Archive for September, 2011
Morton’s ♥’s Celebrities!
27 months ago
PGA TOUR golfer Ricky Barnes
As the Fall temps cool down, the A+ list celebrity sightings at Morton’s The Steakhouse are heating up! Morton’s is also “The Official Steakhouse of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour” and our 77 steakhouses have welcomed the world’s greatest golf professionals including Charley Hoffman, Sergio Garcia, Vijay Singh, Matt Kuchar, Chris Riley, Bill Lunde, John Mallinger, Dean Wilson, Billy Horschel, Andres Gonzales, Ricky Barnes, D.J. Trahan, Chez Reavie and Troy Matteson…just to name a few!
From Emmy-winning actresses (Kathryn Joosten and Keshia Knight Pulliam) and hunky actors (Dermot Mulroney and Edward Burns), to prime-time comedians (George Lopez and The Wayans brothers) and “Real Housewives” (New Jersey’s Teresa Giudice and Jacqueline Laurita) – you never know who you’ll see – or dine next to - at Morton’s The Steakhouse!
Throughout September, Morton’s welcomed the following celebrities…
Anaheim
Anaheim Angels Hideki Matsui
Atlanta – Buckhead
Actress Keshia Knight Pulliam
Atlanta Braves Martin Prado
Atlanta – Downtown
Actor Christopher Lloyd
Actor Edward James Olmos
Philadelphia Eagles LeSean McCoy
Atlanta Falcons Michael Turner
Burbank
Singer Nick Lachey and MTV’s Vanessa Minnillo
Connecticut Ave.
Chef Jose Andres
Former NBA player and radio broadcaster Cedric Maxwell
Charlotte
Green Bay Packers T.J. Lang
Carolina Panthers Jonathan Stewart and Greg Hardy
Cincinnati
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland
Actor/Director/Producer Edward Burns
Members of the Chicago White Sox
Cleveland Indians Chris Perez
Actors Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez
Denver Tech
Colorado Rockies Matt Lindstrom
Former NHL player Joe Sakic
Fort Lauderdale
Miami Dolphins Mike Pouncey
Georgetown
Washington Capitals Marcus Johansson, Mattias Sjogren, and Nicklas Backstrom
Hackensack
Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Teresa Giudice and Jacqueline Laurita
New Jersey Devils Ilya Kovalchuk
Houston – Downtown
Food Network personality Paula Deen
Las Vegas
Actor/Comedian George Lopez
Naperville
NASCAR legend Richard Petty
New Orleans
Actor Zac Efron
Actress Kathryn Joosten
New Orleans Saints Marques Colston, Mark Ingram, Darren Sproles, and Pierre Thomas
New Orleans Saints
Film Producer Randall Emmett
Actor Kevin Alejandro
Rock band Kyuss Lives!
Jazz musician Jeremy Davenport
New York
Food Network judge Geoffrey Zakarian
NFL Hall of Famer Harry Carson
Singer Wayne Newton
Phoenix
Carolina Panthers
San Diego Padres Nick Hundley
Actor Ron Pearlman
Los Angeles Dodgers commentator Vin Scully
Pittsburgh Pirates
Actors/Comedians Shawn and Marlon Wayans
Portland
Film producer Mike Richardson
Reston
Washington Redskins
Seattle
Texas Rangers
Toronto
Actor Dermot Mulroney
PGA TOUR Golfers
Sergio Garcia (Naperville)
Vijay Singh (Atlanta Downtown)
Matt Kuchar (Atlanta Downtown)
A Memorable Day and Night Out with NFL icon Dexter Manley, PGA TOUR’s Charley Hoffman and Houston Texans’ Owen Daniels!
07 months ago
Power Lunching with a Legend: Dexter Manley
Vince Marshall, Hilda Merano, and Dexter Manley
At Morton’s we call the series “Lunch with a Legend,” but Monday’s event in downtown DC was a pep rally of the finest sort. The rivalry between the Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys started on October 9, 1960 and has since become the greatest rivalry in the sport – maybe even in professional sports altogether.
