Sean Does Salumi
Here's an example of the Sean Baker all-star line-up of handmade salumi, available to adventurous diners at Gabriella Cafe and at the new Le Cigare Volant cafe at Bonny Doon tasting room on Ingalls Street. These gorgeous paper-thin specialties taste even better than...
Cumbre @ Cafe Mare
Lunch last week at downtown Santa Cruz' Cafe Mare knocked me out - in two ways. First off the kitchen had just received a huge harvest of fresh porcini mushrooms and was busy turning out a gorgeous variety of daily specials involving the sweet, earthy funghi. My...
Limoncello!
Yes, chef Giovanni diMaio did deliver what we expected last week at a wonderful Limoncello lunch. I like to use the holidays as an excuse to take my mom and aunt out for lunch, and Limoncello surpassed our hopes. Manicotti with a dreamy ragu, veal piccata with...
Jewelry Sensations @ UCSC Holiday Craft Sale – Dec. 5
These sensational designer earrings fashioned of hammered gold-filled wire with freshwater pearls and crystals — made by Kate Coburn — are among the gorgeous handmade items available at this Friday's noontime sale. Coburn's earrings and necklaces, crafted of...
Unconventional Feast
We did Thanksgiving our way this year, and shared a small, informal, but luxurious meal - with no turkey in sight. The menu: fresh cracked Dungeness crab with three dipping sauces creamy polenta topped with parmesan reggiano braised bitter greens - mixed sorrel and...
Inside the Flame
A book of sensory adventure: The rituals, passions and discoveries of an engaged life.