Eve's Wine 101

Perlises Pick Dining on the Monterey Peninsula

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The term “embarrassment of riches” is often overused, but it is hard to come up with a better descriptor of the dining options on the Monterey Peninsula. Just the Lighthouse Avenue area of Pacific Grove alone has a dozen or so choices. Here are a few that we enjoyed.

Max’s Grill is on Forest Avenue just off of Lighthouse. Chef Hisayuki “Max” Muramatsu opened Max’s almost 20 years ago with his wife Yuko, after a stint as Executive Chef of Carmel’s Anton & Michel, among other prestigious establishments. The menu reflects his classic training as well as the best that the region has to offer. We had the pleasure of being taken care of by Yuko herself on the intimate patio. From our delicious starter of Tempura Prawns to the Karen’s Garden Salad and Michael’s Caesar [Michael couldn’t pass up the anchovies] through our entrees of Petrale Sole (the catch of the day) and the Duck Our Way (confit duck leg and duck mousse ravioli), everything tasted so fresh and delicious. As well it should, as Chef Max prides himself on making pretty much everything from scratch, even the bread!

Max’s Grill                                                                                       www.maxgrill.com                                                                                                  

209 Forest Avenue, Pacific Grove California 93950

Jeninni Kitchen + Wine Bar has been a fixture on Lighthouse Avenue for about ten years, serving owner Thamin Saleh’s extensive menu of Mediterranean-inspired dishes to happy locals and tourists alike. We’d actually been planning the restaurant a visit for some time, but when we did, we discovered that it was in the process of changing hands. But not to worry. New owners, Jerry Regester and Gail Grammatico, bring their own impressive chops to the table and changes are planned only gradually. We had the pleasure of dining there while Thamin was still involved in the transition. We shared the octopus in a leek-fennel sauce. Karen had the skillet seared tuna with whipped potatoes, green beans and a chardonnay-mustard sauce while Michael couldn’t pass up the pork belly with creamy polenta and roasted grapes with saba syrup. The dishes deliciously reflected combinations of Mediterranean, French and Spanish influences. We can’t wait to revisit Jeninni and see what changes the new owners make.

Jeninni Kitchen + Wine Bar                                                                 www.jeninni.com                                                                                                   

542 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove, California 93950

Wild Fish is, as the name implies, a seafood restaurant in Pacific Grove, specializing in locally sourced seafood and produce. Kelvin and Liz Jacobs initially opened the restaurant in Mendocino County in 2011 and subsequently moved it to the Monterey Peninsula. Starting with the Sweetwater oysters on the half shell from Tomales Bay, the Santa Cruz halibut with soba ramen and the bouillabaisse teeming with rock cod, squid, octopus and various shellfish, everything screamed freshness and deliciousness.

Karen thought that the bouillabaisse was the best she ever had.   The saffron rouille was amazing. The menu for the day even identified which captain and boat brought in the catch. The enthusiasm of the wait staff was evident, as they described the process of receiving the fish and processing it all by hand at the restaurant, even using the bones for broth.

Wild Fish                                                                                                                       

www.wild-fish.com                                                                                                                        

545 Lighthouse Ave, Pacific Grove CA 93950

We also found a couple of great places to grab a bite for lunch while out and about.

From Scratch Restaurant at The Barnyard Shopping Center in Carmel specializes in fresh, made-to-order breakfast and lunch entrees. As our server assured us when we were concerned about making too many substitutions, “Don’t worry. We make everything from scratch.” We actually ate here twice, enjoying the Big Sur Omelet and BLAT Sandwich the first time and the Club Sandwich and perhaps the best patty melt anywhere per Michael when we went the second time.

From Scratch Restaurant       www.fromscratchrestaurant.com                                                                                           

3626 The Barnyard, Carmel, California 93923

Finally, we found delicious food served by really nice people at C U Sushi in The Crossroads Shopping Center, also in Carmel. We enjoyed the salmon sashimi salad, gyoza, bulgogi bibimbab and the eel roll. The service was very quick and friendly and everything was made fresh.

C U Sushi                                                                       

www.thecrossroadscarmel.com/dining/cu-sushi/                                                                      

173 Crossroads Blvd, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923

The Monterey Peninsula has a wealth of excellent wineries and wonderful restaurants all within half an hour or so of each other.   The area is beautiful, peaceful and relaxing. We had a fabulous time and are looking forward to coming back to the area to explore and have new adventures.  There is something for everybody from Michelin restaurants to up and coming winemakers.

Michael and Karen Perlis have been pursuing their passion for wine for more than 30 years. They have had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show them the way and after a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as they possibly could, they had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Michael and Karen do their best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers

Embrace California’s Newest Beverage Frontier With “Space For Savoring” Lompoc’s Wine Country

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Lompoc, CA – As the wine harvest approaches next month, what better time than now to escape to Lompoc, home to some of the industry’s most creative beverage makers. From estate wineries to regional brews, this Central California city in Santa Barbara County is bursting with refreshing wine and beer choices. Below are top picks to experience the destination’s wine bar scene and new and existing craft breweries.

https://explorelompoc.com/lompoc-wine-tasting/

https://explorelompoc.com/wine-bars-breweries-pubs/

Lompoc is located in a valley, which provides a consistent, ideal climate for grapes. As a result, several wineries and vineyards have popped up in and around the region. There are four main must experience wine-tasting areas: 

1. Lompoc Wine Ghetto

Lompoc possesses a hip industrial park area that transformed into a wine-lovers paradise, affectionately called the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. Inside, are 11 small, boutique wineries and tasting rooms that locals and visitors adore.

