I've been aware of Soil Born Farms for some time now as an organic urban oasis (on Hurley near Watt), but I just learned recently about the biodynamic farm at Rudolf Steiner College in Fair Oaks. Biodynamics may be new to you, but it's a long-standing agricultural practice from Europe that predates the modern organic movement in the U.S. (For more on biodynamics, see the upcoming spring Edible Sacramento issue!)

The 3-acre Raphael Garden was started in 1987 by Harald Hoven at the college as a way to grow medicinal herbs. It has grown into a diverse and self-sustaining business through Harald's teaching and apprenticeship program. In 1993, they started a CSA that now has a waiting list! You can also buy seeds from Raphael Garden through Turtle Tree Seed Initiative.

As a biodynamic farm, Raphael has livestock: a cow, several sheep, ducks, and chickens. They help to provide manure and eat weeds, and the early childhood education center there brings children to see the animals throughout the year. There are also honeybees, who pollinate and give honey in return. It's a lovely example of everything working together to make a better whole.

You won't find Raphael produce at a farmer's market, but you can go visit the farm, try your luck at getting on the CSA list, or learn more about biodynamics in the workshop series that runs through June. Just contact Harald at 916-965-0389 or visit the Web site for more information. They have brand new lambs and there will be a calf any day now!

Posted by Ann Martin Rolke at 5:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I thought we were lucky before, when we could get Ginger Elizabeth caramels at Mulvaney's and Taylor's, but NOW we can get them any time we want. Do you realize the consequences of this?? Sacramento is now a true contender in the fine chocolates business. Not that I would turn down any chocolate (especially a Candy House of Davis piece of fudge or See's buttercream) ever, but Ginger Elizabeth chocolates are ambrosia to a chocoholic like me.

So what changed? Ginger Elizabeth Powers opened her own little chocolaterie in Midtown, that's what. It's on L Street, in the same new building at the L Wine Bar. The place is bright with huge windows in front (which should make for some interesting a/c bills in the summer) and another large window showing you the pristine chocolate-making kitchen in the back. A display case holds the filled chocolates, freshly baked cookies, French macarons, and cakes of the day. You can also order four kinds of hot chocolate, garnished with fresh whipped cream or a housemade vanilla marshmallow. Coffees and whole cakes are available as well. There are a few stools and a counter for eating on-site, or you can squirrel your chocolates away to hoard in the privacy of your home.

It's noteworthy that Chef Powers is offering macarons. These are the French confections made of two meringue-almond rounds sandwiched with silky buttercream. They are still pretty rare in the States and I don't know of anyone else in this area making them. At $1.50 a piece, you should try a few to understand the great contrast of crisp, light cookie and buttery filling.

But her real art is in the chocolates, including chocolate sculptures (see photo above) that she'll do for special occasions. She apparently really likes Easter chocolates, so look for some special items this spring. But until then, you and your sweetie need some sublime, subtly-flavored chocolates to nibble. Wasn't your New Year's resolution to eat better chocolate?

Also look for Chef Powers teaching classes at East Bay Culinary Center and co-leading a seminar for Slow Food Sacramento on port, chocolate, and coffee on February 23.

Ginger Elizabeth Chocolates
1801 L Street, Suite 60
706-1738
Tue-Sat 10-8; Sun 10-3

Posted by Ann Martin Rolke at 12:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So there I was, running around in a fog like a new mother (see Sleep Deprivation), when I noticed a new shop open on Riverside Boulevard. How long had it been there without my noticing? Turns out, not that long. Just open two weeks, Dish: The Shop on Riverside is like a dream come true for me! It's only three blocks from my house and sells vintage dishware and chocolates. They also have a display of photographs of vintage ware and a small museum of cooking gadgets. I've already been there three times and am starting to become obsessed!

Cecilia Gray and Lee Anderson, former professors at Sac State, have been working on this shop concept for a while now. Cecilia has been collecting mid-century kitchenware and china for 25 years as the owner of an old house in Land Park. Now retired, but not ready for leisure, Cecilia and Lee began designing the shop space five months ago. With Lee's experience as an interior designer, they have crafted a lovely shop that showcases the pieces for sale in gorgeous fashion. In this space formerly occupied by a landscape design business (that always had its shades drawn), there are now bright displays and a variety of tables set as if for impending dinner parties.

