With its delightful dryness and light, fizzy body, it's easy to pledge your allegiance to Pommery POP Champagne ($11.99).

A stylish wine with a pale yellow color, POP has a floral nose, creamy mouth feel, and subtle citrus flavor. I like POP for its smooth drinkability; it's refreshing and tastes great on its own.

The French sparkler is perfect for everyday or commemorating a special occasion like the 4th of July — especially now that they've released an all-American bottle! Fill an ice bucket with a bunch of bottles for an instant festive centerpiece or bring a 4-pack to surprise your hostess.

Have you tasted POP? What did you think of this effervescent sparkler?

2009 has been a rough year for casual dining, with many restaurant chains struggling to stay afloat. The solution proposed at Denny's? Become friends with the cool kids. Denny's, a 24-hour eating establishment with a reputation as a family road trip pit stop, is attempting to transform itself into an all-night hotspot for young adults.

With the onset of its Allnighter program last year, Denny's began its metamorphosis into a night-owl oasis, blasting rock and country from the hours of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The company also started offering a Rockstar menu at night, hawking dishes like burritos designed by Good Charlotte and a country-fried steak combo created by Rascal Flatts.

The payoff has been meager with late night traffic increasing by only 5 percent. Still, the chain continues to promote its newly-minted image to college campuses, in hopes that schools will consider changing the names of existing locations to "Allnighter" and offer the restaurant's Rockstar menu. I haven't hit up a Denny's since my last road trip, but I'm curious to know if any of you have checked it out. Does the new late-night Denny's lounge seem to have an edge on the competition?

Photo by sun dazed

You can do pretty much anything with the succulent, summery caprese salad concept, from caprese skewers to caprese nachos. So when heirloom tomatoes started showing up at my farmers market, I whipped up a sandwich featuring the classic combination of fresh basil and mozzarella cheese.

I'm almost embarrassed by how easy it is to make, but that's why this sandwich is perfect for the season. At just five minutes in the oven, it doesn't require slaving over a hot stove. Be sure the tomatoes are perfectly ripe; if you really love them, add an extra layer of tomatoes and cheese. Find out how to make it.

• For this year's Fourth, forgo the fire and reach for all-American fried chicken instead. — Washington Post
• Canadians are divided over the controversy of whether seal deserves a spot on the menu. — New York Times
• Exactly how does one define American cuisine? — Chicago Tribune
• What criteria to consider when seeking a wine enthusiast for a roommate. — San Francisco Chronicle
• New York's leading lady restaurateur shares tips for eating out without spending too much. — Wall Street Journal
• Do seasonal and local produce items surpass their organic counterparts in flavor? — Los Angeles Times
• Upside-down cake isn't solely for pineapples; its design works well on in-season strawberries. — Boston Globe

While one could easily serve red, white, and blue parfaits at a 4th of July party, I prefer to give guests a more all-American dessert — in the form of a crowd-pleasing cupcake. When I saw these adorably patriotic cupcakes in the current issue of Martha Stewart Living, I knew they would be on the menu at my Independence Day celebration.

The vanilla cake batter is dotted with fresh blueberries before being baked. Each individual cake is iced with fluffy seven-minute frosting and topped with a single plump raspberry. These pretty cakes are a light sweet treat, ideal for Summer entertaining. If you're interested in reading the recipe, do so after the break