Getting Shrek’d
A few weeks ago I saw the trailer for the new Shrek Forever After and found myself sucked in enough to grab a tub of popcorn and settle in for my very first Shrek. A Shrek virgin no more, after two hours of 3D antics starring the voice of Eddie Murphy (brilliant!) and...
Elixir of Love @ UCSC – June 3-6
Yes, the opera by Donizetti — sung by skilled young stars of the UCSC Opera program. I saw the dress rehearsal last night and was blown away by the gorgeous voices, polished stage direction (thanks to Brian Staufenbiel) and sheer charm of this Italian meringue of an...
More Late-breaking News
Over at Gabriella, owner Paul Cocking has already scored a new chef — Kynan Campisi— formerly of Michael Mina in San Francisco. "He's energetic, organized and intelligent," says Cocking of his latest chef. "All the things you want." Can't wait to sample the new...
Vintner’s Fest – June 12-13
21st Annual Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association Vintners' Festival Think of it as a lively, scenic opportunity to taste rare premium wines from area wineries along with tasty finger foods from local chefs. The 21st annual event is spread over two weekends....
Miriam Hitchcock @ Carl Cherry Center
A visit to Carmel is always a good idea. Make sure you drive down by June 13, so you can catch the gorgeous exhibit of new large-scale multimedia work by Miriam Hitchcock at the Carl Cherry Center. Her new show, wittily entitled Suburban Tempest, shows Hitchcock...
Hunter Hill Pinot
A lovely wine, this 2007 Hunter Hill pinot noir from the Santa Cruz Mountains. We tried it last night with Alaskan King salmon, polenta and braised kale. The wine opened quickly into a dynamic mix of plums, cloves and licorice. And it just kept coming. For my...
Cocktail du Jour
Cool as a cucumber and tart as Serena Williams, my new favorite cocktail can be found at Oswald. I'm calling it "Rites of Spring" and it definitely leads to spirited behavior. The secret ingredient of this crisp, unsweet, distinctive drink is.....cucumber....
Irwin Show @ Sesnon Gallery
Dirty Dozen: Amy Boewer, one of the twelve Irwin Scholars for 2010, puts the finishing touches on her military industrial altar site in time for the exhibition opening and reception, this Thursday May 27 at 5pm. Filling the gallery's three studios with innovative...
Surf City Paired with Cabrillo Cuisinartists
Cabrillo College's culinary students teamed up with the Surf City Vintners for the first annual Dare to Pair food and wine challenge on May 22. And in a nutshell, we came, we munched, we sipped. Teams of culinary students paired with wine from each of the 12 Surf City...
Alfaro Does Ma Maison – May 28
Chef Lionel le Morvan of Ma Maison knows his way around paté. His wonderful appetizers and even more wonderful pistachio macaroons (the kind they make at Ladurée in Paris) were a big hit at last week's New Music Works garden gala. Now he's met his match—winemaker...
On Iron Man
The first time around, it was Robert Downey Jr. I was watching. And even with this second installment of the Marvel Comic hero, Downey is an endlessly adroit chameleon, able to pivot moods in micro-seconds. Yet, somehow—especially since most of the film reduces to a...
La Vita Release Party – Sunday May 23
Every year Bargetto Winery unveils its viticultural showpiece, a wine carefully nurtured, blended and finally chosen to wear the latest La Vita label. The ninth release of La Vita (vintage 2006) happens this weekend, when a hundred or so friends of the area's oldest...
Art for Art – opening reception May 28
Make plans for this Friday's opening reception. Art for Art is positively packed with new works by some of our best painters, printmakers, and mixed media mavens. I'm especially looking forward to seeing what Charles Prentiss, Hildy Bernstein, Sara Friedlander,...
Archiving the Farm
Come celebrate an astonishing array of oral histories of organic farmers and researchers, from the 60s through the present - on Monday, May 24, 5-7pm at the UCSC Farm. Music by the Rolling Cultivators (with a name like that, they have to be good), food and...
Cabrillo Winemaker Dinner – May 20
This Thursday, May 20, Vine Hill Winery teams up with top talent from the Cabrillo College Culinary Arts program for a dreamy match-up of wines and menu. Actually, it's close to the deal of the century. A four-course, $65 prix fixe dinner matching innovative dishes...
Splashy Soirée
Destined to be THE major event of the outdoor food, wine and music season, this Sunday, May 16 2:30-5:30pm, the gala New Music Works Garden tour and musicale unfurls at the gorgeous garden estate of Sam and Terry Wright. You will savor flowers and music, while tasting...
Bill Raney’s Excellent Adventure
Nickelodeon Theater founder and fearless world traveller, Bill Raney, will be on hand this coming Thursday, May 13, at the Cabrillo College Bookstore, signing and talking all about his colorful book, Letters to Zerky, A Father's Legacy to a Lost Son & a Road Trip...
Cirque du Joze
In his glory and surrounded by a) adoring culinary fans, b) terrific music, and c) spicy aromas of garlic, chile and ginger, Joseph Schultz ascended the stage/altar and wok'd and wok'd until no plate was empty. It was a May Day afternoon devoted to gado gado, Dragon...
Getting Toasted
I love this new ultra-thin faux English muffin invention that has been popping up at groceries under a variety of brands. Our house favorite is from Oroweat, loaded with actual flavor, but only 100 calories (that's for two halves!). Called "Sandwich Thins" they toast...
Local Beards
They're neighbors. Friends. Share common interests. Even collaborated on a restaurant concept together. And now they've both won prestigious James Beard Foundation awards. They would be winemaker Randall Grahm, whose recent, word-twisting memoir Been Doon So Long has...
New Music, Amphibious Ambience
Join music lovers and amphibiophiles Sunday afternoon, May 16, from 2:30 to 5:30 at the17-acre Mt. Madonna estate of Sam and Terry Wright for a gala New Music Works al fresco concert. Among the highlights will be NMW founder Philip Collins’ Frog Requiem, a piece...
Primavera in a Glass
The Nikolaihoff Grüner Veltliner now on the chalkboard at Avanti is one of those stunning Austrian varietals that gives white wine a good name. Light and loaded with flint and chalk, this light alcohol beauty also packs tones of jasmine and nectarine into to its...
Soup Supper @ Cocoanut Grove – April 29
The Homeless Services Center's 11th Annual Soupline Supper and Benefit Auction is coming up on Thursday, April 29, 5:30-7:30 ($25) at the Cocoanut Grove on the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. After ten years tradition at the Holy Cross Parish hall, this is the first year at a...
Poetic Rhône Blend
From Poetic Cellars comes this powerhouse of a Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre blend, the 2007 Mantra, made from Livermore Valley grapes by Katy Lovell. A graceful yet sturdy red, Mantra exudes a fragrant meatiness, with cassis and pepper balanced by minerals. Use...