What did you guys think of the latest episode of Top Chef? I thought it was a fun challenge, with a lot of interesting twists along the way. Incorporating Chicago's Second City Improv group was an intriguing way to liven up the challenge. In fact, I thought it was so much fun, I didn't even mind that it was a team challenge instead of a solo challenge. What did you think of it? I've got my usual full list of things to discuss, so let's dish! Get started, just read more

Wish you could try wines before you buy them? Sounds ridiculous, but a French company called WineSide is hoping to do just that. According to Springwise, WineSide will offer sweet and classic wines in patented, flat-bottomed glass tubes. Currently they're only available at a Parisian shop called Colette. However, the product does bring up an interesting concept. What if you could try any wine before buying? Do you think this is something wineries would be interested in? And would it even taste the same as a vintage that was bottled? What do you guys think about this try-before-you-buy wine?

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I was recently at the new Oxbow Public Market in Napa, where I came across a little organic scoop shop from Three Twins Ice Cream. While the ice cream is smooth and delicious, it was actually the absurdly expensive sundaes that caught my eye.

I asked the gal behind the counter if they've ever served an expensive sundae, and she said not yet, but she was sure it was bound to happen someday. The sundae costs $3,333.33 and consists of a banana split made with syrups from three rare dessert wines, served with an ice cream spoon from the 1850s. If you give them a day's notice, they'll even have a cellist play while you eat it. If you think the cost is too absurd — it is on the "absurdity" menu, after all — maybe it'll help to know that 1/3 of the price is being donated to a local land trust.

If, however, you think this is too tame to be considered the world's most expensive ice cream sundae, then perhaps the $60,000 "World's More Expensive Most Expensive Ice Cream Sundae" will pique your interest. To find out what all that cash will buy you, read more

One of the wines I enjoyed at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Tasting was Hey Mambo by Don Sebastiani & Sons. The wine is part of their "Other Guys" collection and is considered to be a Sultry Red, bistro-style wine. I'll admit it now: I was definitely drawn to it because of it's swank packaging — oh wait, their white is swanky, their red is sultry. The stark graphic label caught my eye from across the room, and so I decided to give it a try.

The wine itself has quite a lot of character. It's not an amazing wine, but for under $10 a bottle, it's really quite nice. It's a blend of several different grapes and is very fruity with tones of blackberries, raspberries, and chocolate. It's definitely not a wine to go with a serious meal, but if you're headed to a party, or are getting ready for a night out, Hey Mambo will help you slip into your dancing shoes.