Jillian Dara

Boston

Journalist at Freelance

Travel, culture, wine & spirts journalist | WSET 2

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Articles

US restaurants with the best Champagne lists

6 days ago | decanter.com | Jillian Dara

When modern wine connoisseurs describe Champagne, the term versatile is often used, usually in reference to its adaptability to food pairings, from caviar and oysters to more modern delights like haute fried chicken. Champagne has come a long way from being the lone bottle collecting dust at the back of a cellar awaiting a special occasion, to one that’s worthy of opening on a Monday night – just because.
Will The Margarita Be The Drink Of The Summer?

6 days ago | forbes.com | Jillian Dara

In the last decade, the rainy, spring months have birthed a new trend: predicting the summer’s hottest drink has become as conventional as betting on who might win the NBA playoffs. And the margarita is this year’s top contender. Last week, DoorDash predicted that the margarita will become the drink of the summer.
Why Flight Attendants Wear Red Lipstick—Plus the 10 Skincare Products They Won't Board a Flight Without

1 week ago | travelandleisure.com | Jillian Dara

Credit: Travel + Leisure As a frequent flier, from the plane aisles, it seems there are several unspoken rules that the cabin crew follow. My most pondered one is if it's required that flight attendants wear red lipstick, or is it just a coincidence that almost every stewardess does it.
Why Are People Adding Jalapeños To Their Sauvignon Blanc?

1 week ago | forbes.com | Jillian Dara

Cinco de Mayo is around the corner and this year, instead of talking about spicy margaritas, social media is abuzz with spicy wine. In the last week, videos showcasing sliced jalapeño in Sauvignon Blanc have amassed over 14 million views on TikTok. “Add Jalapeños to your white wine. I prefer frozen jalapeños and Sav B,” writes one creator who has over 616,000 views on her video of her adding three slices of green jalapeños to a wine glass.
Honor Cinco de Mayo with a Traditional Poblano Menu from Chef Roberto Alcocer

1 week ago | finedininglovers.com | Jillian Dara

Swap the margarita and tacos for a glass of Baja wine and Poblano street food. Each year as the fifth of May approaches, eateries and bars across the U.S. flood their feeds with margarita specials and taco nights—even when the restaurant isn’t necessarily Mexican. But Cinco de Mayo is more than just an excuse to drink tequila. The holiday commemorates Mexico’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
5 restaurants we can’t wait to try in May

1 week ago | boston.com | Jillian Dara

As spring feels like it’s officially in full swing, we’re eyeing the menus at a new Korean comfort food joint in Brookline helmed by a Michelin-starred chef, a new Irish pub with daily live music, and an urban oasis in the heart of Southie that will be serving up New England fare with craft cocktails.
Elevate Your Margarita With These 5 Salts, From Smoky To Sweet

2 weeks ago | forbes.com | Jillian Dara

“Would you like salt?” Is a standard question your server will ask after ordering a classic margarita. That’s because salt and margaritas are a tried-and-true combination that date back to the drink’s reported 1930s origins where salt was used to enhance the natural flavors of the tequila. As the nature of evolution goes, however, there’s been plenty of riffs on margarita rims since then — from sweet to smoky to spicy.
5 Best Online Wine Courses To Expand Your Knowledge

2 weeks ago | forbes.com | Jillian Dara

There was a time when online learning was limited. There were few institutions and colleges that provided virtual courses and they didn’t cover tangible topics. The pandemic quickly changed how and what society was learning online as it was all we had for a few months — it seemed to stick. Today’s online courses cover everything from culinary demos with Michelin-starred chefs to how to buy, taste and appreciate wine from a master sommelier.
5 Online Courses To Expand Your Knowledge In Wine

2 weeks ago | flipboard.com | Jillian Dara

NowGran Orendian Reopsado, produced by one of the oldest and still independent tequila makers in Mexico just took home the top prize at the London Spirits Competition. In the constantly evolving landscape of premium spirits, tequila has found its moment. What was once seen as little more than a fiery …
Up, Up and A Stay

3 weeks ago | latecheckouttime.com | Jillian Dara

Gone are the days of boring white ceilings. Hotels are stepping up, or rather up above, with designs that make it totally normal to zone out mid-convo just to admire what’s overhead. Think: disco ball ensconced chandeliers, amorphous metal and cascading petals on floating floral installations. In short, ceilings are officially in their Renaissance era. Don’t sleep on them — unless you’re doing it under a fresco.