In the middle of the store are shelves that comprise the small museum: one of gleaming toasters and the other of waffle makers. These will change, but always be focused on mid-20th century design. There's an entire section of cocktail shakers and glasses, and another of beautiful silver candy dishes (perfect for those chocolates you seem to keep buying). And, conveniently, they sell the chocolates too. There are award-winning XOX truffles from San Francisco, truffles and chocolates made in vintage molds from the Candy House in Davis, and an even more local selection from Capital Confections of Sacramento. (The XOX truffles are also available at Whole Foods, but for much more than they cost at Dish.)

Cecilia plans to have special displays throughout the year, as well as Second Saturday exhibits. For February, she'll showcase local black artists and amethyst glassware. There will also be an upcoming display of dolls from the 40s and 50s. If you're looking for a specific china or crystal pattern, let them know and they may have it in stock or know where to look. There are cabinets throughout the store packed with other items as well. And Cecilia pointed out that 95% of the pieces they sell are American made, since the U.S. didn't import much china and kitchenware until after the 50s. They also have reference books and some cookbooks that you can consult or buy. Oh--and when I was there yesterday, Cecilia and a friend mentioned that they had heard that some Land Park residents used to have a regular martini party. Dish may revive that to showcase some of its incredible barware--and just for fun.

If you want to get in before Christmas, then act fast. They're only open today and tomorrow, 11 to 6, and then will be closed from this Sunday until after January 1st. At that point, they'll resume regular Wed-Sat hours (11 to 6). There's nothing like this in the Sac area, so you've got to see it for yourself. And prices are quite reasonable!

2747 Riverside Blvd.
916-448-4828

Posted by Ann Martin Rolke at 9:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Cupcake madness befalls Sacramento! Not one, but three cupcake shops are scheduled to open this fall, just in time for holiday parties and afternoon treats galore. The cult of the cupcake has been building rapidly over the past five or so years, and you can now find cupcake shops, cookbooks, blogs, and even knitting patterns (see above). When I lived in New York in the 80s (yikes, was it that long ago??), I used to go to a bakery on the lower East side just for their chocolate cupcakes filled with vanilla cream. It was like Hostess but 20 times better. And then I discovered Magnolia Bakery on subsequent visits, and their cookbooks have sold well on their homemade cupcake and bakery reputation. So when I got married 6 years ago, what did we have for a cake? Cupcakes! Gingerbread with vanilla buttercream and buttermilk with Meyer lemon buttercream. They were fantastic and SO ahead of the time. ; )

carrot-coriander cupcake I made for a friend's birthday

Continue reading "Cupcakes Befall Us!" »

Posted by Ann Martin Rolke at 1:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

What with all the scary news from China and even the U.S. about our food supply, it's more important than ever to know where your food comes from. Who handled it, where was it grown or raised, and how long has it been waiting before you take it home to eat it? "Local food" is the new term to know about these days, even giving rise to the term "locavore" for someone who eats most of their food from local sources. That certainly is more likely to give you first-hand knowledge of the food source. But who has time to source every last ingredient on their table?

So here to the rescue is the Web site Eat Wild. It's a central listing of facts on grass-fed basics, from animal welfare, to farmer benefits, to environmental aspects. You can search by state, and the listings for California are extensive.

They include Copeland Family Farms, who raise goats for both human and pet food (no weird melamine additives!); NFR Natural Beef in the Sierras, with both grass-fed and grain-fed beef; and Tawanda Farms, who raise both beef and lamb and also sell their sheep fleece.

You can also find listings for eggs, dairy, and kitchen supplies on the Eat Wild site, plus a list of stores, restaurants, and farmer's markets that carry these natural foods. And look for the articles and scientific references (linked from the left sidebar) in case you need to convince someone else that eating humanely raised, natural meat is better than wondering where that burger-like thing came from.

Posted by Ann Martin Rolke at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

You may have figured out by now that one of my favorite things to do is to find new markets to explore. Luckily for me, Sacramento has lots of neat ones. I had been to the old Oto's grocery next to the police station on Freeport. But just a month ago, after a long wait, the big new Oto's Marketplace opened. It is primarily a Japanese grocery store, but with the increased floor space, the new Oto's has a lot more goodies.