While visiting “the ghetto,” try: 

2. Midtown Wineries

Just a few blocks from Midtown Lompoc, visitors find a handful of wineries that are worth a stop. Brewer-Clifton, Longoria Wines, Turiya Wines and Camins 2 Dreams make up the Midtown Wineries. Here’s a list on these top spots: 

  • Brewer-Clifton
    Owner Greg Brewer was recently named Winemaker of the Year at this well-known winery, and is the man behind the flavorful wines on tap. Tastings are served by appointment only at this location, and when visitors set up a time to visit, they can try the 2015 Acin Pinot Noir.
  • Longoria Wines
    Established in 1982, Longoria is a small family-owned winery producing acclaimed artisanal wines. Travelers cannot miss this location, as it resembles a red barn. During a visit, taste the 2016 Chardonnay Cuvee Diana. The winery is open daily
  • Turiya Wines
    It is at this boutique winery that one can sample entirely hand-crafted red blends and Bordeaux-style wines. The tasting room is open on Friday and Saturday. If you swing by, try the 2016 Chardonnay Cuvee Diana.
  • Camins 2 Dreams
    Camins 2 Dreams makes their wine with grapes sourced from Sta. Rita Hills vineyards. The boutique winery looks forward to sharing their love of wine with each guest.

3. Sta. Rita Hills Wineries

A short drive outside of town takes visitors to the rolling landscape of Sta. Rita Hills. Here one will discover large estate vineyards and wineries, most of which are open daily. Here are a few suggestions for a countryside wine tour: 

  • Babcock Winery and Vineyards
    This winery has a hangar-sized tasting room with a retro rock-and-rock theme. It’s a great spot for a group of friends to visit. The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon “Block 15” is a must-try.
  • Dierberg Starlane
    With 40+ years of winemaking experience, the owners of Dierberg Starlane know what it takes to make good wine. Wine enthusiasts can stop in and enjoy a flight of five wines
  • for $25.
  • Sanford Winery & Vineyards
    The Sanford family was among the first to start vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills regions and specialize in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. For a truly distinctive experience, consider taking an ATV tour of the vineyard and follow it up with a tasting. 
  •  
  • Sta. Rita Hills Wine Center
  • At the Sta. Rita Hills Wine Center, grape lovers can experience three award-winning tasting rooms. Book a private tour or enjoy a tasting on the delightful patio area.

Lompoc’s craft brewery and wine bar scene

The region is known for its wines, but a number of bars serve handcrafted beers from the area too. For those in the mood for a draft or wish to relax at a wine bar, try these locations:

·         PCH Street Wine Lounge
Stop by the PCH Street Wine Lounge in historic old town Lompoc for a fun time and delicious wine. This Wine Lounge has a great selection of beer and wine on tap or by the bottle. Check their calendar for trivia and karaoke nights.

·         Cold Coast Brewing Company
Opened by four Lompoc locals, Cold Coast, which debuted this year, features great beers on tap like their Tropical IPA or the Happy Blonde.

·         Solvang Brewing Co. Hoptions Taproom & Eatery
Hoptions offers visitors a wide selection of craft beers at their on-site taproom. Enjoy a cold beer and delicious food.

·         Tap & Cork
Located in Old Town, the Tap & Cork is a local pub with a dozen local and regional beers on tap. Pool tables, karaoke, and poker nights add to the fun.

·         Jasper’s
The locals love Jasper’s and you will too. It has 20+ beers on tap and a pool table that’s ready for action. 

Travelers can spend an entire weekend enjoying the crafted drinks throughout the Lompoc area. Prior to a visit, book a hotel room, and use the recon above to plan their tasting itinerary.

ABOUT LOMPOC                                                                                                                                                                             Lompoc’s New Cold Coast Brewing Company

Located on scenic Pacific Coast Highway 1, just 155 miles northwest from Los Angeles with close proximity to Santa Barbara and Solvang, Lompoc takes on a world of its own. Its valley setting, surrounded

by spectacular rolling hills and vineyards, creates an invitation for visitors to detour off the main road, and explore what’s around the bend. Lompoc is a destination for wine tasting, golf, cycling, hiking, skydiving, birding, and surfing at nearby Jalama Beach. It is home to La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, the most fully restored and furnished of the 21 California missions, and adjacent to Vandenberg Air Force Base, where rockets are launched throughout the year by such entities as NASA, SpaceX, and ULA, to name a few.Lompoc has 12 hotels to welcome visitors. To discover more about the Lompoc Valley, and the range of things to see and do, visit: www.explorelompoc.com.   

Today: Grand Opening of Maria Concetto Winery Tasting Room in Calistoga

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MARIA CONCETTO WINERY OPENS NEW TASTING ROOM IN DOWNTOWN CALISTOGA

Grand Opening Celebrations – Wine, Food and Live Music by Ke Marie on Saturday, August 6th, 2022

NAPA VALLEY, California – The new Maria Concetto Winery has opened a tasting room in beautiful downtown Calistoga in the Napa Valley and is officially welcoming guests. Located at 1367 Lincoln Avenue, the Maria Concetto Winery tasting room is ideally situated between Napa Valley and Sonoma County, less than an hour’s drive from San Francisco and Oakland. The winery offers an elegant, upscale chic aesthetic that reflects the style and vibrancy of the wines being produced by Maria Reznikova, owner and wine entrepreneur. The tasting room is open to the public by-appointment, with seated tastings available between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily. Walk-ins are always welcome. 

