Tastemakers: Taste of Bay Harbor - Stloichnaya Elit

Taste of Bay Harbor

On Sunday, August 20, the Village at Bay Harbor will host the 4th Annual Taste of Bay Harbor, from 12 pm - 4 pm on the lawn in front of the Marina. The event, run in conjunction with Petoskey’s Festival on the Bay, will feature samplings from Knot Just a Bar, Latitude, Galley Gourmet, Sagamores, The Original Pancake House, and Arthur’s 27 of the Bay Harbor Golf Club. A range of one - four samples are available at a cost of $1 per ticket which can be purchased the day of the event in the Village at Bay Harbor.
There will also be a Mac & Cheese tasting contest available for children. The day will include entertainment by Kurt Strauss and the Bahnhof will provide kayaking demonstrations.
Located a few miles south of Petoskey, Bay Harbor has stunning views of Lake Michigan and Little Traverse Bay. The enormity of the development leaves many passing by to think that Bay Harbor is exclusive, but actually the main street and all of its shops and restaurants are open to the public.
Restaurants at Bay Harbor cover the full gamut, for breakfast try the The Original Pancake House and their signature Apple Pancake smothered with sautéed apples and cinnamon sugar baked to perfection. At lunch the Knot Just a Bar offers a great Jack Daniels BBQ pork sandwich and one of the best Bloody Marys in the north. Another great lunch stop is the deli at the Galley Gourmet where they have all the supplies necessary for that perfect picnic. For that fine dinning experience head to Latitude for Chef Rich Travis’ Shrimp and Crab Cakes with Cucumber and Mango Salad topped with a Ginger-Lime Mayonnaise.  A great way to experience the flavors of Bay Harbor is to do a taste test this weekend. For additional information see www.bayharbor.com www.bayharbor.com or call (231) 439-2000. ---Rick Coates
 

STOLICHNAYA ELIT
Stoli Elit is priced at $60 a bottle making it the most expensive vodka available in the United States. So at that price some might think it not only better be good, it better be flavorful. Good yes, flavorful no. See, the better the quality of vodka the less flavor. While in other spirits flavor is essential, in vodka the absence of flavor is crucial. Less expensive vodkas go through fewer and often cheaper distillation processes resulting that “burn-in-the-back-of-the-throat” sensation when sipping. Stoli Elit uses a combination of the highest quality ingredients, centuries-old traditions and a unique freezing filtration system that they developed and have exclusive use of. This filtration system is not only labor and time consuming, it is expensive; however the results warrant the price.
Elit is a smooth, excellent sipping vodka. Simply place the rocket shaped bottle in your freezer and keep it there. Serve chilled in 2-ounce servings in vodka glasses for sipping enjoyment or as a martini (do not add vermouth) with olives stuffed with Gorgonzola cheese. For those that prefer some flavor with your vodka, using high quality vodkas such as Elit is essential. If you want flavorful vodka then do the infusing yourself versus buying “flavored” vodka.
The sky is really the limit for infusing vodka: from herbs such as garlic, tarragon, basil and oregano to fruits such as mangos, pineapple, cherries, and blueberries to even chili peppers. Start with a glass container that will hold twice the amount of vodka in your bottle. Add whatever fruit or herb you would like as for the quantity; it is a judgment call on your part, depending on the intensity of the flavor, and simply pour a bottle of Stoli Elit over the top cover tightly and shake (shake container daily). For fruits, add a little sugar to speed the infusion process and deepen the flavor. Infusion takes three to four days with herbs and one week with fruits, chili peppers and pineapple take two weeks. Taste and if you are happy with the flavor, strain Stoli back into its original bottle. Makes a great holiday gift. View On Our Website