Every week involves a steady stream of food, drinks and people. Of course not every taste or conversation is post-able, but the range of experiences is usually pretty amazing. Lucky me. Discover highlights from February 20 – 26, 2012, some of which will help to fuel full posts.
February 20, 2012 – Steve Samson & Zach Pollack narrowly defeated Walter Manzke in the inaugural Food GPS Lamb Showdown. Afterwards, they drank Eagle Rock Beer together at the bar, along with their teams, and the trio all got (temporary) I <3 Lamb tattoos.[/caption]
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February 21, 2012 – Short Cake started serving three varieties of Open Faced Toast, aka tartines, which Nancy Silverton, Christian Page and Walter Manzke worked on together. My choice involved Walter’s Shaved North Country ham, kale, tomato, béchamel, Comté, thyme, and a thick slab of crusty La Brea Bakery country loaf.
February 22, 2012 – Tar & Roses exceeded expectations, and it was due to small touches like a What’s Burning box at the top of the menu, to indicate what was fueling the wood grill, plus dishes like braised lamb belly with apple chutney.
February 24, 2012 – Handlebar Coffee was our first stop on the drive from L.A. to Monterey. Cyclists Aaron Olson and Kim Anderson opened the roastery and cafe in Santa Barbara in November.
February 24, 2012 – Kreuzberg, CA was an odd, Berlin-inspired cafe in downtown San Luis Obispo with lamps hanging from the ceiling and Verve coffee.
February 24, 2012 – Restaurant 1833 is the new showcase restaurant in Monterey from Coastal Luxury Management, the company that produces Pebble Beach Food & Wine, LA Food & Wine (and dishes like the Crispy Hen Egg with black trumpet mushrooms).
February 25, 2012 – Verve Coffee Roasters opened a more stylish coffeehouse downtown, but it’s still worth visiting the original location in east Santa Cruz as well.
February 25, 2012 – The Penny Ice Creamery is an artisan ice creamery in downtown Santa Cruz from Kendra Baker and Zachary Davis.
February 25, 2012 – Verve coffee pro Chris Baca directed us to Moss Landing and Phil’s Fish Market for Flay-slaying cioppino, artichokes and more.
February 26, 2012 – A wise stop at Farmstand 46 resulted in a bottle of Mill Road’s verjus, a tart, vinegar-like grape juice.
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