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Dine Downtown 2013: Blackbird Restaurant & Bar: a Field Mark of Sophistication

Sacramento’s Dine Downtown Week is now in full swing and it has been so much fun so far! Andy and I have had the privilege of trying out three different menus from a list of nearly 30 restaurants, and last night’s trip to Blackbird Restaurant and Bar was incredible!

I am only disappointed it took me this long to discover them. Since their opening in April last year, I had heard so many great things about the food and the atmosphere, the art on the walls, and so on. I kept reading Blackbird’s menu and wanting to go because almost everything on it was paleo! Now that I have a few more hours a week (since my work commute time has been drastically cut), it’s fun to be able to spend a little bit more time with Andy and hit some new-ish places like this one.

Here’s the Dine Downtown menu we enjoyed (understatement of the year so far) at Blackbird:

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Tip: If you like wine (even remotely), do yourself a favor and spend the extra $15 for the wine pairing. You get three full glasses of wine. If you don’t think you can manage three full glasses, split the pairing with someone. It’s so worth it!

The first course was a Japanese Hamachi. It was some of the best raw fish I have eaten, and reminded me of dishes I have had at both Yoshi’s in Oakland, and at Taro’s here in Sacramento, but this was superior. The hamachi was topped with kumquat, castreltrevano olives, fine herb and maldon sea salt. It was paired with a glass of Forlorn Hope Semillon (2009) “Nacre-Yount Mill Vineyard.”  The wine was very dry and the perfect platform for the hamachi. I couldn’t believe how beautifully the flavors paired up. I must have liked it, because it was the first time I ever finished a dish before Andy.

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Next up was the Roasted Beet Salad. It was another perfect plate of food. I got really into beets in 2011 when I enjoyed a course made by Pajo Bruich (while he was at Lounge on 20). Then, I had another remarkable beet dish at Place Pigalle in Seattle. Lately, I have bought them at the Farmer’s Market on Sunday. A little bit about beets… in my opinion, the whole vegetable should be used in some way. The greens on top can be cut and sautéed with onions and bacon, just like kale or spinach.
At Blackbird, the beet salad was served with burrata (a soft and stretchy cheese), ver jus (the pressed juice of unripened grapes), pistachios and upland cress (which is different and less bitter than watercress). The pistachios really made the salad, providing a little bit of crunch. It was paired with a French Sauvignon Blanc: Patient Cottat, 2009, Menetou Salon. I am usually not a big lover of Sauvignon Blanc, but I liked this less grapefruit, more grassy selection.
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I was already in heaven, but there was more to come. Our wine for the third course was brought to our table (Folk Machine Pinot Noir, 2011 Potter Valley) and then our plates were presented shortly after. The third course was a braised short rib, also known as Winnemuca Will, with hay roasted parsley root, whiskey laquered pearl onions & toasty oats. The meat was so tender and rich–again, the portion size was perfect. The toasted oats on top were such a treat and added another level of texture to the meat. And what is my favorite vegetable that makes a cameo? That’s right! Parsnips!! I think I was dancing in my seat at that point. 🙂
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Overall, this was the best meal we have had during Dine Downtown because of the level of flavor and elegance with the finest (yet fewest) ingredients. I love that the menu didn’t allow any substitutions. It was like: “Welcome to our house. Let me show you what we do best and what we think you will like, and here’s the wine that goes with it.” At the end of a long work week, I was ready for that. I was happy to not have to make any decisions and just be delighted course after course.
Blackbird made me feel like I was dining in San Francisco or New York, but I am right at home and I love that. I love that Sacramento has more than a few restaurants/food trucks/eateries to brag about. It’s so hip to eat here now!

Blackbird Kitchen and Bar is open for business Tue-Thur 11:30am-10pm, on Friday 11:30am-11pm and on Saturday 4pm-11pm. They are closed on Sunday and Monday. Their Happy Hour runs from 3-6pm, Tuesdays through Friday.

Join Blackbird Kitchen and Bar tonight for Dine Downtown by making reservations on Open Table here or you can call them at (916) 498-9224.

You can follow Blackbird Kitchen and Bar on twitter here and find them on Facebook here.

Posted by  |  January 12, 2013 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dine Downtown Sacramento 2013: Blue Prynt Restaurant and Bar

It’s that time again! Sacramento’s Dine Downtown week began yesterday, January 9th and runs through January 18th, 2012. For 10 days only, you can enjoy a special three-course dinner menu at some of downtown Sacramento’s hottest restaurants for only $30 per person.

