by Christina Waters | Apr 21, 2011 | Movies |
Dark, mercurial, intelligent and yes, dear reader, romantic—the most recent screen version of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre is utterly captivating. With its Pre- Raphaelite doorways, its Caspar David Friedrich fog-drenched forests, and its gothic vistas of sight (cinematography by Adriano Goldman) and sound (music by Dario Marianelli), this film will satisfy the pickiest audience on the planet—Brontë groupies who adore this tale of a “small, plain” young woman whose fierce spirit secures her place in literary Valhalla.
Director Cary Fukunaga (a UCSC alum) has deepened the sense of mystery surrounding the manor house of the restless (more…)
by Christina Waters | Apr 21, 2011 | Holidays |
Marie Waters of La Mesa and Boulder Creek, California – and to Elizabeth Windsor of London and Buckingham Palace!
by Christina Waters | Apr 21, 2011 | Food, Home |
Somehow this neighborhood dining room continues to disarm us. Last night four of us enjoyed a flawless series of plates, from a pizza bianca with crust as thin as a fashion model’s thigh to a sensational emerald appetizer of wild nettle sformato custard smothered with thin shaves of asparagus, arugula and infant pecorino. Tiny allium blossoms added a light onionesque topnote.
While my companions feasted on lamb sausages, buttery halibut and perfectly prepared spring vegetables, I went supernova over a plate of maltagliati (“freeform”) pasta tossed with fava leaves, anchovy, pine nuts, currants and pecorino romano. Literally a perfect plate of pasta. With glasses of the excellent house montepulciano, we dove straight into Tuscany for a few happy hours. Kudos to chef Katherine Stern and company.
by Christina Waters | Apr 20, 2011 | Holidays |
Southern-style specialties complete with live jazz this Easter Sunday April 24, fill the menu at Clouds Downtown, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Easter Eggs Benedict! Fried chicken and waffles, bananas foster, endless Mimosas. 110 Church St., Santa Cruz – 429-2000.
Or savor Easter brunch with a colossal view of the beach, Boardwalk and bay at Casablanca Restaurant, 10:30am until 2pm. Enjoy classics like New York steak and eggs, strawberry banana crepes, those Eggs Benedict, plus zesty salmon gravlox omelets, snapper piccata and of course you’ll want to chase those items with the easter bunny’s drink of choice—the fresh squeezed orange juice mimosa. Casablanca looks out over the corner of Beach and Main Streets – 426-9063.
by Christina Waters | Apr 19, 2011 | Wine |
Make plans for a day in the country – this Saturday April 23 – for a visit to the brand new tasting room at Windy Oaks Estate, in Corralitos.
Especially beautiful this time of year, the rolling vineyards above Corralitos now boast a new venue for the Pinot Noirs and estate Chardonnay created by Jim Schultze and his family winemaking team.
From noon to 5pm this Saturday (and every Saturday from now on) the tasting room is open for free pours of new releases—including the 2009 “one-acre” Chardonnay and the 2008 Proprietor’s Reserve Pinot Noir, plus appetizers, cheese, Corralitos sausage and live music.
Bring your favorite easter bunny— please call to RSVP, 831.724-9562, so Jim and Judy can put your name on the list — and come up for this hilltop Grand Opening. ( If you don’t RSVP, there will be a $15 tasting fee.) You can find out how to get to the winery at 550 Hazel Dell Road, by following the directions on the website.
