Artisanal cheesemaker and rancher Rebecca King (who was also former chef at Gabriella) emailed to remind me about the chance to purchase freshly dressed, organically-raised young lamb in time for holiday special dinners. The lamb is raised at Monkeyflower Ranch, and fed on pasture grasses, alfalfa and spent organic grains from Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing. Mild and tender, just like the animals themselves, the meat is now available in whole or half carcass. (more…)
Ridge Vineyards continues to own the New World incarnation of Bordeaux blends, and this beautiful 2005 marriage of Cabernet Sauvignon ((58%) and Merlot (42%) knocked us out the other night, paired with a choice bit grass-fed rib-eye steak. We don’t eat a lot of beef, nor drink much cab. But these exceptions deserved each other.
This estate blend, made from Monte Bello Ridge grapes, is a masterpiece of tannic core that billows out — okay, so it takes half a day for full opening — into a cushion of leather, roses and rich briary details. At 13.7% alcohol, it is big enough but not overpowering. Worth its $40 pricetag (VinoCruz stocks this gem) it might be one of the items that Santa should be thinking about. For under the tree, or on the table to accompany Christmas Day roast beef.
Come join former Lick Observatory director-turned-winemaker Joe Miller & company, for the Grand Opening of Hillcrest Terrace Winery on November 14 from 12:30-6:00 pm, when there will be an opportunity to taste the wines, grab some food, and watch Mayor Cynthia Mathews cut the ceremonial ribbon. The winery is located at 429B Ingalls Street — yes, THAT Ingalls Street, where the action apparently never stops. Hillcrest Terrace will be open for tasting, etc. on Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5pm, and most Friday afternoons (831-426-1500). . . . And for those of us waiting breathlessly for the next great thing at La Posta, the wait is over. The new chef’s name is Catherine Stern, and she’s fresh from Scotland, where she spent quality time in a two-star kitchen. Details coming soon. . . . According to a family source, the chef of the recently closed In Vino Veritas has left Scotts Valley in a big hurry, if you get my drift. Meanwhile, his old place in the Felton Guild is back up and running as an Italian restaurant once again. . . .When in Aptos, you might want to peruse the Autumn Artisans Faire – Friday, Nov. 13 7-10pm (that’s the preview party with hors d’oeuvres/$10), and Saturday, Nov. 14 10am-4pm (free), at the Aptos United Methodist Church. These folks promise a Christmas-worth of fine arts and handcrafts by talented local artists, plus live music, a silent auction and munchies for purchase. Full details are at the website.
The Backstage Lounge – the latest exciting idea in dining entertainment from David Jackman, is open for dinner 5-10pm nightly serving Asian-inspired dishes, with beer on tap and a few good wines. The opening menu features wraps, rolls, potstickers, pork ribs and roast duck – unexpected dishes, perhaps, but interactive and spicy.
You know where the Rio Theatre is? (hint: 1205 Soquel Ave, in eastside Santa Cruz) The Backstage Lounge is right next door.
Two of my favorite artists’ visits in October happened 600 miles apart.
The new, enigmatic Blurred Landscapes large-scale photo montages by Sara Friedlander — created, cunningly manipulated, and ultimately altered by painted overlays, lingered long in my imagination.
These pieces have the impact of a childhood dream. To see them, is to have an immediate sense of recognition. And yet, Friedlander weaves images from geographically far-flung regions — images from Japan might be edited into a forest in the Czech Republic — in order to create these eerily soothing dreamscapes. After being printed, re-organized, and printed again on heavy archival paper, the images are then enhanced with oil and acrylic paint detailing. So the Landscapes are at once multiple-generational assemblages, and yet one-of-a-kind originals.
The best news is that Friedlander’s Landscapes are now lining the walls of old Lulu’s on Pacific Ave. so if you missed seeing these impressive pieces during Open Studios, you can feast on them over a morning macchiato.
A book of sensory adventure: The rituals, passions and discoveries of an engaged life.