I returned to both of the restaurants I visited last year because I really enjoyed working with both the owners and chefs, and because Andy and enjoyed the menus very much. So, I’d like to present to you: Blue Prynt Restaurant and Bar.

First, here’s what you’ll have to choose from* this year:

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*Please note that only the mashed potatoes are available with the Prime Rib. 🙂

We chose a 2009 Rosenblum Syrah Vintner’s Cuvée to go with our entrée. Hint: We didn’t choose the tilapia for dinner. The wine was spicy, yet balanced with notes of cherry and licorice, and would pair well with any game meat. The alcohol on this wine is 15.9%.

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For our appetizer, we ordered the shrimp cocktail. The shrimp (poached in lemon) were fresh and plump and the cocktail sauce was spiced with lots of horseradish.

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We were also brought a basket of house-made foccacia, and though Andy and I don’t normally eat bread, I tasted some and took a photo of the basket so that you will know exactly everything you get for the dine downtown menu. The bread is baked, sliced and then toasted again for your table, and served with butter. A few bites of it made for a good palate cleanser for the wine after eating the spicy cocktail sauce. Another little detail I love about Blue Prynt is their water. Yes, the simple water they pour for you at the table. They flavor it with sliced cucumber. Such a great departure from lemon wedges. 🙂

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For the second course (by the way, you get more food for $30 here at Blue Prynt than at any other restaurant participating in Dine Downtown), we ordered the seafood chowder and a mixed greens salad.

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The chowder is made with a blend of halibut, shrimp, and salmon with bacon and potatoes rounding out the flavor. Andy ordered it, and suggested I try some. I was pleasantly surprised because I am not a chowder or even a soup fan, and I enjoyed it very much. Especially last night. It was a perfect match for the chilly weather we are currently having. 🙂

The salad was pretty standard (but loved it). It became more of my main course (so that I don’t overeat). I love ordering an entrée and slicing whatever meat I get on the dinner plate and putting it on top of my salad. That’s exactly what I did last night. The salad comes with cheddar cheese and olives on it. I also ordered blue cheese dressing on the side.

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The stars of the meal were the main courses. Both entrée plates were very sizable portions. I ordered the prime rib. It came with blue cheese and bacon mashed potatoes, asparagus and some au jus for the meat. I really loved the spice rub on the prime!!

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Andy ordered the pan seared venison also served with grilled asparagus and blue cheese bacon mashed potatoes. The venison was so tender and perfectly cooked. Andy let me have a whole medallion! 🙂 The particular cut being served comes from the thigh and the meat was sourced from Australia. The venison also comes with a flavorful mushroom sauce. The mashed potatoes were a great little bed for both entrées, and took on some of the flavor of the different meats on the plate. And anything with blue cheese and bacon makes the world a better place. 🙂

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As if that wasn’t enough food, it was on to dessert. Andy let me have the rest of his wine (thanks, honey) as he moved on to a giant phyllo dough flower with ice cream and both caramel and chocolate sauces. It’s almost becoming a joke with how much food he can get away with and not gain any weight. I actually like having him around because I can order food I would not normally try, have a few bites, and pass the rest to him. The phyllo flower was beautiful, and reminded me a lot of fried ice cream you would get at a Mexican restaurant.

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I ordered the chocolate-covered strawberries as I did last year. This time, the chocolate was flavored with a little mint. I really liked them. I had two of them, and Andy must have really liked them as well because he had the rest of them… along with about 95% of the phyllo flower and ice cream. 😛

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So there you have it. The Dine Downtown menu at Blue Prynt. You have until Friday, January 18th to enjoy the pre fixe menu above, and Chef Jason reports the main entrées will be available on the regular menu in case you’d like to try them after the promotion ends.

I’d also like to mention Blue Prynt’s all-you-can-eat crab feed on February 9th (yes, please!) for $35 per person. PS: That the price didn’t go up from last year. Call the restaurant at (916) 492-2969 for more information.

Blue Prynt’s Facebook page is located here and you can follow them on twitter here. Here is a link to their Happy Hour page. Join them from 4:30-7:00pm for $4 house wine, $3 well cocktails, $2 PBR, and $2 side-car shot with the purchase of a drink (see shot shelf at the restaurant for options).

For a full list of the Dine Downtown participating restaurants and their menus, you can click here.

Join Blue Prynt for Dine Downtown by making reservations on Open Table here.

Check in here on Saturday for my review of Blackbird Kitchen and Bar’s Dine Downtown menu!

Posted by  |  January 10, 2013 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dine Downtown Sacramento: Another Shot of Mayahuel!

