OK, so it is hardly a kingdom. No even a little villa in southern France. Hell, it’s not even a trailer park in Burgaw. But I would still give it up for a little good vino.

Fortunately, I don’t have to, because people keep bringing it to us. I don’t even know how many wines I’ve tasted in the last week, but there were some real good ones in the mix, including a Claret that was as rich as any chocolate cake, and as smooth as the frosting.

But enough about wine. No, no, of course I’m kidding! We had a great tasting last week, as Jenn, from Choice (another one of “Barry’s Angels”), filled in for Kristin. This Thursday we have the return of Jeremy from Country Vintner, who will be showing a nice selection from West Cape Howe in Australia. So throw a shrimp on the Barbie and come on down for some tasty wine, mate.

Speaking of shrimp, we are adding a shrimp flatbread to our specials menu this week. Also, we will have a pan seared goat cheese salad, and a fall pasta featuring butternut squash ravioli, walnuts and golden raisins in a brown butter sage sauce, topped with blue cheese crumbles. I just made that one today, and it is an amazing amalgamation of flavors. Did the goat cheese, too…turned out better the second time. But even when it wasn’t pretty, it was still delicious!

Speaking of food, the Jazz Brunch seems to have caught on, as Sunday was actually our busiest day of the week, food-wise. And the mimosas seemed to be popular as well. Chef Ed can’t stand it when I make something good, and he has to change it somehow to put his trademark on it. After my tomato pie rocked, he changed it to a tomato tart, using puff pastry and parmesan. It was actually very tasty, and he also has an idea on how he can change my white bean chili. This Sunday, we will feature the tarts, but with a few variations – tomato, ham and cheese, fig and prosciutto. Maybe something else, I just don’t know at this point.

We had the whole crew in Tuesday for Crafts Night at The Treehouse. We are decorating one of the coves at the Boardwalk for Christmas, and we have come up with some rather unique decorations, that involved about 1,500 corks, a gallon of wallpaper paste, chicken wire and at least nine bottles of cheap Cabernet. Thank God for Frank’s Pizza, that’s all I’m sayin.’ Anyway, it was a rather amusing evening, and our creations may actually turn out…I will update when I know for sure.

But here we are, almost mid-November; the holiday season is upon us. If you are looking for that perfect gift for someone, and you just don’t know what they like, let me make a suggestion. Get them wine. And pick out something you like, just in case they are in a sharing mood!

OK, we are getting ready to do it all over again, won’t you join us? Come on down to the Treehouse Bistro, and let the 2 Wine Guys @ The Grind pour you a glass and fix you a plate.

Shawn