Monday, December 19, 2011

Monday, December 12, 2011

There's a New Kid in Town

before I begin,
may
I
offer
a
pearl of wisdom


don't leave home without your camera





that noted,
I met
my
friend,
Becky
(one of my very first bff's in SLO)
for lunch
last week
at
the
new burger joint in town,


….I forgot my camera
and
….I HAD FISH TACOS!
really good
fish tacos!!
but
no
pictures



Good news!
I
went back
to
with
Dottie
(aka daughter, Annie)
for
our
"Mootie-Dottie Date"
and
I brought my camera!
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There are
no
Eureka! signs
on the street
just
this!

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many beers
on tap
and domestic whiskeys
(how fun is that?)
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Each week
they
showcase
different
domestic
microbrews
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I love the names
of
these
brewskys… I think brew masters have way too much fun
thinking up names
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I only
shot a
portion
of the menu
(flash issues)
too bad, because the menu is really fun and creative
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Cheers!
a whisky sour (with fresh squeezed local citrus)
and 2008 Beckman Syrah
IMG_1866
rumor
was
that Eureka!
made a
killa'
veggie burger
(using beets)

I ordered it,
naked
(bun-less)
Caprese Style
with
mozzarella, tomatoes, pesto ……YUM!
...IMG_1869
Dottie,
aka Annie,
had a veggie burger, too
(as she is a vegetarian, duh)
with
blue cheese, sautéed shrooms and caramelized onions
IMG_1870

She muttered
nom nom nom
and
YUMMMMMMMMMM
in-between bites!
a
cool
edgy feel
to the ambiance
of Eureka!
IMG_1882

SO,
I had lunch
at Eureka!
with
Becky
on Thursday,

dinner
at Eureka!
with
Dottie
on Saturday
and
lunch
today,
Monday,
with John
I think I really like Eureka! burger!

p.s.
the wait staff
and the manager,
Trevor,
ROCK!


Painted by Nature


San Luis Obispo
has
had
the
most
exquisite
autumn
this year

after the harvest
the
vineyards
turned
jewel tones
of
orange and green
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gold and copper
IMG_0003

the colors change
as
each vineyard
is harvested
IMG_0006



gorgeous, huh?
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the vines
in
the back
haven't
yet
begun
to
fruit
IMG_0010

Even
the
neighborhoods
look
like they have been painted
IMG_0025

painted
bright
IMG_0024

crimson
..almost purple
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You
New Englanders
reading
this,
I know,
are saying
"PFAU, that's nothing"
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but
to a native
California
girl,
this Autumn
has been
stunningly colorful
and
cool
IMG_0001

I
highly
recommend
a visit
in
Autumn….
after the
grape harvest
to
experience
wine country
painted by nature.


Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Luna Red with Dottie and Moots

as
YOU
know
from
my
many posts
I
am
a
self- diagnosed
delicious food
addict..

that said,
I
emphasize
DELICIOUS FOOD


It
has
been
quite a while
since
Annie and I
(aka Dottie and Moots)
hit
downtown SLO
for
a delicious
(emphasize DELICIOUS)
dinner
together.
We
decided
on
IMG_1801
known
for
it's
tapas
but
the
entrees
are
sensational,
as well

Starting off,
hmmm
what to eat? what to eat?
what to drink?
IMG_1802
a
Lunarita
and
a glass of
Verdad Albarino
nice!
Cheers!
a toast
to
Dottie and Moots'
night out
(see those potatoes? they are bistro spuds: crisp fingerling potatoes, marinated olives, sambal rouille)
yes, delicious!
IMG_1804

Next,
spice roasted beets: fennel, red onion, grilled ricotta salata, herb vinaigrette
the grilled ricotta salata atop the beets was mmmmmhmmmm 
IMG_1805

and then,
red cabbage-apple potstickers spiced beet coulis, coconut cream, cilantro 
the red cabbage danced in our mouths
IMG_1806