Dine Downtown kicks off tomorrow (Wednesday, January 9th, running though Friday, January 18th), and I was happy to have been asked by the owner of the downtown gem Mayahuel (Ernesto Delgado), to preview the menu he is offering for the special event.

Mayahuel (which is named after Mayahuel, the Aztec goddess of the agave plant and fertility) has been a dining destination in Sacramento since March of 2011, and it’s quickly become one of my favorite places to go for dinner.

You might remember my preview of Mayahuel’s pre fixe menu from last year, and how much I loved their chorizo-topped rib eye. If you didn’t get to try the steak last year, have no fear! It’s on the Dine Downtown menu again this year. If you’re not a steak fan, Mayahuel has some tasty alternatives, as well as some vegetarian and vegan options.

Andy and I had dinner at Mayahuel on Friday (we had a Groupon and I treated us for our Monthaversary dinner). Then it was back to Mayahuel last night for more Mexican food and the Dine Downtown preview. Since I could eat Mexican food everyday and not tire of it, I was in heaven. 🙂

Here’s a shot of Mayahuel’s Dine Downtown menu and your choices for $30 per person:

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Here’s the low down on what we enjoyed and some pictures of our selections:

Andy threw out a few wines and I immediately went for a 2008 Tempranillo made by Vina dos Rios, (Crestwood Monarch Winery) in El Dorado County.

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Then we were served an amuse bouche (which changes nightly). It was a spicy tomato broth with pasta.

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Then we were served some house made chips accompanied by some tomato salsa. I really love the thickness of the chips and that they almost taste sweet.

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For his appetizer, Andy chose the Flor de Calabaza: Creamy Squash Blossom soup with infused tequila. It was very rich and probably not for the calorie conscious (which Andy is not)! 😉

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My appetizer choice was the Dios de Maíz: Crisp baby spinach, romaine lettuce, sweet corn, black beans, panela cheese, sesame seeds and chile ancho peppers, served with a lime-cilantro vinaigrette. I had the same salad for my entrée on Friday night with chicken added to it, so I already knew what to expect. I am addicted to those cheese cubes!

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Andy is pretty nice about sharing with me, so this time he ordered the Rib Eye with Chorizo: (Rib eye steak topped with chorizo crust, a bed of seasoned mushrooms in adobo salsa). Once again, the steak was cooked perfectly and the chorizo was really packed with flavor and spice.

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For my entrée I went with the Pollo en Adobo: Chicken and mushrooms with nopales in a Guajillo, Pasilla, Morita chile Adobo sauce, served with white rice and black beans. How I missed you rice and black beans. It was such a treat for me, I probably could have had more of them for dessert.

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But for dessert, I ordered the Nieve Flor de la Rosa: a Vanilla ice cream served with Mazapán (a peanut candy) drizzled with caramel and almonds. It was delectable, but I won’t throw Andy under the bus and let you know that he had most of it (oops). I was only in it for the yummy peanut candy (a lot like peanut flavored powdered sugar in a disc shape).

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Andy ordered the Arroz con Leche. It’s rice that is simmered in sweetened milk and flavored with cinnamon, and topped with raisins. That’s me in the background waiting to have a taste. Once I did, I loved the cinnamon and the texture of the rice. And then Andy stole it back and polished it off. Whatever!! 😉

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Notable: Try their NapaToro wine. It is made exclusively for Mayahuel. If you don’t like wine, by all means, have a margarita or ask the bartender about trying some tequila. The staff at Mayahuel is very knowledgeable on the food and beverages they serve and are willing to answer any questions you might have.

Mayahuel is located at 1200 K Street, Sacramento, 95814. You can make reservations by calling 916-441-7200 or find them on OpenTable here.

Mayahuel is on Facebook here and on twitter here.

For more information on Dine Downtown, you can click here.

Posted by  |  January 8, 2013 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dine Downtown Sacramento 2013: January 9th-18th!!

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Sacramento has really come a long way in the restaurant world in the nine years I have lived here. It’s been an exciting progression to see, especially because one of the reasons I moved here is because of all the different cuisines available within a 10 minute or less drive, or even a walk or bike ride. What’s even more exciting is that I am now working downtown near Old Sacramento and I can afford (financially) to try a few places this year (and also calorically–as long as I run a few more miles on the day I choose to dine out) 😉

Every year in January, the Downtown Sacramento Partnership teams up with downtown area restaurants to showcase their menus for a 10-day dining extravaganza. For $30 per person, you can visit restaurants like Biba, Mayahuel, Blackbird Kitchen & Bar, Blue Prynt, The Broiler Steakhouse, etc. for a 3-course pre-fixe meal that highlights their very best offerings. Some restaurants have included a wine pairing option for an additional fee. (For example, the wine option at Ella is an added $15, but the fee varies from place to place).

