For my birthday this year, my husband took me to the Bacara Resort & Spa to spend the night and enjoy a wonderful dinner with our two sons. It is an incredible resort located in north end of Goleta, CA right off the ocean on a beautifully landscaped property. I had heard about it many times, but had never been there. I felt like I … Read more The Bistro at the Bacara Resort & Spa
It was a rainy, cool day and I was longing for some comfort food. I also wanted to find a recipe that would be healthy and incorporate something from my weekly CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) box. I came across an unusual recipe that was so intriguing, I had to try it! I first saw it on the Food & Wine site and then found an … Read more Great Mac and Cheese-you’ll never guess what’s in it!
We hosted a dinner party this weekend and I wanted to make a dessert that highlighted the season’s best fruits. I chose Strawberries and Rhubarb, definitely a match made in heaven! One of my go-to chefs for desserts is Ina Garten. She has never disappointed me with any of her dessert recipes, so I selected her Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp. She combines the fruit with orange … Read more Strawberries and Rhubarb are a match made in Heaven!
Want to take your breakfast to new heights? Let me show you how to add a new dimension to your Blueberry Pancakes! I found this fun recipe in the August 2013 Bon Appetit. Served at a restaurant in Fort Collins, CO called Snooze; is their Blueberry Blossom Pancake. The two components that take it to the next level are the homemade blueberry syrup and streusel … Read more Add a new Dimension to Blueberry Pancakes!
If you want to taste California Cuisine at it’s best in Palm Desert, California then be sure to visit the Cork Tree Restaurant. I have dined here the last three visits to the area and have been delighted each time, but this time it was over the top! Their menu is complete, but not overwhelming. They keep the specials to a minimum as their menu … Read more California Cuisine at it’s best in Palm Desert, CA!
If you want the best Mexican food in Palm Desert, stop by Fresh Agave on Highway 111. It’s a really cute place and has a front patio with misters for outdoor dining. The service is friendly and attentive and the restaurant is usually bustling with patrons. I happened by this place in 2011 and promised myself a return visit the next time I was in … Read more Best Mexican Food in Palm Desert!
Jean-Georges is one of my favorite French chefs. I made his “Chicken with Vinegar” as a dish at one of my gourmet food group luncheons and it was a big hit! When I came across his recipe for Seared Scallops with Caper-Raisin Sauce defined as his Iconic Seared Scallops, I knew I had to try it. I’m always on the hunt for a unique appetizer … Read more Jean-Georges Iconic Seared Scallops!
Last night we dined at Indulge, the restaurant at the Oaks Hotel in Paso Robles. It is located near the entrance to the freeway off 46 East at the north end of town. We were pleasantly greeted by the bartender/host and were seated promptly in a room that appeared more like a typical hotel continental breakfast room than a fine dining restaurant. There was a … Read more Indulge doesn’t indulge…
Ever since I began getting my local CSA (community supported agriculture) box from Talley Farms, I have been attempting to be more conscious of utilizing every part of the fresh goodness that I receive. In an effort to “waste not”, I decided to try cooking Beet Greens for the first time. I researched some recipes and found a basic starting place for how I wanted … Read more “Waste Not”, delicious Beet Greens!
Hidden down the aisle of La Arcada Plaza in downtown Santa Barbara is a quaint French Restaurant called Petit Valentien. It is located next to the Santa Barbara Art Museum. They have a lovely dining room with patio seating in front of the restaurant which is off the main street. Their menu showcases a smaller list of items that they master to perfection and … Read more Petit Valentien, Santa Barbara