There is a larger produce section, with herbs and vegetables common to Japanese cooking. You'll also find an extensive supply of tofu products. Nearby are packets of seeds from Kitazawa Seed Company, a business based in Oakland that specializes in cultivating Asian produce. Around the corner is a large display of rice cookers of every size. These are perfect for people who make rice every day. (You could also use them to your advantage in the heat by putting the electric cooker outside or in a closed-off laundry room to steam--thereby keeping your house cooler.) The aisle of dried seaweed products was almost overwhelming in the variety available. The same can be said for the dried soup choices. Of course, you should always check out the sweets and candy section--Hello, Kitty!

One of the best things about the new Oto's is the larger refrigerated and frozen foods section. There is a good supply of gorgeous, fresh fish on ice, fresh seaweed (like ogo, used in Hawaiian poke), green tea and coconut juice drinks, potstickers, and lots of things that I don't know about yet but am willing to taste! There is also a small section of kitchen tools, crockery, and chopsticks. And you can buy some prepared foods and sit at the tables outside for a quick picnic.

Continue reading "Oto's Marketplace" »

Posted by Ann Martin Rolke at 1:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Grill guilt, it's here.

Yes, despite the fact that your July 4th cookout is hopefully featuring locally sourced grassfed beef hamburgers, artisan baked buns and no spray corn on the cob (for us west-coasters at least), it turns out that the carbon footprint you've tried so hard to reduce goes up instantly in smoke when you fire up the BBQ grill. Es verdad.

According to the Sierra Club: "Nationwide, the estimated 60 million barbecues held on the Fourth of July alone consume enough energy — in the form of charcoal, lighter fluid, gas, and electricity — to power 20,000 households for a year. That one day of fun, food, and celebration, says Tristram West, a research scientist with the U.S. Department of Energy, burns the equivalent of 2,300 acres of forest and releases 225,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide."

Sorry to say, but I'm a fire snob, and as it turns out, charcoal grills give off more carbon monoxide, particulate matter, soot and smoke than gas or electric grills. Hey, but at least I'm using hardwood coals, which come from real trees. Those little pillow shaped briquets are a mash composed of wood scraps and coal. No big deal really until you consider that most coal comes from companies that blow off the tops of mountains just to get at it (see The Canary Project). Es verdad.

So what can you do to relieve grill guilt?. Well, I know I won't be driving on July 4th, which means I'm essentially trading my ozone polluting car for my ozone polluting grill. No points there. I don't however, use lighter fluid, like most of the briquet brigade does. So maybe I come out a little on the plus side. Just maybe.

Posted by Jennifer Cliff at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

As a show of online unity heretofore unknown in the world of Sacramento food writers, we present you with a roundup of opinions from some of the best and most dedicated foodies in the Sacramento region. Seven of the most influential food enthusiasts in the area were asked for their opinions in a short poll about some of their favorite restaurants, dishes and local ingredients. Their answers may shock you (unless of course you are already devoted fans of their work, in which case their answers will seem mildly redundant to you, but hey, if you’re a fan, than be a fan all the way and drop the attitude.) The participants in this poll were Melly Elliot, moderator of the Sacramento Food Forums; Garrett McCord, writer of Vanilla Garlic; Paul Somerhausen, founder of the Sacramento Epicureans dining group; Kristy DeVaney, writer of Cakegirl’s Cakery; Greg Sabin, food writer for the Sac Rag, under the name “sac-eats”; and the two of us!

Here is the poll:

What is your favorite restaurant in the area?
A. under $10 per person:
Greg- Angel’s Fresh Mex-Can’t beat $.99 chicken tacos, especially since they’re the best chicken tacos on the planet. It tastes like they’ve been feeding those chicken nothing but cilantro and cumin their whole adult lives. Yummy.
Kristy- Maalouf’s Taste of Lebanon
Paul- New Paris Bakery is my choice at this time. For well under $10 you can have an amazing Banh mi and a bowl of tasty Pho and leave with enough left over for seconds. Very close second is Bonne Soupe Cafe, incredible soups.
Jennifer- Dad's, La Fogata, Jack's (I am a sucker for the buffalo chicken salad, probably a jenky non-food bloggeresqe response)
Garrett- Jack's, Moshi Moshi in Davis
Ann- La Fiesta, Dad's, Hoa Viet
Melly- Squeeze Inn, La Fiesta, Vientiane

