by Christina Waters | Apr 19, 2009 | Art, Home |
Armed with a hefty Zagat rating – 24 no less – and a streamlined lunch concept, Tues-Sat Zuni-style non-gooey pizzas and salads – Gabriella continues to showcase the skills of chef Brad Briske in an effort to conquer the culinary world.
Former UCSC Chancellor Bob Sinsheimer has recently been seen grinning broadly after polishing off one of Gabriella’s new pizzas. And if you need more nudging, the delicious plein air paintings of Charles Prentiss go on display inside the dining rooms starting July 1. (This one’s titled Highway 129.)
by Christina Waters | Apr 16, 2009 | Home, Wine |
Bradley Brown, winemaker up at Big Basin Vineyards, covered himself in media glory not too long ago with his wild-at-heart, terroir-driven Syrah from Rattlesnake Ridge. And now I know why.
This supple 2006 New World Rhônesque beauty unfolds for miles. From a spice and plum opening, it slides into a meaty center filled with tart and savory mysteries. Bay leaves, cardamom, huckleberries, cassis. The mineral foundation works almost invisibly to support this wine’s rich, smoky center. An Easter meal involving rack of lamb provided the perfect occasion to take this robust, almost feral creature out for a spin.
Soft where you don’t expect it, dynamic through and through. (more…)
by Christina Waters | Apr 15, 2009 | Wine |
Winemaker’s Dinner at Three Degrees with Burrell School Vineyards
April 23rd 2009 7pm
Join Burrell School proprietors Dave and Anne Moulton for a very affordable 4-course dinner, paired with memorable wines, for only $65 on April 23, at Three Degrees restaurant in the Toll House, Los Gatos. (more…)
by Christina Waters | Apr 5, 2009 | Food, Home |
Brad Briske is currently playing around with an appetizer of deep magenta roasted beets — Route One — topped with a creamy ricotta favetta and a sprig of infant beet greens. In addition to 30-year-old balsamic, this dish features one more secret bit of luxury.
Stop by Gabriella and find out more.
by Christina Waters | Apr 5, 2009 | Home, Travel |
Back from Vegas, I’m still trying to sort out the declining playground of Frank Sinatra & friends. More posts in the following days. . . .
For now, let’s just say that in addition to a tremendous meal at Mario Batali’s new Carnevino, we discovered an eco-haven (with a Platinum LEED ranking) in the Springs Preserve. Here we lunched – twice – at Wolfgang Puck’s all-organic, utterly delightful cafe (here’s the house salad).
Stay tuned.
