This
year is the 11th season for Avila’s Farmers Market. It takes place
every Friday (April - September) from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on the Avila BeachPromenade. The focus is food, delicious and cooked right then and there for
you. But at this market, Fish Tacos are the star. Olde Port Inn has the number
one spot with fresh fish pulled from the sea, then grilled and served on a tortilla
with pico do gallo, cabbage and lime juice. This is the best meal you will eat
standing up. I also like Fat Cats Cafe and the Custom House BBQ pit. My new adoration
is hosted by Home Plate with their fresh salmon and lingcod tacos. While I did
go a bit crazy for the Mole and Chili Verde Nachos, Crab and Corn Chowder and
the Tilapia Ceviche. There is live music and dancing every week with beach side
bands that blend perfectly with the seaside rhythm. This is a fun and inspired event for the whole
family and it is the best place to take visiting friends. There is a free trolley that runs around Avila, the Port and Five Cities during the market.
It's not only free but every rider gets a Farmers Market buck to spend at any
booth.
With
sipping on libations surrounded by ocean views under amazing art installations,
Ten chefs from across the Central Coast will go head-to-head for the “Best
Oyster of the Central Coast” Chef Award, and the audience will be invited to
taste their sumptuous efforts and have the opportunity to judge their favorite
on the official Central Coast Oyster Festival mobile application to participate
in the People Choice Award.
Prices
include a full day of live music and a Foodie Stage that includes the shucking
contests, demonstration and local chefs preparing oysters in various ways. The
Aphrodisiac Lounge brings you the most delectable raw oyster bar, oyster
shooters, sparkling wine, port, chocolates and cheeses. Purchase Tickets at www.CentralCoastOysterFestival.com. You can also ride the Free Trolley to this event. 
The
bartenders include mixologist from McLintocks, Steamers, Ciopinot, NovoRestaurant, Sea Venture, Upper Crust Trattoria and more. Music will be provided
by Three Martini Lunch and this is the event to be seen and then to fad into a
blissful Martini and cuisine oblivion.
Bacon& Barrels at Saarloos & Sons field is July 18-19th in Los Olivos. Billed as the ultimate food festival for bacon
lovers everywhere, Bacon & Barrels is an all-day festival showcasing local
chefs’ most imaginative recipes incorporating bacon, and highlights the best
artisan and craft barrel beverages such as bourbon, beer, wine, and scotch. The
all-day event includes over 140 food and libation booths with all-inclusive
tastings from some of Santa Barbara’s hottest boutique wineries and unique,
high-end small batch whiskey, scotch and tequila from local artisan purveyors
as well as live music from popular indie bands. There will also be a selection
of craft beers to taste while enjoying a variety of inventive and unexpected
bites from participating chefs.
Family Twist- If
you have small children and want to share the sweetheart day as a family, I
recommend dinner and a movie at Sinsheimer Stadium. The Blues Baseball organization
offers a wonderful alternative for the whole family to enjoy. On Valentines eve
they will be showing the movie A League Of Their Own. They will be offering
full concessions including Central Coast Brewing, Hope Family Wines and food from
the Rib Line. Rib Line will be offering: Nachos, hotdogs, pulled pork sandwiches,
chili, popcorn, peanuts, candy, sodas and water. The gates open at 5:00pm, movie
starts at 6:00pm. You can sit in the stands or spread out on the lawn. Sinsheimer
Stadium is located at 900 Southwood drive in San Luis Opispo, (805) 704-4388.
Special Deal- She
is so special, loves good food but you can’t blow the rent on your memorable
evening, try The Quarterdeck Seafood Restaurant. They are serving giant Maine
Lobster tail and Filet Mignon for two. Served with full dinner choices,
champagne and a delicious KK's Bundt Cake beautifully wrapped, all for $78.99
(you can also beat the crowds as they will start serving this amazing special
the day before Valentine's Day and continue through Saturday February 15th).
After run into Kmart and buy the movie The Notebook to watch at home. If she
hasn’t seen this, she will thank you and no one minds watching it again, even
the men. The Quarterdeck is located at 1500 West Branch in Arroyo Grande, (805)
481-3474
Adventurous-
Romance reaches new heights in Morro Bay, especially if your gal is expecting a
“Big Rock" sign up for the Whale Watching Tour. Dos Osos is
an open boat with an unobstructed view; the opportunity to see whales is truly
breathtaking. It is the season for Gray Whales as these magnificent mammals are
running from the cold toward their winter escape in Baja California, Mexico. Call
SubSea Tours at (805) 772-9463. After go
up to Shawn’s On Main, the most romantic and consistent restaurant in Morro
Bay. I would suggest the Gnocchi and Carrot Vanilla soup. Shawn’s on Main is
located at 912 Main Street in Morro Bay, (805) 772-1059.
