Or at least a colorful table display. This is how adults in deep denial as to their actual emotional maturity adorn their dining room table during official holidays. Not all of them. But this one. Who can resist ranunculi in loud colors that exactly match the Peeps du jour? We can’t.
We didn’t.
A splendid dinner was enjoyed by us spiceheads last week at the newly re-opened Ambrosia India Bistro. Better than ever is what I thought of our multi-course dinner, which included a sumptuous Lamb Tikka Masala and an order of strange and addictive Dum Aloo – potato curry with dried apricots and mint in a cinnamon-laden sauce. Jack and I also ordered our favorite cauliflower and potato curry, Aloo Gobi, with the heat stepped up to 6/7 on a 10-pt scale. I love Ambrosia’s willingness to work with the patrons in adjusting the spiciness of dishes.
Along with our dinner partners, mathematics guru Ralph Abraham and painter Ray Gwyn Smith, we inhaled countless crispy lentil papadums and a ton of luscious garlic naan, plus excellent David Bruce Petite Sirah.
This place has fantastic, authentic Indian cuisine—go sample food that gives new meaning to the term “complex.â€
Ambrosia India Bistro, 207 Searidge Rd., Aptos, 685-0610.
Rachel and Ryan Beauregard have good reason to smile. They’re in love, starting a family, get to hang out in vineyards any time they want to — and sample an endless supply of Beauregard Vineyards wines (made by Ryan).
Here they pose at the top of the 40-acres Bald Mountain vineyard managed by Ryan’s dad, Jim Beauregard.
Big Basin Vineyards Open House, Saturday, April 10, noon til 5pm
Make plans to visit one of the truly hidden gems of Santa Cruz Mountain wine country this coming Saturday, April 10, at 830 Memory Lane, Boulder Creek, from noon til 5pm.
The extended Big Basin Vineyards April Open House will feature tastings of all the currently released wines, as well as some barrel samples of upcoming vintages.
Dan Robbins will be playing music and Desiree will prepare Syrah and Pinot-friendly foods, including bison meatballs, herb encrusted baby red and fingerling potatoes, and assorted cheeses.
Taste this amazing lineup!
2009 Aura Rosé of Syrah
2007 Bald Mountain Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains
2007 Alfaro Family Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains
2006 Rattlesnake Rock Syrah, Santa Cruz Mountains
2007 Fairview Road Ranch Syrah, Santa Lucia Highlands
2007 Mandala Syrah, Santa Cruz Mountains
2007 Odeon Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon
2009 Lester Family Pinot Noir (Barrel Sample)
2005 Rattlesnake Rock Syrah, Santa Cruz Mountains
and lots more! Weather permitting, enjoy a stroll in the verdant spring vineyards.
For directions, please go to: www.bigbasinvineyards.com
A book of sensory adventure: The rituals, passions and discoveries of an engaged life.