This year, I’ll be returning to Mayahuel to sample and report on their menu. It looks like their MIND BLOWING chorizo-topped steak will be a pre-fix option again. ¡Dios Mio! 🙂 For a little trip down memory lane, you can read my review from last year here. Oh, and here’s a little picture of it for old time’s sake:

I’m also considering visits to The Broiler as well as Blackbird Kitchen & Bar. Why? Because one of the restaurants is a Sacramento institution, and one of them is fairly new, but I have heard great things about it. What restaurants would you most like to try and why?

Below is a full list of participating restaurants with links to their menus:

4th Street Grille | 400 L Street | 916.448.2847 | Menu | Reservations

Biba | 2801 Capitol Avenue | 916.455.2422  | Menu | Reservations

Blackbird Kitchen & Bar | 1015 9th Street | 916.498.9224 | Menu | Reservations

Blue Prynt | 815 11th Street | 916.492.2969 | Menu | Reservations

The Broiler Steakhouse | 1201 K Street | 916.444.3444 | Menu | Reservations

Cafeteria 15 L | 1112 15th Street | 916.492.1960 | Menu | Reservations

Capitol Garage | 1500 K Street | 916.444.3633 |  Menu  (V) (GL) | Reservations

Chops Steak & Seafood Bar |1117 11th Street |916.447.8900 | Menu | Reservations

Dawson’s at The Hyatt |1209 L Street | 916.443.1234 | Menu | Reservations

Ella Dining Room & Bar | 1131 K Street | 916.443.3772 | Menu  (V)| Reservations

Esquire Grill |1213 K Street | 916.448.8900 | Menu | Reservations

Fat City | 1001 Front Street | 916.446.6768 | Menu

The Firehouse Restaurant |1112 Second Street | 916.442.4772 | Reservations | Menu  (V)

Frank Fat’s | 806 L Street | 916.442.7092 | Menu | Reservations

Grange | 926 J Street | 916.492.4450 | Menu | Reservations

Il Fornaio | 400 Capitol Mall | 916.446.4100 | Menu Coming Soon | Reservations

Mayahuel | 1200 K Street | 916.441.7200 | Menu (V) | Reservations

The Melting Pot | 814 15th Street | 916.443.2347 | Menu  (V) (GL) available upon request

Mulvaney’s B&L | 1215 19th Street | 916.441.6022 | Menu | Reservations

Paragary’s Midtown | 1403 28th Street | 916.452.3335 | Menu

Pilothouse at The Delta King | 1000 Front Street | 916.444.5464 | Menu | Reservations

The Porch | 1815 K Street | 916.444.2423 | Menu | Reservations

The Red Rabbit Kitchen and Bar | 2718 J Street | 916.706.2275 | Menu

Restaurant Thir13en | 1300 H Street | 916.594.7669 | Menu| Reservations

Rio City Café | 1110 Front Street | 916.442.8226 | Menu

River City Brewing Company | 545 Downtown Plaza Suite 1115 | 916.448.7153 | Menu  (V)

Spataro | 1415 L Street | 916.440.8888 | Menu | Reservations

Ten22 | 1022 Second Street | 916.441.2211 | Menu | Reservations

Tuli Bistro | 2031 S Street | 916.451.8854 | Menu

Dine Downtown Sacramento runs January 9th (Wednesday) through January 19th (Friday). You can find the Downtown Sacramento Partnership on Facebook here and follow them on twitter here.

Posted by  |  January 5, 2013 | Categories: events, food, Uncategorized, wine | Tags: , , , , , | 1 Comment

thinkThin® Bars Review, Guest Post by Andy Harris

CG: This Christmas, the elves at the thinkThin company delivered 2 cases of assorted product to cavegrrl.com headquarters. I’ll preface this post by saying that the line of thinkThin bars are not primal or paleo, but work great if you are an athlete that burns a lot of energy. That’s why I asked Andy if he would be interested in reviewing the bars from a very active person’s point-of-view. I have had the thinkThin products before and I think they are great as a meal replacement/treat. Also, all of the bars we tasted were gluten-free and non-GMO. So, without further delay is Andy’s take on the variety pack we were sent:

I recently sat down with samples of four distinctly different health bars being manufactured and distributed by a company aptly named thinkThin.  These bars are being marketed as low-calorie and gluten-free, with no refined sugar and a really nice balance of carbohydrates, protein and fat.

