Wine & Wings? WHAT? OK, maybe not together, but if you like either wine OR wings, you have two great reasons to turn off the TV tonight and visit the best wine happy hour in The Cayman Islands at The Brick House! Wine Down Wednesday (WDW) is taking place tonight, September 1st, 2010 and every Wednesday night from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  It’s all about $5.00 wine, $5.00 appetizers, and 25 cent wings! Here are some tasty examples of the the wine & food pairings tonight:

Cono Sur Pinot Noir, Chile 2009 This voluptuous Pinot with rich aromas is recognized for strong cherry, plum and strawberry hints, finished with a subtle spiciness. Scallop and Shrimp Chimichurri Skewers are grilled and basted in a fragrant green Chimichurri sauce.

Cono Sur Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc, Chile 2009 Elegant and crisp, with refreshing citrus and gooseberry notes, this lovely wine will go well with the food pairing of Saffron Mussels: PEI mussels sauteed in a Paella-style seafood broth with onions and garlic.  

Come hang out in the lively and fun atmosphere, grab some excellent wings from 4:00-11:00 PM, and enjoy an ice cold beer. The Brick House is located at the back of Grand Harbour in Red Bay, always draws a good crowd for this happy hour. It’s worth getting out of the house for a glass of wine and a yummy appetizer. Grab a buddy, head out of the office NOW, and pop down for some mid week relaxation! Cheers!

The Brick House: 345-947-3456

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Agave Grill

An authentic Mexican Cantina does exist here in Grand Cayman. Tucked into Ed’s Plaza in Industrial Park is a perfectly delightful, self-proclaimed “hole-in-the-wall” serving delicious food called The Agave Grill. Every meal is prepared with the freshest and highest quality ingredients available. Most of the menu dishes feature meat (which is typical for traditional Mexican dishes) and the Agave Grill uses US “Choice” inside rounds, marinated with chilies for 24 hours, “mesquite smoked” and then oven braised for four hours. There are tasty chicken, vegetarian and locally caught seafood options to choose from as well.

You can order “to go”, or wander in and see what the daily specials are on the chalkboard. By all means, order yourself a famous house margarita, made with their signature prickly pear-infused tequila.

With Cayman temps reaching the 90s, and only dipping down the 80s at night, stay cool with the special Agave summer drinks. Check these out:

Infused Margaritas:Choose from Prickly Pear, Mango, Pineapple, Salty Grapefruit Chi Hua Hua and Jalapeno

Agave Michelada:Why drink a plain old beer when you can have a Michelada? 1 Pacifico, Spicy Old Bay salted rim, half a lime, drop of hot sauce, drop of Worcestershire sauce, a spoonful of Pico di Gallo, and fresh oyster (if available)

Mexican Beers:Pacifico. Negra & Coronas

Ceviche: Try the ceviche of the week.

Agave Grill   Ed’s Plaza          Industrial Park     345-947-5555

www.agave.ky

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Charming Compatible Beads

I finally made my way into 24k-Mon Jewelers & Art Gallery today, and the first thing I thought of, is “Why did I wait so long?!” This lovely jewelry store and art gallery has a wealth of truly unique treasures, many of them produced locally, with a wide variety of price ranges to suit every budget. It’s really like two stores in one. Most retail establishments that try the dual approach can’t pull this off, but 24k-Mon is the exception; the jewelry offerings and the artwork are seamlessly displayed. Much of the handcrafted, locally made jewelry is unique enough to be labeled artwork!

There is fine artwork worthy of the Ritz-Carlton, and are priced accordingly. But there are tons of stunning pieces that look just as expensive, priced at just a few hundred dollars, and some are priced less. Owner Gale Tibbetts has a very wide range of original paintings and prints by local artists such as April Bending, Lorna Griggs, Debbie Tibbetts-Husted, Sue Widmer, Steve Warren, Hollace Katay, Guy Harvey, Jayne Ford, and Lois Brezinski. There are paintings and prints, and painted sculptures made of brass, bronze, porcelain, acrylic and glass. Choose from collectible items such as painted and etched wine glasses, tiles, teapots, vases, paperweights, hand painted hand bags, and porcelain dolls. There are lots of whimsical hand painted plaques for a lighthearted and inexpensive gifts.