B. Favorite restaurant between $10-$25 per person
Garrett- Queen Sheba, Pronto (both are delish and easy on my wallet)
Ann- Kathmandu Kitchen, Thai Basil, Taste of Thai
Melly- Cafe Bernardo (midtown), Edokko, Pho Bac Hoa Viet, Regent Chinese
Greg- Everett & Jones BBQ, always a tough choice between the hot links and the brisket.
Paul- Bamiyan, in Citrus Heights. It is an Afghan place with really good food. Something for everyone with pasta dishes, veggies, rice, meats, etc. Close second is Cafe Rolle in East Sac.
Kristy- Queen Sheba
Jennifer- Blue Nami, Pizza Antica

C. Favorite restaurant between $25-$50 per person
Jennifer- Waterboy, Le Belig, Mulvaney's, Kru
Paul- I think Biba's would win here, although you would have to have no wine to stay under $50. Otherwise, the Melting Pot, Aioli, or The Firehouse.
Garrett- Mulvaney's, Mason's
Greg- Moxie, Scott’s Seafood
Ann- Waterboy, Hidden Kitchen, Tuco's Wine Bar
Melly- Mulvaney's Building and Loan, The Waterboy, New Canton, Paragary's Bar and Oven
Kristy- Miyagi Sushi

D. Favorite restaurant over $50 per person
Paul- Hard to decide on this one. I think it is a toss up between The Kitchen, Waterboy, and the Supper Club.
Greg- The Kitchen (although it’s so far above $50 per person that it should be in its own category)
Kristy- Moxie, McCormick & Schmick’s, Mulvaney's B&L
Jennifer- Masque, or my husband’s cooking
Garrett- Waterboy (dear god I love that place)
Ann- Mulvaney's (gotta have many courses)
Melly- Scott's Seafood Grill, The Supper Club, Biba, Spataro's, The Waterboy

(Note: whether or not a restaurant belongs in the $10-$25 category or the $25-$50 or the $50+ category varies depending on choice of beverage and/or ordering multiple courses and does not indicate price per entree.)

Favorite ethnic dive:
Melly- Viet Ha on Florin
Ann- Hoa Viet on Broadway
Garrett- Queen Sheba, best ethnic food, and so yummy and filling
Jennifer- Does the Philly cheese steak shop on Sierra College count?
Kristy- Queen Sheba or Ming Palace
Paul- Hard to pick one. Bamiyan, Queen Sheba, New Paris, Pooja or New Canton do the "favorite" job depending on the weather, craving, etc.
Greg- Maalouf’s Taste of Lebanon, it’s like a Beirut flavor explosion in your mouth

Favorite local ingredient:
Kristy- Zinfandel Grapes/Zin Wines
Jennifer- Currently asparagus, cilantro, the nopales that come in my CSA box, love ‘em, arugula...okay that's the one, LOVE arugula, all other greens are inferior.
Garrett- Oh lordy... um, cilantro? Fresh bread?
Ann- the incredible variety of local honeys or anything from our backyard garden
Melly- Spoto Wine
Greg- Earth & Vine Bell Pepper and Ancho Chili Jam
Paul- Chocolate Mousse Ice Cream at Vic's. It's homemade!

Favorite entrée in all of Sacramento:
Paul- I tend to ask for what the chef makes best. I try to alternate in my orders, so I do not lose out on a new treasure by sticking too much with what I already know.
Ann- Pad Prik King with tofu at Thai Basil or anything with pork in it
Melly- Take your pick:
Sauteed Veal Sweetbreads-The Waterboy
Poached Halibut-The Supper Club
Gnocchi in brown butter sauce-Biba
Iron Skillet Roasted Mussels-Paragary's Bar & Oven
Garrett- don't have one, too many to choose.
Greg- The meatloaf at Moxie. The greatest meatloaf I’ve ever eaten and with all the fixings for under $20. You cannot beat that (and if you do beat it, who cares, it’s still meatloaf and bruising isn’t an issue).
Kristy- My own cooking of shrimp or scallop would be my favorite dish, but as far as eating out goes, I'll go for the seafood bird’s nest at Hoicin Cantonese.
Jennifer- Don't have one, or it rotates. I am swayed by factors like the moon, time of day or month, season...kidding...but seriously don't have one, favorite is too permanent.