The excitement for this week’s game was palpable as more than 150 Redskins fans, former players, families and media flooded Morton’s dining room for a live broadcast of ESPN980’s “The Sports Fix,” with hosts Kevin Sheehan and Thom Loverro. The sold out crowd donned jerseys from over the years, a majority sporting #72, the number worn by the day’s honoree, former Defensive End Dexter Manley .
Raucous applause erupted at mention of Manley’s legendary 66 sacks from 1982-1986 and his two Super Bowl rings. Former teammate Offensive Lineman George Starke arrived a few minutes late, but not without notice. Both men circled the room at commercial breaks taking photos with guests, signing autographs, and strategizing with fans how the Redskins defense could attack the injured Tony Romo.
In the end, the Cowboys prevailed in the final minutes of the game bringing the team’s record to 61-38-2 against the Redskins. The history won’t matter though. Like the classic American steakhouse, this legendary American tradition is here to stay.
Read all about it! Dexter Manley Lunch with a Legend media coverage included Washington Examiner.
Reported by Anthony Hesselius, Linda Roth Associates, Inc.
Morton’s The Steakhouse Scores a Hole-in-One With PGA TOUR Pro Charley Hoffman
It's Charley Hoffman!
The young guns of the golf world took over Morton’s The Steakhouse Las Vegas as UNLV Alumnus Charley Hoffman and 10 of his friends dropped their 7-irons to serve more than 160 guests. The guest servers who kept every wine glass filled and delivered hot entrees to the guests were Chris Riley, Bill Lunde, John Mallinger, Dean Wilson, Billy Horschel, Andres Gonzales, Ricky Barnes, D.J. Trahan, Chez Reavie and Troy Matteson.
The evening benefited the Charley Hoffman Foundation, which donated $18,000 each to five Las Vegas children’s charities – Goodie Two Shoes, Blessings in a Backpack, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Zelzah Shriners Transportation Fund. All-in-all, more than $90,000 was raised over the course of the day!
The Celebrity Server Event was the conclusion of a golf-filled day as Charley Hoffman hosted his annual Pro-Am at TPC Summerlin. Pro-Am participants, golf enthusiasts and Morton’s regulars filled the dining room with a high-energy atmosphere. Comedian George Lopez and baseball great Greg Maddux came to Morton’s as well and each won a live auction item! Maddux even donated an autographed baseball glove and baseball to the evening’s silent auction.
Morton’s first-ever Celebrity Server Event in Las Vegas was a tremendous success. A great deal of money was raised for charity, everyone in attendance enjoyed themselves and, most importantly, no plates were dropped by the guest servers!
Local media coverage included Las Vegas Sun, KVVU-TV and Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Reported by Stephen Miller, Preferred Public Relations
OH, WHAT A NIGHT! 2nd Annual Owen Daniels Celebrity Server Event Scores Big
Owen Daniels with his Celebrity Servers and Team Morton's!
Cameras, lights, football stars and fans packed Morton’s the Steakhouse Houston Galleria the evening of September 26 for the 2nd Annual Owen Daniels Celebrity Server Dinner. The event sold out ten days prior and the 185 guests were ready to party and party they did. Beginning at 7 pm, Bar 12.21 was packed with guests shopping the silent action items, sampling the bar bites and ready for the action to start.
Houston Texans Tight End Owen Daniels called in the big hitters from the team to help with the fun and activities as Andre Johnson, Arian Foster, James Casey, Chris Myers, J.J. Watt, Shaun Cody, DeMeco Ryans, David Anderson, Steve Slaton, Garrett Graham and Brian Cushing demonstrated their waiter skills throughout the evening. Autographs were the number one request but players were busy refilling water glasses, serving wine, offering dressing for salads and being great sports.
