by Christina Waters | Nov 12, 2008 | Home, Wine |
And that would be the new, cavernous Bonny Doon Vineyard tasting room, aka The Cellar Door, open daily until 5:30pm. It’s architecturally sexy, flaunting its biodynamic Weltanschauung by means of such flourishes as a spiralling multi-tiered waterfall swirling out of a cow’s horn (one of the major instruments of ritual used in biodynamic preparation.)
Your $7 will get you copious tastes of BD’s latest oeno-wonders, poured and articulated by a skilled tasting crew. The cafe, with menu designed by chef Sean Baker (of Gabriella), has fired up its ovens for a chic little selection of small plates — sophisticated foods to accompany deeply interesting wines. The cafe serves sensuous foods paired with wines, from 11-5:30 Thursday through Sunday.
Get on over to the new tasting room, and welcome the dooning of yet more action at the exciting corner of Swift & Ingalls, on Santa Cruz’ Westside.
by Christina Waters | Nov 12, 2008 | Home, Wine |
What is it about winemakers? Are there any who aren’t intense, attractive, and somehow super-charged with the same stuff that Daniel Craig’s got? Well, if so I haven’t yet met ’em.
Take silver-haired Jerry O’Brien, from Silver Mountain (hmmm, did he name the winery after his hair? must remember to ask).
Here he is pouring ridiculously fine chardonnay and pinot noir from his brand, and telling tales about the origin of the Tondre’s Grapefields name, at last weekend’s gala Great Wine Escape at the very plush new Inter-Continental Clement Hotel on Cannery Row. And O’Brien was only one of the attractions at this smartly 
organized excuse to sample the wares of over 40 Monterey County Vintners and Growers.
This beautiful plate of pork, tropical fruits and mashed purple potatoes was whipped up by Kevin Boyle of the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort, and served to grateful wine tasters at the Monterey event. Tasted even better than it looks!
by Christina Waters | Nov 11, 2008 | Home |
One of my favorite lunchtime getaways involves a book – say, something by Charles Dickens – a private nook at The Bagelry – and The Duke. I know a lot of you out there are nodding in solidarity. The Duke is arguably the best non-traditional bagel creation yet devised ($3.55).
This is my version.
Sesame seed bagel, lightly toasted.
Cream cheese – the more, the better.
Apple butter. You heard me.
A fistful of cashews all over the top.
OMG. Add a gigantic cup of green tea, and Bleak House practically reads itself.
by Christina Waters | Nov 6, 2008 | Home |
Voluptuous, citrusy and muy potente — this is the incandescent Blood Orange Martini, at Hula’s. Made by Marisa.
Slurp slowly.
by Christina Waters | Nov 6, 2008 | Food, Home |
And according to co-owner Eric Lau, we’re talkin’ weeks. “The goal was for us to be open on the 15th of this month,” Lau told me today. “We’ve got all the big stuff done. But now it’s just the details — furniture, glassware, that stuff.”
Lau went on the record as determined to re-open the restaurant, at the Corner of Soquel and Front Streets in downtown Santa Cruz, “definitely before the first of the year – and hopefully before the first of December.”
That means that within three weeks or so, fans of chef Damani Thomas‘ supple seasonal cuisine will be able to not only enjoy an Oswald dinner, but a cocktail beforehand, thanks to the restaurant’s full bar. “It’s a great space,” Lau agreed. Eighty seats, and eventually lunch and dinner. And after over a year and a half, Oswald’s fans are mighty hungry.
See you there – soon!
