Page 14 - Boca Club News - May '21

Page 14, Boca Club News
Travel: Postcards from Jessica

luxury train of the Hiram Bingham, stay at the celebrated within a cloud forest. It is spectacular in every way; you’ll
Inkaterra Lodge, and then walk the ancient ruins of the be treated to great hospitality and cuisine that’s indigenous
Inca Indians. to the region. It also has one of the largest native orchid
Once you make it to this beautiful country, you’ll collections in the world.
realize that—from Lima to Cusco to the Sacred Valley— I totally recommend you get to bed early. The best time
you will not only visit a country filled with history, but to get to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu is when the
one that still till this day is truly a “living culture.” rooster crows. To beat the onslaught of crowds, you’ll have
Destination: Cusco Peru. Most folks believe that the to be one of the first on top of the mountain. Your private
Machu Picchu mountains seem to be a distant destination guide will not only offer you the amazing history of this
only for the young and strong. Maybe twenty years ago 7th New Wonder, but also navigate you to the best photo
that might have been true. But today it couldn’t be any spots.
easier to see this historic sight. The Valley. With one of the most pleasant climates in
You can either disembark from a cruise or simply fly the Andes, the Sacred Valley is where the Incas established
to Lima, Peru. To get to Machu Picchu you simply take a their farmlands to produce a great variety of corn, potatoes
To: Those Not Afraid Of Heights, Seeking short flight to Cusco, and then a car or train to the foothills. and local goods. Make a visit to Ollantaytambo, where
Mystery and Ancient History… Or, if you feel like Indiana Jones, you can walk the tedious you can climb the Incan fortress and soak up the serene
From: The Hiram Bingham Train, Peru, paths of the Inca Trail. I personally would need to do a lot surroundings.
Headed for Machu Picchu more training for that kind of adventure. As you ramble down into town, you’ll wander the
One thing you must know is that Cusco is actually at a quaint village’s cobblestone streets and visit the market
By Jessica Flores. Jessica has higher altitude than Machu Picchu, registering at 11,000 full of vibrant woven goods, stunning crafts and tantalizing
worked in the travel and tourism feet above sea level. Thankfully, you can stay at one of street foods. Go ahead and follow your nose and eat like
industry for well over a decade. She the luxury hotels offering oxygen-fed rooms to help offset a local. The creamy corn soup is amazing, and you can’t
holds both Bachelors and Master’s any chance of altitude headaches. Since you are there for go wrong with a traditional and authentic fresh empanada
Degrees in Hospitality & Tourism only a day or two, you’ll have nothing to worry about. from the oven.
Management. As owner of AWAY Your Road Map Wheels Down. There is so much more to see in Peru!
Travel in Boca Raton, Jessica and Getting There. Now your adventure starts! I advise that But don’t worry, this magnificent country will have you
staff bring 25 years of personal you not miss the chance to travel on the Hiram Bingham returning. Maybe next time you can explore more of the
travel experience to an exclusive train. This luxurious train winds itself through the valleys Andes Mountains, or stay on a boathouse navigating the
clientele looking for luxury travel and mountaintops of the Peruvian Andes alongside the uncharted waters of the Amazon. Or, spend a few days in
planning. Urubamba River. Traveling this train is a throwback to the Tambopata Jungle or experience time on Lake Titicaca.
Pack Your Bags: As I sit at a desk in my private days gone by. Enjoy a lunch or dinner in an elegant dining One thing that stands out most to me from my trip to
luxurious suite-style sleeper cabin, I can hear the rattling of car as you watch unmatched scenery display how life is Peru are the people and the cuisine. I still believe that some
steel pounding the tracks of our train winding itself lower lived in this part of the world. Sip a Pisco Sour, a Peruvian of the best food I’ve ever eaten has been in Peru. Visit Lima
in altitude but higher in spirit. This is one adventure you cocktail, in the open-air observatory car as a live band for its world-renowned chefs, the experience of eating an
can’t miss. It’s hard to believe I’m on my way to one of beat their cajon and tambourines of international music Alpaca steak, or the local delicacy “cuy” (guinea pig); or
the most iconic destinations in the world. throughout the trip. simply marvel at the hundred varieties of potatoes, corns
For decades I’ve seen everyone else’s photos of the The Mountain. Once you arrive at Aguas Calientes, and vegetables.
mystic clouds descending on the sacred Machu Picchu the small city at the base of Machu Picchu, you’ll find your All I can say is: Buen Provecho!
mountain tops. Now is my time to travel on the renowned way to my favorite hotel. The Inkarra Hotel is nestled deep
Grape Expectations: Wine Mathematics