“We are excited to be putting down roots in this sensational community,” says Reznikova. “Not only is Calistoga one of the premier wine destinations, but it is also a lovely place for guests to relax and enjoy the charming environment as they explore our world-class wines. With our portfolio of wines focusing on Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties, we offer a variety of wines for most every level of wine consumer. I love Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s one of our flagship wines; however, Moscato has become fashionable and is in high demand at our new tasting room too. I believe Calistoga is the ideal place to experience our vibrant style of winemaking, which emphasizes lush fruit, bright acidity and impeccably balanced oak.” 

The new tasting room features beautifully appointed interiors for sit-down tastings, including a VIP area and a welcoming wine bar, as well as an all-season patio for outdoor tastings. Adding to its allure, the tasting room is close to vineyards, public bike and hiking trails, and is a short distance from desirable accommodations, restaurants and other acclaimed tasting rooms. In addition to the unveiling of Maria Concetto Winery’s new home, there are other noteworthy destinations nearby, including the highly anticipated Four Seasons Resort and Residences and Solage, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection.
Maria Concetto Winery is dedicated to producing wines of integrity from Napa Valley, Sonoma County and Mendocino County.

It was founded in 2020 with a focus on sourcing and producing the region’s best expression of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Bordeaux style reds, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Rosé of Pinot Noir and Moscato from Northern California’s top appellations. The portfolio will soon add Sauvignon Blanc and Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Wine.

The Maria Concetto Winery tasting room is open to guests who are 21 or over. Reservations are recommended but not required. www.mariaconcettowinery.com
PHONE:(707) 860-5774 | EMAIL: maria@mariaconcettowinery.com | ADDRESS: 1367 Lincoln Avenue, Calistoga CA 94515 | Walk-ins Welcome.

Jumbo Shrimp Wine Study Maps

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VERONA, ITALY (PRWEB) – Mamma Jumbo Shrimp, a new “umbrella brand” in the wine world, presents its most recent project: Jumbo Shrimp Wine Study Maps.

Mamma Jumbo Shrimp was born during the 2020 lockdown, the brain child of Stevie Kim, founder of Italian Wine Podcast and Managing Director of Vinitaly International. The brand includes several editorial and digital projects focused on wine, turning complex themes into simple formats, making them accessible to everyone.

Mamma Jumbo Shrimp encompasses Tik Tok and Instagram accounts, a YouTube channel with a video series entitled “On the Road Special Edition,” and a series of books including Among the books, Jumbo Shrimp Guide to Italian Wine and Jumbo Shrimp Guide to International Grape Varieties in Italy. MJS is also closely connected to Italian Wine Podcast, the only daily wine podcast in the world.

The simple style with scientifically curated content, accompanied by entertaining stories and illustrations, carries over into the brand’s latest editorial project: Jumbo Shrimp Wine Study Maps. The set of 39 maps depicting all the wine regions of the world was conceived and designed as a study tool for wine exams, such as WSET Level 3 and other international exams or training courses. The easy-to-read graphics, with in-depth written content, make the set ideal for wine lovers, wineries, wine bars and wine schools.

The entire graphic and editorial team of Mamma Jumbo Shrimp dedicated itself to the project for two years, inspired by the original drawings of talented illustrator Rosie Baker. Now the set is available at a special price in beta version: the material is still subject to modifications and improvements, thanks to the feedback of an international expert advisory board. The aim of the project is to create maps that are attractive, original, thorough, in-depth but easy to understand.

To encourage passion for wine and assist wine students, the Italian Wine Podcast will release a series of episodes dedicated to the narrated explanation of the Jumbo Shrimp Wine Study Maps. This free content will be available on demand on Italian Wine Podcast. The final version of the maps will then be published in a study book, full of additional specific educational content, which will be available in autumn 2022.

The Jumbo Shrimp Wine Study Maps set is available for purchase on the website http://www.mammajumboshrimp.com. In addition, it is also possible to continue shopping at the Instagram Shop of the @mammajumboshrimp channel. Follow the profile and like the latest news and stay updated on upcoming projects!
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About: Mamma Jumbo Shrimp is an “umbrella brand” of the Just Do The Work agency, founded by Stevie Kim, CEO of Vinitaly International. Mamma Jumbo Shrimp’s goal is to bring together a global community of wine enthusiasts by leveraging emerging social media platforms and creating high-quality content in its products, such as podcasts, books, videos and maps. Mamma Jumbo Shrimp promotes engaging communication, information and education in fun and inclusive formats.

Iris Vineyards opens first tasting room in historic Springfield, Oregon

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Eugene, Ore – Open June 2nd, Iris Vineyards’ new Wine Bar in downtown Springfield Oregon. Locally owned by Pamela Frye, Iris Vineyards produced their first wines in 2001. They have become one of Oregon’s fastest growing premium wineries. Their 36 acre vineyard provides the fruit for the production of their highly acclaimed Areté sparkling wines such as their 2019 Brut Blanc de Blancs and 2019 Brut Blanc de Noirs. The tradition of award winning wines continues, with the 2020 Pinot Gris receiving Best of Show in the recent McMinnville Wine & Food Classic, a first for any Pinot Gris in the competition’s 29 years.

The pandemic prompted the closing of the winery’s original tasting room in the hills above Territorial Highway in the Lorane Valley. During this time, the winery in downtown Cottage Grove continued to offer curbside pick-up to their club members and longtime customers.

Club members and Oregon wine enthusiasts have been awaiting the time an Iris Tasting Room would reopen – David Cordtz, General Manager of Iris Vineyards says, “We are very excited to be opening our new location in the heart of downtown Springfield. We will serve a wide assortment of our critically acclaimed wines, along with inhouse wine-based cocktails developed by winemaker Aaron Lieberman, David Cordtz and the Iris Vineyards team. There will also be locally inspired charcuterie and gourmet cheeses. We truly look forward to great experiences in a great space with our customers again.”