Right now, there is a fantastic sale going at 24k-Mon Jewelers and Art Gallery! Most of the framed art prints are 40% off, and many other items in the Gallery such as sculptures and other art pieces are 50% off! Hurry in to get a special piece for your home. Or shop now for birthdays, the holidays, or other special occasions.

Sea Animal Charms

Do take a peek at the jewelry while you are there! The “Compatible Component” Beads, in Sterling Silver, are interchangeable with Pandora, but with a Cayman twist! Your bracelet can have a flavor that belongs only to you. Check out the Turtle, Ray, Mermaid and Conch pieces (also available in 14kt.) The beads can go onto earrrings, cords, bracelets, chains, and others accessories to create your own special jewelry. I fell madly in love with “Bee Line Designs”, a fresh and ravishing line designed by local, on-staff designers with bold, semi precious materials. The pieces started at $60.00 and could easily go higher but have a very expensive look that could fit in on any runway in NYC or Paris. It’s a timeless, sexy line that I am going to invest in. I haven’t seen anything that unique in a quite some time. Sophisticated and good looking! Patricia Ebanks, one of the designers, told me that a portion of each sale go to breast cancer awareness. So you can feel great about looking great!

14kt Yellow Gold Charm

24k-Mon Jewelers & Art Gallery

Located at Buckingham Square, Seven Mile Beach on West Bay Road

Telephone: 345-949-1499  www.24k-monjewelers.com

Open Monday through Saturday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

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Grand Old House

The Grand Old House is known for elegant dinners, the fantastic wine list, breathtaking sunsets, and a classic Carribean “Great House” venue. They are now “lightening up” considerably with a terrific and diverse Mix & Match salad menu that has proven to be very popular with the corporate crowd, the locals, and many visitors. Here’s how it works: you choose your base salad (like the “Chic to be Greek Salad”) and if you desire, you toss on a yummy protein (like New Zealand Lamb Chops). Some of the base salads are quite robust on their own and can stand up quite nicely without a thing added in, like the Caribbean Lobster Salad or the Thai Beef Salad.

BASE SALADS: Organic Salad with Cottage Cheese, Local Vine Ripened Tomatoes & Buffalo Mozzarella on Basil Gazpacho, Organic Vegan Salad, Grand Old House Caesar Salad, “Chic to be Greek” Salad, Caribbean Lobster Salad, or Thai Beef Salad

SALAD ADD-ONS: Free Range Chicken Breast, Mahi-Mahi, Snapper, Filet of Yellow Fin Tuna, New York Strip Loin 6 Oz, Black Tiger Shrimp, or New Zealand Lamb Chops

Open for lunch, Monday-Friday 11:45 AM to 2:00 PM, Open for Dinner, nightly 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

Telephone: 345-949-9333      www.grandoldhouse.com     info@grandoldhouse.com

Pop over soon and enjoy the great atmosphere, and leave without feeling stuffed! Grab a buddy, a date, or even dare to dine alone. You might spot me munching on the Organic Vegan Salad and taking in the sweeping views of the beautiful Caribbean Sea; I’m worth it!

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Italian Salad

For only CI $25.00, it’s possible to get an amazing gourmet meal at Casanova Restaurant, this weekend only. This price includes a fabulous meal, and a glass of wine to sip as you savor Casanova’s famous Italian food. It’s an extraordinary value, and a fabulous experience, at one of Grand Cayman’s finest restaurants. The locale could not be any more romantic; it’s perched by the Caribbean Sea. Come for the sunset and let the seabreezes soothe away the stresses of the week!

Check out what the chef has put together for you, June 25th-June 27th:

Appetizers (choose one):  

Soup of the Day

Fresco Con Vegetable-Garden Salad tossed with grilled veggies in basil-oregano dressing

Funghi Saltati Al Gorgonzola-Sauteed Mushrooms with gorgonzola cheese

Main Courses (Choose One):

Spaghetti Fradiavolo-Spaghetti sauteed with shrimp in a spicy marinara & basil sauce

Pollo Al Funghi-Chicken Breast sauteed in white wine, mushrooms and garlic laced with a touch of herb  cream sauce

Filetto Di Pesce Capri-fresh fish with a fresh diced mix of tomatillos, scallions, oregano, thyme & black olives in basil broth

