Christina Waters

Big, bold, loaded with expressionistic energy, the paintings of Arthur Osver are currently on exhibit at Winfield Gallery in Carmel. Janus Red – 80” x 54” (shown here) and The Return, 67” x 52” (see below) are two prime examples of this painter’s mastery of gesture and color. More of Osver’s lavish oil paintings are on view at Winfield Gallery. Time for a visit to Carmel.
Winfield Gallery is located in central Carmel on Dolores between Ocean and 7th. 831/624-3369

Arthur Osver’s The Return - on exhibit at Winfield Gallery.

Here are a few suggestions.

1) A bottle of fine wine will please anyone with tastebuds. Try something local and premium from Vinocruz, or something French and luxurious from Soif. Comb the aisles of Shoppers. A great gift.

2) Give an exhilirating experience to someone special - a cruise on the Chardonnay II sailing ship. If you hurry (think of that guy on TV who’s always selling weird stuff), you can buy a gift certificate for one of the many weekend sails on this lovely vessel. Sunset cruises on the Monterey Bay, or a Sushi Sunday, whale watching, there are many packages. Until December 31, the price is $49.50 per person, plus tax - which includes beverages and light appetizers. Buy three gift certificates and get the 4th one FREE! Call 831/423-1213, or check the website.

3) Tickets to the Nickelodeon Theater.

4) A gift certificate for $100 to a favorite restaurant. You know the ones I mean.

Over at Capitola Book Cafe it’s a whole new world of cafe culture consciousness. Of course you knew about the lovely pastries and serious espresso drinks, perfect to linger with over the London Financial Times.

But now the lunch and light dinner menu has expanded. And there’s artisanel beer and a nice listing of wines by the glass. Charming staffers aim to please, and everything is tasty!

Here’s the deal: Capitola Book Cafe, still located at 1475 41st Ave. in Capitola (831)462-4415, is open during the holidays with these special offers:

8-10am - 2 for 1 espresso drinks to go

10am-1pm - soup, salad & half sand for $6

6-8pm - free small cheese and fruit plate with purchase of two wine or beer drinks.

And the whole place is open Mon-Sat 8am-10pm (yes, ten at night!), until 8pm on Sunday. I love it!

Nope. Not Jean Genet. It’s restaurateur Paul Cocking (Gabriella Cafe) eating his way through Paris last month, one eponymous restaurant at a time. Blown away by what he tasted, Cocking and his traveling companion Jeannine Bonstelle sampled freely along the Left Bank, the Right Bank and everything in between.

The Ile St-Louis provided this gorgeous dish at a place called Mon Vieil Ami, 69 rue St-Louis-en-l’Ile, 4th. Culinary researcher Bonstelle found the place in Clothilde’s Edible Adventures in Paris. The bistro showcases the cooking of Alsace’s Antoine Westermann - including this gossamer salad of lightly steamed vegetables in broth.

Here’s an example of the Sean Baker all-star line-up of handmade salumi, available to adventurous diners at Gabriella Cafe and at the new Le Cigare Volant cafe at Bonny Doon tasting room on Ingalls Street.

These gorgeous paper-thin specialties taste even better than they look.

Soprasata, prosciutto, coppa, finocchiona, oh my! Taste and you’ll understand why the buzz over salumi.

Lunch last week at downtown Santa Cruz’ Cafe Mare knocked me out - in two ways.

First off the kitchen had just received a huge harvest of fresh porcini mushrooms and was busy turning out a gorgeous variety of daily specials involving the sweet, earthy funghi. My companion and I sampled bruschetta topped (nicely over-the-topped) with melted tallegio and sauteed porcinis. It was incredible!

Another great revelation of the lunch was a bottle of Cumbre Pinot Noir Hicks Family Vineyard 2006, loaded with raspberries and licorice. This gorgeous wine made by Sal Godinez of the Wines of Vine Hill group (more…)

Yes, chef Giovanni diMaio did deliver what we expected last week at a wonderful Limoncello lunch. I like to use the holidays as an excuse to take my mom and aunt out for lunch, and Limoncello surpassed our hopes. Manicotti with a dreamy ragu, veal piccata with fragrant vegetables — all partnered with glasses of various Italian varietals from the house menu — molto bene. And for dessert, we feasted shamelessly on flawless tiramisu — the kind that’s not-too-sweet yet plush with mascarpone creaminess (more…)

These sensational designer earrings fashioned of hammered gold-filled wire with freshwater pearls and crystals — made by Kate Coburn — are among the gorgeous handmade items available at this Friday’s noontime sale. Coburn’s earrings and necklaces, crafted of gemstones and precious metals, will be on sale at this rare event - so do not miss out! These accessories make memorable holiday gifts (although I recommend buying a few for yourself too).
The UCSC Women at Work Holiday Craft Sale, Friday, December 5, 11:30 - 1:30, happens at the Stevenson Event Center. 10% of sales will benefit the W@W Scholarship Fund. Expect to find major bargains for spectacular one-of-a-kind arts, jewelry and craft items. Checks and cash only.

We did Thanksgiving our way this year, and shared a small, informal, but luxurious meal - with no turkey in sight.

The menu:

fresh cracked Dungeness crab with three dipping sauces

creamy polenta topped with parmesan reggiano

braised bitter greens - mixed sorrel and chard

Veuve Clicquot champagne &
pumpkin pie

The crab - largest, sweetest I’ve ever tasted - was from the mighty Staff of Life. So was the fresh sorrel, which is never available in markets. And I made the pumpkin pie with double the spices, and used whole cream instead of condensed milk. Killer!