Eats

I went into mourning like a Sicilian widow when The Market closed in Santa Maria. I miss their hearty and creative dishes and their uniquely down-home take on fine dining. There are plenty of good restaurants (and great ones) that fill the void the eatery, which closed in 2016, left behind. But it wasn’t until […]

In the 1980s there was an Oldsmobile ad campaign that featured Lisa Marie and Priscilla Presley (Elvis’ daughter and wife, respectively). As the mother and daughter came peeling around the bend in a zippy red Cutlass Calais, a slogan reminded viewers, “This is not your father’s Oldsmobile.” For the venerated car company, it was an […]

When even the bread tastes exquisite, you know you’re in a special restaurant. Such is the case with Scratch Kitchen. Headed by Chef Augusto Caudillo, the venue serves up rustic takes on contemporary California dining, starting with that sumptuous bite of cornbread. Moist and accented with dashes of diced jalapeño, the bread alone is enough […]

The first thing that hit me when I walked into the Ethnic Food Fair at the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation was the aroma. It was familiar and comforting, a scent that seeps into my body and awakens ancient memories of the evenings I spent watching my mother prepare the dishes of her homeland. She […]

It is not uncommon for Jessica Gasca to pour a glass of the wine she makes at an event and hear the question, “Who is the winemaker?” “The answer is, ‘I’m the winemaker,’” she told me at the Women Winemaker’s Dinner on March 8. “And it’s interesting to see the expression change.” Gasca, winemaker and […]

When I found out that the chef at one of my favorite restaurants in the world, Solvang’s Bacon and Brine, was offering cooking classes, I was ecstatic. Here was my chance to sharpen my kitchen skills and maybe pick up some creative recipe tips to impress friends with the next time they were over for […]

On Feb. 13, Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills Estates announced Master Sommelier Will Costello was joining the winery as Estate Brand Ambassador. Costello was named master sommelier in North America through the Court of Master Sommeliers in 2015. He currently serves as the Wine Director at Mandarin Oriental in Las Vegas. From his current home […]

Allow me to apologize for my disdain of mushrooms. I was forced to evaluate my lifelong dislike of one of the culinary world’s favorite ingredients on a short drive from Santa Maria to Los Alamos with my fiancé. We were headed there for Bedford Winery’s 11th annual Mushroom Festival on Saturday, Feb. 4. “Seriously, why […]

Restaurant Week is not for the lazy. At least, not until now. When I first heard news of the Santa Ynez Valley Restaurant Week, I’ll admit I was practically giddy. From Jan. 22 through 28, the annual event offered diners the chance to sample three courses from local restaurants for the bargain price of $20.17. […]

A subtle fog of anticipation rolled over the crowd as they waited, seated almost shoulder to shoulder with friends, loved ones, and complete strangers. They were boisterous, eagerly talking among themselves, sharing opinions about the weather, highway traffic, or how their kids were doing in school. Some of them shot anxious glances behind their shoulders […]

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” The unofficial creed of the U.S. Post Office heralds its unwavering commitment to duty despite punishing elements. I recently proved that the same can now be said of beer and wine enthusiasts like myself, […]

Your Christmas tree is in a pile in the garage and you’re still trying to find the cellphone you lost during that New Year’s Eve party. But that was last year—it’s time to focus on what 2017 has in store. And whether you’re a fan of the many wineries in our area, or a newbie […]