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Welcome To
Luxury Experience
May 2021 Features
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Liquor Cabinet
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The Baker Brothers -
David, Jack, and Peter, owners of Litchfield
Distillery in Litchfield,
Connecticut have added another very tasty spirit to their long line
of super-premium award-winning spirits, with the addition of their
latest product, Litchfield Distillery Agave Spirits. Made from 100%
blue agave imported from Mexico and distilled and bottled at their
distillery in Connecticut, Litchfield Distillery Agave Spirits is
sure to garner many a fan.
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Luxury Products
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Whenever I think of memorable dinners that Edward and I have
enjoyed throughout the years, truffles are always involved.
Decadent, earthy, exotic, and expensive, a little goes a long way to add
flavor. Cooking
With Truffles: A Chef's Guide written by Susi Gott
Séguret and published by Hatherleigh Press, Ltd. delves
into the intriguing world of truffles and provides both insight and 150
delectable truffle recipes designed for the professional chef
as well as the home cook. Bon Appetit!
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Performances
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The play, TRU, adapted by Jay
Presson Allen from the works and words of the writer Truman
Capote stars Jeff Gurner as Truman Capote,
and is directed by Kevin Connors at the
Music Theatre of Connecticut in Norwalk,
Connecticut. The play focuses on the life of the writer in 1975 after Esquire
published excepts from his unfinished novel, Answered Prayers. Jeff
Gurner delivers a tour-de-force performance in his role as Truman Capote in the
one-person play. TRU runs until May 9, 2021 and tickets are
available in-person or Livestream.
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Destinations
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The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG)
is a spectacular 250-acre landmark oasis located in Bronx, New York
that we love visiting year-round. Each season there is something different to
experience as the gardens come into bloom, and their new exclusive art in
the garden exhibition, KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature, which
runs until October 31, 2021, should be experienced in every season. Featuring
the impressive works of the acclaimed contemporary Japanese artist,
Yayoi Kusama, set amidst the garden's spectacular flowers and
foliage, the large-scale sculpture installations enchant and delight the
senses.
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Luxury Products
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We recently "discovered" a
fabulous Brazilian gourmet confectionary named Soul Sweet
Boutique located in Newark and Elizabeth, New
Jersey, which also sells online and ships throughout
the United States. Owned by Thatiana Rangel, Soul
Sweet Boutique carries a wide selection of traditional Brazilian
desserts along with modern sweets to tempt your palate. Since the
pandemic curtailed our annual trips to Brazil, in addition to
missing our "family" and friends, we missed the sweets of Brazil
and were thrilled to find Soul Sweet Boutique.
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Destinations
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Incorporated in 1719, Litchfield, Connecticut
offers much for visitors to explore and discover with its historic
and picturesque setting in the Litchfield Hills, hand-crafted
artisanal spirits, upscale dining, and outdoor
activities. Located 16 miles northwest of Waterbury, 34 miles west of
Hartford, 40 miles from New Haven, 52 miles from Springfield, Massachusetts, 78
miles from Greenwich, and 96 miles from Manhattan, make it a desirable day-trip
location. We had a wonderful day exploring its many offerings.
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Restaurants
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We had an amazing dinner at SAMBA Montclair owned by
Chef Ilson Gonçalves and located in Montclair,
New Jersey where he took our palates on a fabulous "journey to Brazil"
without the need for a passport! Chef Ilson Gonçalves deftly captures the
flavors of his native Brazil at his gorgeous gluten-free restaurant,
SAMBA Montclair, so If a trip to Brazil is not on the immediate
horizon, you can still take your palate there by having lunch, dinner, or
weekend brunch at the restaurant.
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Restaurants
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West Street Grill
has been "Setting the Standard for Modern American Cuisine" in
the charming and scenic town of Litchfield, Connecticut since 1990. Owned by James
O'Shea, the restaurant is a gorgeous and welcoming beacon of
hospitality with outstanding cuisine by Chef Stephen Murphy, the
talent in the kitchen. Located in the historic section of Litchfield,
the attractive restaurant first delights the eye with its charming
décor, then delivers on the palate with its well-crafted cocktails, lovely
selection of wines, and artfully and tastefully prepared cuisine.
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Chefs Recipes
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Chef Ilson Gonçalves,
owner of the Brazilian gluten-free restaurant, SAMBA Montclair
located in Montclair, New Jersey captures the spirit, the
culture, and the best of Brazilian food. Passionate about food and creating
memorable dining experiences for his patrons, he graciously shares his recipe
for one of our favorite Brazilian dishes, Camarão
na moranga (Creamy shrimp filled winter squash), to tempt your
palates into experiencing his restaurant.
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Chefs Recipes
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Chef Stephen Murphy is
the creative culinary talent at the attractive and charming West Street Grill
in historic Litchfield,
Connecticut. Owned by James O'Shea
since 1990, the restaurant continues its fine tradition of "Setting
the Standard for Modern American Cuisine" with Chef Stephen's culinary
flair in creating lunch and dinner menus that will appeal to diverse palates
and includes a nice variety of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free items on the
menu as well.
