Archives Casa Festiva

Dolphin Bay Resort invites you to "Join us each month for an intimate cooking class with Lido Restaurant's Executive Chef, Evan Treadwell. Experience the passion and expertise that Evan has demonstrated over twenty years as an acclaimed gourmet chef, as you roll up your sleeves for this cooking demonstration and learning experience. Dolphin Bay's cooking school offers a series of special culinary evenings that showcase the rich bounty of the Central Coast. Guests join Lido Restaurant's Executive Chef Evan Treadwell for an inspiring cooking demonstration followed by a multi-course dinner paired with notable local wines."

Pastries & Desserts ~ February 25, 2010 ~ $75 per person
Easter Edibles ~ March 25, 2010 ~ $75 per person
Fresh From the Farmer's Market ~ April 29, 2010 ~ $90 per person
All About Abalone ~ May 27, 2010 ~ $120 per person
Fireside Grill BBQ Basics ~ June 24, 2010 ~ $75 per person
Fresh From the Farmer's Market ~ July 29, 2010 ~ $90 per person
Food & Wine Paring ~ August 26, 2010 ~ $105 per person
Lido Basics - Sauces & Dressings ~ September 30, 2010 ~ $75 per person
Appetizers & Tapas ~ October 28, 2010 ~ $85 per person
Holiday Favorites ~ November 18, 2010 ~ $85 per person

Each class starts at 5:30 p.m. to meet Chef Evan and a featured guest, followed by instruction at 6 p.m. then dinner at 7:30 p.m. Guests enrolling in a cooking class may book a room the same night for a special rate.

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor & Convention Bureau is ringing in the new year with an expanded version of its popular Santa Maria Style Barbecue booklet. The booklet is complimentary upon request by visiting the Chamber of Commerce at 614 South Broadway in Santa Maria or calling (800) 331-3779. It can also be downloaded in PDF form. The booklet will also be available at businesses and visitor centers throughout the Santa Maria Valley, and at the California Welcome Centers in Oxnard and Pismo Beach. In addition to showcasing the rich history of Santa Maria Style Barbecue, the 14-page booklet features an updated list of restaurants, caterers and purveyors who specialize in this regional culinary tradition. The booklet also contains recipes for Santa Maria Style Pinquito Beans and Santa Maria Style Barbecue Salsa, as well as pairing suggestions from 12 local wineries.

Look for the opening of Maegen and Jeff Loring's new restaurant, The Neon Carrot, in early 2010.

CHOW IS OPEN!!!
Robin Covey of Novo and Shanny Covey of Robin's have teamed up to bring you Chow. Enjoy the fresh, bold flavors of Chef Justin Gabbert presented in a beautiful skylit bistro. Chow offers a Californian interpretation on traditional Chinese and Vietnamese dishes. They are dedicated to freshness and superior flavor, so even our noodles, wontons, sauces and desserts are housemade using the best ingredients the Central Coast has to offer. In fact, sustainability is a long-time tradition for the owners of Chow, who have been sourcing their menus from local farms and producers for over 25 years! An enticing wine list complements Chow's bold taste, featuring European and regional vintages. The casual, bright interior enhances the dining experience with Asian art and architecture, utilizing sustainable materials, reclaimed timber and green principles.
Chow is located at 1009 Monterey Street, next door to the historic Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo. We are opening for dinner nightly at 5pm on Tuesday, November 17th and lunch at 11am beginning November 23rd. Private parties are invited to enjoy a truly unique dining experience in the Mongolian Tatami room To make reservations (805) 540-5243 View Chow's Menus at www.robinsrestaurant.com

Also, Il Cortile Ristorante is open in downtown Paso Robles at 608 12^th Street. According to the press release, "The restaurant will offer lunch and dinner service seven days a week in its contemporary old world designed dining room as well as additional outdoor seating inside its lovely courtyard. In addition, Il Cortile offers off-site catering and will host special events featuring local wineries."

Nature's Touch has moved to 225 Main Street. New store hours beginning November 11th will be Monday - Friday 9 am- 7 pm, and Saturday and Sunday 9 am- 3 pm.

Two new eateries opened recently: Deedee Kwong is continuing the cultural tradition at Mee Heng Low Noodle Bar in San Luis Obispo, and Christine Dillow and Greg Perello just opened up Fig on Traffic Way in Atascadero, featuring fresh, homemade fare for eating at the tiny restaurant or taking home.

Also, check out Lincoln Market & Deli on Broad and Lincoln in SLO -- the Strandwich is yummy and they have Peet's coffee, tea, and iced tea.

Here's new news from Shanney Covey at Robin's in Cambria ...
"We are continuing with a Tapas menu every Sunday in addition to our regular menu. Tapas (small plates) is a fun way to dine as you can experience more dishes & flavors then just having 1 entrée. And it's a perfect menu when you just want something small for dinner.
"CRAZY HAT MONDAYS
I've been toying with this idea of having a Crazy Hat Day, and finally decided to go for it for fun. So every Monday will be Crazy Hat Day. When you wear a crazy hat (beanies & baseball hats excluded) to lunch or dinner you will receive a complimentary dessert & a $5 gift card."

Children’s Activities at Saturdays in the Garden: Family Veggie Club
On the second Saturday of each month at 11:00 a.m. until 12 noon, vegetable gardening takes place at the Children’s Edible Garden located at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden. Children and families will interact and learn how to incorporate edible plants into their own home gardens, help tend the Children’s Edible Garden, and possibly take some produce home. The cost is $5 per family, no matter if they are members or not.

Chris Chambers recently opened Dunbar Brewing Company at 22720 El Camino Real in Santa Margarita. So far, I’ve only tasted the Scottish Heavy Ale, but am looking forward to trying the other beers from this tiny craft brewery, especially the ones on nitrogen taps.

Full of Life Flatbread's Restaurant in Los Alamos, the Hearth in the Cottonwoods, is now also open for Sunday dinner. Go to the website to sign up for weekly menu information.

Enjoy Locavore Wednesdays, wine pairing with local foods at Clayhouse Wines Tasting Room in Downtown Paso Robles, every Wednesday 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM. $5 tasting fee refunded with purchase.

Windows on the Water offers several evening specials in the bar throughout the week: Martini & Music Mondays with All "Featured" Martinis $3.95 and live music, .65 cent Oyster Tuesdays; Sliders and Beers every Wednesday with Three Premium Mini-Burgers served on a home-made bun for $8 a Trio and $1 Off All Beers!
Also Sommelier, Chris Battles is now hosting nightly flights featuring: Wine, Beer, and Tequila and Chef Neil Smith offers a Three Course Chef's Prix Fixe Menu Sunday - Thursday for $30.00.

Melanie Blankenship from Nature's Touch and Bill Spencer of Windrose host a live radio show called Earthtalk at 10 a.m. Saturdays on KVEC 920am! Hear them and their special guests discuss food and veggies and seasonal and local and organic and soil and the farming community and farmers markets and more...!

LocalHarvest is pleased to announce that our farmers market data is now available on the iPhone through "Locavore." We were delighted when we were approached by developer Buster McLeod and wish him great success with this app. It's off to a great start. In its first 30 days on the market about 5,700 people bought a copy, and we're now seeing hundreds of people every day searching for local markets while on the road on their iPhones. With farmers market season coming up, taking our data on the road with you may be the best $3 you spend all year - aside from that first bag of sweet corn!