Posted by Jennifer Cliff at 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

When I was little, my mother had a bottom drawer in the kitchen filled with neat old-fashioned aprons. I loved putting them on, choosing between the airy "hostess" style of embroidered chiffon and the no-nonsense style of cotton with pockets. Today I look for them at yard sales and thrift stores since you never know when you might need a kicky outfit for the kitchen!

So when I was invited to go on Channel 31's "Good Day Sacramento" show recently, I knew I needed a knock-out apron. Luckily I met Susan and Jenn of Domestic Darlings. They recently started a home business in Folsom designing and producing some great aprons with a vintage look. I chose the Pink Circles pattern for its sort of seventies look. They have several other patterns and are working on some other styles as well. The style shown above has adjustable ties at the neck and waist and two generous pockets for stashing your tools.

So if you're looking for a nice Mother's Day present or just some new affordable fashion for the cook in your life, visit Domestic Darlings on their Web site and try one for yourself. They even come with matching headbands if you want to look as stylish as that classic domestic darling, Donna Reed.

customerservice@domesticdarlings.com
(916) 365-5449

Posted by Ann Martin Rolke at 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Have you seen the April issue of Sac Mag? It's the food issue, so has lots of good culinary articles, but best of all--we're in it! Check out pages 172-173 for a photo of us trying to look cheerful under a sign that says, "Players and Loose Women are known to frequent this establishment." Says it all, doesn't it?

Also, Garrett of Vanilla Garlic has a review of Moshi Moshi restaurant in Davis on page 266 under "You're the Reviewer."

And if you didn't see this Sunday's SF Chronicle, there was an interesting article about different opinions of blogger restaurant reviewing. They didn't quote any Sac-area folks, but the issues are just the same. How much stock do you place in one reviewer's opinion? Or do you seek out several opinions before you decide?

Posted by Ann Martin Rolke at 10:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

If you're like me and you've got everything from The Fannie Farmer Junior Cookbook to the French Laundry Cookbook, you're a candidate for Cookbook Addicts Anonymous. I'm just as thrilled to find a second- or third-hand copy of The Vegetarian Epicure at a yard sale as I am to get the latest CIA tome. So when I need a fix, one of the best places to go is Beer's Books.

In their old location on L Street, the cookbooks were back in a dark corner. But at the new, spiffy location on 9th Street, they're well lit and loosely organized by sections. There's also a "newly arrived" shelf of food books. You'll find mostly barely used copies of books from cocktail guides to foodie biographies. I recently saw Bill Buford's Heat there (just released last year).

I've always suspected that there are thousands of mint-condition KitchenAid mixers and Cuisinarts out there on America's shelves, not getting used. So I'll bet there are just as many cookbooks going unloved, and hopefully some of them will find themselves in a great bookstore like Beer's. Keep a special eye out for the $1 racks out front. You never know when you'll find that copy of Clementine's Kitchen you've always wanted. Plus, like any self-respecting used bookstore, they have a great cat. And now they also have coffee and free WiFi. Once you get there, you'll never need to leave.

Beer's Books
915 S Street
442-9475

Posted by Ann Martin Rolke at 3:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

You may have seen the link on the right side of our blog for a while, but my first cookbook, Hands-Off Cooking: Low-Supervision, High-Flavor Meals for Busy People is out and available! All of the recipes are easy to put together and then need no watching or stirring as they cook. There are lots of ethnic cuisine influences as well, to reflect the way that many of us like to eat. I didn't use a lot of packaged foods to make these--just some canned and jarred items like beans, to make cooking a bit faster. But you'll find lots of recipes using whole ingredients like fresh chard, berries, nuts, and asparagus.

Some of my favorites are Roast Pork with Apple Chutney, Nutty Pumpkin Lasagna, Mason-Dixon Cornbread, Roasted German Potato Salad, Chicken Paprikash, Thai Beef Curry, and Bourbon Street Bread Pudding. The photo above is for Banana Bread with orange zest and nuts.

You can also visit my newly minted Web site, where I'll be posting featured recipes, variations and shopping lists for recipes, nutrition info, food photos, and my schedule of appearances. Come to Taylor's market on Freeport Boulevard next Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. for a taste of one of the recipes and a book signing.

Order your copy now (click on the image at right) or buy it at Taylor's and I'll be happy to sign it. Thanks for your support and keep reading for a recipe from the book! (click "Continue reading ...")