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| Chef Gregg Wangard |
Pop the Question-
After a mineral hot tub water soak, a relaxing massage, wine and appetizer,
escort her over to the Zen garden and ask for her to be the witness of your
life. Garden’s of Avila offers a package deal of a hot tub soak, 2 full massages,
appetizers and wine in the restaurant. Chef Robert Trester’s passion to create
intoxicating deliciousness and seductive beauty on the plate using homegrown
offerings is where I encourage all lovers to dine. When there, always order the
Garden Party. This is where the chef picks your five courses and the best way
to try many dishes. Garden's of Avila Restaurant is located inside the Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, (805) 540-3326.
Destination: I
have spent two valentines day at Full of Life Flatbread in Los Almos. Last trip
I had the black Truffle flatbread with a farm egg that was priced at $45.00. I
hesitated, but Mr. Bayus insisted I try it. The pizza was made with a garlic
brown butter sauce with spring onions, grana, Serena, and a semi poached farm
egg. As they served it, they shaved big, fresh slices of truffles onto the
flatbread. I have never had truffles so large and it was full of flavor and a
rare treat for the senses. Full of Life Flat Bread is in Los Alamos or call at
(805) 344-4400. After we ventured to the Union Hotel, a historic 1880’s
stagecoach stop. This is a step back to a simple yet elegant era and everything
here is authentic with period décor and amazing sites. More information at (805)
344-2744. |
| Chef Doug MacMillian |
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| Chef Jensen Lorensen |
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| Cindy Giovacchini |
Pickle Me Ginger Bloody Heirloom Chocolate KissI do not see myself as a celebrity. I have never been hounded by paparazzi or given elaborate gift bags. Every now and then, I get the honor of being asked to be a judge for a food or drink contest. This one came from my friend, David Klein asking me to be one of the celebrity judges for this years "Rumble on The Rocks" Mixology Contest held at The Cliffs Resort in The Marisol Restaurant. I was flattered to be in the midst of such celebrities as Randol White of Eat, Drink, Explore, Gary Johnson of Southern Wine and Spirits and Patti Piburn of KCOY, (by default of an anticipated tie, my husband Gary Bayus of Prestige Business Sales, Mergers & Acquisitions). It was a lively group and we sacrificed our livers for this worthy cause. They asked us if we knew vodka, as Ketel One was sponsoring this event and much was on the line with the areas best bartenders competing and the profits going to SLO Special Olympics.
After sampling the amazing spread of food by the master chef’s of Marisol at The Cliffs the judges were swept away. Sequestered and unaware of which mixologist’s were presenting us with their unique libations, we began to taste each signature drink. Amazing ingredients followed including herbs, spices, fresh fruits, and vegetables all used to create one of a kind drinks. Think basil, cinnamon, jalapenos, and mangos and that is just for the presentation.
Our first drink was called Pickle Me Ginger and was a spicy combination of grapefruit and vodka with a spicy tail of ginger that lingered on your tongue. I was instantly a fan. The second was a Mexican Mojito with cilantro and jalapenos floating in the Ketel One haze. Our third was a white chocolate kiss with Godiva Chocolate, Crème de Cocoa, and Ketel One garnished with a candied orange striped with white and dark chocolate (this was Gary’s favorite).
Next, we tried the Rumble Punch, which was a fruity mix of Cointreau and then the Banana Strawberry delight with its frothy mist and bobbing fruits. Then came the Sweet Heirloom; a bloody Mary inspired drink using the pulp of garden-fresh tomatoes, jalapeno juice and garnished with a plethora of rockery bounties. It was spicy and delectable. The mango 1051 with a mixture of sweet mango and cracked pepper rocked my taste buds and delighted my pleasure centers.
We were to judge on taste, creativity, and presentation. This job was taken seriously, as we disregarded our livers and tried more of each drink as the deliberations for the winner became lively and passionate.
Later we learned that competing for the title Mixology Master were from Ciopinot Seafood Grill (Rob Horton), from The Cliffs Resort (Dylan Lammers and Egin Davis), from Rosa's Ristorante Italiano (Stacey Giordanengo and Theo Sabatini), and from The Sea Venture Resort and Restaurant (Erin Harper and Brian O'Shea). These bartenders are the best in their field and they all created some amazing and memorable drinks.