The new Iris Vineyards Wine Bar can be found at 322 Main Street Springfield, Oregon 97477 in an area of recent rejuvenation that includes Plank Town Brewing and Tavern on the Main, making the wine bar an ideal stop for those on their way to and from area dining options.

Hours are 11:30am – 8pm, Thursdays – Sundays. Walk ins accepted. About Iris Vineyards The owner’s private estate is home to the 36-acre vineyard, nestled in the Southern Willamette Valley, twenty minutes southwest of Eugene, Oregon. The Iris Vineyards brand produces wine from grapes grown at the estate vineyard and carefully selected vineyards throughout Oregon. The cool climate in the foothills of the Oregon Coast Range allows the grapes to mature slowly while maintaining the proper acid balance that is essential for producing the finest wines in the southern Willamette Valley.

Cove Mesa Vineyard Unveils Plans for New Tasting Room

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(CORNVILLE, Ariz.) – Construction is underway on the new home of Cove Mesa Vineyard that will occupy a prominent location in the heart of Cornville. Located at the intersection of Cornville Road and Page Springs Road, the new 3,400 sq. ft. Cove Mesa Vineyard Tasting Room is ideally situated adjacent to the winery’s estate vineyard in the area’s bustling wine scene. Offering an elegant, upscale farmhouse aesthetic that reflects the natural beauty of the Verde Valley, the Cove Mesa Vineyard tasting room is slated to open by Summer 2022. 

The new Tasting Room has a pet-friendly all-season porch and features a beautifully appointed interior room for sit-down tastings, including a welcoming wine bar, comfortable banquette seating throughout, a covered all-season patio and grounds designed to compliment the small-town charm of the area. Adding to its allure, the Tasting Room is close to vineyards, hiking trails, world-class restaurants, charming Cornville B&Bs and is just minutes from desirable accommodations in Sedona, Village of Oak Creek and Cottonwood. Designed by Scottsdale-based architect and design firm Camber + True Collective, the space was designed with the style and personality of the winery’s founders in mind.

“We are thrilled to expand our operations with a larger tasting room that can accommodate our growing fan base,” said Cindy Molin, Co-Owner of  Cove Mesa Vineyard . “Not only is the Verde Valley rapidly becoming a premier wine destination, it is a lovely place for guests to relax and enjoy the idyllic natural environment as they explore our world-class wines.  With four beautiful seasons and unique desert climate, it is the ideal place to experience our Old World style of winemaking, which showcases the unique terroir of Arizona’s high desert vineyards,” she said.

“Throughout the development of the design, we wanted to create something that reflects the hospitality the Molin family is known for. The space is stylish and modern, yet has a bit of a refined rustic vibe that’s comfortable and inviting, making you feel right at home,”  said Deborah Sylva-Henslin, Owner and Principal of Camber + True Collective.  “It was our vision to create a space that was very photogenic, appealing to the next generation of wine lovers and Arizona visitors while remaining a much-loved gathering space for neighborhood locals,” she said.

“Natural materials and hues reflective of the local terroir are contrasted with warm, sensuous, and touchable neutrals define the look and feel of the tasting room. The floors sustainably use the existing concrete slab and the existing structural insulated exterior walls and roof structure are also reused.  The exposed wood trusses with farmhouse style pendant lighting throughout offer a bit of a rustic character to the space. Accents of barrel staves, copper and a color aptly named “Sommelier” round out the interiors,” Sylva said.

The newest winery in the Verde Valley owned by residents Emil and Cynthia Molin, Cove Mesa Vineyard has risen to prominence for its commitment to celebrating Arizona terroir with the production of Old World style wines. Cove Mesa recently won Arizona’s highest wine award for its’ 2018 Merlot including the ‘Governor’s Cup’ Best in Show and the ‘Grower’s Cup’ as Best Red Wine along with an array of other key awards in the 2022 Azcentral.com Arizona Wine Competition.

With its estate vineyards located just adjacent to the new tasting room in Cornville, Cove Mesa Vineyards is located in the heart of Arizona’s Verde Valley American Viticulture Area (AVA). Perched atop a long and winding pebbled dirt road, the Cove Mesa estate overlooks the entire Verde Valley region with soaring views that reach the red rocks of Sedona. With a total of 11,400 vines onsite, Cove Mesa is the embodiment of a family-owned legacy winery with deep roots and expansive plans for the up-and-coming wine growing area. 

Located just 90 minutes from Phoenix, or 20 minutes from Sedona, Cove Mesa Vineyard a must-visit destination for wine connoisseurs seeking to explore the beauty of Arizona wines.  The Cove Mesa Tasting Room is located at 741 Airpark Way Unit 8 & 9, Cottonwood, AZ 86326 and open on weekends only.  For more information about Cove Mesa Vineyard visit www.covemesa.com. Connect with us on social media @CoveMesaVineyard.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association Presents Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine for the 100th Anniversary and 2022 Season

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LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association has announced details of the menus for the 2022 Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine season in celebration of the Bowl’s 100th anniversary milestone. Now into the seventh year with award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and restaurateur Caroline Styne, Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine promises exceptional dining for visitors to the iconic venue. Goin and Styne’s culinary history has defined Los Angeles tastes since 1998 when they opened Lucques, their legendary first restaurant. At the Hollywood Bowl, their California-inspired offerings include three restaurants and three marketplaces. Additionally, menus for the Terrace and Garden Boxes, which can be ordered a day in advance, are created by four-time James Beard Foundation award-winner Suzanne Goin. Goin’s vibrant new summer dishes pair beautifully with the exceptional wine and beer programs curated by Caroline Styne, the recipient of the James Beard Foundation’s 2018 Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year award. Overseeing the broad range of dining options serving Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine’s thousands of nightly guests is Executive Chef Jeff Rogers.

