by Christina Waters | Jul 8, 2009 | Home |
Katya and I decided to take a preliminary probe of the newly-opened Aquarius, overlooking the main Santa Cruz Beach & Boardwalk in the newly buffed Dream Inn.
Felt good. Surfboards lining the ceiling of the lounge — witty (or silly, depending upon your POV). The excellent wine list offers many local vintage experiences, and the dinner menu also looked promising. Aquarius, sleek and urban with unmatched views of Steamers, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner — continuously! — from 7am until “closing,” i.e. late.
Armed with something in the key of 2006 pinot noir from Monterey made by Samantha Starr, I split a lovely $8 appetizer mezze plate of tzatziki (yeow!), freshly-made tapenade and garlicky hummus, served with warm pita wedges. (more…)
by Christina Waters | Jul 8, 2009 | Food, Home |
The Farm Cart is back at the foot of the UCSC campus, every Tuesday and Friday, and it’s loaded with crisp greens, long-stemmed cippolini onions, herbs, flowers and berries.
Ah, the blueberries and strawberries have been especially wonderful this year. Maybe it’s the drought, but the flavors this year are notably intensified, distilled, utterly childhood revisited.
Stop by from noon to 6pm, Tuesday and Friday, and get something truly fresh for your dinner. Everything is grown just up the hill at the Center for Agroecology‘s organic farm.
by Christina Waters | Jul 7, 2009 | Art, Wine |
Once again the Museum of Art & History in downtown Santa Cruz hosts an alfresco event devoted entirely to al fresco artwork. The juried selection of 25 of the area’s top plein air painters — including several from beyond the Monterey Bay region— will be on hand this coming weekend to show, sell and demonstrate their expertise with the colors and forms, light and atmosphere of paintings made outside the studio. Yes it is the positively all-new Plein Air Affair.
The moody landscapes created by Andrew Purchin (Pogonip Path shown here) are included in the substantial show, which will fill the courtyard between Vinocruz and Lulu Carpenter’s from 11am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12. In addition to vibrant artworks by Charles Prentiss, Jennie McDade, Brian Rounds, Frank Galuszka and many others, plan on plenty of live music and refreshments throughout the weekend. And as a terrific bonus, you’ll also find Vine Hill winemaker Sal Godinez pouring his award-winning pinot noirs at the oh-so-conveniently-located Vinocruz, from 3-5pm, on Sat, July 11. All the more reason to add this downtown hot spot to your weekend calendar.
Full details on this year’s Plein Air weekend are available at the MAH website. Be there!
by Christina Waters | Jul 4, 2009 | Food, Holidays |
Muriel and Michel of Au Midi invite all of their friends and patrons to come to the great French summer fest known as Bastille Day — Tuesday, July 14th, naturellement!
The intimate Aptos bistro will be open that evening by reservation only, for a limited seating of French food, music and ambience. The holiday menu includes chilled gazpacho, paella Provençal, and fig tart — for a special prix fixe of $25 per person (tax & tip not included).
Allons enfants de la Patrie!
Au Midi is located at 7960 Soquel Drive (behind the Aptos Cinema). 831-685-2600
by Christina Waters | Jul 1, 2009 | Home |
Summer solstice.
Chilled sauvignon blanc, cucumbers in hummus, flame grapes, crackers and a selection of robust and intriguing cheeses. How lucky of me to have a friend whose greenhouse balcony provided all of the above — a friend whose hedonistic instincts are exceeded only by her impeccable taste.
Thinking outside the usual Stonehenge or Tikal cliché —I think a summer ritual has been born.
