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...
The Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts presents the Los Angeles premiere of Renée Taylor’s MY LIFE ON A DIET, the award-winning, autobiographical comedy written by Taylor and Joseph Bologna, which opens its 12 performance, limited engagement on Friday, April 5 and continues through Sunday, April 14, 2019, in The Wall...
(Gerry Furth-Sides, photos courtesy of Brigaeiros and American Heritage Chocolates) Chocolate defines Valentine’s Day as much as flowers and wine. Brazilian Brigadeiros, TINY B chocolates are the newest on the market and American Heritage defines the best of American regional sweets. The sweets are perfect as hostess ...
(Gerry Furth-Sides) One of the UK’s most respected cheesemakers, Quicke’s launches its first ever mixed milk cheese into several Whole Foods Market stores this winter. Stores across the US are set to stock wedges of the 6-month matured clothbound cheese, Lady Prue that brings a true taste of Devon. Named after Mary Quic...
(Gerry Furth-Sides) Why not celebrate St. Valentine’s Day in a new, innovative way that goes outside of crowded restaurants, often not at their best on such holidays? RA Sushi created a romantic, couples rolling sushi class designed to teach participants about the power of aphrodisiac ingredients and help them make a littl...
Gerry Furth-Sides 
Barbara Hansen 
Chef-owner Alain Cohen 
Roberta Deen 
Jose Martinez 
Nivedita Basu 