To preface my review, I will state all four of these bars were unique in their own way, flavorful and satisfying.  I did have my preferences, as I’m sure you will, and I would encourage you to try all their products and see which ones you like best.

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The first one I tried was the Caramel Chocolate Dipped Mixed Nuts.  (From their Crunch line) The packaging caught my eye and, not surprisingly, it wound up tasting every bit as good as it looked.  I don’t normally eat peanuts, but the combination of peanuts, almonds and cashews in a chewy format was very good.  This bar would be particularly attractive to a person who is mixing in aerobic exercise with dieting, as the bar is 190 calories with 100 calories coming from fat.  However, this is a very balanced bar, with 12g of fat, 15g of carbohydrate and 10g of protein.

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The next one I tried was the Dark Chocolate Coconut. (From their Divine line.)
I couldn’t wait to try this one because of my affinity for coconut, and it did not disappoint.  It was my favorite of the bunch, with immensely rich flavors of coconut and chocolate reminiscent of a Mounds bar.  Here again, this one gets more than half of its calories from fat.  It comes in at 170 calories, which I wouldn’t consider a full meal replacement, although it would make an outstanding post-workout energy bar or in-between meal snack.

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Third in line was the Creamy Peanut Butter bar. (From their Protein line.) Like I said before, I don’t normally eat peanuts or anything made out of peanuts, but if you like them, you might like this bar.  The only peculiarity with this bar was that the peanut flavor tasted strange, almost gamey.  You might try it and achieve different findings, and it would not hurt you to try this bar if you enjoy peanut products.  This bar has a very low fat content, 33%, if that’s what you’re looking for, and is quite filling at 240 calories.  If you’re trying to lose weight, this one could function as a full meal replacement, but please beware of the 300mg of sodium, about two to three times the sodium content of the other bars tested for this review.

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Last but certainly not least was the Brownie Crunch. (From their Protein line.)  I could envision this bar as being their most popular of the four sampled.  It simply tastes just like a chocolate brownie, including an excellent chewy texture, but without any refined sugar.  The big surprise was that this bar was the leanest of the bunch, with only 70 calories from fat from the entire 240 calorie total.

In summation, I am going to highly recommend this line of products.  They are all made with healthy, natural ingredients and should support an appetite control program with emphasis on exercise and good overall nutrition.

Think Thin bars carry a suggested retail price of $1.99 each, with a box of 10 coming in at $16.90.  If you find a bar you’re particularly enamored with, you can opt for a carton of 6 boxes of 10 bars for $95.40.  With a shelf life of approximately one year, you’re sure to use them during that span.

Think Thin products are widely available at Safeway, Raley’s, Save Mart and FoodsCo., Target, and Trader Joe’s.

You can find thinkThin on Twitter here and on Facebook here.

Posted by  |  January 3, 2013 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sacramento Running Association Hall of Fame and Annual Achievement Awards is January 26th

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I am very excited to be attending the Sacramento Running Association Hall of Fame and Annual Achievement Awards on January 26th. It will be held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel Banquet Room at 6pm.

The evening will commence with a no host cocktail hour, followed by dinner and then the induction of the inaugural Hall of Fame Class of 2013, including Olympic gold medalist and Sacramento legend Billy Mills. Following the Hall of Fame induction, there will be a presentation of more than 100 Annual Achievement Awards to the Sacramento area’s 2013 top runners in track, road racing, cross country and ultra running.

KCRA anchor Deirdre Fitzpatrick will serve as master of ceremonies.

The Greater Sacramento area boasts some tremendous running talent from Olympic gold medalists to collegiate heroes and high school legends. This awards ceremony will honor these individuals from the past and to recognize those who are making history today.

“The whole point of the Hall of Fame is to recognize all the great running that has gone on in this area,” said John Mansoor, the SRA’s executive director. “It’s long overdue. We think we have a great area for running. We need to start recognizing these people.”

Many of Andy’s friends (and mine) will be honored at the banquet (including a few of our teammates from the River City Rebels!), and I am looking forward to seeing them be honored as well as hearing some stories of great races past.

I’ll be taking some pictures and recapping the evening here on my website.

If you’d like to attend the dinner and awards ceremony, you can register here. Tickets are $50 per person.

For a full list of honorees and award winners, and also to find out more about the event, you can click here.

The Sacramento Running Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding ways to encourage people of all ages and abilities to run. The SRA is committed to developing new, quality running events that appeal to a broad variety of runners.

