by Christina Waters | Feb 1, 2007 | Food |
Dining with two friends last week, I sampled the inviting Early Bird Prix Fixe menu at Sestri. On Tuesdays the $19.95, three-course special runs all evening, (usually it’s a Mon-Fri deal, from 5-7pm). Also – head’s up – there’s no corkage fee at Sestri, which means that bargain-hunters can bring their own favorite vintages with them. Two things occur to me here. That’s mighty early for some people to consider eating. On the other hand, $19.95 is a major deal — and of course that’s the point. Smart restaurants increasingly offer specials to tempt diners in during under-populated days and times, e.g. Tuesday is the dead zone for dining, and 5-7 time slot is considered “unfashionably” early. Okay. So what did we find?
Well, our helpful, friendly server did introduce herself by name and explained that she would be, surprise, our server that evening. Our bottle of outstanding Stevenot Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (thanks Susan!) was expertly opened and correctly poured. Opening courses were attractively presented. The roasted garlic bisque tasted of flour (thickening agent), and the pretty organic salad greens were gritty. Terrific crouton, though. Then there was a long wait, which was odd since there weren’t that many early birds taking advantage of the early pricing. Finally our entrees of cioppino-style seafood stew and venison osso buco arrived. The cioppino was loaded with succulent fish, clams, mussels, and calamari, but the tomato broth was underspiced and uninspired. My venison was delicious — the veggies were tepid, but the meat was hot. (more…)
by Christina Waters | Feb 1, 2007 | Art, Home |
Jenny Morten is an English beauty who now graces the central coast with her astonishing ceramic sculptures. But don’t just take my word for it. (Or Bruce‘s either.) Check out her current show — opening tomorrow evening, February 2, 5-7 pm — at the County Building, at Ocean & Water streets in downtown Santa Cruz. Morten’s uncanny work is on exhibit through the end of March.
Http://www.marmontestudios.com/.
by Christina Waters | Feb 1, 2007 | Home |
I struggle to stay optimistic, even though just trying to see a matinee at the Del Mar Theatre involves running a gauntlet of street maniacs who have decided they are entitled to all of the sidewalk, all of the street and all of the atmosphere. Yelling expletives, threatening to kill each other, decorating the benches and doorways with the contents of their 1) bathrooms, b) kitchens, c) lives, these packs of human hyenas aren’t the frail, tender, pathetic homeless or mentally impaired. They’re thugs, loadies and jerks somehow allowed to run amok. Why do shop-owners, tax-payers and those who love Santa Cruz continue to tolerate this? Freedom of expression is not freedom to infringe on the rights of others. Read John Stuart Mill’s “On Liberty” for a little refresher course on the freedoms our country justly prizes. (more…)
by Christina Waters | Feb 1, 2007 | Home |
Can someone tell me what happened to Malabar? Vegan never looked so good, or tasted so intense. But suddenly, poof!, it’s gone. Where?
Would the addition of a fixed service charge to a restaurant dinner, for example, 10%, stop patrons from going out to eat? Would it help if you knew it was going to equalize the take-home pay between kitchen staff and table servers?
by Christina Waters | Feb 1, 2007 | Food, Home, Wine |
Discovering wonderful wines may not be the answer to world peace, but it helps vamp for time until that day arrives. My house red for the past year has been the sensuous 2001 Carignane from River Run Vintners. Made by the skillful, non-invasive hands of J.P. Pawloski, this glorious bouquet of spice, licorice and berries goes with everything. Pawloski is an auteur, and the proof is in every glass of his fabled red wines. Each time I visit Staff of Life Natural Foods I grab a few bottles. Until this week. OMG! I called J.P. to find out if this was truly the end of my favorite Carignane. Alas, it was true. “We’re all out of the 2001,” he admitted.
J.P. told me that he could put his hands on some of the 2004 vintage of this exceptional varietal, made from vines planted near Aromas 95 years ago! “The zinfandel is even older,” he added, pausing for effect. “Those vines are 115-years-old.” Guess that’s why they call it “old vine zin.” So now you know what to look for. A fairly non-descript, burgundy and silver label. Affordable prices – $10ish. Low alcohol — the Carignane is 13%. Sensational drinking. You can chat with J.P. yourself — there’s no reliable web site — by calling the winery at 831/726-3112.
Wine Bonanza:
Go immediately to this Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association link – SCMWA – nd consider the possibilities for The Ultimate Winemakers Dinner, February 27, involving fine local wines, and their winemakers followed by a dinner at the Shadowbrook. But not simply a dinner, dinner. A major dinner. Consider starters of golden chanterelle and truffle soup. (more…)