Returning for the 2022 season are the fan-favorites Winemaker Wednesdays and Sunday Market Tastings – an eight-week program of complimentary wine tastings at the Plaza Marketplace with guest winemakers, importers, sommeliers, and breweries hand-selected by Caroline Styne. Caroline also introduces a broad selection of vegan and organic wines this year that can be discovered in the marketplaces with other new natural wines on the restaurants’ lists, including Scribe, Broc Cellars and Perichor.

Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine’s many dining options include three sit-down restaurants, street-food kiosks, pre-ordered picnic boxes, and a full-service dinner delivered to your box seat. For private events, Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine provides catering at several locations for groups both large and small.

New additions for the 2022 Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine portfolio are highlighted below:

Supper in Your Seats – Available by pre-order online until 4PM the day before a performance, Supper in Your Seats offers curated three-course dinners or customized meals from à la carte selections delivered right to your box seats.

Menu Highlight: The 101 – red and green little gems with cucumbers, meyer lemon, cherry tomatoes and basil buttermilk; choice of torchio pasta with heirloom tomatoes, pancetta, parmigiano reggiano and garlic breadcrumbs (vegan option) or chicken under a brick with chickpeas, piperade, black olive and saffron; and basque cheesecake with blueberries and candied lemon.

Newly available Supper in Your Seats items for 2022 include:

·         smashed carrots and marinated beets with tahini yogurt, dandelion and toasted seeds

·         seared albacore with weiser potatoes, braised leeks, salsa verde and dijon

·         sea bass with white beans, rapini, coriander crushed almonds and piri piri

·         veal osso buco with saffron risotto, asparagus, pea shoots and meyer lemon salsa

Ann’s Wine Bar by A.O.C – Showcasing a wine list personally curated by Caroline Styne, Los Angeles’ favorite wine bar comes to life at the Hollywood Bowl with a wine-friendly menu of artisanal cheese and charcuterie, farmer’s plates, grilled flatbreads, market-fresh salads and A.O.C.-style fish and meats. There are also craft brews and farmers’ market-driven cocktails made with soju and other wine-based liquors.

Newly available Ann’s Wine Bar by A.O.C. items for 2022 include:

·         grilled flatbreadwith asparagus, wilted leeks, taleggio, mint and pistachios

·         prawns with yellow tomato confit, sofrito and parsley aioli

·         halibut with green rice, rajas, crème fraiche, and squash blossoms

the backyard – The al fresco dining area, adjacent to the amphitheater, is flanked by two large wood-burning grills and offers an updated seasonal market-driven menu of summer salads, an extensive raw bar, and side dishes in addition to the wood-grilled selection of fresh fish, seafood, organic chicken, chops and steaks.

Newly available items for the backyard in 2022 include:

·         hungry cat’s kampachi with plums, herbs and chermoula

·         pan con tomate with heirloom tomatoes, alorena olives, salsa verde and monte enebro

·         white trumpet mushrooms with summer vegetables méchoui, harissa and pine nuts

·         scottish salmon with grilled nectarines, pickled fresnos, crème fraîche and pistachio

·         za’atar lamb chops with smoked eggplant, cucumber and preserved lemon labneh

Picnic Boxes – All five of Suzanne Goin’s complete picnic boxes can be pre-ordered a day before a concert and picked up at the Plaza Marketplace or delivered to your box seats.

Menu Highlight: The Westside Story – grilled chicken breast with almond sofrito; fregola with chickpeas, carrots and spinach; marinated beets with horseradish and parsley; baguette with tapenade; and Larder Baking Company chocolate chip cookie.

Kitchen 22 – Made-to-order beef and veggie burgers, Suzanne’s spanish fried chicken, grilled comté cheese on larder sourdough and savory sandwiches anchor the Hollywood Bowl’s tribute to American classic fare.

Menu Highlight: classic double-bacon cheeseburgers

Marketplaces – Three Marketplace locations – Plaza, East, and West – specialize in “grab-and-go” salads, sandwiches, and farmers’ market-driven main courses, as well as charcuterie, cheese plates, desserts, and Magpies Softserve ice cream. The west-side Marketplace includes a sushi bar where chefs prepare premium sushi, available for pre-order or to purchase on-site.

Showcasing the best of Goin and Styne’s casual Larder café-marketplace, these Hollywood Bowl venues also feature a large selection of hand-picked wines, craft beers, sodas, and waters, as well as salty and sweet snacks including cookies and brownies, candy, nuts and crackers.

Menu Highlight: Endless Love for Two – salmon & avocado roll – 4 pieces; spicy shrimp roll – 4 pieces; spicy tuna roll – 4 pieces; and tuna roll – 4 pieces

Lucques at the Circle – This is a full-service dining experience for Pool Circle subscribers, showcasing a seasonal made-to-order menu and exceptional wine list styled from the award-winning cuisine of Lucques.

Menu Highlights: lobster risotto carbonara with pancetta, pea shoots and wild mushrooms; wild striped bass with papa pomodoro, purple tomatoes and smoked paprika butter; and cornmeal shortcake with peaches, strawberries and poured ice cream.

Street Food and Snacks – Authentic street foods can be found throughout the grounds of the Hollywood Bowl, including tacos, artisanal pizzas, pulled pork BBQ sandwich, assorted sandwiches and beverages. The Sweet Shop offers signature desserts, cookies and brownies as well as coffee and ice cream. New this year, visitors will find local favorites Magpies Softserve’s ice cream pies as well as their mix-in ice creams, which include non-dairy and vegan options.

