{#WineWednesday} Photo Highlights from @TropicanaAC Winter #Wine Festival

My recent trip to Atlantic City was definitely Epic with a kick off event to preview Atlantic City's Restaurant Week, which coincidentally got extended for a second week (if you missed my coverage of it, click HERE), I also experienced a delicious Chef's Tasting at FIN Seafood Restaurant at Tropicana Atlantic City (if you missed my coverage of the menu tasting click HERE) and on my last day out there I got the opportunity to check out Tropicana's Winter Wine Festival. I always end up extending my trip when I visit there and it always turns out worth it! Always a fun mix of 'work' and 'play'.

I'm going to titillate your Wine Wednesday senses with a bit of what I got to see and sample: (In the order I walked through the room)

Above: Needless to say my eye is immediately drawn to anything with a butterfly, check out this butterfly wine corks holder!

Above: Transport your wine in style with this super cute mini guitar case Wine Holder!

Above: I love the soft leaves pattern on this Wine Decanter and Matching Wine Glasses by An Etch of Glass

Above: For those carrying the wine theme through this grape decanter and matching glasses would be perfect!

Above: These caught my eye as they totally remind me of 'The Scream' painting by Edvard Munch, these would be perfect for that art loving wine lover in your life.

Above: Hanks Rub Seasoning is a dry rub you can use on practically anything!

Above: Hanks was offering a 'Hot Sauce Tasting' and you know I wasn't passing that up!

Above: I love the 'mystery batch' idea, this one is called 'Witches Brew'

Above: Touchstone Crystal by Swarovski is a Jewelry Home Party concept that is a great way to earn extra income!

Above: Needless to say the butterfly jewelry box caught my eye, sadly it was a display and not for sale!

Above: Taste Artisanal Market presented their Herbal Infused Honey, Marinated Asiago Spread, Southern Pimiento Spread, Spicy Smoked Bacon Pub Cheese and Blue Cheese Walnut Spread - these were delish, perfect for your crackers when hosting an at home wine tasting too!

Above: These funny napkins from Top Shelf Specialties caught my eye!

Above: These funny tees are also by Top Shelf Specialties, definitely a fun idea when you and crew visit a winery so you can easily spot each other if you get separated! LOL :-)

Above: The team at Salem Oak Winery was fun, we tasted from white to red and they were all a slam dunk which for me is pretty rare!

Above: One of my standout faves from Salem Oak Winery was their 'Julia-Marie' White Table Wine (Cayuga, not too sweet, not too dry, this one is very balanced)

Above: Monroeville Vineyard and Winery also had a great display

Above: We also tasted from white to red with DiMatteo Vineyards, featured is Traminette - a sweet-spicy white wine produced from a new American variety of grape - a cross between gavertz and sevval, a great compliment to seafood, poultry, pork, fresh fruits and desserts. Definitely a great hostess gift!

Above: The CranCherry is a perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving and Holiday Meals and certainly an interesting choice with Easter coming up.

Above: I had a great tasting with Tomasello Winery and my standout from the tasting was their Sparkling Blueberry Wine (you all know I am a 'bubbles' girl first and foremost! So it was no surprise to me or my palate that this one would be my fave!)

Above: Gourmet Creations presented an assortment of their Veggie Dips and Wine Spreads

Above: Bellview Winery took us through their wines as well, I am partial to their 'Dry Whites'

Above: Fin Seafood Restaurant was on hand with some soul-warming soups!

Above: Fin's Award Winning Lobster Bisque and Cape May Clam Chowder was available for purchase. And after tasting enough wine, an eats break is a *MUST*

Above: Amalthea Cellars took us through tasting from white to red, and again I found myself drawn to the white.

Above: We tasted through some great offerings by Valenzano Family Winery and their Vidal Blanc 2014 (crisp with hints of grapefruit, pears, and peaches) was my standout choice!

MY TAKE:

I love how most Wine Tastings have expanded their offerings to include seminars, tastings, live concerts during the tasting, and an assortment of food and accessories.

I got a strong sense of the passion that each winery puts into their wines, many are family owned, and many of the wineries also shared their food menus.

Tropicana utilized the space well and there was a good deal of walking room (which is one of the complaints I usually have at tastings, the booths tend to be so crammed it's hard to maneuver), and I thought there was an excellent variety of vendors. It was great seeing local wines featured and I want to add some of these New Jersey Wineries to my list, there is nothing more fun than a tasting at the actual winery.

Atlantic City on the whole has seen so many closings in such a short period of time that one of the things I feared was that the remaining Casinos would rest on the fact that they are still standing, Tropicana continues to reinvent itself and offers a wide variety of events and experiences, in fact this spring Ivan Kane's Kiss Kiss a Go-Go is set to launch at the Tropicana (I got invited to the Press Conference for it, but sadly couldn't take the time off!) and will be located inside The Quarter at Tropicana. (You may remember me mentioning Ivan Kane's Royal Jelly Burlesque Nightclub that was inside the (now closed) Revel Casino.) This is nightlife as art and I can't wait to see it for myself. Will report back on it once I have had the opportunity to visit.

Have you attended a Wine Tasting Recently? What is your Favorite Wine? What will you be sipping this Wine Wednesday?

Stay Thirsty My Friends!

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FTC Disclosure:  This is NOT a monetarily compensated Post, press passes were provided for Editorial Consideration. All opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Epic Menu Tasting at FIN Seafood Restaurant @TropicanaAC in #AtlanticCity #DOAC #FoodieFriday

Lobster Bisque Shooter, FIN, Seafood Restaurant, Tropicana Casino, Atlantic City

Atlantic City Restaurant Week is in full swing, earlier this week I shared photo highlights from the Exclusive Preview Kick Off Event that was hosted at the Borgata, if you missed that post, check it out HERE. The photo above is actually from the Restaurant Week event, but it was just too good to pass up using it here since I will be taking you through my epic menu tasting at FIN.

One of the Restaurants we featured who was at the Kick off event was FIN Seafood Restaurant. FIN is located within Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. I had the opportunity to try a tasting menu that was prepared personally for me by Chef Danny, and it was EPIC! I just had to share about it!

Our Maitre D' was a very familiar face and it took me awhile to realize he used to work at a fine dining establishment in Hilton Atlantic City (which sadly the Hilton AC Casino is closed now), it was great to see a familiar face! 

A great start to an epic meal.

Above: An assortment of breads with butter and cheese with horseradish

Our table was in expert hands with Maurice and Jesus, and Chef Danny led strong with Bluepoint Oysters which is one of my faves!

Blue Point Oysters, FIN Restaurant, Tropicana Casino

I am a shellfish lover and there is a particular spot in Atlantic City where I go specifically for Blue Point Oysters, so I was excited that the chef opted to open with these, they were super fresh and just bursting with flavor. I have this habit of trying the first one sans condiments, then I 'fix' the next ones to my liking with horseradish, hot sauce, and cocktail sauce.

Here is the view out the window from table/eye level:



See the reflection of the chandelier on the glass?

For me it doesn't get better than eating seafood, seaside.

I was stoked that I got a chance to take a photo with Chef Danny, it was great to meet him in person and thank him for the incredible opportunity to taste our way through so much of the Menu!

At the Restaurant Week Event the night before I nabbed a shot of FIN's Head Chef, Demetrios Haronis. There are some 'off menu' specialty items that Chef Demetrios has added to the menu, so don't forget to ask about those as well if you are looking for something unique and fun, some are dishes - like the Dancing Shrimp or Grilled Block Island Swordfish as well as a specialty cocktail called 'mermaid's mary' that is a Tropicana Twist on a Bloody Mary!

Above: Crispy Point Judith Calamari cooked to perfection and served with a delicious Sweet Chili Indian Tamarind Dipping Sauce and Cajun Remoulade!

I love Calamari but won't eat it everywhere, these were just right not over or under cooked and the dipping sauces were perfect!

Above: Spicy Tuna Rolls (front) and the rolls behind them are the Crunchy King Crab (King Crab, Tempura Flakes, Cucumber, Masago, Scallions, and Japanese Mayo)

I am a sushi fanatic and much like Calamari and Oysters I am picky about where I will eat them, these were FANTASTIC! FIN also has a sushi bar with it's own specials on certain nights (like 'Wasabi Wednesdays' - 1/2 price sushi and 1/2 price Sake and Saketinis, Prohibition Thursdays, Fin Fridays and R & R Sundays with 1/2 price Raw Bar and 1/2 price Rose Wine), so if you don't have time for a full sit down at the Restaurant you can enjoy some time off the gaming floor at the bar - honestly you can't go wrong either way!

These three starters - oysters, calamari and sushi were a grand slam tri-fecta of perfection for me as these are my faves. At this point my tummy was about to burst, but then the entrees came out:

Above: Seafood Au Gratin - Sauteed Shrimp, Lobster, Jumbo Lump Crabmeat, Hand Cut Fettucine, Parmesan Cream

This is literally Seafood 'Comfort Food' at it's absolute finest! Creamy, Cheesy, Delicious, Goodness!

Above: Fin's Stuffed Shrimp - Wild Pacific Shrimp Stuffed with Jumbo Lump Crabmeat, Lobster, Roasted Peppers, Artichokes, Grilled Zucchini, and Roasted Pepper Pesto

This one is actually deceptively dense and more filling than you might expect! (although in all fairness, by this point in the tasting menu I was slightly afraid I might bust a pants button! Someone certainly would have lost an eye! LOL)

Above: Front: Meyer Lemon Cheesecake (Lemon Curd and Fresh Berry Compote), Fin's Chocolate Jubilation Cake (Chocolate Buttermilk Cake Infused with Caramel)

Complete and Utter DECADENCE! 