The guests enjoyed a four course Morton’s dinner, silent auction, live auction including two trips to Cabo and opened their hearts and their wallets to help The Owen Daniels Catch a Dream Foundation. Highlights of the evening included the Texans players getting their waiter instructions from the Morton’s team and the live auction with Arian Foster, David Anderson and Shaun Cody demonstrating their auctioneer skills to the joy of the crowd. The big auction items were a Texans autographed 3 liter Monte Bello Red Blend bottle of wine being sold for $5,600 and the two trips to Cabo being sold for $15,000 each, all of which will benefit the Owen Daniels Catch a Dream Foundation.
Special news on the Morton’s Celebrity Server Dinners from Roger Drake, Morton’s Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications; “With two celebrity server events last night – one in Houston with Owen Daniels, and one in Las Vegas with Charley Hoffman and his PGA TOUR friends, Morton’s expects to exceed the $2 million dollar mark in proceeds raised over the past two years. Morton’s is proud to partner with stellar athletes and committed humanitarians such as Owen Daniels, who is truly focused on helping kids in Houston with his Catch a Dream Foundation work.”
Oh, what a night in Houston. Everyone went home with stories to tell, memories to cherish and knowing that they helped a great cause with Owen Daniels and the Catch a Dream Foundation.
Media coverage of the Owen Daniels Celebrity Server event included KHOU-TV, The Rod Ryan Show, Chron.com and CultureMap.com.
Reported by Joe Pogge, Strike Marketing
Still hungry? Click these links to learn more about Morton’s exciting Celebrity Server and Lunch with a Legend series throughout the U.S.
Saying ‘Ciao’ to “Morton’s Wine Cruise”
17 months ago
Mark & Jean Wagner at the Chapoutier Winery Luncheon
Last week I wrote to you aboard Azamara’s Journey, the ship for “Morton’s Wine Cruise.” But today, I’m writing to you from my home. Indeed, reality has hit me hard after an incredible journey through the Italian and French Riviera.
For today’s “Wine Wednesday,” I wanted to pick up where I left off with last week’s blog. After our excursions in Italy, we continued on to France where we were, once again, greeted with great wines and great hospitality. Last Wednesday, we spent an amazing (albeit long) day in the Northern Rhône, which started with a three-hour bus ride from Marseille to the town of Tain Hermitage. There, we where treated to a tasting at the famed Chapoutier Winery and had lunch that included a regional specialty…the “throat of the pig,” as explained by the chef. It paired amazingly well with the Chapouitier wines.
We then went to the town of Cornas to meet Mr. Jean Luc Colombo, a Rhône-based winemaker, who had trucks lined up to take us through his vineyards, which reminded me of the wineries in Germany on the Rhine. What was stunning to me was the steepness of the grade…the vineyards are impossible to pick by machine. I also noticed there was never any equipment in the field for watering the vines. As Mr. Colombo eloquently explained, “We never give our vines more or less water than what nature gives us. If you do, then there is no difference in the vintage from one year to the next.” This struck me because most of the new world wines use water if it’s a hot or dry season, and it is true that most new world vintages blend together because of this. One point for the French!
- Enjoying the view from Jean Luc Colombo’s vineyards
After walking the vineyards and getting a workout, we arrived at his home on top of the hill…where he not only treated us to dinner but cooked it himself over an open fire. His family and friends from the neighborhood helped with everything, and we even had a visitor from the famous Valrhona Chocolate house (which is in the Rhône) there to pour chocolate over a fresh, locally-baked sweet bread made with orange water. If you couldn’t finish dinner, you had his three Golden Retrievers with their heads on the table looking for a morsel. It was amazing!
During our three-hour drive back to the ship after dinner, we where treated to a French radio station that featured American R&B songs sung by French artists. We danced in the aisles of our bus to “Respect” in French…then most fell asleep.
- Jean Luc Colombo along with his gracious friends and neighbors
The next day, we arrived in Sanary Sur Mer and took a short ride to Aix en Provence. We were greeted at Chateau Calissanne with the “red carpet treatment,” where we were met by the owner, Sophie Kessler-Matiere. She entertained us by putting us in trucks and taking us up the steep hillsides in Aix de Provence. There where old Roman ruins, eagles nests and plentiful herbs in the making among the brush. The white wines where mostly Vermentino (Rolle) and Marsanne. The reds where mostly Mouvedre, Syrah and Grenache. One of the cool things I learned about the area was that it’s where the limestone was cut for our own Statue of Liberty!
We also had a chance to visit Chateau d’Esclans in Provence and were greeted by head winemaker Patrick Leon (some of you may already know that he, along with Tim Mondavi of Continuum Estate, made the first 20 vintages of Opus One. He now owns vineyards in Bordeaux but consults and makes wines for Sacha Lichine.) D’Esclans is a name for the area where the vineyards are located and is simply translated to “Area of Clans.” A lot of clans and tribes settled there throughout the years, and the name d’Eclans is on many wine labels from that area (much like the word Napa).
- The incredible vantage point from Chateau Calissanne
The winemaking we saw was state-of-the-art, and it was the first time I had seen the use of an electronic grape sorter. Instead of having people hand sort grapes all day (and sometimes all night), this machine uses an electric eye. The winemakers input the exact color and size of the grape they want and the machine de-stems them, rolls them like eggs into a tray, and then the eye assesses the grapes. If they are not perfect, a puff of air pushes them out of their slot and into the discard pile. It was absolutely amazing and replaced the work of about 12 people (an approximate savings of $250,000!). The wines of Chateau d’Esclans are all about Roses . They make the best Rose in the world, in this man’s opinion, and are the only ones to offer single vineyard expressions such as “Garrus.” (We carry their estate Rose on our Sommelier Selection list at Morton’s.)
After our tour of their facilities, Patrick Leon was also nice enough to come back to our ship that evening and give us a trip through a Bordeaux Wine Dinner, for which he found some amazing gems!
- The Guests of “Morton’s Wine Cruise”
It was an incredible finish to an incredible journey. While I was sad to leave some of the most beautiful areas in Europe and our group of dynamic guests, I was so appreciative to have had this intimate experience at world-renowned wineries throughout the Italian and French Riviera. And after a few more weeks of having to deal with this harsh reality, I’ll be able to pack my bags to host our next excursion…”Morton’s Wine Flight” to Napa Valley, CA!
Salut!
Tylor Field
V.P. of Wine & Spirits
Morton’s The Steakhouse
FOODARAZZI: 60 SECONDS WITH LINDSEY SHELLHORN
17 months ago
Morton’s The Steakhouse Bartender, Lindsey Shellhorn, is Indianapolis’ newest pioneer of innovative mixology. Lindsey was recently in Las Vegas where she shared the stage with 47 of the country’s top mixologists for a chance at the title of “USBG Nation’s Most Inspired Bartender.” Lindsey’s cocktail, The Tennis Club, is made with Bombay Sapphire, Germain Elderflower Liqueur, lemon juice, sugar and Pop Rocks candy. Her masterpiece advanced her to the USBG Bartender Summit in Las Vegas held on September 11 – 12. Even though she didn’t make the Top Ten, Lindsey says, “My trip was so amazing! It was one of the best experiences of my life. I met top mixologists of the world and Chef Tyler Florence hosted the second night. All the Sapphire Brand Ambassadors were there, so it was a great networking event.”
Lindsey Shellhorn and The Tennis Club
A bartender at Morton’s The Steakhouse in Indianapolis for more than a year, Lindsey, who is self-taught, was encouraged to enter the contest by a Morton’s hostess who loves Bombay Sapphire. At age 25, Lindsey was one of the youngest competitors in Las Vegas. A student at IUPUI, she is studying convention and event management. “I love being a bartender, and I am extremely honored to have the opportunity to be nationally recognized in my field,” Lindsey says.
OCCUPATION: Bartender.
THREE WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE ME: Energetic, clumsy, loving.
FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: San Diego, CA. I love the boardwalk in Mission Beach.
