Kelly’s Dinner Market – Sat. June 26
Ceviche tostados from H&H Fresh Fish—sausage sandwiches from El Salchichero - brie and olives from New Leaf - and Kelly's cream puffs with fresh strawberries for dessert. This is only part of the al fresco menu coming up this Saturday at the expanded Dinner Market...
Gourmet Gossip
Okay, not really gossip, just more like mini-updates. Bites, if you will. I'm hearing very good things about Brad Briske's new gig over at Main Street Garden Cafe (the old Theo's). And I'm hearing them from extremely discerning gourmets, such as Windy Oaks' Judy...
Breaking News
El Salchichero, Chris LeVeque — with a bit of help from his organic grower parents — is deep into the renovation of the former crafts studio at the top edge of Kelly's Ingalls empire. What will emerge, soon, is the talented meat guy's enormous charcuterie works....
Morning at the Cloisters
The Certosa di Galuzzo is an enormous cloister dating from the 1300s located about three miles up into the hills above Florence. In other words, it is situated on one of those stereotypically picturesque Tuscan hillsides dotted with tall black Lombardy cypresses and...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Kitchen Magic
Surrounded by the sacred artifacts, fetishes and flavorings of his alchemical trade, and clad in ceremonial robes, well-seasoned shaman of all things culinary—Joseph Schultz—prepares for an intensive workshop in Greco-Turkish cooking at the demonstration kitchen...
Weekly Addiction
Here we are again, swilling the sushi and sashimi at Kawa Sushi (corner of Mission & Bay). It's pretty hard to beat the incredible protein & wasabi hit of this menu. Service is outstanding, the tables are generously spaced, and you can actually carry on a conversation...
Recession Dining
Here's how we handle it, this winter/recession thing. Beans, rice and Italian sausages (all natural pork made by New Leaf). Add a big glass of Bonny Doon Vineyard's excellent Sangiovese, a few candles (yes, David, we still dine by candlelight every night), and...
La Nuova Posta
Katherine Stern has worked expert magic on the menu at La Posta. Since the richly resuméd chef came on board a few months ago, things have gotten very interesting at the chic Seabright dining room. Contemporary Italian cooking. Deeply burnished flavors. Uncluttered...
l’affair Gabriella
News of Gabriella's impending demise—promulgated by the owner himself—seems to have been premature. The love of a good tax attorney might be just the ticket. We'll see. But whatever the actual status of the tiny downtown dining room, a packed house last Friday...
Spice Island
Tikka Masala from Seeds of Change - is serious flavor in a jar. All the labor-intensive work of grinding, roasting, mincing, and simmering has been done for you - all you need to do is get a jar of this wonderfully aromatic simmer sauce ($6 @ New Leaf) and let its...
Pasta La Posta
Once again proving that some pastas ARE better than others, the kitchen at La Posta wow'd us last night with this plate of succulent pappardelle verde laced with housemade sausage and braised wild nettles. Tangy, buttery, utterly delicious, it had the four of us vying...
Cellar Door
Here is something rococo—and delicious—we sampled last week from the hand of Cellar Door chef Jarod Ottley. A froth of tender local squid, accompanied by pink grapefruit and pea sprouts dotted a long mound of quinoa. Brilliant crimson beet puree accompanied and...
Red Oil Dumplings
My current favorite, guilt-free, dining addiction. And here's my appetizer order, minus the three dumplings I inhaled within moments of their arrival.@ O'mei.
Cabrillo Does Chowder
Congratulations to Cabrillo culinary students and to Mike Wille, instructor at Cabrillo College's Advanced Culinary Arts program. Wille's inventive chefs-in-progress made a brilliant showing at this year's Clam Chowder Festival - taking First Place in the "Best...
Staff of Life
Most of Santa Cruz swooped down on Staff of Life's humongous new digs last week, to check it out and to start getting familiar with their new neighborhood natural foods emporium. I spotted two more reasons to head over to Staff - fresh duck breast and fresh spot...
Top Dish: O’mei
Too tired to rustle up something decent for dinner? Me too, which is why I find myself running over to O'mei, and either dining in the restaurant or picking up a few favorite dishes to take home. Here's our go-to dinner: Rosemary Chicken with Mushrooms (pictured...
Justin Severino Update
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...
Red Velvet Valentines
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...
Cabrillo Wine Dinner
The lovely Pino Alto dining room at Cabrillo's historic Sesnon House, formed a graceful backdrop for some cool jazz and exciting food and wine pairings last Wednesday evening.The highlights for me were the elegant sounds of Hot Club Pacific trio (who also hold down...
TLC No More
For six years the source of astounding eggs, pastured pork and an organic paradise for happily and humanely-raised livestock, TLC Ranch has become a casualty of the economy. Jim Dunlop and Rebecca Thistlethwaite, TLC owners, explained in a long newsletter narrative...