Continue reading "Support a Local Author!" »

Posted by Ann Martin Rolke at 10:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Oh do I have a find for you guys! If you truly appreciate great beef, you are going to love Vande Rose Meat and Fish. Vande Rose sells only premium Hereford beef (the red and white ones) now according the folks at Vande Rose Hereford beef is special because it displays a unique marbling profile that delivers exceptional flavor without the extra fat. Hereford beef is quite often described as the “way beef used to taste”. Now if you are not a beef eater you are still in luck because they have a wonderful fish counter, rockie and rosie chickens and will soon be offering the “smart” chickens which go through a special air drying process. They have lamb from Dixon and a staff that makes you feel like you are going back in time to when you actually had a relationship with your butcher. I in fact love this store so much I have been back three times in a row to shop for dinner, and been overly wowed each time. Love it love it love it.

Two of the regions finest and most respected butchers, Pete Reiter and Mark Stewart, are on site to answer questions, provide recommendations and assure the best selection of premium quality meat and fish. Vande Rose Farms Meat & Fish is dedicated to supplying fresh, wholesome products to their discerning customers.

Open Monday through Saturday 9 AM to 7 PM, Sunday 11 AM to 6 PM.
5550 Douglas Blvd. Suite 120
Granite Bay, CA 95746
916-786-BEEF

Posted by Jennifer Cliff at 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

The other day I was invited to “special screening” of the documentary Sustainable Table at Karen’s bakery in Folsom (which by the by is a divine little place right next to the American river) Sustainable Table is a feature documentary that takes a look into food that you buy and eat. What’s on your plate? Where does it come from? There is no question that the film itself brings up a lot of interesting topics and if nothing else really does make you stop and think about what you are consuming and why. I think the only unfortunate thing is that they really are trying to make a strong argument for veganism and I just can’t go there, I tried being a vegetarian for like 8 hours in high school and was riddled with anxiety about my choice the whole time. I am however a strong believer that you can strike and nice balance as a carnivore with responsible choices and choosing local whenever possible. Nonetheless, I do recommend checking out this film and learning more about this young film maker that has a lot to say about food in general. Here is a brief run down of the segments of the film and you of course can view the trailer at the website Sustainable Table Movie

The History of Agriculture: The shift from humans as hunter/gatherers to today’s industrialized agriculture system

Conventional Agriculture: the process of producing field crops using monoculture and agrichemicals.

Animal Agriculture: the process of raising meat, dairy and eggs using conventional methods

A Plant-based diet: a segment outlining the benefits of a plant-based diet from health, environmental, and global standpoints.

Organic and Sustainable Agriculture: Outlines organic and sustainable farming methods and their differences from conventional methods.

What you can do: Stresses the impact of consumer demand on the food market, encouraging the public to make informed decisions about they eat and why and vote in the methods they believe with their checkbooks.

Posted by Jennifer Cliff at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

I was recently forwarded this letter regarding Front Yard Gardens, and the fact that the city council is moving forward on their "reworking" of the current code. Now truth me told I do not live down town but I do have quite a few friends who do, and actually a few of these friends actually do benefit from their neighbors front yard gardens. Anyhow, I promised them that I would put the word out to see if there were any interested persons who would like to get involved in this cause. IN general I think that we have to remember that a beautiful landscape isn't alway a manicured-grass front yard and there are some HUGE benefits to having an edible yard. The letter that follows contains all the information you will need to get involved if you desire to do so!

Continue reading "Front Yard Gardens - No Way if the city has its say!" »

Posted by Jennifer Cliff at 12:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Inevitably we all are going to travel somewhere and some point in our lives, trasping through the airports well before our scheduled flights just to make sure we get through security in time. Usually that leaves us with a couple of the stand buy culinary options to choose from (I am thinking Starbucks, CPK, or the jenky sports bar) while we wait and wait and wait. Well someone by the name of Doug Tomlinson had an idea that would save us all from the doldrums of normal airport cuisine, his idea was Vino Volo and I was invited the other evening to their grand opening at the Sacramento Airport. Vino Volo is indeed a wine bar, but beyond that it is an oasis in the airport where you can find such delights as locally-produced artisan cheeses, dry cured meats, and smoked salmon rolls wrapped around crab meat and crème fraiche. You may choose to enjoy your selections in the store or you may carry them on the plane as everything has been properly screened. So we no longer have to dread the in-flight meal selection process. Every wine is at Vino Volo is available by the glass, by the bottle, as well as part of a tasting flight, with prices ranging form $6-$14, with the exception of the high-end splurge flight “Sommelier Series”. So the next trip that you have scheduled you may want to pencil in a bit more time to go and enjoy a glass of wine and some appetizers

