Edgar Allen Poe Red Velvet Cake

The weather is cooling down and I am indulging my love of baking. One of my favorite food blogs just posted a wickedly good red velvet cake...

Perfect for any Gothic gourmet gathering, Heather Baird of the baking blog Sprinkles Bakes has created a visual masterpiece honoring the dark author Edgar Allen Poe...

Check it out at http://www.sprinklebakes.com/2011/09/portrait-of-poe-in-waldorf-astoria-red.html

Todd English's Cross Bar Restaurant

Looking for some Goth gourmet?  NYC has the best eateries for whatever you might want.  The big "nose to tail" trend of using the whole animal has come to Chef Todd English's Cross Bar.  The new restaurant is housed in the legendary former church turned Limelight Nightclub (now Limelight Marketplace).

The decor encompasses red leather, onyx crosses and wrought iron light fixtures throughout.  The food includes roasted suckling pig and gourmet snacks like caviar potato skins.  There will be two wine walls and three fireplaces.

photos by: Oleg March

Dracula's Cabaret in Australia

Looking for a campy, tasty dinner and a show? If you travel to the Gold Coast area of Australia, check out the Dracula's Cabaret.
Elaborate costumes, musical numbers, tongue-in-cheek humor are joined by themed cuisine.
The menu lists dishes like Silence of the Lamb, Entombed Beef and of course, Death by Chocolate. Your ticket price also includes a Ghost-train ride.
They also have a haunted house, if you need to take a leisurely stroll before or after the show. Can't make the trip? Have a gander at their online Horror Shop.

Death by Chocolate: Mori Ex Cacao

A good lover brings his mate some exquisite bonbons to show his affection. For the Courtesan, a gentleman of taste would do very well with this collection of hand-crafted chocolate skulls from Valerie Confections. Each chocolate is filled with a different sensuous flavor, such as sexy scorched caramel, extra-spicy chili or brandied tart cherry. This set arrives in a beautiful satin box and ribbon. A good place to hide mysterious love letters after the treats are gone.

Armida Poizin - The Wine "To Die For"

The Armida Winery "Poizin" wine boasts one of the most gorgeous bottles I have seen in awhile. The detailed skull graphic is silkscreened onto the dark bottle. The 'reserve' edition arrives in a wood coffin!

Gimmicky? Yes. A few skeptical guests at my last soiree mocked me for falling prey to creative marketing, especially upon seeing the screw-top cap.

Fortunately, the wine is actually quite tasty. It is described as a blend of petite syrah/zinfandel (again, bad rep), but not as sweet as one would imagine. The dominant notes of plum, blackberries, vanilla made it a really nice compliment to the filet mignon with blackberry sauce I served. I finished with a ricotta cheesecake with more berries and spiced crust, and the wine was appropriate through dessert as well.

Granted, I am far from a wine expert, but quick checks online reveal many good reviews for this vintage from people much more knowledgable than myself.