Maximilian Riedel, the CEO of wine glass company Riedel, hosted a comparative wine tasting at the Marriott Uptown on Friday, Feb. 18.

Riedel (prounounced ree-dl) was quite humorous during his 1 hour talk. He mentioned that the perfect pour is two fingers ... as in two fingers horizontal, not vertical. During the tasting Riedel explained how the shape of glassware affects the aroma and taste of wine, passed along a few wine tricks and tips, and demonstrated how to use his newest "Eve" decanter (which looks like a coiled snake).

Slideshow Riedel wine, 2/18/11

26 slides

Riedel wine, 2/18/11

By Priscilla Tsai

Click to View 26 slides

Seems like Dunkin' Donuts is rolling out new food items all the time, doesn't it?

I'm not a fan of their pancake sausage bites, but perhaps these new donut creations might win me over. Just maybe...

Dunkin' is introducing a few new "Cocoa Donuts" to their donut roster: Reverse Boston Kreme, Cocoa Kreme Puff and Cocoa Confetti.

Curious? I'm willing to take one for the team and try these out. Stay tuned...

Paula Deen visited Harrah's Cherokee Casino and Hotel this past weekend for the ribbon cutting of her new restaurant at the hotel, Paula Deen's Kitchen.

As a Paula fan, I trekked myself there (it's 3 hours from Charlotte) and spent a fabulous weekend checking out the new hotel additions, eating at the restaurant, enjoying her cooking demonstration and show, and meeting her family and crew.

Unfortunately, I lost my camera at the hotel, so I lost all my photos from said events. I was so excited to share them with you guys. It's very tragic.

Here's one photo I took from with my camera phone:

A brief run down sans photos ...

Post ribbon-cutting ceremony, Paula Deen hosted a luncheon at her new restaurant Paula Deen's Kitchen, which offers buffet options as well as the option to order off the menu. For the luncheon, we were offered a three-course meal from a set menu. The bread basket included corn muffins, cheese biscuits, and soft buttery rolls. Thumbs up.

Beware of the wedge salad. It comes topped with about a cup of blue cheese dressing.

The chicken pot pie entree came with a lattice of puff pastry over a big bowl of creamy, delicious chicken pot pie filling. The filling included big chunks of both dark and white chicken meat, and lots of pea and carrots. Another entree I tried, the cheesy meatloaf, was a bit dry for my liking. It came with collard greens and mashed potatoes on the side.

And of course, Paula gets dessert right. The Bag Lady's Doughnut holes served with vanilla pudding were ridiculous. Soft and tender, each warm doughnut hole is drizzled in honey, and then rolled in cinnamon sugar. The strawberry shortcake served was full of chilled whipped cream and sweet strawberries, but the biscuit itself was cold and dense. This one was a bit disappointing.

For breakfast, we got to try her breakfast buffet, which resulted in me eating a breakfast the size of a cow. Omelets made to order, thick sausage links, hash brown casserole, scrambled eggs, fruit, danishes, bacon, and biscuits and gravy are all available at the buffet. I ate it all. Once again, so bummed I don't have pics to show you.

Coming soon to Harrah's this fall is Johnny Rocket's, Brio Tuscan Grill, and Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

If you love beer and wings, you are in luck. I've got three Taco Mac $50 gift certificates to give away.

To enter to win, email me at priscilla.tsai@cln.com with your name and mailing address, as well as your favorite Taco Mac beer and food combo.

I'll select three random winners on Friday.

Good luck!

*10/22/10 UPDATE: Contest is now over. Thanks for playing. See who won here.

Stop by NoDa on Wednesdays to get in on their 1/2-price specials.

NoDa brings you HALF OFF EVERY HUMP DAY! Come to NoDa every Wednesday and check out what your favorite spots are offering 1/2 off.

At Crepe Cellar, you can get 1/2 price carafes of house wine every Wednesday!

Other Hump Day Specials in NoDa:

1/2 off dog & cat toys at Blvd@NoDa

1/2 off cans at Growlers Pour House

1/2 off iced coffees at Smelly Cat

For all your Rachel Ray fans out there, I spotted this deal on DealCatcher.com. You can get a 1 year's subscription to Everyday Rachel Ray for only $2.99.

Everyday With Rachael Ray Magazine Subscription

$39.90 $2.99 Free Shipping at Tanga posted about 1 hour ago

Use Tanga coupon code EVERYDAY during checkout. Tanga also is offering Everyday with Rachel Ray for $2.99 after coupon code.  This subscription sells on Amazon for $24. This magazine features 30-minute meals and menu planners, ideas for fun, beauty, style and home, plus 100s of food and entertaining tips.

Don't forget that Noodles & Company is hosting an all-day 25% benefit fundraiser today (Tuesday, Sept. 28) for Slow Food Charlotte at The Arboretum and South End restaurants.

Funds raised at the benefit will help create and support school garden programs in Mecklenburg County.

In continuation of the celebration of Slow Food, Noodles & Company has given me a few packets of seeds to give away to you guys. I also have some coupons good for a free bowl of noodles to give away.

Email me at priscilla.tsai@creativeloafing.com to win. Include:

1. In the subject line, either put "seeds" or "noodles," depending on which goody you'd like to win. Only one email per person please.

2. Your address (so I can mail you your prize).

3. Your promise to deliver fresh goodies to my doorstep once your grow your seeds. *

Winners will be selected randomly. Thanks!

* Just kidding.

There's nothing better than receiving some guilty tidbit treat after just spending a lunch hour at the gym. Yes!

Look what CL sales exec Jan Caldwell just gave me:

It's a Peanut Butter Fudge Brownie with White Chocolate Chips from Davidson Chocolate Co.

Davidson Chocolate Co. just opened a store in Dilworth, next to Dilworth Coffee in the Harris Teeter shopping area off of East Boulevard and Kenilworth. I've been meaning to go check it out for awhile.

I'll go soon, but in the meantime, it's pretty awesome that it gets delivered to me.

Have you been yet?