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Wine Cellar
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Summer is on its way and our
thoughts turn to farmers markets and organic food and wine. Vento Di Mare
Pinot Grigio made with organic grapes in Sicily and
produced and bottled by Cantine Ermes is perfect to drink on its own, pair with food, or use in
cocktail and culinary recipes. The wine has a crisp minerality with pear and
citrus notes on the palate, and is only 12.5% alcohol, making it a perfect
lighter wine choice for summer. We are getting ready for summer, are you?
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Luxury Products
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The SAMBA Montclair
Cookbook by Chef Ilson Gonçalves is a glorious celebration of authentic
Brazilian homestyle cooking. Originally from the state of Santa Catarina in the
south of Brazil, Chef Ilson Gonçalves makes his home in Montclair, New Jersey
where his creative cuisine has dazzled patrons with restaurant, SAMBA Montclair,
since it opened in December 2010. His cookbook takes the reader on a visual and
taste bud tour of Brazil with his delectable recipes ranging from appetizers to
desserts. It is the perfect "souvenir" to remember past trips to Brazil, for
lovers of Brazilian cuisine, and for foodies looking to experience other
cuisines.
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Liquor Cabinet
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Fifth State Gin is an
American premium gin "made with pride in the
great state of Connecticut." Owned by Master Distiller Robert
Schulten and his wife Bridget Schulten, Fifth State
Distillery has been handcrafting their line of award-winning
spirits since 2016. Gin is a very diverse and unique spirit as the
taste is based on the blend of botanicals and spices used. While juniper is
always an ingredient, some gins have a stronger juniper flavor profile, while
others are softer on the palate. Like chefs in a kitchen, each master distiller
has their own preference. Master Distiller Rob Schulten uses juniper,
coriander, cinnamon quills, angelica root, lemon peel, and green pod cardamom
for his award-winning Fifth State Gin, and it is delicious.
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Liquor Cabinet
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Westford Gin
is a delectable London-Dry Gin created by Master
Distiller Louis Chatey at Westford Hill Distillers, his distillery
in Ashford, Connecticut.
Licensed to distill in 1998, Louis and his wife Margaret, are
known for their award-winning spirits including eau-de-vies and
apple brandy and have broadened their spirit line with an organic vodka,
gin, and other tasty spirits at Westford Hill Distillers.
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Destinations
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Searching for something fun to do?
The Stamford
Museum & Nature Center in Stamford, Connecticut has it all! We spent a
fantastic morning visiting the 118-acre museum and nature center,
exploring the hiking trails, experiencing the grandeur of the Bendel
Mansion once the home of fashion icon Henri Willis
Bendel, and of course, spending time with the animal residents
at the Heckscher Farm. The Stamford Museum & Nature Center
is a perfect experience for all age groups.
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Liquor Cabinet
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When Luxury Experience wants to
learn about something, we believe in going to the source. We visited Woodbury Brewing
Company located in Woodbury, Connecticut to learn more as our craft
beer knowledge was limited, and the craft beer movement has been
rapidly growing in Connecticut (there are over 100 breweries in the state). Lagers,
IPAs, Märzens, Sours, Stouts, Flanders Red, Porters, Belgian Quadrupels,
and more, who knew there were so many interesting and tasty brews out there?
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Liquor Cabinet
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Bourbon lovers have another reason
to love Litchfield
Distillery with Litchfield Distillery Vanilla
Bourbon. Located in Litchfield, Connecticut, their slogan
is, "The Spirit of Hard Work." As an award-winning bourbon house,
they hand-craft a wide selection of tasty bourbons, as well as crafting gin and
vodka. Their Litchfield Distillery Vanilla Bourbon is an ultra-premium sipping
bourbon that is also the perfect cocktail and culinary companion. Cheers!
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Music Scene
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Singer-songwriter guitarist Randy Lee Riviere
has a new 13-track release entitled Wyoming that is Country
accented Blues. Together with Kenneth Blevins, David
Santos, Kevin McKendree, James Pennebaker,
and Yates McKendree, Randy Lee Riviere: Wyoming is
a release that will have you sitting up, taking notice, and giving it many a
listen to Randy's engaging, storytelling lyrics complemented by some exceptionally
fine instrumental work. The album hit the street on February 26, 2021 on the Wilderness
Records label.
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Wine Cellar
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We took our taste buds to Sicily
with Vento
Di Mare Nero d'Avola certified organic wine produced by Cantine Ermes.
Spring is here and it is the perfect opportunity to think, drink, and eat
healthy, so we decided to try organic wine. Nero d'Avola is an indigenous grape
that makes Sicily its home, and the Vento Di Mare Nero d'Avola is a rich, dark
red wine with an aromatic nose and layers of flavors on the palate. Saluti!
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Music Scene
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The latest release from Tommaso
Starace is Tommaso
Starace - The Power of Three
and it is one of Tommaso's best. The release was recorded in a large open venue
without the use of headphones, which allowed the band to hear and feel the raw
energy they were crafting. The ‘a cappella' type setting created a big resonant
sound that cascades throughout the release. The band takes the baseline of 7
covers and then projects their own feel and music sense to create renditions
that will have you touting the release with other music aficionados.
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@luxurypair
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