Archive August 24, 2007

Proceed With Caution

For the most part, I feel like a pretty brave woman. I will try any roller coaster once. I want to sky dive. I roller blade on the boardwalk and drive the 405 freeway. Yes, I'm a crazy one. But there is one thing I'm deathly afraid of - flying champagne corks!

When it comes to opening Champagne, the old saying "be careful, you could put someone's eye out", comes to mind. Even I have carelessly let one fly. Come visit me at the Lobster and I'll show you a permanent dent in the ceiling made by little ole me from before I learned how to open champagne safely.

Let me teach you the safe and easy way to open Champagne which could save many eyes!

• First thing is to grab a cloth napkin or towel.
• Carefully take the foil off the top of the Champagne bottle revealing the metal cage twisted around the cork. Keep your finger or hand on the cork as you untwist the cage. (Those cages never seem strong enough to me!)
• You are now down to just the cork. The most important tip I can offer - DO NOT TAKE YOUR HAND OFF THE CORK - EVER! This is when many corks have been known to spontaneously launch into space endangering those nearby.
• Grab that napkin or towel, place it over the cork and slowly ease the cork out. Avoid the desire to make it pop when it comes out as this can actually damage the champagne. Pull the cork out slowly and carefully. Then nicely set it down on the table.

You did it! Wasn't that easy? You didn't hurt anyone and the lamp is still sitting on the shelf.

So, what are you waiting for, pour that Champagne. You deserve it!

Cheers!

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