MY TAKE:

You guys know how much I love 'GamingCations'. I am on the East Coast so I hit Atlantic City way more often than I do Las Vegas. The industry here has taken quite a few hits with the instability in the economy. Many Casinos on the infamous boardwalk have shut their doors for good. But the past few years visiting both as Media on Press Trips/Familiarization Visits and as someone who has frequented the City for two decades now on my own, what I can tell you is that the Casinos that survive the hit with so many dips in the economy are the ones that are not afraid to re-invent themselves. What I love about the Tropicana is exactly that, they are not afraid of change, they are always doing something new and you rarely will have the same experience there twice. During my recent visit I got the chance to stay in the newly renovated North Tower. It definitely needed an overhaul and I am glad to see the changes being made.

For some weird reason every time I hit Tropicana set out to go to FIN it was closed and I can now say without reservation that it was SO worth the wait and I will DEFINITELY be going back when I am back in Atlantic City. The meal and service were absolutely phenomenal. The next time you are in Atlantic City make a reservation for FIN, and tell them 'Ascending Butterfly' sent you!

Which of the dishes on this EPIC tasting menu appeal to you most? What is your favorite seafood?

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FTC Disclosure:  This is NOT a monetarily compensated Post, tasting menu offered for Editorial Consideration. All opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Whether you chose to #DOAC by day or enjoy #DOACNightlife, you can't go wrong at #AtlanticCity this summer!

#DOACNightlife Bus

I have spent a lot of time the last two weeks visiting one of my favorite places, Atlantic City. Both by night, on an Atlantic City bound Party Bus enjoying the City's Nightlife, and then again by day, exploring great eats, the boardwalk, beach, casinos, pools and more!

And of course when I find something I love I just have to share it!

My visits out there were actually so extensive I am going to split this into multiple posts, and the pictures that didn't make this post you will be able to find on our Pinterest Page on our 'Travel' Pinterest Board. I was trying to make separate boards for each place I visit, but I think it's easier to drop them all in Travel and then just label where each picture was taken!

DJ Nigel Richards keeps tunes & fun flowing on the AC Party Bus!

I boarded the Party Bus above a bit skeptical about how fun Atlantic City Nightlife would be on a Monday night, and I can tell you they don't call it a 'party bus' for nothing my friends, we actually had not one, but three DJ's on board (I would say four technically, but no one knew they had #TheOfficialTwitterPartyDJ on board and I kept that one to myself!), and the 45-foot 'Nightclub-on-Wheels' provided us a curated experience,our own bartender, and a guide to keep the group organized and show us around the city.

Steve kept the Beverages coming! :)

Below: The bus can carry up to 30 passengers and we definitely had a full house and a great atmosphere!

Below: Our first stop was the Hard Rock at Taj Mahal in Atlantic City to have some drinks and a bite to eat!

The picture above was actually taken during my day trip the following week (just thought you'd like to see it from the outside)

Below: Here are some more photos taken at The Hard Rock in Atlantic City:

Above: Couldn't resist getting a shot of this fun neon sign which reads: No Drugs or Nuclear Weapons Allowed Inside

Below: I always like to remind folks, to 'look up', here is the view up above our heads, it reads "Love All Serve All"

Below: Check out the cool guitar above the bar:

Below: Keith Richards Memorabilia at The Hard Rock Atlantic City

Below: Loved the look of the cool stained glass:

We also got to visit the popular night spot Mur Mur at Borgata! But before our group had to depart we had to leave our mark:

I got to return for what was supposed to be an overnight trip, there was a few of us up there and we were assigned to different Casinos, we got Trump Plaza, and I extended my trip and added on a night at Tropicana Hotel and Casino!

On the way to Trump Plaza on the Boardwalk, Atlantic City

Below: View from our room's window:

Below: After getting settled, it was off on a private jitney as a cocktail reception at the Pool awaited us at Golden Nugget Atlantic City:

Above: Trying to re-create the magic of my shot from 2012, not bad right? This is the view when you look up while sitting poolside, pretty sweet right?

Above: Look up! Check out the chandeliers in the lobby while on my way up the escalator!

Above: The H2O Bar, Poolside at Golden Nugget Atlantic City

Above: DO AC welcomes bloggers

Above: Crowdtap welcomes bloggers

Above: The Ascending Butterfly Editorial Team enjoying the View at the Cocktail Reception at Golden Nugget Atlantic City!

Above: I snapped this shot while I was seated, look at the cool reflection in the clouds of this shot (see the people's reflection on the upper right? And a Way to Go to Golden Nugget, that's how clear the glass I was sitting behind actually was!)

My Take:

I had an amazing time on both the DO AC Nightlife Party Bus and my CrowdTap Atlantic City Experience Sampling, so much so that I extended my stay and stayed at Trump Plaza courtesy of CrowdTap, then at Tropicana the next day on my own, there was so much to see and do both by day and by night! I have been visiting Atlantic City pretty much monthly since I turned 21 as there is always something to see and do and it's literally super easy to get there by bus from the City, it has always been one of my favorite 'staycation' destinations and one I always enjoy especially during Summer. If it's been awhile since you've been there, you should definitely check it out, and visit the Do Atlantic City website to check out events and happenings so you can  plan your trip!

There is so much more I got to see and do that I will have to recap this adventure in multiple posts, so consider this an overview, and know there is more to come!

What is your favorite Vacation Spot Butterflies?

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FTC Disclosure:  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Crowdtap and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.