Jillian Dara

Boston

Journalist at Freelance

Travel, culture, wine & spirts journalist | WSET 2

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Articles

Tucci in Trentino-Alto Adige: Every Dish From Episode 3 of Tucci in Italy

1 week ago | finedininglovers.com | Jillian Dara

Stanley Tucci explores Trentino-Alto Adige’s unique culinary mix of Italian and Austrian flavors. In Episode 3 of Tucci in Italy, Stanley Tucci ventures into Trentino-Alto Adige, a region where Italy's alpine north reveals a tapestry woven from both Italian and Austrian threads. Here, snow-capped peaks and hearty mountain fare tell stories of a complex cultural heritage.
10 Summer Wines Worth Sipping in the Sun

1 week ago | forbes.com | Jillian Dara

National Wine Day might be in the rearview along with Memorial Day Weekend, but the days of sipping summer wines have just begun. Though stereotypes tend to flaunt summer as white wine and rosé season, Jesse Carr, director of food and beverage at Virgin Hotel New Orleans sets the record straight: “Summer is a great time to indulge in a wide range of wines.”For example, if you’re heading to a barbeque, bubbles and chillable reds are perfect for cutting through the fatty meats.
A Guide to American Sparkling Wines: the Best Styles, Labels, and More

1 week ago | lapatiala.com | Jillian Dara

Sparkling Wine There’s so much more to sparkling wine than just Champagne. Learn about the production methods and top American sparkling wines here. Sparkling wine is a symbol of celebration. Luckily, in recent years, the celebration doesn’t have to be a promotion at work, a milestone anniversary, or even a birthday, as consumers are realizing that the act of opening a bottle of sparkling wine is the celebration.
8 Wine Cocktails to Try Beyond Sangria

2 weeks ago | forbes.com | Jillian Dara

Wine cocktails are a lighter alternative to spirits-based cocktails. That’s because wine has a lower alcohol by volume (ABV) in comparison to distilled spirits; respectively an average of 12% ABV opposed to 40-50%. With that said, many wine cocktails also incorporate at least a splash, if not more, of a liquor with a higher ABV to add complexity to the recipe.
Tucci in Tuscany: Every Dish From Episode 1 of Tucci in Italy

2 weeks ago | finedininglovers.com | Jillian Dara

From Florence to Siena, Tucci eats his way through Tuscany’s past and future—one tripe sandwich, lardo slice, and Palio risotto at a time. Stanley Tucci is back on the road—and back in the kitchen. In his new National Geographic series, Tucci in Italy, the actor and gastronome dives deep into five distinct regions, uncovering stories, traditions, and the unsung heroes of Italian food culture.
Evan LeRoy’s Ideal Memorial Day Menu: Grilled Steak, Fresh Salad, and a Rich Cobbler

2 weeks ago | finedininglovers.com | Jillian Dara

Grilling is all about simplicity—something Evan LeRoy, chef, pitmaster, and co-owner of LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue in Austin, Texas, especially appreciates when cooking outdoors over a holiday weekend like Memorial Day. “It’s great not to have to think about an elaborate meal and just enjoy spending time with family and friends over the holiday weekend,” says LeRoy, who plans to fire up the grill for a smoked and grilled steak, served with a fresh salad and a rich dessert.
Bordeaux Wine Explained: Regions, Styles, and the Best Bottles to Buy

2 weeks ago | lapatiala.com | Jillian Dara

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Forget the Rules: Courtney Kaplan on Pairing Sake with Everything from Pizza to Oysters

3 weeks ago | finedininglovers.com | Jillian Dara

Camélia’s Courtney Kaplan shares expert tips on how to serve and enjoy sake across a full meal—no matter the cuisine or occasion. Courtney Kaplan began her hospitality career in a yakiniku restaurant in Tokyo and has been a champion of sake ever since. In 2017, she and her partner, Chef Charles Namba, opened Tsubaki in Echo Park, followed by OTOTO and most recently Camélia, a French-Japanese bistro in Downtown Los Angeles.
Charles Namba’s Favorite Places to Eat in Los Angeles

3 weeks ago | finedininglovers.com | Jillian Dara

About the list From pizza to pita, dim sum to martinis, Chef Charles Namba knows his way around L.A.’s dining scene. The Camélia chef may have a fine-dining pedigree, but when it comes to his go-to spots, he’s all about bold flavors, comfort food, and kitchens with heart. Here, Namba shares his favorite places to eat in Los Angeles—where he turns when he’s craving Korean barbecue, crisp-edged dim sum, or a perfectly made martini.
Pinot Noir vs. Cabernet Sauvignon: Understanding the Key Difference

3 weeks ago | lapatiala.com | Jillian Dara

Red Wine Here, we illuminate the distinguishing attributes of two of the world’s most celebrated red wines. Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon are both black-grape varieties native to France, but their similarities stop there. These two grapes thrive in different conditions, so they grow in different regions, they have different structural components and flavor profiles, and producers use them in different wines.