Celebrating its 30th anniversary and its third ginormous al fresco dinner market, Kelly’s French Bakery invites everybody in the known world to dinner next Saturday. “Bring everything you would need for a picnic—except the food,” chuckles Kelly’s co-owner Mark Sanchez of the BYO plate-and-utensils affair. “We just love doing this. It’s sort of like a big block party.” Here’s how it works. Kelly’s and its Swift Street Courtyard neighbors provide the venue. Caterers like Gabriella Cafe, El Salchichero, Cafe Ella, H&H Fresh Fish, New Leaf and others provide fresh food possibilities. Surf City Vintners wineries, and the mighty Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery, cater the wine and beer. A very modest donation gains you access to the feast, as well as to raffle tickets. It all happens Saturday, June 25, 5:30–9pm. Be there. Everyone else will be.
NEW, NEW CHEF AT GABRIELLA That prolific hothouse for culinary invention Gabriella Cafe is once again on the verge of something new. Owner Paul Cocking looks forward to showcasing the work of talented young Ari Taymor (nephew of Broadway’s celebrated Julie Taymor). Most recently of San Francisco’s Bar Tartine, Taymor has worked with Tom McNaughton at flour+water and with Aqua’s Kim Alter. Taymor tells me that his southern France cooking experience with Armand Arnal at La Chassagnette taught him “adaptability and an intense appreciation for vegetables and herbs.” Taymor is no stranger to the Santa Cruz area, having spent his summers at camp in the redwoods of Soquel and on nearby beaches. “What excites me about Gabriella is the location,” Taymor says. “Santa Cruz also happens to be located near some of the most amazing farmers and ranchers in northern California.” He starts July 15. Until then, Cocking says Gabriella’s former chef Adrian Cruz is “filling in brilliantly.”
PARADISE GAINS A CHEF Longtime Casablanca chef Scott Cater is poised to take over the waterfront kitchen at Paradise Beach Grille on the Capitola Esplanade this week. After helping out with the transitions at Casablanca, Cater found himself pleasantly involved in conversations with Paradise’s managing owners, Leslie and Gary Wetsel. The fit was good. Cater says that aside from creating inventive specials, he has no plans to change the award-winning menu. “They’ve got a real winning combo as far as the food goes and I’m not going to shake it up too much,” he says. (And yes, last week’s column got its “paradise” locations mixed up. Apologies.)
Send tips about food, wine and new dining discoveries to Christina Waters at xtina@cruzio.com. Read her blog at http://christinawaters.com.
