The EatDrinkTalk crew has been diving especially deep in the local food and drink scene, and we have the stories to show for it. First up in the news is the exciting move being made by Brett Davis to open the Remedy Bar in the old Hilltop Theater in Clifton. We love a good birthday party, and the Nachbar in Germantown is celebrating its 10th, while in Middletown, there’s the new Tsubaki Sushi Bar that just opened. We sampled new menu items at Mercato Italiano in Norton Commons, and tried the new brunch at the Red Barn Kitchen in Lyndon. Meanwhile, Steve talks about his adventures at last week’s Bourbon Classic, which has grown into a major regional event.

Steve’s guest is Kelly Ramsey, who talks about the pairing of bourbon and chocolate for her business, Art Eatables. Zack Wolf, the young chef at Mercato Italiano, talks to Rick about the journey from his not-so-long ago days as a culinary student at Sullivan University to his dream job of working with Fernando Martinez as an executive chef.

We have a new sponsor for our Favorites segment, and it happens to be one of our absolute favorite spots in town — Copper & Kings. Steve’s choice was the spicy steak tartare with chopped peanuts prepared by Ryan Rogers for the Bourbon Classic, along with Mike Wajda’s pimento cheese macaroons at the same event. Rick opted for Mercato’s strachiatella insalata on the new spring menu, a delectable tomato and cheese concoction. At the Red Barn Kitchen, it was the $1 mimosa that topped Rick’s list. Steve opted for a Copper & Kings Brandy Old Fashioned.

Thanks for downloading the 44th episode of our show, and please tell your friends about it.

EDT44ZackWolf OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA