It’s the most luscious event of the year: a weekend extravaganza of wine and food tastings, cooking demos, luxurious luncheons, decadent dinners (and golf!).
The fifth annual Pebble Beach Food & Wine celebration kicks off on April 12 with The Celebrity Chef and Winemaker Golf Tournament, followed by the Lexus Opening Night Reception and after hours party.
On Friday, April 13, the choices are gastronomical. Here’s just a taste:
- Jacques Pepin: “Six Decades of Culinary Magic”
- Todd English: “Cooking in Everyday English”
- “Pairing Cheese and Wine with the First Lady of Fromage” (Laurie Werlin)
(And we haven’t even mentioned “Cooking Beyond Fusion” with Roy Yamaguchi, “Cult Cabs in the New Millennium,” “Farewell to Foie Gras,” and “Vineyard, Farm & Sea” – a celebration of Monterey’s bounty with Restaurant 1833.)
And then there’s the Belgian Beer Lunch. Yikes. Sounds like a nap might be in order.
Because that evening there’s an Iron Chef Dinner, plus tributes to winemaker Jess Jackson and chef Thomas Keller – followed by another after hours party.
On Saturday you’ll have to choose between “Cook Like a Rockstar!” with Anne Burrell and the “Ultimate Indulgence: Chocolate & Wine.” Learn how the pros hunt for wine treasures, and watch top sommeliers do a blind tasting of white wines.
The Lexus Grand Tasting, featuring celeb chef Guy Fieri, will be under the big tent from noon to 3 pm. Fieri’s dinner that night is sold out, but you can still get tickets to Food & Wine Magazine’s “Best New Chefs” Alumni dinner or “The Grand Finale” dinner sponsored by Dom Perignon.
(We like anything sponsored by Dom Perignon.)
Sunday morning Tyler Florence presents “Ultimate Dining” while Veuve Cliquot pours champagne. Or you can sip sparkling rose’s from around the world at “Pretty in Pink” … either way you’ll be ready for another Grand Tasting by Lexus from noon to 3 pm.
Packages start at $995 and tickets to individual events are available.
We have a very tasty family home available in Pebble Beach over this special weekend.
It’s close to the ocean, in the Country Club area: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a carpeted converted garage with a big leather sofa and a 60″ flat screen TV… a great place to host your “own little food and wine event” (or recuperate from the big one.)
Contact Debra@MontereyRentals.com
We like any excuse to celebrate, and one of the “big ones” is right around the corner. (No, we don’t know who the guy is in the photo; we just like his hair.)
Now, there are plenty ‘o pubs in Monterey, and since it’s St. Patrick’s Day we’ll overlook the fact that many of them are British. Toast the Blarney Stone at the Britannia Arms, the Crown & Anchor, the Mucky Duck, Bullwacker’s, or Duffy’s Tavern.
If you’re in Carmel, Flanagan’s Pub in the Barnyard will surely have the spirit (starting at 9am), not to mention Guinness on tap. (As a matter of fact, Flanagan’s is hosting a “St. Practice Day,” on the 16th.)
One of our favorite restaurants—Tarpy’s Roadhouse—will serve corned beef and cabbage for lunch and dinner (washed down with green beer, of course). For a truly elegant Irish meal, head to Edgar’s at Quail Lodge: smoked salmon potato cake, Guinness & onion soup, corned beef and cabbage, apple oatmeal crisp for dessert trouve ici. Served from 5-8pm, the four course prix fixe menu is $28 per person acheter levitra.
If you’re in the mood for some rock ’em, sock ’em entertainment, the Monterey Bay Derby Dames—specifically the “Babes of Wrath” and the “Steinwreckers“—will battle it out at 7:30pm at the Water City Sports Center, 2800 2nd Ave. in Marina. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door (kids 5 and under are free.)
And finally, for some Irish music with a tie-dye twist, check out “A Celtic Tribute to the Grateful Dead” by the WAKE THE DEAD band (rock grooves to hot Irish reels). The venue—the Turf Club at the Monterey Fairgrounds—has a huge stone fireplace and an open patio with heaters. They’re promising St. Patrick’s Day drinks (and surprises) at this benefit for the Monterey County Fair Heritage Foundation. It starts at 7pm and admission is $20/adult and $15/military, students over 21, seniors 60#.
Maybe it’s sipping a latte from a real china cup. Or the tall terracotta pots spilling with brilliant flowers, or the bubbling fountain that reminds me of a Roman piazza.
Maybe it’s the way the sea rushes right under the pilings, swirling shades of emerald and jade.
Maybe it’s the large patio with tables and umbrellas overlooking Monterey Bay and the whole coastline.
Some people still swear by Starbucks, but Cafe La Strada at 400 Cannery Row is hands down my favorite place for coffee on the Peninsula. They brew Peet’s coffee, the service is great, and they have a good selection of panini, pastries, quiche and salads.
The cozy interior makes it a great place to hang out when it’s cold outside. But on a good day…. it’s all about the sea and the sunlight. Soak in the sunshine, listen to the waves crash: it doesn’t get any better than this.
Believe me, you don’t even have to drink coffee to love Cafe La Strada.
L-R: Jonathan Roberts (The Pig Wizard), Mary Font (Mrs. Delish), Luciano Pellegrini (Valentino). Photo courtesy of Interface Visual
Nothing like drinking for a cause, I always say.
I can’t believe I said that! But seriously, there are charity events and there are Charity Events.
Clambake for a Cure is definitely the latter.
I may have been lured by the possibility of seeing celebs (though I wouldn’t recognize a PGA Pro if bopped on the head with a putter), but I did meet a ballerina-turned-yogini, a documentary filmmaker, marketing mavens Leslie McClure and Wendy Brickman, “Chef Whisperer” Dorothy Maras-Ildiz, and Susan Curtis of Jocelyn Lonen Winery, the event founder.
Curtis, who lost her husband to a brain tumor in 2004, has transmuted some of her grief into the Golf & Grapes Foundation and this lovely annual event, which raises money for research.
The setting: Gilbert’s on Fisherman’s Wharf, overlooking the bay, the boats, and twinkling city lights. Celebrity chefs showed off their stuff, and numerous wineries poured their special vintages.
Photo Courtesy of Interface Visual
While the intrepid Wayne Capili of Interface Visual snapped photos, I joined newfound friends on the deck, where—in between awesome appetizers—we tried to decide which we preferred: Scheid’s sparkling “Isabelle” (a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes) or Gruet’s Extra Dry Brut (aromatic notes of peach and marzipan, with a hint of honeysuckle).
We tried one, and then we tried the other. Both were fabulous. And then we had to try the first one again, to compare it with the second. And then we had to… well, needless to say, we never did get around to sampling the many other fine wines represented.
We capped off the evening with bonbons and delectable mini-chocolate cupcakes with Bailey’s Irish Cream frosting (courtesy of Mrs. Delish), washed down with—well, what else?—more champagne.
Was it the Scheid or the Gruet? Not exactly sure… but I will happily return next year to find out.
“Beyond Ballet” is their tag line, and they’ve been called “sexy, fun, warm, and awe-inspiring.”
The ever-popular, ever-daring Smuin Ballet performs at Carmel’s Sunset Center March 2 at 8pm and March 3 at 2pm.
The program features a world premiere by choreographer Ma Cong of the Tulsa Ballet, whose French Twist was a smash success in the company’s 2009-2010 season, and three pieces choreographed by Michael Smuin:
• Tango Palace: a seductive fantasy of passion, possession, jealousy, loss, and love. A feverish vision of desire through dance, Tango Palace examines both the complexities of the human heart, and the inventiveness of tango itself.
• The Eternal Idol: in this sensuous pas de deux set to Chopin’s lush Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Rodin’s famous sculpture of a nude couple locked in an embrace comes to life on stage.
• Stabat Mater: an eloquent expression of grief and loss set to Dvorak’s choral work, this ballet was Michael Smuin’s response to September 11th. It has been called “a powerful response to a national tragedy,” and one of the most beautiful ballets in his remarkable career.
Don't Fence Me In
Cowboy songs and poetry, yodeling, western swing fiddle, Tex-Mex polkas, Northern Plains pow-wow drum and song… get ready for a very lively evening at California State University Monterey Bay on Wednesday, February 29.
Featuring the music and oral culture of the American West, the event is part of a national tour sponsored by the National Council for the Traditional Arts, the nation’s oldest folk arts organization. The acts include:
- Wylie & the Wild West: cowboy songs and High Plains yodeling
- Paul Zarzyski: rodeo poet
- Los Texmaniacs: Tex-Mex Conjunto
- The Quebe Sisters Band: Western swing and Texas fiddling
- North Bear: Pow-Wow drum and song
Tickets start at just $10 (CSUMB students and children under 12) and are available online and at the World Theater box office.
P.S. If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Monterey, don’t fiddle around. Call Ashley, our country music loving receptionist, at (831) 233-7970.
The Breakfast Club tabletop
I asked the gang for a list of their favorite breakfast spots, and they scrambled to answer:
Rhiannon McCraner said everything is good at Holly’s Lighthouse Cafe in Pacific Grove, and Chris Navarro recommended “the huevos rancheros at Rondita’s.” After fruitlessly searching Google, I realized that his wife is named Rhonda. Very funny, Chris.
Then our faithful property inspector Howard Hartman chimed in. Now, Howard knows a lot about breakfast spots (playing golf or racquet ball five mornings a week, the man needs his nourishment!).
Here are a few of his favorites:
- Wagon Wheel Coffee Shop, Carmel Valley: “The steel cut oatmeal.”
- First Awakenings, Pacific Grove: “Huge blue germ pancake with blueberry compote.” I told him I thought “blue germ” sounded a bit unsavory, and in between forwarding funny emails on his iPhone (how else would we know that rubber bands last longer when refrigerated?) he responded, “U have to try new things!”
- Best Western Hotel, Del Monte Beach, Monterey: “Best breakfast views on the Peninsula. The potato skillet with vegetables—but no cheese, please.” (Howard is vegan-ish.)
- Porter’s Grill, Poppy Hills Golf Course, Pebble Beach: “Good food and great golf course views.”
- The Breakfast Club, Seaside: “Omelet with fruit on the side.”
He said he had more, but he had to go to breakfast.
Property manager Frank Gallagher (our version of Don Draper, but without the martinis and cigarettes), seconds Howard’s vote for The Breakfast Club, adding that the coffee is good—and that his kids love the Mickey Mouse pancakes.
A chance to eat delicious seafood, imbibe fine wines, and mingle with PGA Tour Players and celebrities after the second round of the AT&T Pro-Am at Pebble Beach?
And it’s for a good cause?
Count us in.
The third annual “Clambake for a Cure,” February 10th on Fisherman’s Wharf, will feature a strolling dinner prepared by celebrity chefs, award-winning wines, entertainment, dancing, and an auction of rare items—all to benefit brain tumor research and treatment.
Celebrity Chefs include:
- Luciano Pellegrini, Valentino, Las Vegas
- Casey Thompson, Star of Bravo’s “Top Chef”
- Mark Ayers, CLM & Pebble Beach Food & Wine
- Tom Snyder, Esteban, Monterey
- Tim Woods & Marc Jones, Carmel Valley Ranch
- Brian Meier and Steve Salle, Del Monte Meat & Ports Seafood
- Mary Font, Mrs. Delish’s Cupcake Boutique
- Baum & Blume Catering, Carmel Valley
- Dory Ford, Point Pinos Grill & AQUA TERRA Culinary
- Erika McDonnell, FlouRish Organic Breads
- Arnufo Martinez, Gilbert’s Seafood
- Kevin Phillips, Albalonetti Bar & Grill
And because seafood pairs so well with wine:
- Jocelyn Lonen Winery, Napa
- Elkhorn Peak Cellars, Napa
- Ventana Vineyards, Monterey
- Morgan Wines, Santa Lucia Highlands
- Hahn Estates, Santa Lucia Highlands
- Oh Wines, Monterey
- Heller Estates, Carmel Valley
- Chateau Marie Antoinette, Monterey
- Kristilynn Wines, Monterey
- Scheid Vineyards, Monterey
- Judd’s Hill, Napa
- Elizabeth Spencer Wines, Rutherford
- Clos la Chance Winery, San Martin
- Delicato Family Vineyards, Lodi
When: Friday, February 10 from 4 pm – 9 pm
Where: The Marina View Lounge, 30 Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey
Cost: $125 per person
Quite a bit! On February 2nd the Preservation Hall Jazz Band will rock the halls of Carmel’s beautiful Sunset Center. Come join the party as this sizzling group keeps the spirit of New Orleans alive.
Speaking of spirit, the irrepressible Joan Rivers hits the stage on Friday, February 10 at 8 pm. Adults only, please… with Joan, nothing’s off limits!
Looking for a quiet retreat after all that music and comedy? May we present the newest property in our inventory: SEASHELL COTTAGE, a charming 3 bedroom/2 bath bungalow that reflects the Carmel cottages of yesteryear.
You’ll love the two fireplaces (one in the master), the flowering garden, and the cheerful sun room.
And if you’re in the mood to perform, there’s an upright Steinway in the living room.
Where to find the most fabulous wardrobe on the Monterey Peninsula? Marita’s Boutique has something for every style, every size, in any color a fashionista desires! And those accessories! Yum! Not sure how to pull it all together? No problem!
Marita and the chic ladies of her boutique are wardrobe wizards! Just a few words about what you are looking for, and head straight to the dressing room. They will bring you an infinite number of choices!
Visit their website.