SRA events include the recently concluded California International Marathon, the Super Bowl Sunday 10k Run on Feb. 3, the Credit Union SACTOWN Ten-Mile Run on April 7, the Gold Rush 100k on May 11 and the Lake Natoma Four Bridges Half Marathon on Oct. 27.

SRA beneficiaries include the American River Parkway, youth fitness programs, local running venues and aspiring young runners.

You can find them on Facebook here.

Posted by  |  January 2, 2013 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , | 1 Comment

Like Unique Varietals? Try St. Amant Winery in Lodi

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If you’ve never heard of St. Amant Winery, here’s an introduction. They are located in Lodi where lately, especially the last 3 years, some of my favorite red wines have also originated.

I first discovered St. Amant wines at a tasting at Treasure Island (in San Francisco of all places) during Fleet Week. I had the St. Amant Barbera and I thought it was the best red wine there. So, my recent interest in local Tempranillos has me searching around Lodi  to see what I can find. It’s becoming more and more popular of a varietal there. It turns out that St. Amant has been growing Tempranillo a long time. Their 2009 was their 8th vintage, so I’m guessing they’re not just trying to be trendy. 😉

In fact, St. Amant was growing grapes prior to the beginning of commercial wine sales in Lodi. In 1979, Tim Spencer (the late father of the current owner, Stuart Spencer) owned a couple of acres of Zinfandel vines and grafted them to five Douro Valley Portuguese varieties: TintaCao,Touriga, Alvarelhao, Souzao, and Bastardo. By 1981, he produced his first vintage port.

In 1996, the winery relocated to Lodi. St. Amant (named after Stuart’s mother’s maiden name) is one of the first wineries in Lodi to list Lodi on their label. Since the move, Stuart has been making some of the most interesting and food friendly wines including: a Verdelho, the aformentioned Barbera and Tempranillo, a Touriga, a red blend: Speakeasy Red, and of course the ever popular Old Vine Zinfandel (2 varieties). The current lineup also includes 3 different kinds of Port.

Last night’s food pairing (with the 2008 Tempranillo) was a baked sweet potato topped with broccoli, onions, hard boiled egg, and Diestel Turkey Chorizo. I also added a little Greek yogurt and black pepper. 😉

I encourage you to visit St. Amant this weekend, especially if you are looking for a special bottle of wine as a gift. They are located at 1 Winemaster Way, Lodi, CA. You can also find them at Total Wine & More or fax your order from this form here.

You can like Lodi Wine on Facebook here.

Posted by  |  December 13, 2012 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

Holiday Goodies and Gift Ideas

Here’s a little roundup of gift ideas for your favorite food or beverage enthusiast!

First up, I’d like to mention Bela Sardines.

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  • Bela Sardines are high in protein, very low in fat with little or no carbs!
  • Rich in omega-3 fatty acids (helps reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular disease), extremely low in contaminants such as mercury.
  • A good source of vitamin D, calcium, B12, Co Q10, and protein. Enjoy this wholefood vs. a vitamin.
  • BELA Sardines do NOT contain any GMOs
  • Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Wheat Free and Kosher, and are extremely low in contaminants such as mercury.
  • Bela sardines are not heavily processed or engineered like other on-the-go nutrition options, such as nutrition bars or supplements, and are rather a naturally nutritious wholefood for any health conscious individual.
  • The Paleo dieters dream meal.

Sustainable: BELA Sardines, the classic Mediterranean sardine (Walbaum Species Sardina Pilchard) are wild caught by local Portuguese fishers from the Atlantic Ocean, hand packed in traditional European manner and canned at the port within 8-hours of the catch; each effort ensures our sustainability is unsurpassed. The aluminum tin is also highly packable and recycle-able.

Affordable: A tin typically rings in under $3 at Whole Foods Market and online at PlumMarket.com. They are also available across these regions in: Harris Teeter (South East), The Fresh Market (Mid-Atlantic/Southeast), Sunflower Markets(Southwest), Mollie Stones (Bay Area), Fairway (NYC), New Seasons (Pacific NW), as well as Vitamin Cottage (Rocky Mountains)

A fish symbolizes good luck, fertility and creativity – include a sardine dish on your party menu!

Bela sardines come in 4 different flavors:

Lemon Flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil
As you would eat them in London, our famous lightly smoked sardines and the finest Portuguese extra virgin olive oil infused with lemon.

Lightly Smoked in Olive Oil
Simple. Delicious. Lightly smoked sardines packed in the finest Portuguese olive oil.

Lightly Smoked in Tomato Sauce
Mediterranean style, these sardines are lightly smoked and packed in a light tomato puree with a splash of the finest Portuguese extra virgin olive oil.