Desserts: choose from Bread Pudding, Italian Tiramisu, Casanova’s Double Layer Chocolate Cake

Wine: Includes one glass of wine or one bottle of wine for 4 guests

Call NOW to reserve your spot! If you are dining alone, don’t be shy! Join the fun! 345-949-7633

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Manicure

Posh Spa Lounge is ROCKIN’ IT this month! They have affordable daily specials that bring luxe beauty services into every budget. And next month, the gals at Posh are on the hunt for a makeover candidate! (More on that later!) Here are all the groovy gigs going on for the rest of June:

The DAILY SPECIALS

Tuesday is NAIL DAY! Manicure, CI $15.00. Acrylic Refill, CI $20.00. Acrylic Full Set, CI$35.00

Wednesday is PEDICURE DAY! (My personal favorite treat) only CI$20.00!

Thursday is FACIAL DAY! This is a total steal at only CI $55.00! Also, get a manicure at half price when you pay full price for a pedicure!

Friday is MASSAGE DAY! 90 luxurious minutes for only CI $105.00! Also, when you get a full set of acrylics, you will get a pedicure at half price!

Now, coming up in July, submit a letter & a “before” photo to The Posh Spa Lounge explaining why you deserve a makeover. Are you an exhausted Mom? A frazzled bride-to-be? Got a graduation coming up? Or maybe “Just Because?” One super lucky winner will be pampered head-to-toe. She’ll be given a new look, as well as expert advice on maintaining her new glam appearance!

Posh Spa Lounge       19 Walkers Road       345-946-7121

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Tuna Tartar

Are you bored with the idea of another dinner at home? Are you staring into the fridge and wondering what to make? GO WEST! Don’t mind the rain; it’s cozy and nice inside the Cracked Conch’s lovely dining room, and the tempting new menu items are worth venturing out for! Chef Gilbert has a special touch with local, fresh seafood and herbs, and he knows exactly how to sear the seafood to bring out the flavors without overdoing it. He combines exquisite seafood, fresh-from-the-garden-veggies, a touch of flavorful sauces, a chutney, or a root puree to create the most amazing dishes. Check out these yummy new dishes at Cracked Conch:

Appetizers:

Honey Jerk Glazed Tuna Tartar (with Local Peppers & Cucumber Relish)

Fresh Goat Cheese (Garlic Crouton, Beetroot Chips & Puree)  

Main Courses:

Pan Seared Tuna (with Warm Potato Salad, Tartar Broth)

Butter Poached Mahi Mahi (with Pumpkin Puree, Crispy Veggies, Dark Rum Butter Sauce, Tomato Chutney)

Call for reservations! They are open for dinner 5:30-10:00PM. 345-945-5217

The Cracked Conch

www.crackedconch.com.ky

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Touch of Thai

Ladies and Gents, check out the amazing May specials at Touch of Thai Day Spa & Beauty Salon! The specials are until May 14th only. Stop into this luxurious day spa soon or give the experts there a call to arrange your beauty treatment today. The staff is wonderful and they know how to deal with the Cayman climate. They have the most bullet-proof pedicures: absolutely chip resistant, even in this tough tropical weather. They are very busy, so make sure you call ahead for your appointment. The word has gotten out about this terrific place. The spa is gaining an island wide reputation for innovative and unique spa services with exceptional products. The service is always amazing, and the “relaxation room” is worth the trip: the atmosphere competes with any major Seven Mile Beach hotel spa! Give it a try; you won’t be disappointed! This is the week to try it; check out these prices:

Time 4 Men

Full Body Exfoliation with light finishing massage followed by an Urban Cleanse Facial and Scalp Massage or Hair Cut.

Normally CI $228.00 Now just CI $182.40!

Exotic Coconut Rub and Wrap Ritual

Pure Sensuality to enliven the senses. After a full body coconut scrub, warmed skin is treated to a Nourishing Milk Bath, which is poured all over the body. Then the pampered spa guest is cocooned in a comforting foil wrap. Excellent for skin smoothing and and softening.

Normally CI $120.00, Now just CI $96.00

Product Promo

Purchase any two hair products and get a complimentary shampoo and blow dry with Michael! Free 15 minute color consultations also available!

