Authentic Cuisine

Authentic Cuisine

Now this is strudel! I was seated at the dark wood bar of Demel's, arguably the most famed and luxurious coffeehouse in Vienna—where the coffeehouse was invented 300 years ago. From a vast kitchen not 20 paces from where I sat had come this insanely fine creation of...

Assemble This!

Assemble This!

Assembly in downtown Santa Cruz continues to amaze me—great service, seasonally savvy menu and this colossal burger! with fries to drool for.

Cabrillo College Farm to Table dinner – Nov. 1

Don't miss the chance to sample the handiwork of new Pino Alto Restaurant Executive Chef Beverlie Terra - yes, the same Terra who masterminded the dining rooms at Chaminade for two decades.  Terra and Cabrillo's ace culinary program students will match foods to...

Brunch Pizza….

Pizzeria Avanti has just started a new weekend brunch offering - scrambles, fritattas, poached eggs, even classic French toasyte plus loads of breakfast side orders. It happens Friday through Monday from 9am. Call 425-1807 for details. Pizzeria Avanti is located on...

The Culinary Table @ Sesnon Gallery, today!

The Culinary Table @ Sesnon Gallery, today!

The Dinner Parties: Art & Agriculture, is the title of a new collaborative exhibition about to unfold at the Sesnon Gallery, at 5pm today, April 10. The opening reception—replete with gorgeously prepared foods—for this intriguing interweaving of cuisine,...

Eye Candy – Watermelon Radish

Eye Candy – Watermelon Radish

1. Go to the farmers market. 2. Check the Happy Boy stand. 3. Grab a big ole radish that's white on the outside, but brilliant pink on the inside. 4. Slice it over some arugula (just like in this picture). 5. Drizzle with garlic-infused olive oil and white balsamic...

Holiday Biscotti for even the Notti

Holiday Biscotti for even the Notti

From those busy bakers at Companion Bakeshop comes this super delicious stocking stuffer, a six-pack (as it were) of artisenal biscotti perfumed with orange zest and studded with almonds and cranberries. One lovely package for $4. Better get some extra to consume with...

Main Street Garden Cafe!

Main Street Garden Cafe!

This outstanding appetizer salad of organic heirloom tomatoes, and a tumescent pannacotta laced with garden basil was one of many flavor-intensive summer dishes I enjoyed at Main Street Garden & Cafe last week. Our main course— a wood-fired pizza topped with lamb...

Bastille Day Рtime to celebrate la libert̩

Bastille Day Рtime to celebrate la libert̩

And here are two more possibilities among the many ways (see post below re: Storrs) to celebrate our Gallic cousins in their annual Fête Nationale. Consider joining French wine legend Martine Saunier at a pouring of old world beauties, including vacqueyras,...

Bastille Day @ Storrs

Can you say "allons enfants de la patrie?" Well it's time once again to raise a glass to our revolutionary French brethren. On Saturday, July 14th, Storrs Winery will be hosting “La Fête Nationale”, better known as Bastille Day.  Featured wines include the 2007...

Stern Cooks the Flavors of Spring

Stern Cooks the Flavors of Spring

That would be Katherine Stern, who's busy transforming the season into edible orgies of flavor, texture and delight. Last night we sampled an outstanding entree of roast halibut, toasted farro and roasted leeks sauced with a pistachio pesto. A great pasta dish and the...

Le Cigare Volant – debut dinner

Le Cigare Volant – debut dinner

Yes there is a new chef, and a new name over at the Bonny Doon Tasting Room. Le Cigare Volant's the name, and Ryan Shelton—formerly of the Michelin two-star restaurant Baumé in Palo Alto—is the chef. Our initial dinner last week gave us plenty to smile about. The...

Herb Workshop @ UCSC Farm – April 1

If you're intrigued by the healing properties of medicinal herbs, don't miss this workshop by herbalist Darren Huckle, founder of Roots of Wellness, this Sunday April 1 from 10am - 1pm. The workshop will focus on cultivating and using herbs for teas and salves that...

Mixed Culinary Metaphors

Maybe it's just me, but it's going to take more than three bright green patio umbrellas and a glut of signage to convince me that Mex-Italian cuisine is a sound idea. When a restaurant, for all the good will in the world, is consistently empty....it might occur to the...

Starz Cupcakes on the Westside

Starz Cupcakes on the Westside

Cupcake freaks (you know who you are) will want to check out the luscious array of cupcakes on offer at Starz' new outlet. It's inside the Yogizmo located at 1717 Mission Street (next to Avanti). Imagine getting to wrap your mouth around cupcakes, made-from-scratch,...

Authentic Cuisine

Authentic Cuisine

Now this is strudel! I was seated at the dark wood bar of Demel's, arguably the most famed and luxurious coffeehouse in Vienna—where the coffeehouse was invented 300 years ago. From a vast kitchen not 20 paces from where I sat had come this insanely fine creation of...

read more
Assemble This!

Assemble This!

Assembly in downtown Santa Cruz continues to amaze me—great service, seasonally savvy menu and this colossal burger! with fries to drool for.

read more

Brunch Pizza….

Pizzeria Avanti has just started a new weekend brunch offering - scrambles, fritattas, poached eggs, even classic French toasyte plus loads of breakfast side orders. It happens Friday through Monday from 9am. Call 425-1807 for details. Pizzeria Avanti is located on...

read more
The Culinary Table @ Sesnon Gallery, today!

The Culinary Table @ Sesnon Gallery, today!

The Dinner Parties: Art & Agriculture, is the title of a new collaborative exhibition about to unfold at the Sesnon Gallery, at 5pm today, April 10. The opening reception—replete with gorgeously prepared foods—for this intriguing interweaving of cuisine,...

read more
Eye Candy – Watermelon Radish

Eye Candy – Watermelon Radish

1. Go to the farmers market. 2. Check the Happy Boy stand. 3. Grab a big ole radish that's white on the outside, but brilliant pink on the inside. 4. Slice it over some arugula (just like in this picture). 5. Drizzle with garlic-infused olive oil and white balsamic...

read more
Holiday Biscotti for even the Notti

Holiday Biscotti for even the Notti

From those busy bakers at Companion Bakeshop comes this super delicious stocking stuffer, a six-pack (as it were) of artisenal biscotti perfumed with orange zest and studded with almonds and cranberries. One lovely package for $4. Better get some extra to consume with...

read more
Main Street Garden Cafe!

Main Street Garden Cafe!

This outstanding appetizer salad of organic heirloom tomatoes, and a tumescent pannacotta laced with garden basil was one of many flavor-intensive summer dishes I enjoyed at Main Street Garden & Cafe last week. Our main course— a wood-fired pizza topped with lamb...

read more

Bastille Day @ Storrs

Can you say "allons enfants de la patrie?" Well it's time once again to raise a glass to our revolutionary French brethren. On Saturday, July 14th, Storrs Winery will be hosting “La Fête Nationale”, better known as Bastille Day.  Featured wines include the 2007...

read more