Allen (pictured above with showhouse owner and radio personalty Patty "Steele" Kushner) spent more time giving the crowd his quick and dirty lesson on wine appreciation than talking about his book. His last great meal in NYC? Tom Colicchio's Craft Steak. On wine and food pairings, Allen likes Alsatian Rieslings or Gewurtztraminer with spicy Asian; Chardonnay & sushi; and Sauvignon Blanc with lemony chicken. But he shocked the crowd with his fave: Cristal Champagne with Popeye's Chicken. Recommending Pinot Noir as a great drop, he added "but I liked Pinot Noir before Sideways, and although Merlot got a bad rap, it's also delicious with tomato sauces. Don't be mean to Merlot." Cab Franc is fabulous with lamb, he gushed, and the grape is "criminally under rated."
He also opened up for questions. Ted Allen factoids we learned: He's a huge devotee of Martha Stewart: "Martha is the gold standard of TV cooking." He is the quiet one on the set, and asked if he was sure his castmates were gay, he replied "I'm as sure as I want to be."
Allen captivated the audience, and only once had to calm them down with "Shhh, drunk ladies!" The JLNM Showhouse and Gardens is open though May 29. Their next, and last bash is a Cuban themed party, featuring live music, salsa, world beat, mojitos (with alcohol!), tapas and a pig roast, on Saturday, June 3. Reservations and information here.
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Oh, Patty Steele, would you marry me?