Touch of Thai Day Spa & Beauty Salon

Park Place, Grand Cayman   Telephone: 345-949-8989       or 345-938-6189

email: info@touchofthai.ky    web: www.touchofthai.ky

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Gordon

If you would like to have a pet at home, but can’t, there is still a great way to become a HERO in a dog’s life with the new sponsorship program at The Cayman Islands Humane Society. For as little as CI $40.00, you can sponsor a dog’s food bowl! A one month sponsorship is $40.00, 3 months is $120.00, 6 months is $240.00, and 1 year is $480.00. Isn’t that wonderful way to contribute to a pet’s new life?

If you can’t spare the $40.00, pop by and pick up a Gift Card for $5.00. There are donation cards that come in Birthday, Sympathy or General Donation variations. They will mail them out for you, or you can deliver them yourself. What a super idea for kids, co-workers or any animal lover.

The Humane Society has a wish list:  http://www.caymanhumanesociety.com/donate_wishlist.php. Volunteer dog walkers and groomers are always needed and greatly appreciated. The book store is in need of books, and volunteers to sort books, stock shelves, and sell the books. If you are a book lover, you probably already know that this store has a wonderful selection of books for only a few dollars each. The thrift store has just had a lovely renovation (complete with brand new hardwood floors) so clean out your closets and bring in those clothes and household goods you aren’t using. Good ole’ cash donations are always appreciated too!  This wonderful organization relies on the community, so please help out in any way that you can.

Last but not least, the Humane Society has the most amazing dogs and cats available for adoption! I was there a few days ago and I wish I had a huge home like Oprah, so I could bring them all home with me. They were all so friendly, loving, and just begging to come home to a loving family. Good friends of mine have three rescued Cayman “mutts” that are some of the finest dogs I know; two of them came from the Humane Society. (Their other dog turned up as a tiny puppy behind our office, abandoned by his mother, and grew up to be a big, strapping guy that has an absolutely fabulous life.)

To sign up for the new sponsorship program:

email info@caymanhumanesociety.com or call 345-949-1461

Be a HERO today!

By the way, the cute doggie in the picture is Gordon. He’s the Featured Pet: http://www.caymanhumanesociety.com/index.php. If you need a new best friend, or know of someone who might, please forward the link so Gordon can find his “forever home”!

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arteccentrix gallery

If you are feeling blah lately, stop in to arteccentrix gallery in Governors Square to lift your spirits. Even if you aren’t in the market for fine art at this exact moment, you’ll find yourself feeling refreshed and inspired by the beautiful array of fine artwork. It’s like going to a mini-museum! The gallery is full of bright colors, and there is some stunning three dimensional artwork. I fell in love with some ravishing sculptures made from solid Caymanite; a rare semi precious stone. ( I am still scheming about how to fit the sculpture into my budget; it is fabulous.)

Artist Al Ebanks

If you can find your way in before April 22nd, it’s worth seeing Cayman artist Al Ebanks’ ”Beyond” Exhibition. Al is a local Caymanian artist who has gained immense popularity and respect in Cayman and abroad. His work is on display in galleries in Chicago and Miami as well as many private collections in Cayman and in the US. Al’s style has been described “a fresh twist of Abstract and Impressionist Art”. His work is powerful, complex and delightful to behold in person, and it’s worth a trip to arteccentrix this week to have a look at the collection.

It’s worth stopping in arteccentrix anytime. Owners Nickola McKoy-Snell and Maurice Snell keep an ever-changing variety of exciting local artwork in the gallery. They plan on expanding the inventory to include more international artists as the gallery matures. Nickola is a talented artist herself, and feels fulfilled now that she is immersed in the art world full time. (With a laugh, she recalled recently that she found herself doodling and drawing in her previous career, since being an artist has always been her true calling.) The couple have a passion for highlighting local artists, and making beautiful fine art available for all of us here in Cayman. Make sure you pop in soon. It’s not a stuffy place at all; the owners are friendly and you’ll learn a lot about art. And you’ll feel cheered up-I sure did!

arteccentrix gallery is open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00, and Saturday 10:00-4:00PM.

Telephone 345-927-2076    nickola@arteccentrixgallery.com

www.arteccentrixgallery.com

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