Here’s an example of the Sean Baker all-star line-up of handmade salumi, available to adventurous diners at Gabriella Cafe and at the new Le Cigare Volant cafe at Bonny Doon tasting room on Ingalls Street.
These gorgeous paper-thin specialties taste even better than they look.
Soprasata, prosciutto, coppa, finocchiona, oh my! Taste and you’ll understand why the buzz over salumi.
Lunch last week at downtown Santa Cruz’ Cafe Mare knocked me out – in two ways.
First off the kitchen had just received a huge harvest of fresh porcini mushrooms and was busy turning out a gorgeous variety of daily specials involving the sweet, earthy funghi. My companion and I sampled bruschetta topped (nicely over-the-topped) with melted tallegio and sauteed porcinis. It was incredible!
Another great revelation of the lunch was a bottle of Cumbre Pinot Noir Hicks Family Vineyard 2006, loaded with raspberries and licorice. This gorgeous wine made by Sal Godinez of the Wines of Vine Hill group (more…)
Yes, chef Giovanni diMaio did deliver what we expected last week at a wonderful Limoncello lunch. I like to use the holidays as an excuse to take my mom and aunt out for lunch, and Limoncello surpassed our hopes. Manicotti with a dreamy ragu, veal piccata with fragrant vegetables — all partnered with glasses of various Italian varietals from the house menu — molto bene. And for dessert, we feasted shamelessly on flawless tiramisu — the kind that’s not-too-sweet yet plush with mascarpone creaminess (more…)
These sensational designer earrings fashioned of hammered gold-filled wire with freshwater pearls and crystals — made by Kate Coburn — are among the gorgeous handmade items available at this Friday’s noontime sale. Coburn’s earrings and necklaces, crafted of gemstones and precious metals, will be on sale at this rare event – so do not miss out! These accessories make memorable holiday gifts (although I recommend buying a few for yourself too).
The UCSC Women at Work Holiday Craft Sale, Friday, December 5, 11:30 – 1:30, happens at the Stevenson Event Center. 10% of sales will benefit the W@W Scholarship Fund. Expect to find major bargains for spectacular one-of-a-kind arts, jewelry and craft items. Checks and cash only.
We did Thanksgiving our way this year, and shared a small, informal, but luxurious meal – with no turkey in sight.
The menu:
fresh cracked Dungeness crab with three dipping sauces
creamy polenta topped with parmesan reggiano
braised bitter greens – mixed sorrel and chard
Veuve Clicquot champagne &
pumpkin pie
The crab – largest, sweetest I’ve ever tasted – was from the mighty Staff of Life. So was the fresh sorrel, which is never available in markets. And I made the pumpkin pie with double the spices, and used whole cream instead of condensed milk. Killer!
A book of sensory adventure: The rituals, passions and discoveries of an engaged life.