Buffalo Rising Online

Feb 14th, 10:41am By Christa Glennie Seychew

Did you forget about Valentine's Day? Maybe you didn't forget it entirely--maybe you're just stumped.

It's true that it can be hard to find the right gift. New lovers don't want to go overboard, while old lovers have exchanged so many gifts before. Either way, tonight you'll be expected to bestow that certain someone with a token of your love, be it thoughtful, playful, romantic or practical. If you were planning on stopping by the store on the way home to pick up a card that plays a song, a stale box of outmoded Whitman's, or a short-lived bouquet of carnations, think again.

I have two really great gift ideas for you and both are just a phone call away.

First up is CRFTBR 101, an extensive course in the history, science and production of craft-beer offered by the University of Pearl Street Grill and Brewery. This one-time course is being offered on Tuesday, February 26th at 7PM only. Register now while there's still room left; the fee is a mere $20. The downloadable syllabus is available here.

Taught by brewers Ryan Greenway and Phil Internicola, the course outline promises that students will leave with a better understanding of hand-crafted beers, an improved palate and a strong thirst for trying new things. Exploration of the American craft-beer movement, an overview of the basic ingredients and brewing process, a discussion about beer styles, a tour of the brewery, and a good amount of beer tasting promises a good time and a good education. Call today and book a spot while you can. The syllabus, printed out, rolled up and tied with ribbon would make a great gift at dinner tonight.

For more information contact Pearl Street Grill & Brewery at 856.2337 or visit their website.

The second gift for those of you that are looking for that perfect something (and again, it's only a phone call away), are tickets to this weekend's elegant and fun Vosges chocolate tasting. We've covered it quite a bit here on YUM when we gave away tickets last week, but for those of you who may have missed it, here's a quick re-cap.

This weekend Buffalo Rising's YUM and the breathtaking and gorgeous Spa 341 will host a fun, casual and delicious chocolate tasting event at the Executive Performance Center (on Linwood and West Utica). There are still tickets available for Saturday, Feb. 16 at 12:30PM and 3PM (we're sorry, but Sunday is sold out).

Vosges is a chocolate boutique from Chicago that has taken the art of crafting fine chocolate to a whole new level. Not only is Vosges Chocolate of the highest quality, but the spirit and flavors that their confections embody are out of this world, or rather of it. Inspired by the flavor profiles inherent to indigenous cultures from all over the globe, Vosges has developed a line of luxury chocolates like no other.

At the tasting we’ll learn all about the history and making of chocolate. The complexity of quality chocolate is comparable that of fine wine. This class will teach you to truly taste and evaluate chocolate, ultimately practicing that skill set by sampling (and succumbing to) ten of Vosges' intoxicating Exotic Bars.

After that, we’ll adjourn to another room where we’ll watch Chef Avi Altman demonstrate the preparation of three intoxicating elixirs: Café Brulot, Mesoamerican Xocatl Hot Chocolate and Chocolate Chai Tea.

Guests will also have the opportunity to experiment with flavors themselves at the Spa 341 Hot Chocolate Bar where they can mix their own masterful brew of high-quality hot chocolate with ingredients like handmade marshmallows, hazelnut-cinnamon sugar, cardamom powder, espresso, dulche de leche, pink salt and mixed fruit puree. An extensive fondue experience will also accompany the demonstration portion of the event; guests can sample the rich, warm chocolate fondue using dippers like ginger snaps, biscotti, pretzels, and fresh fruit. Each participant will take home their own Vosges' Exotic Mini Bar along with a great guide to chocolate and Spa 341.

For more information, check out our previous post. Tickets are only $30, call Spa 341 at 512.7097 and book your seats today.