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Please visit Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine for more information about the food and wine experiences available at the Hollywood Bowl. High-res photos can be downloaded HERE. Photo credit Rob Stark.

About the Hollywood Bowl

One of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000, the Hollywood Bowl has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since its official opening in 1922 and plays host to the finest artists from all genres of music, offering something for everyone. It remains one of the best deals anywhere in Los Angeles; to this day, $1 buys a seat at the top of the Bowl for many classical and jazz performances. In June 2021, the Hollywood Bowl was awarded Amphitheater of the Decade at the 32nd Annual Pollstar Awards. It was also awarded the Outdoor Concert Venue of the Year award at the 31st Annual Pollstar Awards, an honor bestowed 14 previous times, as well as Top Amphitheater prize at the 2017 and 2018 Billboard Touring Awards. For millions of music lovers across Southern California, the Hollywood Bowl is synonymous with summer. Hollywood Bowl Food + Wine is presented by the Los Angeles Philharmonic in partnership with The Lucques Group and Sodexo Live!

Ten Year Challenge…With Wine and Spirits

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My husband Eddie has painstakingly categorized our photos by year on our cell phones, so I recently looked at photos from ten years ago to see if any were worth posting alongside a photo taken recently, for the latest #10YearChallenge on social media. As you can guess, most of my photos back then were of wine, so I thought I would take a look back at what I was drinking then.

(I also searched my name, 2011 and photos on Facebook to add to my wine blast from the past.) This is what I wanted to share:

Contributing Editor Michael Perlis, Eve and then contributor Rusty Sly at All Corked Up in 2011.

From Napa

Meeting with winemaker Gerard Zanzonico in the stunning caves at Del Dotto for maybe the first time, wine tasting at 10 am in the private room for club members at Mondavi, having a seated tasting on an expansive patio with incredible views at Joseph Phelps, an underground tour and tasting in the caves at Schramsberg, meeting with the most gracious host/owner Suzanne Phifer Pavitt at Phifer Pavitt, an evening tasting at the downtown Napa PureCru tasting bar with winemaker Mitch Consentino.

From Paso

Blending wine at TH Estate with winemaker and owner Terry Hoage, visiting Cass for the first time, a mind-blowing multi-course Earth Day dinner at Justin, visiting with the now shuttered Edward Sellers, winery tour and tasting with Lawrence Lohr of J Lohr, discovering that Whalebone really does have whale bones around the property and Calcareous has calcareous rock in their vineyards, time spent with the one and only Gary Eberle, tasting wines, spirits and having dinner at Opolo, seeing Sculpterra for the first time, the dry farming at Minassian Young, Niner when it first opened, the first concrete eggs were at Villa Creek, meeting and tasting incredible wines with Janell Dusi at J Dusi, tasting Nuggucciet Cellars made by a local newspaper man and Mystic Hills Vineyard lovingly owned by local friends.

Jamaica

Though not known for wine we were well taken care of on a trip to Jamaica ten years ago with French Champagne, Appleton rum blended drinks and icy cold Red Stripe Beer.

Events
The annual Union des Grand Crus de Bordeaux tasting is always not only huge but amazing, and since I love Rhone wines the Rhone Rangers can’t be missed, local have Vine 2 Wine with lots of local support, Garagiste Festival offered drinkers events in LA as well as Paso, Pinot Days up in the Skirball Center, Paso’s Earth Day Food and Wine fest was new, and long-time favorite LA Wine Fest with Yoshi Murakami doing sake classes and Chris Uhde teaching about scotch.

Special Dining

Fontanafredda Barolo at Spago Beverly Hills with fellow wine writers, Martinis at Blue Mermaid Chowder House and Bar in San Francisco on vacation, wine and cheese at Wine 661 for locals, A Taste of Monterey Wine Tasting when I visited Eddie there for Naval Postgraduate School, Iron Horse sparkling that came complements of Bourbon Steak in San Francisco for our wedding anniversary dinner.

Places that no longer exist today

Wine bar/restaurant/wine storage facility – and even live music – at All Corked Up as loved by many, the two brothers that opened Artisan Paso Robles that was a favorite for locals and visitors alike, Chef Daniel Otto was first discovered at the Oaks Grille at TPC, Chef Jason Park at Maru Sushi when it was local on Town Center Drive and many times over drinking wine at Valencia Wine Company with owner Guy Lelarge and also attending all of the wine dinners and events he organized at local restaurants.

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.

The Region’s Best Kept Secrets: Bourgogne Wines With Bourgogne Wine Ambassador James King

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Well color me happy, was invited to my first press event in Las Vegas – and it was organized by the Bourgogne Wine Board. For my wine 101ers Bourgogne is the correct word to use for the region of Burgundy, France. And for my wine 101ers that drink U.S. made Pinot Noir and not Burgundy: it’s the same grape but Bourgogne is where the varietal was born (among others). So the French terroir – winemaking, soil, history, and climate – is hundreds of years older than ours in the USA. Doesn’t mean better, just different, and as the French say, “Viva La Difference!”

This event was led by Bourgogne Wine Ambassador James King, which meant I was destined to learn much more about Bourgogne wines. And if that wasn’t enough it was over a luncheon at Ada’s Wine Bar, reputed to be one of the best wine bars in Las Vegas.

From the Invitation

Bourgogne is renowned worldwide for producing some of the finest wines with its unique terroir and savoir-faire, which are translated to each of our 84 appellations. Some of them have reached the status of icon and some are still to be brought to the light. Join us to (re) discover Bourgogne through a selection of appellations.