FAVORITE DESIGNER(S): TOMS shoes. They’re eco-friendly and every pair you buy TOMS sends a new pair to a child in Africa.
WHEN I’M NOT WORKING, I’M…: Spending time with my wonderful boyfriend, Jared, family and good friends.
ONE THING I’VE BEEN DYING TO TRY: Zip lining through the Rainforest.
SIGNATURE COCKTAIL: The Tennis Club.
I STAY HOME TO WATCH: True Blood on HBO.
FAVORITE PLACE TO DE-STRESS: My bath tub.
FAVORITE GETAWAY TO CHILL OUT: Nashville, IN. There are all these lovely little shops and my favorite dinner spot is the Hob Nob Corner Restaurant.
WHO WOULD PLAY ME IN A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE BLOCKBUSTER: Mila Kunis.
PRIZED POSSESSION: My Blackberry.
ADJECTIVE TO DESCRIBE MY MOOD: Excited!
WHOM I MOST ADMIRE: My mom, for showing me how to be a confident, compassionate, independent woman.
PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: Making it to the semi-final round of “USBG Nation’s Most Inspired Bartender” Contest.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE…The best part of being me is…: The ability to talk to anyone. This makes bartending more of an activity for me rather than a job.
Las Vegas billboard featuring The Tennis Club!
TELL US ABOUT THE TENNIS CLUB. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE THE COCKTAIL? WHAT’S IN IT?
The Tennis Club is a refreshing, summery cocktail with candy as an added bonus! When I was creating my specialty cocktail I thought that since Sapphire already as a fresh nature like taste to it, why not enhance the juniper with St. Germaine to give it an all around floral taste. The Tennis Club has a sugar cube, muddled with juice from half a lemon, St. Germaine, Bombay Sapphire and Soda. Shake all of this together and pour into a cocktail glass and top with pop rocks which gives this drink a little extra fizz.
Here’s the recipe:
“The Tennis Club”
2 oz Bombay Sapphire
1 oz St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 sugar cube
1 tablespoon Pop Rocks candy
Put the Bombay Sapphire, sugar, lemon juice and St. Germain in a cocktail shaker and with the back of a long-handled spoon or a cocktail muddler, press on the sugar until it dissolves. Shake. Pour into a cocktail glass. Add Pop Rocks candy just before serving. Enjoy!
Reported by Chris Mercier, Coles Marketing Communications
FOODARAZZI: 60 SECONDS WITH LARRY FITZGERALD
07 months ago
Larry Fitzgerald
Now that the NFL is officially back in session, Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals is doing what he loves best: playing football on the field and giving back to kids off the field. So what does the Fitz do to relax? We caught up with the superstar wide receiver during a rare time-out and here he ruminates on Will Smith, fatherhood, and a little quest to win the Super Bowl.
OCCUPATION: Professional Football Player and University of Phoenix student.
THREE WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE ME: Faith, focus, finish.
FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Seychelles Islands. It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever traveled to and I had the opportunity to visit these islands during the off season earlier this year.
WHEN I’M NOT WORKING, I’M…: Spending time with my three-and-a-half year old son, Devin.
ONE THING I’VE BEEN DYING TO TRY: I would love to WIN a Super Bowl!
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT IN FOOTBALL: Playing in the Super Bowl.
FAVORITE DRINK/COCKTAIL: I don’t drink.
I STAY HOME TO WATCH: I love HGTV. There are so many great programs on that channel!
FAVORITE PLACE TO CHILL OUT: Chilling out at my house on the lake in Minnesota. During the off season, I enjoy jet skiing and going out on my boat.
WHO WOULD PLAY ME IN A HOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTER: Without question, Will Smith. He is very funny and seems to be pretty down-to-earth. Not to mention he is an extremely talented actor.
PRIZED POSSESSION: I really love watches. I would say my most prized possession is my extensive watch collection.
PRE-GAME RITUALS: I say a prayer before I step out onto the field before every game.
