Baked goods for the gluten-free diet can be daunting. Add in the dairy-free diet, and bread and desserts are almost non-existent unless you are a connoisseur of sorbets. Recently on a trip to Oregon, I discovered to my delight Kyra’s Bake Shop, a gluten-free bakery haven with an array of delicious pastries, cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, […]
Escape to the South Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley spans 150-miles from Portland to Cottage Grove, with the Willamette River flowing along its entire length. Most people think of the Willamette Valley as the area between Salem and Portland, but this article will delve into the South Willamette Valley that includes the cities of Corvallis, Eugene, Springfield, and Cottage Grove. Recently […]
Field & Vine: Oregon’s best Farm to Table Dining
There is something about a farm to table dinner experience, especially when the event is set in a pastoral setting. In Oregon especially, the Willamette Valley and Mt Hood Territory, the idea goes one step further. The dining experience utilizes local foods from the host or surrounding farms and includes the wines of a particular […]
TooJay’s Deli Does It Right in Naples
Coming from Los Angeles, the plethora of great delis is a given. In Los Angeles, you can easily find a good deli in just about any neighborhood. And now, Naples can effectively compete. This was our first foray into a deli after having been in Naples for a few months, and TooJay’s, located at Mercato […]
Innovative Autumn Menu comes to Napa Valley Grille
It is fall and for many restaurants, time to showcase their Autumn menu with a change in flavors of their cuisine. Such is the case with Napa Valley Grille in Westwood Village. LA Wine Writers had an opportunity to sample some of the food offered on both the lunch and dinner menu. Napa Daily Grille […]
Fine Dining Reigns at Caxambas Restaurant Naples Florida
We recently moved to Naples Florida. Having spent most of my life in Los Angeles, I had some reservations. Would there be a dearth of restaurant options available in this charming town? Would I find the food choices of Floridian’s paling by comparison to that which I have experienced in Los Angeles? The answer is […]
Turtle Rock Vineyards: A winery defining the Willow Creek District AVA
The term “the apple does not fall far from the tree” aptly describes Turtle Rock Vineyards and more specifically winemaker/owner Don Burns. Don grew up on Willow Creek Road in the Templeton Gap of Paso Robles. After sailing for two years in Central America and a short stint working in the restaurant business in Florida, […]
Casa Oaxaca: Delivering authentic Oaxacan Cuisine in Culver City
If you’re tired of the clogged dining scene in downtown Culver City, there are many other options just a few blocks away. A recent discovery, the colorful Casa Oaxaca is a hidden gem on Venice Blvd. serving authentic Oaxacan cuisine. Helmed by the charming Rogelio Martinez, the restaurant has been around for about four years. […]
A Day Trip to Julian California
Good food, wine, and apples are what you will discover on a visit to Julian California, a town nestled in the Cuyamaca Mountains about an hour northeast of San Diego. When visiting Julian think Old West meets apple orchards with a little wine thrown into the mix. The town dates back to the 1870s during […]
Uncover the delights of Temecula Valley
Temecula Valley came to Los Angeles for an interactive day for the trade and media, bringing a sampling of restaurants, hotels, wineries and more. Titled Uncover Temecula Valley, indeed opened our eyes to what a wine enthusiast or a traveler can experience when visiting. Visit Temecula and Pechanga Resort Casino hosted the event, which also […]