Tasting and Learning

Our lecturer King is a WSET teacher and right off the bat wanted us to learn that the word Bourgogne, pronounced Boar-Gown to me, was to be used instead of the generally accepted term Burgundy for this wine-growing region of France.

The wine tasting would be with food as that is the most traditional, King said. We would look for “balance, integration, whether the wines were too heavy, over-oaked” and we would learn that “not all Bourgogne wines are expensive.” A Bourgogne drinker could easily, “work their way up” from inexpensive Bourgogne wines and still enjoy them very much.

We had nine wines, six whites and three reds, that we tasted blind. Not my favorite way to taste but by the end of the tasting I had an idea as to why King led us this way: We all have preconceived notions of the value of a wine based on where it’s from and the price. King removed that bias from our minds. And with that we all very much enjoyed wines retail priced between $11 and $34 and some from areas the average consumer – and some of us – were not as familiar with.

We were given plenty of maps of all of the different wine-growing regions in Bourgogne – and there are a lot – and I don’t think any of the professionals in the room could correctly guess where each wine was from.

My wine notes consisted of fresh fruits from citrus to berry to tropical, different florals, little oak, balance and tannins…the usual suspects. The food we had after sampling each wine – see photos here of the food, some bottle shots, menu and wine list – were well paired bringing out savory qualities in both.

When the price points for each wine was revealed, and some of the guests wanted to purchase, we learned that none had yet to be released in the U.S. This class, this exercise I should say, was an excellent lesson on how well the wines of Burgundy Bourgogne do with the most experienced palates. And I for one will keep that in mind the next time I recognize – or don’t recognize – a label from Bourgogne.

Now I just want to try more! And more to the point, if you are not a big Pinot Noir fan or even if you are: Give Bourgogne a try. Not all wines are made the same way – especially if made in different parts of the globe.

Bourgogne Wine Board

The Bourgogne Wine Board (BIVB) is a non-profit association under the 1901 law. Built on the principle of each member having an equal voice, it defends and promotes the unique skills of the professions of winemaking, the négoce trade and vine growing, the heritage of a shared passion.

https://www.bourgogne-wines.com/

Ada’s Wine Bar

Chef driven small plates and more. Now pouring in Tivoli Village, Las Vegas. Intriguing wines by the glass or bottle. Adding to a number of local accolades, in 2020, Chef Trees was named a Finalist for the James Beard Award: Best Chef Southwest.

https://www.adaslv.com/

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits

2021 MICHELIN Guide to California Recognizes 114 Bay Area Restaurants

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SAN FRANCISCO (PRWEB) – The San Francisco Bay Area retained its distinction as the top destination in the U.S. for fine dining following the long-awaited unveiling of the 2021 MICHELIN Guide to California this month. The Bay Area enjoys the greatest concentration of Michelin three-star restaurants in the U.S. and the most Michelin-starred restaurants in California.

Six Bay Area restaurants received the coveted three Michelin stars in the 2021 MICHELIN Guide: Atelier Crenn, Benu, Quince, The French Laundry, SingleThread and Manresa. Eight restaurants were awarded two Michelin stars, including Birdsong, which added a second star.

Altogether, 50 Bay Area restaurants were awarded one or more Michelin stars in 2021, accounting for 56% of California’s 90 Michelin-starred restaurants.

Sublime Doesn’t Always Mean Expensive

While the Bay Area’s fine dining options stand out, visitors can experience plenty of mouthwatering cuisine at easily digestible price points. Michelin bestowed 64 Bay Area restaurants with its Bib Gourmand designation. This category celebrates restaurants offering “great food and value,” where a three-course meal can be enjoyed for around $40 or less, excluding tax and gratuity.

Out of the 147 restaurants in California receiving a Bib Gourmand, nearly 44% are in the San Francisco Bay Area, including 18 newcomers to the list such as Routier, Um.Ma and Dumpling Home.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants

Only six U.S. restaurants landed on “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” list in 2021 and three of them are in the San Francisco Bay Area. Benu and Atelier Crenn in San Francisco and SingleThread in Healdsburg ranked 28th, 48th and 37th, respectively.

San Francisco-based chef Dominique Crenn, owner of Atelier Crenn, Petit Crenn and Bar Crenn, also received this year’s Icon Award as “a true culinary leader giving a voice to the under-represented.”

New and Notable in San Francisco

The City by the Bay is a leader in culinary creativity, with chefs such as Dominique Crenn, Corey Lee, Brandon Jew, Ho Chee Boon, Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski leading the way. San Francisco’s innovative and diverse food scene is why the city is hailed as the “best foodie city” in the country by U.S. News & World Report. And even with the challenges of the pandemic, the city’s seen a slew of exciting restaurant openings in the last 18 months and many more are debuting soon.

A selection of restaurants that have opened or will launch soon include:

