The Salty Dog is a blend of sweet, tangy, and salty flavors all in one drink. Yes, it’s pink, but it’s only grapefruit juice, so I wouldn’t consider it “fruity” enough to break a Man Law. It’s easy to make and doesn’t require a lot of ingredients, so if you are looking for a quick fix after a hard day’s work, the Salty Dog is the way to go. Ingredients: 1 Tbsp Sugar 1 Tbsp Salt 2 Parts Vodka 1 Part Grapefruit Juice 1 Lime Wedge Mixture: Use a  small saucer and mix sugar and salt together. Take the lime wedge and wet the lip of cocktail glass and rim with sugar/salt mixture. Fill the glass with ice and pour vodka. Pour grapefruit juice. Place lime wedge on glass. Enjoy!

This version of Vodka and Lime looks real pretty, but has a little too much bite for me. However, the man in my life was cool with it and asked for another. If you find it too much for you, add more of the sugar to take the edge off. Honey also works, but make sure you add it before you add the ice or it will be harder to mix into the drink.  Ingredients: 1 lime, cut into 6 pieces 3 tsp powdered sugar Your favorite vodka Crushed or cubed ice Directions: Mash the lime and sugar in a cocktail glass to get the sugar to mix well with the lime. Fill the glass with ice. Pour your vodka over the mixture leaving just a little space for sipping on top. Enjoy.

When the Applebees incident with Pastor Alois Bell occurred it sparked a lot of discussion on restaurants, servers and tips. One thing is for sure about this topic is that it’s a very subjective one unless you query people who work as waiters themselves. People who haven’t will have their assumptions but the following list of 25 things are some facts that you may or may not be aware of. Servers hope that you ask for separate checks BEFORE you order. Waiters and Waitresses like you to use their name once they tell you. If you’re Asian, black, or over 50 they don’t expect you to tip well or tip at all. Over-tipping will not change this attitude… it will only “other” you. If you have an accent they don’t expect you to tip well or tip at all. When your food is slow it probably is the kitchen so why take it out on… [Read more]

Sometimes its good to treat yourself (or a date) to a night of fine wine and good food. Even though it’s not cheap (usually around $60 or more per person) it’s a great experience to have at least once in your life. Let’s face it, average Joe may not have the funds to frequent the wine dinners on a regular basis, or even think of it as something that may turn out great. Average Jane may want to go, but “has no one to go with” (you know women tend to like to travel in packs). Since the experience may be new to you, it is important to know what to expect so you don’t find yourself embarrassed or feeling like you don’t belong. Dress like a champion This is definitely a casual event, but leave your sneakers and frayed cuff jeans (you know, the ones that have been scooted across the concrete so much you’ve bore holes… [Read more]

Music and food are two of the most important elements to truly experiencing another culture when you travel. This is why it always surprises me when someone goes to another country or region and skips out on the food for fear of any number of things. You cannot truly experience if you don’t taste what the locals taste and this is why the most studied and the most adventurous have the best times. When you go to a new place it is very important to study up on the customs, methodology and the history of the place you are going to. While there, engage in conversation with your travel guide, taste foods from the street vendors who are most popular–the vendors with a line around the corner–and make sure you try some of the local fruit while you’re there. Many of us see the globe trotting foodies on the Travel Channel partaking of homemade meals made… [Read more]

Those who know me know that i love my food and wine. Being able to locate a cheap bottle (cheap being defined as under $15) without traveling too far is my forte. Contrary to popular belief, the key is making sure the wine is very drinkable on its own, not the cost at the counter. I’ve been a frugal chick for much of my adult hood, and finding new bottles at a low price point has been easy. Trust me, I’ve spent well over $40 on a bottle before and still been disappointed, so I’ve become accustomed to trying new wines that only disappoint my wallet on a way smaller level. The following are some great bottles that retail at your local grocery store for less than $15. Cupcake Chardonnay, California This wine has a rich buttery flavor (one of my favorite attributes in a chardonnay) and goes very well with a garlicky, creamy, or… [Read more]

If you are a cultured individual, one of the best things that you can do for your not-so-privileged friends is to show them the beauty that is the art of eating. Many people grow up eating just to satiate their hunger and attain a small pleasure but never get the chance to really eat. I believe that social eating is one of the most intimate and special luxuries that we have as human beings. It is the reason why families in the old days made it a mandatory thing to eat breakfast and dinner together, but being forced to the table is a world of difference from being invited to the table. I have become a huge fan of the 3-course meal even though I pass on dessert. I start with the house soup, some finger foods and an adult beverage followed by the delicious main course (modest helping thank you), then top it off… [Read more]

Black people I don’t want you to call the Drop Squad on me but I need to ask, is wine new to us? I mean, it’s really bad when I see black bloggers touting the dessert wine Moscato as if it’s some top shelf miracle drink that goes well with any meal. One would think that with the wonderful search that Google and Yahoo provides one could simply look up a drink before touting it but day after day after day since that soft rapper Drake mentioned it more black folks are embracing this wine. Look I know that it’s nothing new, we have gone down this road a million times before and just like before it smacks of ignorance and the willingness to take a rapper’s word on anything. I respect Jay-Z but I have never been inclined to try one of those fruity champagnes that he rhymes about, nor was I on the… [Read more]