COCKTAIL HOUR AT OSWALD After the opera last week, we headed for Oswald for something cold and wet. Behind the bar was owner Keet Beck-Brattin with just what the doctor ordered (in this case, the doctor was me). It was something called “the Cooler” involving Sapphire Bombay gin, muddled fresh cucumber and a generous squeeze of lime. A tiny bit of sugar took the highest edge off the lime and a slice of cucumber completed the bracing picture. A thoroughly adult, i.e., not sweet, cocktail, it was soothing and refreshing—especially after four hours of Handel and the drive up and back from the City.
In fact we were so enchanted by the Cooler that we celebrated with an appetizer plate of sauteed fresh porcinis, silky perfection in a light glaze of butter and garlic. We added one of Oswald’s beautiful cheese platters—a truffled goat cheese, a Basque Ossau-Iraty sheep cheese and a St. Nectaire cow cheese accompanied by whole walnuts, housemade quince confiture and slices of green apple. Beautifully presented foods, generous portions and the ambience has burnished with age. No wonder the cocktail scene here at 121 Soquel Avenue is booming.
LULU’S MIDTOWN We love this place. Grade A espresso drinks you can access via drive–through! You can roll out of bed, not even bother with mascara and drive up to the ridiculously convenient Lulu’s Midtown and no one will chuckle (at least not to your face) as they whip up a double latté from one of those sexy small plantation varieties that Lulu’s specializes in. This tiny java house packs a huge presence, holding down its little portion of the vast parking lot at 911 Soquel Avenue (roughly between Comcast and Whole Foods). It has become a hotspot for off-duty highway patrol officers, mothers with multiple babies and multiple puppies and students and shoppers on the go. The reasons are plenty: the delicious specialty coffee beans the house of Manthri Srinath made famous, fresh pastries and quick delivery. You can’t miss the bold chartreuse facade—even if you haven’t had your first cup of the day.
HURRY! And see if there are any places remaining for a sparkling match-up of Big Basin Vineyards winemaker Bradley Brown and Chef Josiah Slone of Sent Sovi in Saratoga. The concept is a four-course dinner on Thursday, Nov. 17. Tickets are $130 per person (including tip), available by calling 408.564.7346. or visiting the Saratoga Tasting Room.
Send tips about food, wine and new dining discoveries to Christina Waters at [email protected]. Read her blog at http://christinawaters.com.
