable bubble this holiday season, explore the wines of Vallée d'Aoste,” says Charlie Berg, assistant sommelier at Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, New York. “There is something about [the region’s] snow-covered Alpine slopes and the spicy varietals that evoke a wonderful sense of the yuletide.”  ...continue reading here!

 Share your favorite bottle with us on our Facebook page ~ Happy Holidays!

Tips for Hosting Christmas Dinner

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Pulling off a dinner party doesn't have to be daunting, nor do you need to be a gourmet chef to qualify. If you're hosting Christmas dinner this year, see below for some simple tips to prepare for the big day: 

1. Plan the menu around your kitchen - Why choose multiple oven baked dishes if you only have one? Use stove tops, portable burners, ovens, microwaves for a complete meal that works in and around your kitchen.
2. Choose recipes that can be made ahead of time - All you have to do on Christmas day is pop them in the oven to reheat. This will save you kitchen time and thus give you more relaxation time.
3. Keep the guest list doable - See how big your space is, how many chairs you have, how big the table is - over packing your apartment will cause more chaos than necessary. Have family coming in from out of town? Reserve them a room at Hotel Zero Degrees and get 10% off the best available rates with the promo code = Holiday (available 12/22 - 12/30)
4. Don't do it alone! - When family is around you (hopefully) will be getting offers to help, don't turn them away. Assign different tasks (cutting veggies, watching the stove) to different people, even if there is no cooking to be done having someone wash whatever dishes accumulate in the sink will be a huge help.

And finally, the food is not important. Christmas is a joyous occasion and gives you the chance to spend it with the people you love. So prepare the meal as best you can, don't stress, smile and enjoy yourself this year!

Big thanks to MasterChef Adam Liaw for some of the above tips! Are you a master host? Share your tips with us on our Facebook page!

Ring in the New Year in Stamford!

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December is flying by and though we haven't reached Christmas yet groups are already planning their New Years Eve celebrations! Have you and your group decided on a place to ring in the New Year? Why not try some of our favorite bars and restaurants in Stamford:

• Bar Rosso: Offering a delicious menu, complimentary champagne toast at midnight and DJ Matt until 3am. After 11pm there is a $30 cover charge, call 203.388.8640 to make your reservations
• Eos Greek Cuisine: Offering a $75 Prix-fixe 4 course menu, champagne toast at midnight and DJ entertainment. Call 203.569.6250 to make your reservations!
• Pinot's Palette: Paint in the New Year! Pinot's Palette is hosting a New Years party complete with nibbles and a champagne toast included in the painting package for $65 per painter
• BUtterfield 8: Offering gourmet passed hors d'oeuvres, full dinner buffet, top shelf bar, and champagne toast at midnight with a live DJ. Group rates, table reservations and private rooms are available, call Jessica at 203.504.8123 for more information
• Hudson Grille: Enjoy a four course New Year's Eve Menu for $65 per person or $85 per person including a wine pairing! Now accepting reservations!
• Dolce Cubano: Enjoy a waterfront New Year's Eve! 4 course dinner, champagne toast, DJ & dancing. Call 203.817.0700 for reservations!

 Where are you planning to celebrate the New Year? Share with us on our Facebook page!

Attn: Residents! Festive Fancy Pants Holiday Party

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Attention Moderne Residents! In case you missed our announcement earlier last week - we'll be having a 'Festive Fancy Pants Holiday Party' on December 12th. Break out your Fanciest Festive pants and come enjoy an evening with us- prizes will be given to the Top 3 Fancy Pants, chosen by popular votes.

The party will be from 6pm - 8pm on Thursday the 12th with food from Quattro Pazzi Restaurant. Make sure to RSVP by TOMORROW December 6th to Mia@rms-companies.com.

Also be sure to LIKE us on Facebook to stay up to date with local happenings and resident events!

Rappelling Santa, Fireworks, and a Tree Lighting - This Weekend!

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Santa and his elves are kicking off Christmas early - this coming Sunday to be exact.  It's time for the annual Heights and Lights celebration in Stamford Downtown!

Starting at 5pm, from 22 stories high above Stamford Downtown, watch and cheer for Santa Claus and guest rappellers Brian Cashman and Bobby Valentine, as they make a daredevil descent, twisting and flying from the top of one of Stamford’s tallest buildings, Landmark Square.

Then follow Santa up Bedford Street to Latham Park for an evening of holiday fun with live music with the Swingset Mamas and join in the countdown of the annual lighting of Stamford’s Holiday Tree.

For more information, visit Hey Stamford.