Lifestyle

This story originally appeared in California Winery Advisor. The Best Solvang Restaurants And More... Planning a weekend getaway to wine country is not just about which wineries to visit. Trips to Napa and Sonoma center around where to eat. Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara Wine Country is no exception. Consisting of six small communities (Solvang, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, Buellton, Los Alamos and Ballard), no matter where you are, there is somewhere great to eat! SOLVANG RESTAURANTS The town of Solvang is known for its Danish décor and aebelskivers but offers so much more. We put in the hard work finding the best Solvang restaurants for you. Whether you are looking for a gourmet dinner after a long day of wine tasting or need a quick jolt of caffeine to get the day started, Solvang's restaurants have you covered. Café Dolce 475 1st Street, Solvang There is something for everyone at this Solvang coffee shop. Café Dolce features a robust coffee and tea menu which includes Italian espresso, Turkish coffee, iced coffee drinks and more. Owner Sam, who is usually found behind the counter, spent some years living in Italy and can make a mean cappuccino. The espresso is weighed and tempered to an exact amount so that the espresso is perfecto. Fresh smoothies, protein shakes, and organic juices are available, as are acai bowls. And for the afternoon pick-up, enjoy house-make gelato or sorbet. Having expanded through the next-door space, Café Dolce offers coffee house seating as well as outside seating on a park bench.
10 April, 2018
Located on the corner of Olive and 7th street in downtown LA, the 1923 neoclassical neutral-colored building is rather nondescript from the outside. But inside is another world. The NoMad Hotel has transformed the one-time Bank of Italy building into warm opulent space with dark jewel-toned velvet everywhere. The towering lobby can be entered through the doors on 7th Street. The space is broken into several areas, including a bar, a library and the casual Lobby Restaurant. Overlooking the lobby is the Mezzanine Restaurant, the more formal dining option.
29 March, 2018
This story originally appeared in the Napa Valley Register.

OK, I admit it. I watch the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I watch it for some mindless, vapid fun. But, recently I was annoyed by a story line that took place. One of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills had the other women over to her house and rosé wine was accidentally served in a Champagne flute.

Another of the housewives, Dorit, proceeded to make a big deal about this mistake, embarrassing the host. Dorit arrogantly stated, “The fact that I know a wine glass from a Champagne glass is etiquette” and that she feels “like it needs to go in the right glass.”

Well, the reality star needs to know what the right glass is, and it is not a Champagne flute. While the Champagne flutes are synonymous with sparkling wine, ask most sommeliers and they will tell you the same thing. Nathaniel Munoz, wine director of the Rose Café in Venice, California explained, “Champagne has a gorgeous complexity of aromatics from red apple, to golden raisins, to chalk, to rich marzipan and milk chocolate. Restricting those notes because someone thinks it's fancy to watch carbonation bubbles float to the top of the glass just seems uneducated.”

Maurizio Zanella, founder of Ca’ del Bosco, one of Italy’s foremost Franciacorta producers, offers five reasons why we should never use a Champagne flute.

27 March, 2018
In today's world, we care where our food comes from. We want to know where our fruits and vegetable are grown. We want to know where our meat came from and how the animals lived and what they were fed. We want transparency in our food. We want safety and honesty. And we want good tasting food. All of this is what Cochon 555 stands for and that is why it is the Please The Palate pick of the week. Cochon 555 was created in 2008 and since 2009 they have been organizing nose-to-tail culinary events around the country. Responding to the lack of education around heritage breed pigs, they support family farmers and educate buyers about the agricultural importance of eating heritage pigs.
17 March, 2018
This story originally appeared in the Napa Valley Register.
The 18th annual World of Pinot Noir took place in Santa Barbara this past weekend. More than 250 wineries from around the world showcased their Pinot Noirs at seminars, lunches, dinners and the grand tastings. Everyone in attendance was friendly and shared the common love of Pinot Noir. I was reminded how overall, the wine industry is one of camaraderie, friendship and support.
Winemakers share their wines and taste each other’s wines, offering their feedback. Winemakers buy fruit from each other and sometimes work in the same facility, sharing equipment. They travel together for events or on sales trips.
Even as competitors, they are friends and that was showcased at a dinner I attended featuring winemakers Wells Guthrie of Copain, Jonathan Nagy of Byron, Greg Brewer of Brewer-Clifton and Adam Lee of Siduri.
From the Alexander Valley to the Santa Ynez Valley and in between, these four winemakers have each been making wine for more than 20 years each and their relationships go back as far.
15 March, 2018
The Please The Palate pick of the week is easy this week! It is the World of Pinot Noir, an annual weekend wine event that takes place in Santa Barbara that celebrates all things Pinot Noir. So, if you like Pinot Noir, like me, you will understand my pick! 2018 marks the 18th year of World of Pinot Noir (WOPN). This was my fourth year in a row to attend, yet it was my fifth festival since it was the one of very first weekend wine events I ever attended in 2004. There were Pinot Noirs from across the globe - Burgundy, New Zealand, Hungary, Chile, Oregon, Sonoma, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Medocino, Lake County, Petaluma Gap, Monterrey, Washington, Napa and more!
03 March, 2018
When it comes to lunch-time, there are a few key terms that come to mind. I want a lunch that is healthy, affordable, quick and, of course, tasty. Well, look no further than Luna Grill and the Better Beet Bowl! Luna Grill has locations throughout Southern California and Dallas, Texas. My friend and I made a stop at the location in Sherman Oaks before heading on the road to Santa Barbara. With a contemporary design, this fast casual chain featuring Mediterranean cuisine was a healthy, affordable, quick and tasty meal before hitting the road. 
22 February, 2018
Grocery shopping can be a pain. At least, I find it to be. I prefer to get fruits and vegetables from one location and staples from another. And then there is finding time to go to the market. Every time I come home from traveling, I just wish I would have groceries waiting for me. Well, I have found just that with Milk & Eggs, the Please The Palate pick of the week. After a week of travel, I placed my order while I was still traveling. I then got home and my order arrived first thing the next morning just in time for me to make a morning cappuccino! Milk & Eggs is a website (and app) that connects us, the customer, to the best foods. They offer milk, eggs, dairy, meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits, breads, pastas, beverages, spreads, dips, sauces, fresh herbs, chips, snacks and more....basically anything you might need. And they are all the freshest products possible, as well as locally acquired. There are also meal kits and recipes. And, if you are following a diet, such as Mediterranean, Atkins, Paleo, Vegan, Diabetic, Keto, South Beach or Whole 30, they each have a section with ingredients specific to each diet.
27 January, 2018
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