Continue reading "Vino Volo" »

Posted by Jennifer Cliff at 10:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Ahhh, I am back. I have literally been traveling for the holidays for two weeks straight and I can not convey how happy I am to be home! Of course I have mounds of laundry and even more mounds of work to catch up on but first thing is first in my house and that is heading out to the market to stock the fridge. I have been waiting a year for Quarry Pond to open in Granite Bay as it is just a few miles down Hazel from my home and huge part of this new development is their food hall, with a green grocer, fish monger, butcher shop, wine shop etc... And I literally have been calling once a week to see which shop has opened. Well the truth is most of them will be open late this month or early next but lucky for me Regionale produce market is open now so after stopping by my favorite Italian Market Foscos I headed over. Regionale Produce Market specializes in local organic produce. They work closely with neighboring farms to find the very best produce in season. Because these farms are small, they are able to personally select the most flavorful fruits and vegetables, and to have them delivered absolutely fresh to their shelves. So I loaded up on baby sweet potatoes, mandarins and apples as well as getting a bag of Lundberg’s Arborio rice which I can never find around here and some corn tortillas named Abuelita’s tortillas produced by MSFT Inc. out of Sacramento of which I will need to do more research on because they are fantastic. I am beyond excited to have this type of market so close to my home. Hell, even if it was twenty-minutes away it would be worth the drive. Go check it out and let me know what you think.

5550 Douglas Boulevard, Granite Bay
916-786-5511
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Sunday 9am-7pm

Posted by Jennifer Cliff at 5:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

My husband and I do sushi for dinner about every other week, we would probably do more but I have a hard time justifying what I spend on food already and we all know that a few rolls, some sashimi, a Sapporo and before you know it your borrowing from your kids college fund. But that's not my dilemma with sushi, it is that I seem to have the misfortune of gravitating towards fish that I know, or have heard, I shouldn't be consuming due to depletion, high levels of mercury or a myriad of other unethical issues that are absolute no no's. But as I sit at the sushi bar I can't for the life of me remember what the healthy, sustainable, ethically correct choices are. So I happened upon this particular query on grist.com where the author "Umbra" answers this very question far more eloquently then I ever could.

Sushi Consumption the Right Way...

Posted by Jennifer Cliff at 2:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

We have all been there, sipping on wine at our parents or in laws and we are stuck with that token tasting glass from some winery on the central coast that we have only vaguely heard of. And you say to yourself “I need to buy them a set of decent glasses for the holidays”. Well here is an interesting article about the glasses that you think they absolutely must have. You will be happily suprised that your gift to them, and to yourself, doesn't have to come with a gold and crystal plated price tag.

Shattering Expectations

Posted by Jennifer Cliff at 8:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you happen to find yourself in Roseville, then you absolutely must stop at Fosco's Fine Italian Market. It has been a haunt of my husbands and mine for at least a year. Most visits are answering our cravings for true “Italian Style” pizza where we order up a Speck and a Sausage, but you can’t go wrong with a margherita which sends me straight back to Italy (as a tourist of course). After we are finished in the café, we head over to have a complimentary espresso and start planning out dinner. All of Fosco's products are made and imported from Italy. Yesterday, my husband and I could not decide what we wanted to make for dinner with some friends that were in town. We had just returned from a evening in Napa where we had enjoyed a nine course dinner at Redd (located in Yountville) and we were all still feeling the guilt of pure consumption, and worth every last bite...but god was it a lot of food. So we settled on homemade grilled flatbreads

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Posted by Jennifer Cliff at 3:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Probably one of the niftiest little groceries I’ve ever visited (believe me, I’ve seen and shopped at quite a few) is the newly-opened Lincoln Produce Market. I had the opportunity to spend some quality time with Randy Kliewer, Chef/co-owner, on a recent visit and I was wildly impressed with the quality and size of their unique inventory, and the terrific selection of fresh salads, soups and sandwiches made from scratch.

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Posted by Jennifer Cliff at 5:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)