Cayenne Pepper Flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil
This is a true Portuguese favorite, lightly smoked sardines in the finest extra virgin olive oil infused with Cayenne pepper.

You can find Bela Sardines on Facebook here & on twitter here.

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Next up, Balls of Steel!

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Balls of Steel are two stainless steel coolers which chill whiskey or spirits faster than ice. BOS will keep spirits at the optimal temperature level without hindering the spirits taste so that one can enjoy the full flavors of their beverage and hold onto those low notes which any spirit veteran strives to protect.

Most importantly BOS supports a cause that is positively changing lives of those not only suffering from testicular cancer, but as well as their family and friends. Creating a support network for those struggling and supporting the research for a cure.

Other items for purchase on the a Balls of Steel website are BOS bracelets, BOS T-shirts, and BOS tongs to remove the coolers from your favorite beverage.

To order some Balls of Steel of your very own, you can go here. You can find Balls of Steel on Facebook here or on twitter here. Deck the balls!

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For the wine lovers, I’d like to present Ritual Pinot Noir:

Ritual_alta Pinot Noir

Ritual Pinot Noir is an artisinal wine bringing legendary Chilean Vintner Agustin Huneeus together with consulting winemaker Paul Hobbs to produce a small bottling of a Pinot Noir from the renowned Casablanca Valley. Comparable to Sonoma wines, this is priced below most California wines and offers very high quality- hand picked, double hand sorted and fermented with wild yeast. It retails for $19.99.
Here are the tasting notes: An elegant wine with density and richness.  Vibrant flavors of cherry and raspberry, soft tannins, fresh acidity and a lingering finish. To learn more about the wine you can go here. You can find the wine and the Veramonte wine group on Facebook here.
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And lastly, I would like to tell you all about a little treat that hails from my hometown. Her name is Esther Price. Usually I don’t encourage the consumption of sugar, but as Def Leppard says Pour Some Sugar on Me!! 😛
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Esther Price Candies started when a woman (named Esther!) learned to make fudge in her home economics class. With her new knowledge, she came home that day and asked her mother if she could make more. Later on, Esther would take chocolates to her co-workers at a department store in downtown Dayton, Ohio. Even after starting her family in 1926, these same co-workers encouraged her to continue making candy for them to buy.
So now I am encouraging you to try a little bit of Esther’s candy. 😉 Go for the gusto and order their Light and Dark Chocolate 2-Lb. assortment. I’d say they’re most known around town for making chocolate covered cherries, so that’s a great pick, too. To take a peek at the inventory you can check out their handy dandy candy key!! Pics of everything EPC makes!
You can find Esther Price Candies on Facebook here.
Happy Holidays! 🙂

Posted by  |  December 13, 2012 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , | 2 Comments

2nd Annual Winterfest Beer & Wine Social Benefitting Runnin’ for Rhett on Jan 18th, 2013!

This year Runnin’ For Rhett has partnered with 50 breweries and 15 wineries to bring you Winterfest 2013! Even bigger and better than last year, Winterfest 2013 promises to be an incredible event!

WHEN: Friday January 18th, 2013, General Admission 7-10pm, VIP entry begins at 6pm

WHERE: Woodlake Hotel Sacramento, 500 Leisure Ln., Sacramento, CA 95815

BUY TICKETS HERE!!

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TICKETS

General Admission *: $35

  • 7pm — 10pm
  • includes unlimited beer & wine tastings

VIP Admission *: $70

  • Early admission at 6pm
  • VIP gift pack with souvenir beer mug or stem‐less wine glass
  • Beer and wine tastings not offered during general admission
  • Complementary appetizers

Designated Driver Admission *: $5

  • 7pm — 10pm * Free non-alcholic beverages provided to designated drivers.

Discounted room rates offered by the Woodlake Hotel. Call 916‐922‐2020 to make reservations and be sure to mention Winterfest 2013!! Must be 21 years of age or older to attend this event.

About the Benefitting Charity:
Runnin’ for Rhett: Rhett Seevers was born on February 7, 1997. His proud parents, Beth and Randy Seevers brought home their bundle of joy to join their family of four. At four months, they were devastated by the news that their little boy had severe cerebral palsy and would face a life full of challenges. They dove in headfirst and learned all they could about his disabilities. On March 13th, 2004, after 7 years of full-time care, love and devotion, Rhett passed away at home unexpectedly with his family by his side.In the spring of 2005, as the anniversary of Rhett’s death approached, a friend of Beth’s introduced her to running. She learned of the 1st annual Shamrock’n ½ marathon. It was ironically being held on the first anniversary of Rhett’s passing. Completing the run was such an inspiration to Beth. The following year, she asked that her friends and family join her. Join her they did; 35 additional friends and family donned the first baby blue running shirts that year. In the spring of 2007, with the addition of an organized training group, over 125 people participated in the race.

