Christina Waters

So I took Jack, who lived in Rome for a few years and is very picky about his wood-fired pizzas, over to La Posta for a light meal this week. We sat in the front in one of the deep windows that make La Posta such an architectural treat. (more…)

1) “No Problem.”
“No problem,” says your server, when you request more bread. Well, thanks for the reassurance – that really takes a load off my mind. I’ve been sitting here consumed with anxiety over whether my requesting bread, or a refill of water, might cause you, the server, difficulties or emotional upset or something tantamount to a coronary. Whew! Is that a relief, just hearing you calm me down and offer the soothing benediction of your assurance that I have not ruined your day. (more…)

Curated by Frank Galuszka in collaboration with Chris Winfield Gallery, Carmel, this exhibition of work from a dozen celebrated landscape painters runs through January 28, at UCSC’s Sesnon Gallery - artists’ reception will be held on January 10 from 5-7pm. The show offers images that range from edgy environmental interpretations to just plain gorgeous. (more…)

Eco-artist Laura Parker blurs the boundaries between art and cuisine with an irresistible installation called Taste of Place, which makes a strong case for the unique terroir of a region as a mineral flavor. (more…)

Hot Discovery: the East Bay’s Pizzaiolo, where Tai and I recently had killer pizza as good as in Rome – the kind with the thin, delectable crusts, and sensitive, deeply delicious toppings. Mine had ricotta and wild nettles – Tai’s was a classic Margherita with red sauce and buffalo mozzarella. Exceptional! Both $15 and 16 inches across. But, surprisingly, so were our generous and addictive salads. (more…)

Initial Public Offering: Very urban rusticana, the new La Posta Italian restaurant on Seabright is the brainchild of entrepreneuse Patrice (Soif) Boyle, chef Chris Avila and architect Mark Primack. Together the troika have crafted a neighborhood hangout (more…)

There’s one in every crowd: The loudmouth, I mean. The person whose voice can clear a room. It is rude beyond belief that people will sit down in a public place - in this case a restaurant - and proceed to hold every other diner hostage (more…)

David Jackman from the irresistible house of Chocolate (1522 Pacific Avenue) called me to remind everybody that when the weather is cold and rainy, don’t just walk on by this chic little cafe. “Lots of people think that without the outdoor tables and chair, there’s no place to sit.” But there is! “We have an additional room now,” Jackman said. And that means plenty of space to come in from the cold and have a delicious something. Chocolate is open (and very convenient too right next to Bookshop Santa Cruz) from 11 to 11 daily. Now you know. . . . And for shoppers who are just too busy to cook right now, there’s the bargain gourmet home-cooked Blue Plate Special at Gayle’s. We feasted - two of us did, actually - on a single flavor-intensive dinner of pork chili verde (with distinct kick), poblano mashed potatoes (double OMG) and a cilantro-laced cabbage slaw, all for — you better be sitting down - $12.50. Stop thinking of Gayle’s as simply a place to swill amazing pastries and breads, and get with the full dinner program. Dine in and enjoy the bustling neighborhood atmosphere, or take your dinner home and warm it up chez vous. Thank you Gayle.

George Eliot is famously quoted as having said “It’s never too late to be who you might have been.” And if the Victorian writer didn’t actually say it, someone surely did. Exiting the state of denial for one brief moment — humor me — most of us will admit to having fervantly hoped that such a possibility could be true. (more…)