  • Mamahuhu, the casual eatery by chef Brandon Jew, opened in the Richmond in January 2020. His upscale Mister Jiu’s in Chinatown was San Francisco’s first Chinese restaurant to earn a Michelin star. Mamahuhu takes a modern spin on Chinese-American classics like kung pao chicken, mapo tofu and egg rolls, all with responsibly sourced ingredients.
  • The Anchovy Bar from Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski, the James Beard award-winning chef/owners of State Bird Provision, debuted in October 2020. Located in the Fillmore, the wine and seafood bar specializes in West Coast oysters, small fish and sustainably raised shellfish.
  • Showcasing the vibrant spirit of Peru, Jaranita in the Marina highlights popular Nikkei, Chifa, and Creole dishes. The Peruvian restaurant opened in January 2021.
  • Ernest, a new restaurant from chef Brandon Rice, opened in March 2021 in San Francisco’s Mission District. The market-driven menu features intense global flavors that reflect the way the chef loves to eat — fun and approachable yet refined “with elegant layers of familiar flavors done in a new way.”
  • The Tailor’s Son opened in March 2021. Located in the Fillmore, the cozy venue serves a savory menu of Northern Italian classics like risotto, fresh pastas, crostini, antipasti, and verdure and an extensive wine list highlighting the best biodynamic and organic wines from Italy.
  • Empress by Boon, the first solo project for Michelin-star chef Ho Chee Boon, the former international executive chef of Hakkasan, opened in Chinatown in June 2021. Housed in a former storied Chinese banquet hall that’s been exquisitely revamped, the restaurant features modern Cantonese dishes focusing on California ingredients.
  • Estiatorio Ornos, a Michael Mina Restaurant, opened in September in Mina’s former California Street flagship location in the Financial District. The restaurant brings to life the celebratory spirit of the Greek Isles, with flavorful Greek seafood dishes and relaxed Mediterranean-style hospitality.
  • Chef Tyler Florence’s first new restaurant in San Francisco in 11 years, Miller & Lux, opened in late September. Part of Thrive City, the development surrounding the Chase Center in Mission Bay, the 7,000-square-foot waterfront steakhouse was designed by global stylemaker Ken Fulk.
  • Boulevard, the 28-year-old San Francisco classic, reopened in September in the Embarcadero/Financial District with a new menu experience and a new look care of designer Ken Fulk. Serving quintessentially California cuisine, it now offers two dining experiences: an adaptable set price menu and an a la carte menu available at both the chef’s counter and the recently expanded bar and lounge.
  • Chef Corey Lee’s first Korean restaurant, San Ho Won, is slated to open in October in the Mission. Lee’s Benu was the first restaurant in San Francisco to receive three Michelin stars.
  • The Flour + Water Hospitality Group is targeting an October 2021 opening for its newest restaurant in the Mission, Penny Roma. The rustic Italian restaurant will feature an indoor-outdoor, open-kitchen space.
  • Friends Only from chef Ray Lee is slated to open in November 2021 in Lower Nob Hill. “Part R+D kitchen and part sushi speakeasy,” the 10-seat omakase bar will spotlight high-quality and highly seasonal ingredients on an ever-changing tasting menu.
  • Chef Erik Sun’s Pursuit, a 15-seat ramen bar, is scheduled to open this fall in SoMa. Diners will be able to nosh on noodles late into the night. There will also be a 45-seat section with a dedicated yakiniku menu featuring rarer cuts and dishes like kimchi fried rice with beef tongue.

The Most European of American Cities Embraces Al Fresco Dining

San Francisco’s outdoor dining scene blossomed with the creation of “parklets” over the last 18 months. Over 2,100 permits for in-street dining, sidewalk tables and other outdoor setups have been issued since early 2020 as part of a larger Pavement to Parks Program, which repurposes underutilized street space into neighborhood amenities. A vibrant success, the parklets will now become permanent fixtures. Given the city’s year-round temperate climate, it’s a boon for diners.

Eat Drink SF and SF Restaurant Week Run Concurrently This October

The Golden Gate Restaurant Association announced 2021 Eat Drink SF (EDSF) and SF Restaurant Week. Running from Oct.15 through Oct. 24, the concurrent programs will explore San Francisco through both indoor and outdoor dining and imbibing featuring prix fixe menus, chef collaborations, cocktail events and ticketed experiences. More than 150 restaurants are participating in SF Restaurant Week. Prix fixe menus range from $10 to $25 for lunch and from $25 to $65 for dinner. Find an updated list of participating restaurants at https://www.sfrestaurantweek.com/restaurants/. A full list of EDSF events is available at https://eatdrink-sf.com/2021-dining-events/.

About San Francisco Travel

The San Francisco Travel Association is the official destination marketing organization for the City and County of San Francisco. Tourism is San Francisco’s largest industry. More than 25.8 million people visited the destination in 2019, spending in excess of $10 billion. More than 82,500 jobs are supported by tourism in San Francisco.

San Francisco is one of the metropolitan areas in the U.S. that has consistently kept Covid-19 largely under control. The COVID-19 Prevention & Enhanced Cleaning Guidelines put forth by the Hotel Council of San Francisco ensure that our hospitality businesses are adhering to the most elaborate cleaning and safety protocols. San Francisco Travel invites all visitors who are planning to come in 2021 to contribute their part to a safe and enjoyable experience by taking our Safe Travel Pledge at https://www.sftravel.com/article/take-san-francisco-safe-travel-pledge.

For information on reservations, activities and more, visit https://www.sftravel.com.

For more about San Francisco, follow https://www.facebook.com/onlyinSF/, https://www.instagram.com/onlyinsf/ and https://twitter.com/onlyinsf. Please use hashtags #sftravel and #AlwaysSF.

About San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) wants you to Travel Well. SFO works with local, state and federal health officials to protect against COVID-19. Measures include enhanced cleaning protocols, hundreds of hand sanitizer stations, physical barriers, face coverings for everyone and physical distancing. To learn more visit https://www.flysfo.com/travel-well.

SFO offers nonstop service to Asia, South Pacific, Europe, Canada, Mexico and across the United States. For up-to-the-minute departure and arrival information, airport maps and details on shopping, dining, cultural exhibitions, ground transportation and more, visit https://www.flysfo.com. Follow us on https://www.twitter.com/flysfo and https://www.facebook.com/flysfo.

United Airlines is the preferred airline of the San Francisco Travel Association.