On December 7, 2007, the “Runnin’ for Rhett Non-Profit Foundation” was founded. The organization has now inspired 1000’s of youth and adults in the Sacramento area.

In Rhett’s short life, he inspired many people with his infectious smile and will to live, but with his challenges, he could not walk, run or jump – no matter how hard he tried. After Rhett’s death, Beth and Randy dedicated their memory of Rhett to utilizing FITNESS and MOVING to help others – do what Rhett wanted to do so badly but couldn’t.

Our mission is to LET RHETT’S STORY INSPIRE those who feel defeated, UPLIFT those who feel down and ENCOURAGE ALL TO take that first step, like Beth did in the spring of 2005, and MOVE INTO LIFE.

You can find Runnin for Rhett on Facebook here. I hope to see you all at the 2nd Annual Winterfest!!

Posted by  |  December 12, 2012 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Food/Wine Pairing: Spicy Chicken Korma & Casque Sauvignon Blanc

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Last night, Andy came over to my house and I made Indian food for the first time. Chicken korma is one of my favorite Indian dishes and I don’t know why it took me this long to make it for him. It’s got a subtle heat that slowly builds. While we were eating, Andy told me it was one of the top 5 things I have ever made for him. Maybe he just wanted something from me after dinner? 😉

Enjoy this dish with a sauvignon blanc or viogier from Casque Wines (Loomis). Today and tomorrow they are participating in the Holiday in the Hills Event at their new tasting room at the Flower Farm – 8920 Horseshoe Bar Road – offering food and wine pairings throughout the weekend along with a logo glass or cloth wine gift bag for all customers that purchase wine. Just bring a new, unwrapped child’s toy to donate for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation Toy Drive and wine tasting at ALL 17 participating wineries is FREE for the day. (Cash donations will also be accepted in lieu of a toy). Where: Auburn, Lincoln, Loomis, Newcastle. When: Dec. 8-9, 11 am to 5 pm. Participating Wineries: Bonitata • Casque • Ciotti • Cristaldi • Dono dal Cielo • Fawnridge • Green Family • Lone Buffalo • Mt. Vernon • PaZa • Pescatore • Popie • Rancho Roble • Rock Hill • Secret Ravine • Viña Castellano • Wise Villa

And now the recipe!

2 pounds chicken thighs, boneless, skinless and cut in half or thirds
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 cup sweet onions, diced
1/2 cup carrot, diced
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
1 1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon garam masala
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/8 teaspoon cardamom or 1 pod
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups chicken broth
1/3 cup toasted walnuts
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoon water
1/3 cup golden raisins or currants
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/4 cup fresh mint (leaves washed and coarsely chopped)
1/4 fresh cilantro (leaves washed and coarsely chopped)
Kosher salt
Fresh black pepper

Directions
Toast and chop the walnuts. Set aside.

Heat a large heavy sauce pot over medium high burner and when hot add oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper. It will probably take 2 batches to cook all of the chicken. Brown both sides and remove from the pan. Add more oil and repeat until all chicken is seared.

Remove chicken and add onions, carrots, ginger and garlic and sauté until lightly caramelized about 3-4 minutes in the left over fat. Lower heat and add spices. Cook until spices become very fragrant…make sure you scrape the bottom of the pot as you stir. Add broth, walnuts and the seared chicken. Bring to a boil then simmer gently until chicken is tender, approximatly 20 minutes. Mix together cornstarch and water. Whisk into simmering chicken. Return to a boil to thicken. Turn off heat, add raisins and stir in yogurt and herbs.

On the side, I made some parsnip chips and some potato wedges and sprinkled them with garam masala and sea salt. I also made some sautéed onions and eggplant, as well as broccoli battered in coconut & almond flour and baked to simulate some of the common deep fried Indian appetizers I crave. 😉

More on Casque Sauvignon Blanc (2011): It is $20 a bottle, and is their inaugural release for this varietal. The wine was cold fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel without being allowed to go through malolactic fermentation, and no oak aging was used. It’s a drink now wine and just proof of the talents of winemaker Kevin Stevenson. The wine went so well with the Chicken Korma, crisp enough to cool, cut through the kick in the dish.

You can find Casque Wines on Facebook here. Cheers! 🙂

Posted by  |  December 8, 2012 | Categories: Recipes | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment