Christina Waters

An appetizer of beets, throngs of beautiful beets on a field of greens.

Chef Michael Kilmartin anoints a perfect pork chop with sauteed fresh cherries, and presses it into a bed of polenta, with perfect carrots and roasted infant cabbage.

The 2008 installment of Bonny Doon Vineyard’s Le Cigare Blanc has been released just in time for serious summer relaxing.

An initial tasting provided an opening hit of honeydew, chased with sea salt and finished with some quince, lime and light jasmine. At 57% Roussane (for the depth) and 43% Grenache blanc (for crisp structure) this wine exudes a perfect balance among citrus, fruit and minerals. Its 14.3% alcohol delivers without equivocation.

This wine just can’t lose. (more…)

Ceviche tostados from H&H Fresh Fish—sausage sandwiches from El Salchichero - brie and olives from New Leaf - and Kelly’s cream puffs with fresh strawberries for dessert.

This is only part of the al fresco menu coming up this Saturday at the expanded Dinner Market at Kelly’s on the Westside.

Along with wines (and beer) from all of the outstanding artisanal wineries who share this lively block, from Bonny Doon to Vino Tabi, the Dinner Market is THE way to see your friends, organic farmers, favorite restaurants, and even enjoy some live music and dancing.

It all starts at 5:30pm - admission is free. You pay vendors as you choose your dinner items—don’t forget to bring glasses, plates & utensils.402 Ingalls St @ Swift, in Santa Cruz. Questions? call 423-9059, ext. 102.  See you there!

Okay, not really gossip, just more like mini-updates. Bites, if you will.

I’m hearing very good things about Brad Briske’s new gig over at Main Street Garden Cafe (the old Theo’s). And I’m hearing them from extremely discerning gourmets, such as Windy Oaks’ Judy Schultze. . . the word I’m getting is cautiously optimistic about the new Burger joint (literally, “Burger” is the name) housed at the corner of Bay & Mission (former Kawa Sushi) . . . and a reminder that cooking ace Marilyn Emery has moved her delicious kiosk Al Fresco up Pacific Avenue. Now she’s whipping up fresh and spicy wraps directly in front of Bookshop Santa Cruz. . . . And finally, I’m going to be checking out the latest new chef at Gabriella, Michael Kilmartin, who stepped in after the departure of the recently-hired Kynan Campisi. Details at eleven.

My two new summer tipples include a gorgeous persimmon-hued Grenache 2008 made by Denis Hoey of Odonata Wines. Full of pepper and berries, it stands up to king salmon as well as grilled chicken and chile verde. Dreamy and local.

The other comes in blush form, namely the 2008 Vin Gris de Cigare from Randall Grahm, of Bonny Doon Vineyard. Salt and geraniums form the center of this crisp, inviting pink wine. Serve icy cold — it goes with everything but marinara sauce.

Last week my great girlfriend Laurel and I headed over to Bandar Persian Restaurant in the bustling Friday night heart of old San Diego for a terrific and authentic meal of middle eastern flavors.

Our starter, an eggplant appetizer slow roasted with fresh garlic and onion topped with homemade yogurt, was blatantly addictive. We sprinkled plenty of dried sumac on top and enjoyed every single bite, along with soft lavosh. I adore sumac, that lemony, sour condiment that somehow jumpstarts every dish in the Persian repertoire.

A stew of spring baby lamb shank – buttery and delicious, slow-cooked with red beans, lime and herbs – was intensely rich and pungent. As was the mountain of saffron rice that accompanied my dish.

Ditto my companion’s order of ground filet mignon (more…)

Kung fu king Jackie Chan, arguably the best-known human on the planet, was once a kung fu prodigy following in his father’s swift footsteps. At 12, Jaden Smith is also a child star, following in his talented father’s footsteps. And even if the dangerously cute son of Will and Jada Smith isn’t a martial artist, he is smart, quick, and poised enough to hold a screen for two hours.

I’ll be candid here. I’ve seen every Rocky at least five times. I am a complete sucker for the little guy who fights back to topple the big bully formula. That’s the story here with the remake of the 1980s Karate Kid. Only instead of Japanese karate, the name of the game is kung fu. The setting is today’s Beijing, and instead of avuncular Pat Morita, we have the amazing Jackie Chan, who at 55 still has technique, and acting skill to burn. Plus he’s sexy.

So even if you’re not a 15-year-old boy (more…)

Last week we headed for the east coast and a family wedding in Bethlehem, PA, home to steel mill ruins and an 18th century utopia built by Moravian colonists. Blindingly green, the Lehigh Valley in June can be hot and humid. And it was.

But we found relief in a charming Irish team room next door to an Inn where George Washington used to hoist pints of colonial homebrew while plotting  military maneuvers.

McCarthy’s Tea Room, located in the architectural center of Bethlehem, offered an authentic breakfast of eggs, on top of a slender oat cake (more…)

Sure you could get him another tie and then throw some burgers on the Webber, or…..you could take Dad out for a little something different this Father’s Day weekend, June 19 & 20.

How about a scenic wine trek through the Santa Cruz Mountains? The Summit to Sea Wine Trail offers spectacular vistas, vineyards in full vigor and little extras like lazing over an ocean-view picnic, or feeding ducklings at the winery pond?

There will be special opportunities for fun and wine tasting at (more…)