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Year in Review

Wednesday, 02 January 2013 09:00 Josie Cowden Dining - Wine Reviews
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dining winereviewWining and dining in 2012

Now that 2012 is behind us, here is a partial list of local wining and dining I enjoyed last year. As you’re thinking ahead for 2013, you might want to visit some of these wonderful eateries and try their food and wines. Here’s wishing you all a very Happy New year. Cheers!

 

Rebecca’s at the Tannery
Rebecca’s opened up in the fall in a central spot in the ever-eventful Tannery, which has become a mecca for arts and music events. This lovely little restaurant and coffee bar is open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day and sells local wine, too. Visit: http://www.rebeccasatthetannery.com/.

Chaminade Resort & Spa
As well as regular dining at Chaminade, I always look forward to the Farm to Table dinners in the summer months. A local winery is always showcased and delicious food prepared by Executive Chef Beverlie Terra. Check Chaminade’s website later in the year for a list of these special dinners featuring produce from local farms and served al fresco on the hotel’s beautiful patio. Visit: http://www.chaminade.com/

Wine Wednesdays at Seascape Beach Resort
The resort’s wine tastings with appetizers run from December through May—and $15 gets you appetizers as well as wine. A different winery is featured every week. Visit http://www.seascaperesort.com/.

Love Apple Farms
I attended an amazing dinner at Love Apple Farms at the beginning of November—featuring Todd Spanier, “the Mushroom King.” Dinner was served outdoors in the gorgeous farm gardens on a beautiful warm night. The next two dinners at the farm in Santa Cruz are Feb. 2 and March 2. Visit: http://www.growbetterveggies.com/growbetterveggies/upcoming-eventsclasses.html.

Michael’s on Main
This upbeat restaurant in Soquel continues with its Tuesday night dinners—served buffet style for $25 and including wine tasting. These dinners sometimes feature a guest chef—usually a local who loves to cook—which make these events even more fun to attend. Visit: http://www.michaelsonmain.net/.

Shadowbrook From October through May from 5-8 p.m.,
Shadowbrook puts on Winemaker Wednesdays (except Jan. 9) with a different winery featured every week. Flights of wine are served in the bar with complimentary hors d’oeuvres. Visit: http://www.shadowbrook-capitola.com/home/home.php.

Homeless Garden Project
The HGP held a splendid dinner affair in the late summer with Alice Waters as the guest speaker. The food was superb and I got to meet the food guru herself. Keep an eye out for the HGP’s farm dinners. Visit: http://www.homelessgardenproject.org/index.php.

Center Street Grill
I always enjoy a glass of wine in this lovely restaurant. It has a great bar with some good appetizers offered as well. It’s in the old India Joze location on Center Street in Downtown Santa Cruz. Visit:http://thecenterstreetgrill.com/.

Comments (1)Add Comment
Correction:
written by Citizen, January 07, 2013
Please separate the Center Street Grill section from the Homeless Garden Project section. Also, it would be great if the web addresses provided from each place mentioned were Active Links.

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