by Christina Waters | Jun 22, 2008 | Food, Home |
Avanti that is. A few very hot nights ago we gave up on the whole idea of cooking and headed over to Ristorante Avanti where the evening specials dazzled.
Under the expertise of lead sauté cook Roberto Serna, two entrees and one shared salad said everything about the season, the imagination of executive chef Ben Sims, and the ability of a known quantity to surprise us all over again.
The meal began with a salad of adolescent arugula, bathed in a sherry vinaigrette that allowed the fruity olive oil to take the major role. Shaved parmesan – not tons of it, just enough to add some salty sparkle – joined toasted almonds and (more…)
by Christina Waters | Jun 21, 2008 | Home |
Cholula – yes, the deliciously picante Mexican chile sauce that offers flavor interest as well as kick. Thanks to the piquin and arbol chiles it contains, this eye-opener bursts into full flower powered by an under-current of vinegar.
Watch scrambled eggs take on new life. Rekindle the love you once felt for left-over brown rice. Turn shredded chicken into the stuff of dreams. Modest dreams, perhaps. But still – it’s the bomb. And you can find it everywhere. Get some to add to your condiment stash, and do it now!
by Christina Waters | Jun 20, 2008 | Travel |
If you adore great food, and the chance to get into the kitchen with a true culinary master, you might consider taking the Kitchen Classics Cooking Tour with Diana Kennedy – August 15 – 25. The My Mexico Tours junket, run by the highly experienced and vivacious Betsy McNair, begins in the beautiful colonial city of Morelia, then on to Zitacuaro for great dining and exploring. You’ll shop the markets with Diana Kennedy – close to the inn where you’ll be staying – watch and participate in classes in Kennedy’s own home Quinta Diana, plus have ample time to visit studios of local artisans, cook with the master and eat amazing regional foods.
Ten nights, eleven days – $2900 per person, double occupancy (excluding airfare, airport transfer and personal expenses.
If I weren’t teaching in August, I’d be there myself – but there are a few spots remaining! You could occupy one of them if you move swiftly to contact Betsy, at www.mymexicotours.com, or 831-476-9693.
by Christina Waters | Jun 19, 2008 | Home, Wine |
Judy Schultze of Windy Oaks Estate Vineyards emailed to remind me that the charmingly rustic facility — which just squeaked through the recent south county fires unscathed — will be open during the rest of June (hurry!) for tastings of what many argue is one of the top Pinot Noirs in California. (more…)
by Christina Waters | Jun 16, 2008 | Art, Home |
If there’s a legal thrill that comes close to great, live opera – I haven’t found it yet. And last Sunday’s opening matinee performance of Ariodante just proved it all over again.
Written seemingly to twist Baroque-era vocal chords into rococo pretzels, Handel’s 275-year-old masterpiece is your basic love, betrayal, revenge, death and happy ending opera seria, loaded with soprano parts written for men and sung by women in 18th century drag. Got that? Think of it this way: Handel was the toast of Europe when Ariodante debuted in 1735. It was created for the male (castrato) soprano superstar Giovanni Carestini — written by a German (Handel) living in London, set in Scotland and sung in Italian. Ben Franklin very likely saw this opera. Twice.
Sunday’s performance was by every benchmark a knock-out, bringing the San Francisco Opera House audience to its feet at least three times during the 3 hours of killer vocal pyrotechnics — imagine all those serious, white-haired opera buffs screaming, cheering and stomping their approval. Delicious. (more…)
