The news around the Santa Ynez Valley is that Chef Budi is back! Chef Budi Kazali, formerly of the Ballard Inn & Gathering Table and Ramen Kotori, has quietly opened the re-imagined Gathering Table along Mission Drive in the heart of Solvang. For locals, and visitors who know of Kazali, this is anything but quiet. …
A cozy spot that feels like home is exactly what Bell’s owners, Daisy and Greg Ryan, wanted in their first restaurant. And for Chef Daisy, who is from the Santa Ynez Valley, it was also about family, community, and coming home. It was great timing, as the building that used to house Bell Street Farm …
I love French food and wine…and I love eating and drinking local. These two loves inspired me to create a local version of a typical French dish: oven-roasted chicken with vegetables and herbs de Provence. Of course, this is using local Chardonnay – in the dish…and in my glass. Pair with: Hoyt Chardonnay from Paso …
Living in California means having fruit trees in your yard, or in the yard of friends, coworkers and neighbors. If your produce yield is not high (unlikely here in the land of sunshine), you’ll surely receive piles of peaches, apricots, plums, oranges, lemons, avocado and figs from those living and working around you. Hint: it …
In Périgord, Dordogne France, it’s always foie day. It happens to be the foie gras capital of France (and the world), producing 90% of all foie consumed in France. And the French consume a lot of foie: 18,450 tons — 78.5% of the world’s estimated total production. This region also produces high-quality almost-Bordeaux wines at a fraction …
During my trip to the Basque region of Spain and France, I had to drive north to the southwest corner of France to see the tiny spa town of Eugénie-les-Bains. It is not to be missed. This town has long been celebrated for its healing spring waters and tranquil valley setting, and as we coasted …