By Ed Wolfarth, who moved to South Over the years I have consulted with sommeliers, chefs, owners Another interesting development in the food and wine
Florida after retiring with his wife, of restaurants and clubs as to how best to price their wines, industry is the ever-increasing popularity of the BYO policy.
Vicki, as Professor of Sports Sciences as well as what to include. If you examine most wine lists, “Bring Your Own Bottle” is often allowed at even the fanciest
& Physical Education at both Queens you will always find popular names and producers that most food emporiums. It never hurts to ask. Corkage fees may run
College and Hofstra University. He patrons have heard of: Robert Mondavi, Kendall Jackson, from as little as no charge to $2 per person, to as high as $30
is a nationally ranked senior tennis Santa Margherita, etc. Since you should also find some wines at per bottle to “not allowed”!
player and long-time USPTA Elite various price points, I like to recommend at least two offerings In states like New Jersey, where liquor licenses are
Teaching Professional. Ed has written of a white and two of a red wine, for $30 or under. exorbitantly expensive, BYO is a common practice.
many educational and tennis articles Most establishments price their wines at approximately Personally, I always ask a restaurant’s policy as to bringing
in the past. Over the past few years, Ed has turned his hobby two-and-a-half times retail. A restaurant will usually make wine. My experience tells me $15 per bottle is the norm in
of wine collecting into a way of continuing his passion for more money on a less expensive wine. That $28 bottle of a south Florida, if allowed. If you bring a $15 bottle and add
writing, and has written on the subject for publications. As a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc may cost the owner $8. That’s a the corkage fee, and it comes to more than similar wines on
self-proclaimed “wine snob,” he has collaborated on many nice mark-up. Wines priced between $30 and $40 account the wine list—well again, do the math!
wine lists for private clubs and a few restaurants. Ed can be for the majority of restaurant sales. Of course, those figures In the Boca/ Delray area, there are wonderful restaurants
reached at wolfarthe@msn.com. increase as the establishment is more expensive. of every conceivable type of fare with exciting wine lists.
It is clear from the number of emails that are being sent to Most consumers do not order the least expensive bottle on Some of my favorites are: Taverna Kyma, in Boca, with its
me by readers of this column that more of you are beginning the wine list, and certainly do not order the most expensive. exceptional fresh fish and Greek wines; Victoria’s Portuguese
to feel comfortable about venturing to dine out at restaurants, There are bargains to be found on every wine list or menu, but in Boynton Beach and its sister restaurant a few doors
and from the nature of your questions that a refresher course you need to do your research prior to dining. These “bargains” down, for the best roasted chicken anywhere; Rancherito, a
about the “math” of ordering wine calls for another round of a are often unfamiliar producers or varietals. An adventurous Colombian restaurant in Boca (I know it sounds of a different
lesson that I had presented in a column several years ago that diner may often have a wonderful wine at an affordable price. ethnicity), and Farmer’s Table in Boca, to name but a few.
was especially well received by readers at the time. I hope Always ask your server. Some are knowledgeable. If you are bringing wine, always send some to the
the following will be as helpful as a reminder to some...and Almost all restaurants have a web site and post their menus manager, chef or your server. They appreciate your sharing,
as a new guide to first-timers. and wine lists. It is a good idea to “research” the wines before and likely will remember you next time. Also, always tip as
When you look at a standard wine bottle you will note you attend. Sites such as Winespectator or Winesearcher if you had ordered a bottle of $30 or more. I always include
that it contains 750 ML of “juice.” For us non-metric types, can give you a general idea of what the wine is rated and six dollars or an additional 20% for every bottle I bring.
that’s approximately 26-½ ounces. When you order a glass of some sense of what you can expect. A note of caution here: A well-informed diner can not only save a few dollars
wine at a restaurant, it is the industry norm to get a six-ounce Ratings are often subjective and at the mercy of producers when ordering wine, but will get more enjoyment out of the
pour. Interestingly, most “lower end” restaurants use cheaper who “lobby” for higher ratings. We’ll save the subject of experience. Stay thirsty and smarter than the average bear…
stemware and pour into eight-ounce glasses. I suppose six ratings for another time. and don’t forget to try different wines!
ounces in an eight-ounce glass gives the appearance of being
fuller. At higher end establishments, which often use better
stemware or goblets, six ounces can often get “lost” in a
12- or 16-ounce goblet. Of course, you do get the advantage
of swirling! So the question becomes…… is the glass half
empty or half full?
Wine economics dictates that the savvy consumer takes
into account whether it is more frugal to order four glasses
of wine (two for your dinner partner and two for you) or a
full bottle. Remember, four of the six-ounce glasses give you
24 ounces of wine for whatever the going price of a glass is.
Wine by the glass can range anywhere from $6 to $14 per
glass. Obviously, it depends on the quality of the wine and
the nature of the establishment. So, do the math! Will a bottle
be cheaper, or should I go with wines by the glass?
Restaurants need to make money on their wine programs.