by Christina Waters | Feb 16, 2011 | Food, Home |
You remember the guy who gave us that sensational charcuterie a few years back?
Justin Severino from Severino’s who sold terrific artisanal meats at the farmers markets here in Santa Cruz?
Justin just emailed to tell me that his highly-regarded culinary style at Elements Contemporary Cuisine in Pittsburgh, PA, is up for Food & Wine magazine’s Top Chef/ Mid-Atlantic Region competition.
Success couldn’t happen to a nicer, smarter chef — too bad he’s not still dazzling our tastebuds here in Santa Cruz.
Check out Severino’s award-winning menu! Your mouth will water, I guarantee.
[photo: Tana Butler]
by Christina Waters | Feb 14, 2011 | Food, Holidays |
Music department manager Thomas Pistole sure knows how to pamper his UCSC faculty & staff. Cupcake Diva Pistole uses any holiday as an excuse to break out his trusty cupcake carrier and fill it with colorfully-decorated, to-die-for pastries.
These are his latest – red velvet topped with cinnamon-flavored hearts.
A good man to know, especially around Halloween when his fabled carrot cupcakes with orange frosting are available.
by Christina Waters | Feb 11, 2011 | Home |
Remember that tremendous deal on the 2006 Bordeaux blend – Skyline – from Thomas Fogarty I told you about a few weeks ago?
Here’s a few fascinating factoids.
You can pick up this beautiful creation for $11.99 @ Shoppers Corner.
Or, for $12.99 at New Leaf. Or $15.99 at Whole Foods.
Got that? Same exact wine.
Connect those dots.
by Christina Waters | Feb 11, 2011 | Home |
Under the “all’s fair in love and business” category – the gloves are off just in time for the impending opening of the colossal, eco award-winning, all-new improved Staff of Life, scheduled for this coming Tuesday February 15.
Several competitors have begun incentivizing their check-out transactions.
E.g. my girlfriend was given $5 off on her recent purchase at Whole Foods, plus a coupon for $5 off her next two purchases of $25 or more at the nat food mega-store. Yes, that is tempting when you’re watching your pennies. And another top local emporium is currently offering a gift item to customers who spend $25 or more.
The attempt to attract and keep customer base is hot and heavy, and starting Feb. 15 about to get only more so. Can this community support all of its fine groceries?
You do the math.
by Christina Waters | Feb 10, 2011 | Home |
Some seafood dishes stand out, even in an ocean of great flavors.
From the kitchen of Avanti chef Ben Sims came this lovely evening special of roasted sea bass, cannellini beans, softly braised greens and broccollini all spiked with a lemon zesty tapenade. An entree that gives “dining out” a good name, even in a bad economy.