IF I WASN’T A FOOTBALL PLAYER, I’D BE: I would definitely be a school teacher.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: The best part of my job is…: WINNING!
Join NFL Superstar Larry Fitzgerald and his Arizona Cardinals teammates for big steaks and a great cause on Monday, October 3 when they trade in their uniforms and helmets for plates and aprons at Morton’s The Steakhouse in Scottsdale, AZ. Morton’s The Steakhouse would also like to thank our lead corporate sponsors, DISC and The Starkey Foundation, for their generous support!
A Very Nice Trip That Began in Nice
18 months ago
I’m lucky enough to be aboard the maiden “Morton’s Wine Cruise” with some incredible guests. I’ve previously hosted groups on our “Wine Flights” out to Napa Valley and Willamette Wine Country in Oregon, but this voyage is all things French and Italian. So I wanted to share some experiences from this trip for today’s “Wine Wednesday.”
In every port, winemakers either come onboard our Azamara cruise ship and spend time with our group, or we leave the ship and go to them! We began on our ship in Nice and enjoyed the wines of Maison Louis Jadot, including samples of their Grand Cru Pinot Noirs from their incredible portfolio. We then disembarked in Portofino and were hosted by Anna Abonna, owner of Marchesi de Barolo, at a local restaurant. We tasted through a single vineyard Barbera called Ravera and then onto Single Vineyard Barolos. At the end of the meal, we where serenaded by the staff–all of whom are siblings. There was not a dry eye in the house! It is becoming even more clear that wine and food is directly linked to family and friends in this part of the world.
Later that evening, we continued our journey with more Barolos from the famed vineyards of Gaja. We also tasted his chardonnay from Langhe and C’Armancada reds that use Bordeaux varietals to make their Super Tuscans. The “Magari” that we tasted was a blend of 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc. We then went on to taste his single vineyard Barbaresco “Sori-Tilden”. (The 1990 vintage earned 100 points from Wine Spectator!)
Today we have a three hour journey from Marseilles to Tain Hermitage to taste Syrah in the Rhone Valley. Almost sounds a little too good to be true, doesn’t it?!? I will share more accounts from our excursion through the Italian and French Riviera when our trip comes to an end later this week. In the meantime…Salut!
Tylor Field, III
V.P. of Wine & Spirits
Morton’s The Steakhouse
Morton’s Hosts “Best in Class” GM Conference
28 months ago
Last week, Morton’s General Managers and senior leaders gathered in Arizona for the company’s annual GM Conference. The theme of this year’s Conference was “Best in Class,” which was the backdrop for key messages on leadership, genuine hospitality, and future development and growth. By all accounts, the event was a tremendous success that left everyone with increased energy, drive and focus to take back to their restaurant teams.
While education is an important component of the annual Conference, it is not the only one. Managers were also able to spend time socializing with peers, attend an afternoon R&R activity and even participate in a Build-A-Bike event for Blackwater Community School in Coolidge, Arizona…which was a particularly well-received and rewarding experience for all involved. The end result of their activity was presenting these bikes to children who couldn’t afford them otherwise. Attached is a letter from the Superintendent that talks about the impact of their contribution.
The Conference would not be complete, though, without the presentation of awards to Morton’s accomplished General Managers and Regional Directors. This year saw many well-deserving recipients, including Regional Director of the Year, Nicole Raftery and General Manager of the Year, Steve Salmon from Morton’s Detroit (Troy) location.
PGA TOUR golfers, Kirk Triplett (far left) and Ted Purdy (far right), played a hole with Morton's GM's and offered golf tips (no penalty!)
While many participants had glowing comments about this year’s event, Senior Vice President of Operations, Kevin Weinert, summed it up well in stating, “I walked away from the Conference feeling extremely proud to be a part of an amazing company, knowing how it feels to be a winner.” I believe I speak for all participants of this year’s Conference when I say “I concur.”
