La Dolcetto Vida
Fragrant with violets, redwood and berries, the all-biodynamic 2006 Dolcetto from Ca'del Solo Vineyard in Monterey County is a beautiful wine. It takes nicely to food, especially omega-laden seafoods, pasta dishes and lamb. But it's sumptuous all by itself. On day...
and another thing about Oswald
The red trout, sautéed crispy and served on a bed of green beans and roasted sunchokes, is a sensuous way to celebrate a chilly winter evening. You need only walk into the warm brasserie ambience of Oswald (corner of Front & Soquel, in downtown Santa Cruz) and let...
Poetic Pinot
From Sonnet winemaker Tony Craig, comes this supple profusion of raspberries and licorice. The 2006 Russian River Valley, Amber Ridge Vineyard, Pinot Noir opens into a fragrant center of cassis supported by a foundation of sassafras and forest bark. It is a killer...
No Doubt About It
Yes it stars the Diva of Drama, Meryl Streep. Yes it also stars the highly praised Philip Seymour Hoffman. But no that won’t keep you from regretting that you sacrificed $7 and two hours of your life on this bow-wow! Doubt is a soporific study in the vanity of one...
New Chef @ Gabriella
Bradford Briske is the new chef at Gabriella Cafe. I found out from Paul Cocking, the owner of downtown's chic dining room, that former chef Sean Baker is no longer with the restaurant. Cocking is looking forward to a menu focused more intimately on local, farmers...
Inside the Flame
A book of sensory adventure: The rituals, passions and discoveries of an engaged life.