Talk about a dance,
the autumn roast squash, chili spiked pepitas, arugula, raisins, wild rice, toasted walnut vinaigrette
was
a
party
so many autumn flavors and spices  
IMG_1808

and
of course,
Pumpkin Beignets
with cinnamon cream, for dipping
IMG_1812

Satiated,
not stuffed
after
delicious tapas
(emphasize DELICIOUS)
and
wine

we smiled
IMG_1811

and
look forward
to
another
Dottie and Mootie
dinner
adventure

Sunday, November 6, 2011

SLO Vintners and Rockin' Harvest




Years ago,
before
Petit Soleil
was
even
an
apple in our eyes
I
had
the
privilege
of
working
with
the

I
worked
with
the
best people:
the grape growers
the wine makers
and
other folks
just
passionate
about wine

The head honcho
back then
was
Archie,
the quintessential wine aficionado
and
in our little office
were
Gail (second in command)
Diane (who got the jobs done)
Laura (who got the jobs done)
and
me (who helped get the jobs done)

Basically,
we
worked,
sometimes
laughing
'til tears
(often until we pee-ed)
it got us through the stress
of getting
events and marketing
maps and brochures
done
for the
grape growers
wine makers
and
folks passionate about wine


...
fast forward

is no longer
run
by
Archie
or
Gail
Diane, Laura or me

but
we four girls still do laugh 'til tears (2010)
party 2

and we get together whenever we can (2011)
_MG_0049

sometimes we call Archie,
to just laugh
and harass him a bit


..
Ten years
after putting on
a
SLOVAG
Harvest Celebration
John and I
had the
opportunity
to
go to
Harvest Celebration
as
guests
(not as grunt workers)
IMG_0001
The theme
for
2011
was

Petit Soleil
donated
a stay
for
the
live auction item
"Living la Vida SLO"
IMG_0028


John and I
arrived
about
11
IMG_0001
grabbed
a
plate and glass
IMG_0003

and
got to be
early birds
for the
wines
and
foods
being
highlighted
IMG_0004

Clay and Frederika
are passionate
about
their winery,
Claiborne and Churchill
IMG_0007


their
Dry Gewurtztraminer
and Dry Riesling
are
outstanding!
IMG_0008

We met up
with
Gwen,
the passionate owner (with winemaker hubby)
of Kynsi Winery
IMG_0009

Kynsi's
Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noirs
are
delicious
IMG_0010

Oh,
and look!
Clotilde
of Olea Farms Olive oils
was there
with their new olive oil blend, Fusion!
IMG_0013

the
tents and surrounds
were
cheerfully
decorated
with
memorabilia
and
lyrics
from
Rock 'n Roll faves
IMG_0014

Baileyana, Cadre, Tangent Trenza and Zocker Winery was there... (one winery - many offshoots)
Love their wines!
IMG_0016
and
rocker
winemaker
extraordinaire
Mike Sinor was there
with rocking wife Cheri
whipping it good

IMG_0019

Passionate about wine,
Mike makes wine
for
Sinor-LaValle (his own label) YUM!
and
(with Nathan)
IMG_0023
Mike was just
featured in
Wine spectator!!
congrats, Mike!


Paul Kwong's pumpkin curry rocked my world!
IMG_0020

Paul is the owner
and chef
for Mee Hung Low in SLO,
the charming and delicious
noodle house
next to the Palm Theatre
IMG_0021



the day
was
picture-perfect
IMG_0025

the
main auction tent
was
happily
decorated
and ready for some serious auctioning
IMG_0027


Petit's
next-door neighbor
had
killer empanadas
and mini pizzas
mmmmhmmmm
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Cal Poly
shared
a
couple
of really
amazing wines
good job, Cal Poly!
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Avila Beach
seen
through
the tent
IMG_0033

a
really
fun
couple of
hours
with
stellar wines
and
delicious
fare
from
local restaurants

go
here
to the
website
and
mark your calendars
for
the next wine
event
and
Whip it - Whip it Good!
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