Best regards,
MaryAnn Fulco
Director of Training
Morton’s The Steakhouse
Oui, Oui, It’s a Fine Wine
08 months ago
It’s been quite a while since I’ve talked about wines from across the pond, so I wanted to spend today’s “Wine Wednesday” doing just that! Today I’m featuring a nice red wine from France that you can find on most of our “Wines by the Glass” lists…for now. Come next month, we’ll be updating our wine list, and this particular selection will no longer be available. So I thought I would introduce you to it now, so that you may still have time to enjoy it during your next visit to Morton’s!
CHAPOUTIER, ‘LA PETITE RUCHE,’ CROZES-HERMITAGE, 2008
QUICK QUOTE:
This wine is, by French law, made up from at least 85% Syrah. Fresh and round tasting with a finish of stewed red berries and baking spices, all in finesse.
FUN FACTS:
La Petit Ruche means “Little Beehive,” because the area from which the grapes are sourced used to be an area for honey hives and harvesting prior to becoming a vineyard.
WINE SPECS:
VINTAGE: 2008
VARIETAL: SYRAH
APPELLATION: CROZES-HERMITAGE
ABV: 14.2%
THE REGION:
Crozes-Hermitage, along with the rest of northern Rhône, has a continental climate. Winters are wet and marked by the cold Le Mistral winds that can last into the Spring. Leave it to the French to make even a cold wind sound romantic.
“Behind the Mistral is the beauty of Provence. Its fierceness blows away clouds and grime and doubt, leaving colors the depth of dreams and a freshness that can come only after the Mistral’s scouring. Provence needs the Mistral or it ceases to be the Provence of my dreams. I need the Mistral to cut through those dreams to truth – beauty comes after the wind.” Kamiah A. Walker
The appellation is fairly large by Northern Rhône standards, with its acerage accounting for approximately half of the entire region’s landscape. In this region, the soil is mostly rocks, sand and clay. The southernmost part of the appellation is flat and newly planted.
MORTON’S FOOD PAIRING:
Syrah from the Northern Rhône typically has baked or stewed red and black fruit components with a backbone of bacon and smoked meats, which make this wine a great pairing with ribeyes and richer steaks with spicier sauces. That said, here’s a link to our Cajun Ribeye recipe (scroll down a little bit, and you’ll see it!)
Stay tuned for information on next month’s updated “Wines by the Glass” list. In the meantime, enjoy this, or several other, fine selections.
Santé!
Sara Fasolino
Certified Sommelier and Mixologist/Beverage Manager
Morton’s The Steakhouse
A Memorable Night Out with Braves’ Dan Uggla and Rams’ Danny Amendola!
08 months ago
Dan Uggla and the Celebrity Server Dream Team. Go Braves!
Diamonds are Forever
On Monday, August 29, 2011, Braves second baseman Dan Uggla hosted his inaugural Celebrity Server event at Morton’s The Steakhouse in Buckhead. The sold-out event featured Uggla and several of his teammates, Freddie Freeman, Brian McCann, Martin Prado, Craig Kimbrel, Brandon Beachy and many more, as they spent the night serving guests for Uggla’s Diamonds in the Rough charity, which raises awareness for children and families in need in Georgia. In addition to donating their time to the charity event, they also provided signed Braves memorabilia and aided Star 94’s Ray Mariner in raising additional funds for the charity in live and silent auction items, including signed jerseys from Martin Prado, signed jersey and field passes donated by Brian McCann, signed acoustic guitar by the Zac Brown Band, commemorative framed poster signed by Jimmy Hendrix, and luxurious vacations to Mexico which combined sold for $10,500!
Uggla and celebrity guests
Over 160 guests were in attendance to support the noteworthy cause, and helped raise over $70,000 for Uggla’s charity. Dan did a great job of introducing (and ribbing!) his fellow teammates and the players collectively spent lots of time talking to and taking photos photos with guests. Atlanta TV stations and local media were there to capture the excitement of this Dan Uggla and Atlanta Braves teammates’ celebrity server event.
