Over at Gabriella, owner Paul Cocking has already scored a new chef — Kynan Campisi— formerly of Michael Mina in San Francisco. “He’s energetic, organized and intelligent,” says Cocking of his latest chef. “All the things you want.”
Can’t wait to sample the new hand at the helm. Stay tuned.
21st Annual Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association
Vintners’ Festival
Think of it as a lively, scenic opportunity to taste rare premium wines from area wineries along with tasty finger foods from local chefs. The 21st annual event is spread over two weekends. Look for new releases and barrel tastings, plus live music, food and demos by local chefs, art displays and more. This weekend, wineries will participate in 15 locations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
June 12-13, 11am – 5pm. $30 advance, $35 door of participating wineries. Tickets include a commemorative wine glass.
For map and details: SCMWA on the web, or by calling 685-WINE. Â
A visit to Carmel is always a good idea. Make sure you drive down by June 13, so you can catch the gorgeous exhibit of new large-scale multimedia work by Miriam Hitchcock at the Carl Cherry Center. Her new show, wittily entitled Suburban Tempest, shows Hitchcock stretching even further in her visual inquiry of restless loss and personal metaphysics.
The new works are the most ambitious of Hitchcock’s recent creations, loaded with visual surprise, mastery of unexpected materials and perfumed by a sophisticated meloncholy. Don’t miss a stop to the beautiful arts and crafts landmark, the perfect setting for Hitchcock’s work. Through June 13.
A lovely wine, this 2007 Hunter Hill pinot noir from the Santa Cruz Mountains. We tried it last night with Alaskan King salmon, polenta and braised kale. The wine opened quickly into a dynamic mix of plums, cloves and licorice. And it just kept coming.
For my money—a well-spent $24—I feel a slight disconnect between the label’s primary image, an abalone shell, and the winery’s name, Hunter Hill. Clearly there’s something I’m missing here. But it’s not about to stop me from being crazy about this wine.
Go get some and see what you think. (Also, get back to me about the label.)
Cool as a cucumber and tart as Serena Williams, my new favorite cocktail can be found at Oswald. I’m calling it “Rites of Spring” and it definitely leads to spirited behavior.
The secret ingredient of this crisp, unsweet, distinctive drink is…..cucumber. Specifically English cucumber. Muddled into the the goblet, first cucumber slices and then a fresh strawberry. Add a fresh lemon and ice-cold vodka. Amazing.
Actually, I encountered the cucumber recently as the secret weapon in another cocktail, the Bellevue, at Hawg’s, where it is joined by ginger liqueur and Hendrick’s gin. Also killer.
A book of sensory adventure: The rituals, passions and discoveries of an engaged life.