Innovative ideas for National Tequila Day include a “naked” margarita with ancient and contemporary blends so smooth they stand alone in the glass. Salud. I have somehow become a tequila lover. This year for Xmas I got a stunningly huge bottle of Milagro Silver. This hails from the Highlands, and is so so smoo...
(Gerry Furth-Sides) The international-goes-California Coastal news about Commerson restaurant is that while it is inexplicably named after a French explorer, brilliant young Hong Kong owner, Raymond Eng, happily encourages new Executive Chef Sal Garcia to add his own inspired ethnic touches to a superb menu of appealing gourme...
(Gerry Furth-Sides, content and photos courtesy Culina Restaurant) Dinner and movie takes on a whole new ethnic meaning during The 3rd Annual Oscar Film Week at Culina at the glamorous Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, with a sumptuous meal and screening of eight of the 2019 “Best Picture” Oscar nominated...
(Gerry Furth-Sides) February 18th is National Drink Wine Day, which is a day each year that celebrates the love and health benefits associated with wine. According to the consulting group BW 166, wine sales in the U.S. topped $72.2 billion in 2018, which was nearly a 5 percent increase over the prior year. Research points to ...
Gerry Furth-Sides, photos courtesy of Santa Barbara Restaurant Week)Santa Barbara, California already is a heavenly destination for beach, architecture, food, museum and history lovers. Added to this, beginning on February 22nd, the 2nd annual Santa Barbara Restaurant Week return, lasting until March 3rd. The 10-day event w...
(Gerry Furth-Sides, all photos courtesy of Melissa’s Produce) One of my more surprising recent passions, recycling and reducing food waste recently made the news. The others are the mission replace all foods with espresso (changed from ice cream until I was 18) and having a pet. I place this recycling intensity on ...
(Gerry Furth-Sides) Matthew Kaner was anything but laidback at the recent guided Spanish CAVA (sparkling wine) masterclass featuring the “jewels of Cavas Codorníu”, the Ars Collecta Cavas. And the well-known sommelier co-owner of Good Measure is a pretty laid-back guy. This CAVA made in the traditional Champagne...
(Gerry Furth-Sides) Black Angus Steakhouse and Fogo de Chão are better known for hearty beef feasts than for romantic holidays. But, this year, both restaurants are featuring wonderful Valentine’s packages that extend through the holiday week-end. We were pleasantly surprised to find the superb quality of hospitality,...
(Roberta Deen, Gerry Furth-Sides; individually credited Bone Kettle photos) Bone Kettle dots the north end of charming Raymond Street’s restaurant row in Pasadena. It finds its heart and warmth in the Tjahyadi family team that runs the kitchen and front of the house. Tjahyadi brothers, Manager Eric and Executive Chef...
(Gerry Furth-Sides) I’ve been a fan of Niman Ranch beef even before I could pronounce it correctly – which is with a long “i” rather than “e” sound. So it was a privilege to be invited to a Niman Ranch trade event dinner at an acclaimed author, Chef Adam Perry Lang’s APL Steakhous...
Gerry Furth-Sides 
Barbara Hansen 
Chef-owner Alain Cohen 
Roberta Deen 
Jose Martinez 
Nivedita Basu 