Read – and watch – all about it! Dan Uggla Celebrity Server media coverage includes: WXIA-TV’s Atlanta & Co; Radio 790 The Zone with Dan Uggla; Ask Miss A; Atlanta Business Chronicle; Buckhead Patch; Sandy Springs Neighbor; Neighbor Newspapers; and
Metromix Atlanta.
Reported by Natalie Najjar, Karen Canavan Public Relations
A Delicious Take on Monday Night Football: Morton’s Celebrity Server Night featuring Danny Amendola
Danny Amendola and the Celebrity Server Dream Team. Go Rams!
Despite suffering a dislocated elbow at Sunday’s game, Rams wide receiver Danny Amendola was out in full force the very next day on Sept. 12 raising funds for the Catches for Kids Foundation at Morton’s Celebrity Server Night in St. Louis, Mo. Football fans and foodies alike came out to support the Catches for Kids Foundation, which works to improve the lives of low-income children in St. Louis. Joining Danny was his enthusiastic teammates including, Danario Alexander, Dominique Curry, Austin Pettis, Greg Salas, Craig Dahl, Mike Sims-Walker, among others.
Celebrity guests
Guests mingled with Rams superstars and enjoyed four courses of Morton’s signature cuisine and fine wine. A 6.OL bottle of Silver Oak Cabernet, Napa, 2003 fetched $2,000 in an exciting live auction. Silent auction items featured one-of-a-kind Rams memorabilia all to benefit a great cause. Local media including ESPN 101.1FM, KMOX-AM, St. Louis Magazine and Ladue News interviewed players about this worthy event, and captured photos of attending Morton’s guests. It was a great night for a great cause, and we were thrilled to have Danny and his teammates demonstrate true sportsmanship by supporting St. Louis children in need.
Danny Amendola with Rams Craig Dahl and A.J. Feeley Photo courtesy of Molly James, Ladue News
Reported by Meghan Heeter, Common Ground Public Relations
Still hungry? Click here to learn more about Morton’s exciting Celebrity Server series throughout the U.S.
“Twixt” Film and Food
08 months ago
The Toronto International Film Festival recently premiered a 3-D film starring Val Kilmer. “Twixt,” directed by Francis Ford Coppola, was inspired by the gothic horror of Edgar Allen Poe and tells the tale of a burnt-out mystery writer (Val Kilmer) who gets mixed up in murder and evil in a California town. (You can read more about this film here.) When he’s not making horror or action movies, Val Kilmer can often be seen at our Los Angeles area restaurants. He even has a featured recipe in Morton’s The Cookbook! It turns out he’s a fan of our Filet Mignon with Light Garlic Rub, which is also a favorite among our guests.
That said, I thought I’d share the recipe from our cookbook. It’s a perfect dish to make for movie night at home…or for the next Sunday or Monday night football party you host!
Ingredients:
4 teaspoons granulated garlic
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Six 14-ounce filet mignons, each 2 to 2 ½ inches thick
Vegetable oil cooking spray
6 tablespoons Au Jus (optional…you can click here for the recipe)
Instructions:
To make the rub:
- Combine the garlic, salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper.
To prepare the steaks:
-
Remove the steaks from the refrigerator
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Rub them on both sides with the rub
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Let them rest at room temperature for 30 minutes
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Prepare a charcoal or gas grill or preheat the broiler and position the rack 4 inches from the heating element. Lightly spray the grill rack with cooking spray. The coals should be medium-hot for the charcoal grill. If using a gas grill, put the burners on high.
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If using a grill, grill the filets for about 8 minutes. Turn and grill for 6 to 8 minutes for medium-rare or longer until desired degree of doneness. If using the broiler, broil for 9 minutes. Turn and broil for 8 to 10 minutes for medium-rare or longer until the desired degree of doneness.
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Serve with the au jus spooned over the steaks, if desired.
Enjoy!
Chris Rook
Corporate Chef
Morton’s The Steakhouse