Food

Of all the great wine countries of the world, Spanish wines seem the most mysterious.  There’s a lot to learn. In my two trips to Spain, once to Barcelona in the northeast and Granada, in the south, Barcelonawas easily the most vibrant city. Its all-night wineries …

It’s wintertime, and around my house that means long, slow meat braises. It’s my pleasure to share with you my family’s favorite cold weather meal, Brasato al Barolo. Fork-tender chuck roast braised in a full bottle of Barolo wine will …

Merrymakers, masquerades and music. People stroll the streets greeting one another, tossing confetti and streamers. It’s Carnevale, time to cast off one’s troubles and indulge in all the richness Italy and her cooks have to offer.   There are Castagnole, …

When a chill fills the air, few meals up the comfort factor more than a succulent, warming braise…that fork-tender cut of meat bathing in some sort of aromatic bath of stock, or perhaps wine and plenty of aromatic, fresh herbs. …

In my last column, I shared some recent experiences in the great desert, from Rancho Mirage to La Quinta.  Palatial resorts, princely restaurants and the hauntingly beautiful Santa Rosa Mountains all caught my attention. In Palm Desert on El Paseo at Portola, a relaxed European style restaurant, …

It’s that time of the year again: Carnevale is almost here!   Carnevale means floats, costumes, confetti, big party everywhere you go in Italy and it’s a lot of fun, not only for kids! We also have many traditional recipes …

About 2 hours drive time from the hustle and bustle of the San Diego coast, spread out like a canvas panorama at the base of  Highway 74, lies a group of desert communities that includes:  Palm Springs,  Rancho Mirage, Palm  Desert, Indian Wells and …

Saturday March 7th and 8th, the bloom is on the vines of Temecula when more than 30 wineries, together, open their barrels for introductory tastes and bites, for guests with self-guided passports, at the World of Wine event (WoW). I’m up …

Here in the San Diego area, not much is said or done about two kinds of wine that are  household words back East, where its cold and some times snowy.  Mulled wine and Ice wine will always spice up a gathering and …

It’s the dead of winter, when one’s tastes go to deep earthy root vegetables such as beets and lentils. Never mind that it’s 70 degrees in Los Angeles! That makes exploring urban farmers’ markets for candy cane beets and other …